Barber Shop Ink - Book 2: Between a Hedge and a Hard Place

by Penny Blush

“Oh God, they are officially cut off,” Jax chuckled shaking his head.

  “Yeah, but they look like they’ve been having fun, so the way I see it, we have two options.”

  “Oh yeah, and what would they be?” Jax asked with a look on his face that let me know he knew exactly where my head was at.

  “Option one, we cut them off. Feed Hedge and Cass, make sure they drink plenty of water giving them some pain meds for the raging headache’s that they will undoubtedly wake up with.”

  “Yes, yes that seems like the sensible adult thing to do,” Jax said nodding his head in agreement, “and option two?”

  “Option two is we cut them off for a little while feed them make sure the drink plenty of water while we catch up to their level,” I laughed.

  “Option two it is!” Jax said clinking his beer bottle against mine.

  With our plan in place, we made sure that the girls were fed and hydrated while Jax and I did a few Jäger-bombs with beer chasers to catch up with the girls. It didn’t take long before Jax, and I were sufficiently sozzled and glassy-eyed. We agreed to whatever the girls wanted to do which is how we found ourselves in a karaoke battle, boy’s verses girls.

  I knew Jax could carry a tune, but I didn’t know that he could actually sing. The dude was excellent and was declared the winner with the girls, hollering and cheering and calling for an encore after finishing up a stellar rendition of Cyndi Lauper’s ‘Girls just want to have fun’.

  Hedge had explained that this was his go-to song, the song that he sang for no reason other than it made his heart happy. To appease his adoring audience, he queued up his next song and started singing ‘New York, New York’, seriously Jax could have given Old Blue Eyes himself a run for his money.

  The girls cheered and fanned themselves giggling and rolling around on the floor chanting, “More, more, more!”

  “Okay ladies, for my next song I would like to invite the one and only Memphis Joseph Blue to the stage!”

  The girls went ballistic cheering and screaming as I got up taking the second microphone off Jax giving him a look that said I was going to kill him.

  “The song we are going to sing for you ladies,” Jax while clicking the controls on the gaming console to queue up the song he wanted. “It’s a classic that we all know and love. ‘I’ve got you Babe’ by Sonny and Cher,” he finished with a sweeping bow.

  “Fine but I’m singing Cher’s part,” I said rolling my neck and shaking out my shoulders like I was getting ready for a fight.

  “What! Why? Out of the two of us, I am clearly the Cher!” Jax said with conviction

  “Because I’m taller,”

  The music began, and Jax/Sonny started singing without missing a beat.

  Not to be outdone by Jax, I dug deep channeling my inner Cher, signature hair flip and all I started singing.

  We had such a great night. I haven’t laughed that hard in a long time. It was just me my girl, my best friend, and my little sis drinking laughing and having fun without a care in the world.

  Inside the Livingroom of our apartment, nothing mattered except having fun. There was no shop, no clients, no Vex, no debt and no threats to my family.

  I wanted life to stop for a little while and just stay in this moment, soaking in the relaxed happiness that filled our home.

  Hedge and I convinced Jax and Cass to stay over rather than catching a cab home. Jax and I were sitting out on the deck under the stars sipping Chivas Regal Lochan Ora Liqueur, contemplating life after tucking the girls into bed.

  “I fucking, love you man,” Jax said with his head on the back of his chair looking up at the predawn sky

  “Jax, you know I’m getting married, right? So sorry dude but I’m spoken for,” I laughed as Jax rolled his eyes at me. “I love you too bro,”

  “Life is pretty fucking great,” he sighed. “You and Hedge are getting married. The shop is going gangbusters, and I finally removed my head from my ass, and I now have my beautiful Cassidy in my arms.”

  “Have you told her you love her yet?”

  “I don’t have to man, she knows.”

  “You still might wanna say the actual words,” I said rolling my head on the back of the outdoor lounge to look at him.

  “I love her so much it hurts. She’s my world.”

  “You going to marry her Jax,” I asked already knowing his answer.

  “Yeah man, I am.”

  “You know you have to ask for my permission, being her big brother and all.”

  “Sure-thing Memphis, I’ll ask, but I don’t care what your answer is. I’m marrying her anyway,” Jax said with a satisfied smile on his face giving me back the words I had said to him when asking to marry Hedge.

  “Good answer,” I looked over to find Jax’ eyes closed, lightly snoring. I chuckled to myself resting my hands behind my head and smiled up at the moon.

  “Yep, life is pretty fucking great.”

  Chapter 25 Hedge

  Memphis and I were snuggled up in an Adirondack chair by the river wrapped in a blanket with the fire pit crackling away providing extra heat. The sounds of the river and the night insects provided the soundtrack to our romantic, relaxing evening as we discussed our wedding plans.

  We had finalized the guest list, settled on a venue. Actually, it was settled for us. Bear had insisted that we use his home for the ceremony and reception. We had agreed that we didn’t want to get married in a church and Bear’s home and surrounding grounds were plenty big enough for our wedding.

  The ceremony would be down by the river, and the reception would be where we had my birthday party. If the weather turned on us, then it would be in the formal reception room and then the formal dining room. I agreed only after making Bear promise that he would not buy us a wedding present. I insisted that the offer to use his home was more than enough.

  Memphis had been to see his mentor and friend Mitch, who owned Soldier Ink, to ask if he could officiate at our wedding. Mitch had been a Chaplin when serving in the army rangers and had had the privilege of officiating at the weddings of the men in his unit. Mitch was thrilled to be asked, the gruff man agreeing without hesitation.

  Tabby and Jax had agreed to be the maid of honor and best man. Tabby exploding with excitement and insisted that she arrange the suits and dresses. The smoke grey suits with crisp white dress shirts were perfect for the boys, and the mushroom-pink dress that she picked for herself was stunning. Within a weekend the bridal party was dressed including shoes and accessories.

  Tabby took me wedding dress shopping insisting that she had found the perfect dress for me and that once I tried it on I would fall in love. She was right. I burst into tears when I stood in front of the mirror in the cute little boutique wedding dress shop just outside the city.

  Seeing myself in the stunning dress that I would wear to marry the love of my life, I could not contain my emotions. Tabby and I stood in the middle of the shop hugging and crying until the shop assistant managed to pull us back from the emotional-edge and I stopped crying and started beaming.

  “See I told you it would be perfect,” Tabby said through her own tears.

  Tabby had arranged the girls from Mecca Day Spa to come to the house on the day if the wedding to do our hair and makeup. I protested, not that paying someone to do it, I’m a hairdresser and makeup artist I could do it myself.

  “Nonsense, you do not do your own hair and makeup on your wedding day,” Tabby scoffed when I started to protest.

  With my dress sorted, shoes and accessories came next. Tabby had been my best friend and shopping guru for years, but I never appreciated her Yoda-like shopping skills like I did right now. It was like she had a sixth sense, she just knew what would work.

  Cassidy let me in on a little-known hobby of hers, and that was the next piece of the wedding puzzle to fall into place.

  “If you need help with flowers, I can help,” she said sheepishly, her cheeks glowing with a blush.

  “That would be awesome
, do you want to come and check out some florists with me? Or do you know someone?” I asked excitedly.

  “Umm kind of. Meet me at the flower markets on Sunday, and I’ll show you,” she replied cryptically.

  The next Sunday I met an excited Cassidy as the gates of the flower markets, with a Little Red Riding Hood style basket hanging from her arm. Cassidy linked her arm with mine, and she escorted me around the market. I learnt that one of the many things that she had studied to help her with her graphic design was the art of floristry.

  “It helps you to get a feel of texture, shade, depth, and height in design, plus,” she shrugged blushing. “I really love flowers.”

  I popped that little titbit into my mental database for later use. Also, I planned to tell Jax so that he could earn some brownie points. We walked around talking to the vendors collecting flowers and samples along the way. Hours later in my kitchen, I sat in awe of my friend’s talent as she mocked up a bouquet.

  “Now, this is just a sample. A rush job really, but it will look a lot better than this when I have all my proper tools,” Cassidy said looking at the stunningly beautiful arrangement like it was made from newspaper.

  My response was to burst into tears again, I swear this wedding was turning me into a blubbering mess!

  “Cass, it’s perfect,” I said wetly.

  “Why are you crying then?” she asked.

  “I don’t know,” I blubbered, and then we both burst out laughing, tears still running down my cheeks.

  Johnny offered to use his connections to provide the catering and booze for the event, so there was another box ticked. Bishop and Davis agreed to co-MC at the wedding but under two conditions. One that Davis was allowed to provide the music and two Bishop was allowed to arrange the wedding cake.

  “You’re not going to rock up with a sheet-cake are you,” I asked a little concerned.

  “No,” he laughed. “If you wanted a baked dinner my dear Hedge, I can guarantee that my culinary skills would blow your socks off, but baking is not my forte. My cousin owns Cake-o-luscious,” he said like it was nothing.

  Jax vaulted the back of the couch rushing into my kitchen almost bowling me over grabbing Bishop by the shoulders.

  “Did you just say that your cousin owns Cake-o-luscious?”

  “Yeah,” Bishop said apprehensively looking like he was waiting for Jax to attack.

  “Your cousin is Kristin Lynn! As in the Kristin Lynn master cake designer!”

  “Jax Honey, let go of Bishop and calm down would you. You’re freaking out a little,” I said approaching him with caution.

  “Cuz, you don’t understand. Bishop’s cousin is Kristen Lynn,” he looked at me like I should know who that is.

  “Okay,” I said slowly.

  “The owner of Cake-o-luscious!”

  “I’m drawing a blank here Cuz.”

  “Kristen from Cake Warriors,” he looked at me his eyebrows raised so high they disappeared into his hairline waiting for the penny to drop. Then it did. I sucked in a shocked breath.

  “NO!”

  “Yes,”

  “Nooo”

  “Yesss”

  “I really hate it when they do that”, Memphis said leaning on the back of the couch.

  “Do what, what’s happening?” Bishop asked unsure about what was going on.

  “They’re having a psychic conversation. They do it all the time. Somehow these two manage to have an entire conversation with two words.”

  “Oh. My. God!” I breathed.

  “I know right!”

  “Well if you two girls are done with your freak out, you want to share with the rest of the class?” Bear asked.

  “Cake Warriors is only the greatest food competition show on TV. Like ever!” Jax said as if that explained everything.

  “Think Survivor but with baking,” I explained to the still confused group.

  Jax has a massive sweet tooth, huge even. Which is why he spends his spear time at the coffee shop next to Barber Shop Ink. He is Maria’s official cake taster when she needs to try out a new recipe. He eats so much cake I’m surprised that he still has his own teeth, isn’t the size of a house and doesn’t have an insulin problem.

  Cake Warriors was his guilty pleasure. I got hooked on it when staying with Jax during my post-life implosion. Jax and I would sit on the couch with our spiced rum and coke, a bowl of popcorn between us watching chefs battle it out to see whose cake would reign supreme.

  Just like with Survivor there are teams, challenges, alliances, underhanded tactics, and each week a chef would be voted off.

  “Oh, my God, are you talking about that show that you yell at the TV while watching,” Memphis asked. “The one where I said that if it made you so angry you should turn it off, and then when I tried to you threatened to put my dick in the blender if I even thought about touching the remote? That show?”

  “Yes, that one! I luuuvv it!”

  “You’re a psychopath,” Memphis muttered. “Is Kristen the one who sings the songs from Grease and 80’s power ballads to distract the other contestants?”

  “Dude, yes! And Bishop is getting her to make your wedding cake,” Jax exclaimed with all the excitement of a little kid being told that he’s going to Disneyland. “Cuz, he knows Cake Warriors,” he whisper-yelled at me.

  “Marry me Memphis,” I cried throwing my arms around his neck kissing him.

  “You are such a dork,” he smiled kissing me back.

  It was decided that it was for the best that Jax and I go with Bishop to meet Kristen and look at the different cake designs so that we wouldn’t totally Fan-Girl all over Kristen at the wedding.

  Yes, I include Jaxon as a Fan-Girl because he crushes hard over Kristen’s culinary skills.

  Jax had a countdown marked on the calendar and had promised to tell Maria that Kristin’s cakes were too dry so that she would still provide the shop with coffee.

  Sitting out under the stars watching the world go by, warmed by the fire and cuddled into Memphis. I sighed contentedly.

  “Baby, I think everything is ready, we just need the twenty-eighth of September to get here.”

  We had decided on the twenty-eighth of September as our wedding day as it was the day Memphis’s grandparents were married. It was also my dad’s birthday.

  My parents were married at sunset on New Year's Day in a small ceremony with Jaxon's parents as witnesses. I had, had my mum's Cameo brooch that she had worn at her wedding that had been passed down through the women of her family for over a century. But I lost it the day my apartment burnt to the ground. It hurt that I wouldn’t have my mums broach with me.

  My family wouldn’t be there to help me celebrate my big day, but they would be with me in some small way. My dad’s birthday and the dog tags that Davan had given me.

  “Have you done your last job yet?” Memphis asked knowing that I had been putting it off since he proposed.

  “No,” I sighed snuggling into him for comfort and warmth. “I wish I didn’t have to.”

  “I know you do Baby Girl, but there’s not a lot that you can do. Your parents are gone. Your brother is… well, we don’t know, so you have to ask,” he said kissing the top of my head.

  “You have to ask who what?” Jaxon’s voice came from the back door of the shop.

  “No time like the present,” Memphis said

  “Fine,” I grumbled sitting up. “Jax can you come here for a minute please,” I called out.

  “Shop’s all shut down for the night,” he replied.

  Jax had the shop opened late for a Sunday finishing a back piece for a buddy who was going to New Zealand for his Grandfathers birthday. The design of the back piece was a nod to his Grandfathers Maori heritage, their combined military service and his mother’s Japanese ancestry. The finished tattoo was breathtaking.

  “What’s up?” Jax asked, dropping a kiss on my cheek and fist bumping Memphis before taking a seat beside us.

  “Go ahead Sweetnes
s,” Memphis said encouragingly.

  I sat up from where I had been lying on Memphis, for someone who is all muscle he made the comfiest bed. I looked at my cousin. I don't know why I was so nervous. I knew he would say yes, but still, butterflies exploded in my tummy.

  Gathering my courage, I asked the question that I wished I didn’t have to ask.

  “Jax I have to ask you something,” I started.

  “Yes, you have my permission to marry Memphis,” Jaxon joked knowing I’d needed something to break the anxiety that was building in me.

  “Thanks, I was worried for a moment there,” I laughed.

  “Cuz just spit it out. You know you can ask or tell me anything. Don’t think - just speak,” he encouraged.

  “Jax, dad is gone, and I have no idea where Davan is if he’s even still alive…,” my voice faded as I took a moment to gather myself. Memphis slowly massaging my shoulder in silent support. “We don’t know if your parents will be back in time. You’re the only family I have left. Will you please give me away?” I asked quietly.

  “J,” his eyes flicked to Memphis before clearing his throat correcting himself. “Hedge it would be my honor,” he said standing pulling me into a bear hug.

  “Your dad would be so proud of you, and you know that Dav would be here if he could,” Jax said as I once again cried into his shoulder for the loss of my family.

  “Thank you, Jax,” I sniffed. “I just wish I didn’t have to ask and I know that sounds horrible.”

  “I know what you mean. I wish that it could be your dad or Davan, but I am so happy that you asked me.”

  “I wouldn’t have anyone else but you Jax.”

  I stood in the loving comfort of my cousin’s arms as he rubbed my back until the tears stopped. He kissed me again and shook Memphis’s hand as I was transferred from my cousin to my fiancé’s arms.

  “Are you okay, now Cuz?” Jax asked, and I nodded. “I’ve got a cute pixie cooking me dinner, and I won’t get any cupcakes if I’m late.”

  Cassidy had been at the bakery discussing what flowers would be needed for the cake with Kristen. She had brought home some frosting covered goodness for Jax.