by Terry Towers
Chuckling, I placed the tattoo gun on the tray and pulled off the black latex gloves from my hands, then sat back in the chair. I needed a break anyhow. We'd been going for way too long without taking one. “Maybe. That apparent? You’ve been there?”
“It is and I have.” He lifted his left arm, the opposite arm than the one I’d worked on, showing me the wedding band on his finger. “I had no desire to get hitched or settle down. I’m only thirty-one, but sometimes what you think you want and what you end up wanting are two entirely different things.”
“You don’t say.”
“Yeah. I never wanted a relationship. Hit it and quit it. Keep the girl’s number on my phone with a note attached on how they ranked in the sack so I knew who to call first if I wanted to get laid.”
Rubbing my chin, I laughed again. “Well, I don’t have them ranked or anything, but my favorites are starred. I haven’t been here for very long – like six months – so the list isn’t overly extensive yet.”
“And you’ve already found someone who’s done more than catch your interest.” He said it as a statement of fact, not a question.
“Well, it’s complicated.”
“It always is, buddy. Always is. What’s the problem?” Grabbing a bag of chips from the table next to him, he cracked open the bag and began eating them. “Snack break, you don’t mind?”
“Not at all.”
“I’ll be your love guru while we take a break. So, tell me the problem. What’s wrong with the girl?”
Sighing, I thought about Felicity. She was hot and cold a lot, but that wasn’t a big deal. It was a matter of reading her mood and I’d gotten better at it. “There’s nothing wrong with her. She’s beautiful, talented, and independent. She’s an amazing woman.”
“Okay, so then what’s the problem? Are you thinking you can do better?”
“No, it’s not that. She’s my roommate and so even if I were interested in something more than a one-night thing with her, if things went south then I’d be fucked. You know how hard it is to get a decent place and good roommate in this city, it’s like winning the lottery. I don’t want to mess that up.”
“Is that really why?”
“Partially yes.”
“How many relationships have you been in?”
Laughing, I shrugged. “I’m not really into that.”
“Man, we’re not getting any younger and trust me when I say once you hit thirty, it’s no longer fun to be single and jumping from bed to bed. It just gets lonely and depressing.”
“Boy, you’re a ray of sunshine.” Grabbing a new pair of gloves from the dispenser, I pulled them on.
“Just keeping it real my man. I’ve got a wife now and a baby on the way and it beats the fuck out of being single and having one-night stands. Trust me. Once you find a woman who really understands you and you feel is special in every way, you need to snatch her up before someone else comes along and grabs her while you’re still making up your mind.”
My client placed the halfway-eaten bag of chips on the rack and settled into the seat. “From one retired player to another. You should think about what I said.” Without waiting for my reply, he placed his headphones back over his ears and restarted the movie, leaving me with my own thoughts.
I’d never really given my ways much thought. Up until now, it just worked. I’d never really wanted the responsibility of having someone depend on me, I supposed. Hadn’t really thought about why I wouldn’t commit. It just never appealed to me.
Though, he was right. I was in my late twenties now and wasn’t getting any younger. Maybe it was time to really give a thought to where my life was headed. I knew I always wanted a wife and kid one day; it’d just never been a priority.
Picking up the gun, I dipped it in the ink and got back to work. Maybe by the time I was done with his piece, I’d have been able to sort through some answers that’d failed to come to me at the moment.
The last couple of hours of the piece flew by and I couldn’t say that I was any closer to figuring out how I felt than I was when I first stepped into the shop this morning. If anything, I was even more confused because now I’d rethought my entire way of doing things in my personal life.
Shading the final part of the tattoo, I turned off the machine, placed the gun on the tray and peeled off my gloves as I sank back into the seat, admiring my work. I’d only been tattooing a short while, but I was pleased with the realistic lioness I’d created on his arm. I bordered the lioness with a ring of leaves with the name Caitlyn at the bottom. It wasn’t the quality that my boss could achieve, but I was happy with the result.
“It’s all done.” Tossing the gloves in the trash can, I waited to hear my client’s verdict.
Getting up from the chair, he groaned and gave his torso a couple of twists. “I’m telling ya man. You hit thirty and shit just starts hurting.” My client looked at his new art on his arm from every angle possible in the full-length mirror of my work area. “Dude, this is fucking incredible. The wife is going to bawl her eyes out. She’s insanely sentimental.”
Getting up from the chair, I came to stand behind him, admiring the piece in the mirror, pleased he was happy. Maybe my work today scored me a regular client. Maybe he’d tell a friend or two. That’d be amazing. “I’m glad you’re happy with it.”
~*~ TT ~*~
Felicity
He hadn’t texted or called all morning or afternoon. It made me feel anxious. Mostly because I didn’t know how I felt about us myself. I had a sinking suspicion that he’d pretend last night never happened.
Could I do the same? Though it’s not like I had a choice. Better question yet was did I want it to go anywhere or should I just chalk it up to a drunken’ night of stress relief?
Sitting on the window ledge, I looked down at my computer screen. The words of a client of mine flashed in front of my eyes, but I wasn’t registering the words. I’d tried to edit the first chapter of her book three times now; I’d never make the deadline I promised to have it back to her by at this rate. Realistically, I knew the issue. I wouldn’t be able to get anything accomplished until Carrington got home and I felt him out and found out where he stood with us.
Skipping back to the start of the novel, I’d just began to edit it for the fourth time when I heard the key being inserted in the lock.
Just play it cool. You don’t even know what you want from him yet. Hell, you have one big fat lie hanging over your head as it was anyhow. Even if he wanted to pursue something with you, did you want to start a relationship with a lie? A voice in the back of my head reasoned. It was right.
I pretended to be hard at work when the door swung open and Carrington stepped inside with a couple brown paper bags of groceries in his arms.
Looking up, I gave him a hesitant smile. “Hey.”
“Hey.” He returned my smile. “I stopped by the market and grabbed some things. Figured if you haven’t had dinner yet then maybe you’d be interested in me making us some burgers and fries.” Placing the bags on the countertop, he pulled a pack of ground beef from one of the bags and held it up for me to see.
“Great, I’ve been working since I got up and haven’t had a chance to eat yet.” At the mention of food, my stomach grumbled.
“I can hear it over here. You know the kitchen isn’t all that far, you can take a break from time to time and get something to eat.”
“Yeah, I know this, but I’m just into getting this done.” Looking down at the page, the big, bold “Chapter One” header mocked me.
“All work and no play.”
“Do you need help?” I started to set my laptop aside, but he waved me off.
“No, I’m fine. I prefer to cook on my own. I’ve always been particular about that.”
I nodded, chewing at my lower lip wondering if I should mention the previous evening or not.
Once he had everything put away and the burgers into the frying pan, he looked at me across the room with a frown on his face. “
Listen, I was hoping to talk to you about something. About last night.” His voice was solemn, matching his expression.
My heart sank.
I hadn’t known what I wanted to do in regard to us, but by the look on his face I had a feeling I wasn’t going to have a say either way. Deciding to beat him to the punch to save at least a little face, I shrugged. “It’s not a big deal. There was some tension, we had sex. Not a biggie. We just go back to how things were and pretend it didn’t happen.”
As the words left my lips, I knew I was lying. Partially drunk or not, it kinda was a big deal for me, but what could I do? He didn’t want me back when we were kids and that hadn’t changed even though I’d reinvented myself.
Chapter 9
Carrington
I paused for a moment, letting her words sink in. “Yeah.” Running a hand through my hair, I nodded my head. “That’s what I was thinking. I’m glad we’re on the same page.”
She nodded and went back to work.
I can’t say I knew what to expect from her when I came home, but I was pretty sure she’d dumped my ass before we even had a chance to explore if we were good together. I hadn’t really had a gameplan when I’d arrived. My intent was to discuss what her feelings were over supper and then go from there. I guess she made that pretty easy. Brutal but easy.
When it came right down to it, I should’ve been relieved she didn’t want to make it weird. Whenever that happened with any other girl, I’d have given a big sigh of relief. It didn’t feel like much of a relief this time though.
As I flipped the burgers and checked on the french fries, I mulled over what had just happened. We’d go back to being pals. I could start dating and life would go on.
My phone buzzed on the counter behind me. Turning, I picked it up and looked down at the screen surprised to see it was Sophia, the motel owner’s daughter.
Sophia: How is your new place?
I looked across the room at Felicity and smiled, despite the uncertainty that was messing with my head at the moment.
Carrington: It’s pretty good. Nice to be out of the motel room and be able to wash my clothes. ��
Sophia: LOL. We got the washer and dryer replaced. They work now.
Carrington: Had to wait until I left. You figured my clothes would stink too bad to clean in a brand new washer?
Sophia: LMAO. You’re so silly. It’s just a coincidence.
Turning back to the stove, I flipped the fries and turned the heat off on the burgers while starting to brown the buns.
Sophia: I miss having you here.
Carrington: Do you miss me or the sex? ��
Sophia: Maybe a little bit of both. We had a good time.
Carrington: We did. I appreciate everything you did for me. You and your dad.
Sophia: My father decided that he didn’t want to get a tattoo after all, he just can’t think of something he really wants. So I convinced him to let me take his place. Would you mind inking a virgin instead of Dad?
Carrington: I have no problem with that. Virgin skin is my favorite. You never forget your first.
Sophia: That’s how I’m thinking about it. �� Would you mind swinging by the motel and doing it here? You forgot a hoodie here anyhow so I figured you might want it.
Carrington: Sure, next week? Sound good? I’ll take the day off work and drop by.
Smoke started to rise from inside of the oven. Shit!
Carrington: Gotta run. Chat later.
Not waiting for a reply, I tossed the phone onto the counter and attended to the fries. They looked all right except for a few of the really small ones that were more like little dark chunks of charcoal than french fries at this point.
It had been fun with Sophia. She was a wonderful and incredibly sexy girl. But something was lacking. I hadn’t felt that connection with her, not like I’d with Felicity.
Yet here you are being tossed into the friendzone, a voice at the back of my mind scoffed at me.
Ignoring the voice, I plated the burger and fries and took them to the table. “Supper is served.”
Felicity looked up and smiled, setting her laptop to the side and coming over to the table taking the chair she normally sat in. “You didn’t need to do this, but thank you. It smells delicious.”
I hesitated looking down at her as memories flooded me of dropping to my knees and devouring her pussy last night. Clearing my throat, I shook my head, freeing the memories from my mind as I sat across from her.
Normally silence between us was comfortable, but tonight there was a tension so thick, you could cut it with a knife. I didn’t like it at all. It was a mix of sexual energy and unsaid thoughts and feelings that neither one of us wanted to bring up.
She was the one that broke the silence. “How was your first non-walkin-in hand-me-down client?”
“It was good. I think it turned out well.” Picking up my phone that was placed face down next to me, I opened my gallery and brought up the picture of the lioness tattoo and then slid the phone across the table to her.
Picking up the phone, she brought it to eye level and examined the tattoo. Eventually she nodded a soft smile spreading across her lips. “That’s good. I mean really good work. I can’t believe you’ve only been tattooing a few weeks now. You’re really a natural.”
A sense of pride welled up within me. I’d worked hard to learn the technique of tattooing and develop my talents doing everything from sitting in and getting pointers from the boss to watching the tattooing competitions and studying all the different styles. There were many more than I’d originally thought. Lots to master from the traditional, to portraits, to morphs and everything in between.
“I’m still trying to figure out my style and what I like to tattoo the best. I’m leaning towards realism, but I’m just too new at it to make a decision either way.”
She nodded. “I love it.”
“Yeah the guy had gotten it for his anniversary. His wife loves lions and he said that she was his lioness.”
“Aww.” She smiled warmly. “Caitlynn is his wife then?”
“It is. He’s hoping she’ll love it.”
“I know if a man made that type of commitment to me then I’d be overwhelmed. Sure if things went south, then it can be removed or covered up, but you have to really be committed to someone to brand your body with them even if it’s an image that only the two of you would know is meaningful.”
“I had a good chat with him.”
“That so?” She looked up from my phone to meet my gaze.
“Yeah, he mentioned he wasn’t much for commitment until he met her. He said he knew almost immediately that she was special and she was the one he was meant to be with.”
“That’s sweet. I hope to one day find that.” She paused, looking deep into my eyes. “That we both find that.”
Taking a deep breath in, I smiled at her. “Maybe that’s not all that far away. Maybe it’s right before your eyes, you just don’t know it yet.”
Our gazes locked and the tension slowly evaporated. Maybe the conversation we’d had when I got home was a misunderstanding. Misunderstandings and unsaid thoughts seemed to be our thing.
“Listen, Felicity…” I began to reach across the table to take her free hand, but the buzzing of my phone interrupted the moment.
She began to hand it over then hesitated when her eyes shifted down. I saw her reading the message that had come in. A feeling of dread washed over me. The smile faded from her beautiful lips and they turned into a hard line, her forehead creased.
Fuck. Whatever came in couldn’t be good.
Quickly, she recovered and placed the phone face down in front of me at the table. “If you don’t mind, I’m just going to take this to my room. I have some work to do and I really think I need to get to it. I’ve got a deadline and all.”
She didn’t wait for my reply. Standing, she took her plate and made her way to the bedroom, stopping just long enough to grab her laptop from the ledge. Ent
ering her room, she slammed the door behind her with a definitive thump that actually shook the casing around it.
Fuck my life.
I looked down at the phone for a moment dreading what the message that set her off could possibly be. Picking it up I looked down at the message.
Sophia: Just the thought of you coming over makes me wet. Can’t wait to have you take my virginity. ��
Dropping the phone onto the table with disgust, I dropped my head into my hands and groaned. Of course, Sophia would text when the phone was in Felicity’s hands. Could I ever catch a damn break?
Picking my head up, I looked at the closed bedroom door as I leaned back into the chair. I had no fucking clue what to do at this point. I wasn’t one to believe in fate or destiny, but maybe it was a sign that I wasn’t ready for a commitment with anyone. Perhaps it was the universe's way of stopping something that may hurt Felicity before it even began.
Perhaps this was just for the best. She was my roommate and mixing business with pleasure was never a good idea. This was no exception.
Looking down at the phone I re-read Sophia’s message. My dick didn’t jerk alive at the thought of her like it normally would’ve.
“Fuck it,” I muttered to the empty room. This was why I never got involved with women before fucking. They just brought too much aggravation and drama for my life.
Carrington: Looking forward to seeing you again. I’ll get back to you later with a date and time.
Chapter 10
Felicity
Entering the café, I spotted my friend and editing client, Alicia, at a little bistro table towards the back. I’d worked with her for several years and she was one of the few friendships I had in the city. Noticing me, she smiled and waved.
Stopping at the counter, I placed my order with the barista and once my frappuccino was prepared and served, I made my way over to Alicia. Taking a sip from the frappuccino I moaned, the chocolate-coffee flavor was to die for.