Music, Ink, and Love

by Jude Ouvrard

Levi: We’ll talk about it when we have dinner with him later this week but think about it. I think it could be perfect.

  Nix: I think so too. I’m looking at the pictures.

  Levi: Back to class, smart girl. I’m at the shop. Call me when you can. Love you.

  Nix: Love you, bad boy.

  I grinned like a fool. I think we got part of the wedding under control, thanks to my dad.

  How come I didn’t think of this?

  Chapter TEN

  After discussing our plan for the wedding, Nix decided to take the night off. Since she didn’t have any studying to do, she asked to go to the club. She said she wanted to have some fun and I couldn’t agree more. She hadn’t seen Bekka a lot since her return. I knew they had been texting and they had lunch together, but their lives got in the way. Bekka spent almost all of her time with Tyler and Nix and I, well, we were inseparable.

  Looking at Nix getting all dolled up made me laugh. We had been at the club hundreds of times but tonight, she wanted to look pretty, she said.

  She wore my favorite pair of tight jeans with a lace see-through top. Nix didn't look pretty, hot with a capital H was more like it.

  “Hair up or down, Levi?”

  What? “Hmm... down.” I loved how sometimes she just flipped her hair to the side of her face.

  “Okay, well then, I'm good to go.”

  “Do I look alright? I don't want to look like a douchebag next to you.”

  “You would never.” She circled her arms around my waist. “I just wish I could see a little more ink, though.”

  “Your wish is my command, Star.”

  I pulled back the sleeve of my t-shirt showing off a lot more skin.

  “Better.” She approved, reaching for my lips. “You are hot, Munroe.”

  I blushed. “So are you, future Munroe.”

  “In Los Cabos, babe.” The excitement in her voice was impossible to ignore. Thanks to my dad for that one.

  “Come on, let's go.” I pulled her hands into mine and we walked out the door.

  The music vibrated through my body. Nix danced all the way to Bekka who waited for her with open arms behind the counter. Tiff joined them and covered Nix’s face with wet kisses. Despite the fact that she couldn't count on her family, she had good friends who cared very much about her. I had the best of both worlds and I was thankful for that.

  Bekka put a couple of shots glasses on the counter and started mixing alcohol in her shaker. Was that really a good idea for Nix to drink? I knew and understood that she never had an issue with drinking but to me, they stood so close.

  I watched them from afar while stress got the best of me. Should I say something to Nix or should I mind my own business? She knew her limits, right?

  “Fuck!” I said to myself.

  “Relax, brother. She's doing alright. She's just having fun with her friends. I bet she would have come to you already if she had a doubt.”

  “Hey, Tyler. I know, I'm probably over-reacting, but...”

  “She had a drug issue, not a drinking issue. Both are different.” He tapped my shoulder trying to comfort me. “Trust me, I know.”

  “I don't and it's driving me crazy. It may sound selfish, but I don’t want to lose her again.”

  We watched them for a couple of minutes and it almost convinced me the situation was under control. She acted like her true self. The girl I knew before the rehab stint. Nix hadn’t changed one bit toward me but tonight seemed different. For me, anyway.

  “What have you been up to?” Tyler asked.

  “I’m sorry, I haven’t been around a lot lately.” I knew why, obviously. “The breaking news of the day is that we might have found where we’ll be getting married.”

  “Where?”

  “You remember, the beach, the pool.” Tyler and I had been there before, partying until the sun rose. Good memories for the most part, the hangovers were pretty bad.

  “No, Cabos? Damn, that’ll be great.”

  I told him everything and I just couldn’t stop talking. Who would have known that getting married would be so fun?

  “Hey, Angel.” Nix’s sweet little voice came up behind me. “Want to dance?”

  “With you, yes.”

  The club had known busier nights, but it gave us more space, more liberty. Bekka danced with us for a bit before returning back to her station. Nix had a big beautiful smile on her face, I couldn’t ask for anything better.

  The music had a smooth rhythm, a sexy summer vibe that reminded me how much I missed that season. Winter wasn’t all that bad here in Seattle, but summer meant Beauty and sexy tops. Nix had a ton of them.

  “Stop thinking, Levi, dance with me.” She ordered me, placing her hands over the belt of my jeans and pulling me closer to her. When Nix had something in mind, she knew what to do to get it. Her hips rubbed against me every time she moved them from left to right. Nix’s main goal: tease the fuck out of me. She looked at me through her dark and long eyelashes, giving me a seductive stare. She giggled halfway through her attempt to provoke me and that was freaking beautiful. Both of my hands cupped her cheeks, her stunning eyes watching me, curious, as I pushed my fingers through her long sleek hair and leaned toward her until our lips met. I wanted to kiss her so fucking badly, feel our tongue dancing together. Her small fists holding onto my clothes like I was her savior. I would be anything, everything she needed me to be.

  Dancing never appealed to me until I met my Star. I didn't have to think so much, it came naturally or at least it felt like it.

  We danced to a few songs without a care in the world. The music kept us to the beat and we had a really good time.

  From the corner of my eye I saw that Tyler wanted to speak with me. I had no idea what he wanted from me.

  “Babe, Tyler wants to talk to me. I’ll be back, okay?”

  She nodded. “I love you, Levi.”

  “I love you too, Nix.”

  I wondered what was so important that he couldn’t wait until later to tell me. I hurried to his office, because that’s where he was at now.

  “Tyler, what’s...?” Brian and Alexander... “What the fuck are you two doing here? Was I not clear when I told you to stay away? Do you even understand what you put her through?” I looked at Alexander ready to break his jaw. I despised him, both of them. “I want you both out of here, out of the city, out of our lives. Do you get it or do I need to get a fucking restraining order?”

  They both stared at me, ready to shit their pants.

  “I just want to see her.”

  “You lost that right when you gave her drugs and pushed her on stage. She just got back from rehab, I’m not taking her back there anytime soon, ever.”

  “Babe... Levi?” They could hear Nix calling from outside of the office.

  “Shit, you fucked up, both of you.” I barked.

  Nix walked into the office, holding a bottle of Tequila and another one of water. “What... No...”

  “They’re leaving, babe. Don’t let them ruin your night.”

  She almost dropped the tequila, but Tyler grabbed it before it happened. “I thought you’d told them to stay away.”

  “I fucking did, but they didn’t listen.” I mentally kicked them out without pity.

  “I want to go home.”

  She turned around and left, ignoring both of them, not even addressing them. They caused the pain that almost broke her. She never expected them to be there, and neither did I.

  I looked at them, furious. “Out of Seattle, out of Washington. Out of our lives. Get the fuck out of here.”

  “Do I have to kick you out or are you going to fucking move?” Tyler added with a look on his face that even I wouldn’t mess with. Ty had a cool attitude until the line was crossed and they had crossed it over and over again.

  Brian’s eyes met with mine again, his were lost in tears while mine were cold as ice. “I’m talking to you man to man, Brian, for the last time. When you left her mother, you had twenty-two year
s after that to find her, but you never did, you never tried enough. You found each other by chance. A gift from god, a once in a lifetime opportunity to fix things. A chance for you to explain why you were absent all of her life. Instead, you surrounded her with that idiot and a bag full of pills. Do you think that was smart? I always had a doubt in my mind that maybe, just maybe, you didn’t know about the drugs. That you were clean in that story, but you brought the fucker here with you. I don’t even want him to lay his eyes on her. She doesn’t deserve this, she’s worth so fucking much more than both of you. Instead of helping her heal her wounds of a life without her father, you gave her more. You stabbed her yourself. I want you out of here or trust me, I will have legal procedures done.” I said, standing an inch away from his face. He stepped back, completely lost and broken, but I didn’t care. I was done with him.

  Nix waited by the door. She heard everything and still looked at me with those beautiful eyes. I had said the truth. For the rest of my life, I would protect her, like this or to a bigger extent.

  “Come, Star, let’s get home.” I kissed her forehead. “Hold my hand.” I took her hand in mine. Her fingers shook against my hand. If I could take it all away from her I would, but for now I could only take her away from here.

  She followed me out of the door and into my car, and I drove away. I stayed quiet, I wanting her to say something first so I could gauge her emotions better.

  I parked the car in front of the apartment. She hadn’t said anything or cried. Nix looked empty of all emotions. My mind ran hundreds of miles an hour trying to think of all the things I had said. Did I unintentionally hurt her? I could have but hoped that I hadn’t.

  “Thank you, Levi, for stepping up for me. I didn’t know what to do. Brian had always been in my past or nowhere at all and it’s where I want him to stay.”

  “I’ll make sure he stays there this time. Trust me, I was so mad when I saw him. He found us, he found our place, where we hang out.”

  “I don’t want him in our life. I can’t be myself around him and my life is full already.”

  “I love you. Let’s get inside.”

  I got out of the car and ran to her side of the car to open her door. I helped her out and closed the door behind her. She was my diamond to protect, I would never let him see her again.

  Once we got inside, I locked the door as if he was following us. Had he been following us to find us like this? Seattle was a big city, we could have been pretty much anywhere. I had no idea and to be honest, I didn’t want to know.

  Nix pushed me against the door and fell into my arms. Again, I had a hard time understanding her emotions, but she wasn’t crying. I held her, kissed her, made her feel loved.

  “This is not how I thought the night would end.” She said with a touch of humor.

  “Me neither. How are you feeling now? Tell me because I don’t know what to do or say to make you feel better.”

  “You already do all of that, Levi. You’re here with me, you’re taking care of me.”

  “How are you feeling, babe?” I repeated.

  “Surprised, mostly. I feel like the world stopped for a minute or two. Seeing him in Tyler’s office seemed like a dream or a nightmare. I couldn’t believe my eyes, but you handled it well. I don’t think he’ll try again.” She said with relief.

  “He better not. Tyler was pissed too.”

  “I had never seen him like that. He’s normally laid back, relaxed, but tonight he had that vein on his forehead that was about to burst.” She chuckled. “I hope Bekka will be able to handle it.”

  “They seem good together, they’ll get through this. Don’t worry about it.” I kissed her hair and breathed her in, so relieved that she was doing okay.

  “I just want to change into my sweatpants and eat popcorn. Can you get me a t-shirt, one of yours?”

  “You don’t have to ask, Rock Star, take whatever you want.”

  I followed her to our bedroom. “I won’t lie to you, I can’t wait for us to get a bigger place. This room is too small for both of us and Bekka is never here anymore.”

  “What are you saying, Levi?”

  I sighed. Why did I say that? She had enough to deal with tonight. “I want us to get a house, our house.”

  “I’m still in school and unemployed.”

  “You are employed, you’re just taking a break. Besides, I can afford it, babe. Wouldn’t you like it to have a bigger bedroom, a bigger bed? A dream kitchen with a fireplace and room for kids and stuff.”

  “Kids?”

  I rolled my eyes. “We both know this will be happening at some point.”

  “We’re not even married yet.” God, she’s old-school. Her mother was still engrained into her brain.

  “We already live together and we committed sin plenty of times. Don’t you think it’s a little late?”

  Her cheeks flushed and she giggled shyly. “I would love that, but I would also love to be part of the project, I don’t want the responsibility to rely on you only.”

  “Okay. Fine.” I paused for a short moment. “When are we getting married?” Soon, I begged her in my mind. I didn’t want to wait any longer.

  “Spring, maybe.”

  Good answer. “Spring break, it is.”

  “Hold on, Levi, think about it. We all have responsibilities here, you, Kyle, Tyler, and Bekka. It won’t be as easy as you think to pack and go. You need to plan things.”

  I felt a brick wall pushing on my shoulders. Fuck! I hadn’t thought about that. I didn’t mind closing the shop for a weekend but the club? Tyler, what would he do?

  “I hate to say this, but you’re right. I’ll talk to them. I still want to get married this spring. As soon as I have this figured out with the boys, we’re fixing the date and you’re staying with me for a week in Los Cabos. You’ll be mine for the whole fucking week.”

  “Mmm, a man in charge. I like.”

  “Nah, I just want to be with and in you.”

  She elbowed me in the ribs. “Such a romantic.”

  “I knew I had that in me, somewhere.” We both laughed at my bad taste of romance.

  That hit kind of hurt too.

  Spring, only a couple of months away. My wedding day would be perfect, no matter what. I only needed her, everything else was extra.

  The following days flew by. To be honest, I had no idea how the days would be after her father showed up, but she surprised me by not showing any regret or anger. Her mind was set, he represented the past and she absolutely didn't want him in her future.

  Both of us dressed up to meet my father at his place, since she wanted to give him the best first impression and I thought she nailed it. She wore a knee-length black skirt paired with a burgundy blouse. She went for something she thought was classic, but she looked like a freaking librarian. A sexy freaking librarian. Hell, I wanted to start reading right fucking now. Her skirt kissed her curves, making her ass look round and downright sexy while her blouse didn't show a hint of a cleavage, only hinting at the curves of her breasts beneath.

  “Dad, meet Phoenix. Phoenix, this is my dad, Austin.”

  “Nice meeting you, Mr. Munroe.”

  “No, no, Nix.” He looked at me for approval and I nodded chuckling. “Please, call me Austin.”

  They exchanged kisses on their cheeks and shook hands all at the same time.

  “Follow me, we can sit on the veranda while the dinner gets ready.”

  I grew up here so to me, it didn't look anything special, but I could tell by the drool dripping from her mouth that Nix was impressed.

  The veranda offered a view on the water side and it consisted of a room with windows all around. The view blew me away, no matter how many times I witnessed it, I still loved it. The garden still looked great during the winter. The pool, the spa on the right with a sitting area on the left, both facing the waterfront. If I had chosen to be a lawyer, I would have been able to afford a house like this at some point but now, although I had no financial
problems, there was no way I could spend millions on a house like this. Unless I won the lottery but then again, I don't even buy lottery tickets.

  “Have you guys figured out a date yet for the wedding?” My dad went straight to the point. The lawyer in him didn’t like to waste time with unimportant conversations.

  “Not yet, we need to plan a get together with our guests. The tattoo shop will have to close for the weekend and if I want Tyler to come, he needs to find staff because we’re also taking his barmaids.”

  “So, I’ll be the only old man, I assume?”

  I laughed and he looked at me with a crooked eyebrow. “Yes, unless you want to bring someone. It’s up to you.” I gave him the option knowing he wouldn’t.

  “I might ask Colleen.” He added without saying any more than that. I thought I had just hallucinated.

  “Colleen? Dad, can’t you just forget about work for a weekend?”

  “I certainly can, son, but Colleen and I, we like to be together.” The way he said it sounded like he didn’t want to say dating or mention a commitment.

  Oh, well that changed things. I didn’t think I could hide the surprise on my face. I had known Colleen for many years, but never before I had thought of her as my father’s girlfriend. Was she really his girlfriend? Damn, that’s just awkward.

  “She’s a good person, Levi.”

  “I never said she wasn’t. I need a minute to, hmm... think.” Nix’s hand immediately covered mine. “Since mom died, I never saw you with anyone else.”

  “I know, Levi. I’m not asking you to be okay with this now, just... think about it.”

  I nodded.

  “Are you happy?”

  He smiled at me as if I had asked the funniest question ever. “I am.”

  “Mr. Munroe, dinner is ready.” A short woman with dark hair said, standing at the entrance of the veranda. Dad stood up and invited us to follow him.

  All three of us sat at the table. The lady brought us our plates. It smelled delicious. The mix of spices was mouth-watering. I was starving.

  “Thank you.” I said and Nix repeated my words seconds later.

  “So, Nix, what are you studying?” Studies for my dad were very important. I heard him say a couple of time that we could learn a lot about someone from the studies they chose.