by Amiee Louise
She claps her hands excitedly. I leave twenty pounds on the table to settle our lunch bill and get to my feet. I feel so much better now that I have finally eaten something. I pull on my coat, and Ruby does the same. I collect Seb’s order, we leave the bistro and head back to the shop for round two.
6
Peyton
We get back to the shop in less than five minutes, and I go straight to the back. Seb and I decided we were going to make it into a relaxing space for when we needed a break or just a place to chill for five minutes. It has a comfortable black and zebra print sofa that seems to swallow you when you sink into it, a few beanbags scattered on the black carpeted floor, and framed movie posters adorning the walls. Sam is waiting for me, and I jump as I see all six foot four of him standing there.
“Jesus, you scared the living shit out of me.”
He smirks devilishly. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you; I was like a caged animal while you were gone.”
His voice is soft, and he has his hands shoved in his pockets in such a boyish way. I smile, take off my jacket, and stow my bag away. He reaches towards me, tucks a loose strand of my hair behind my ear, and strokes my face.
“You’re like a drug to me, Peyton. I don’t know how to deal with these kinds of … feelings.”
I look up at him and lean into his hand.
“Fuck, what are you doing to me?” he curses, and I’m not sure whether it is directed towards himself or me.
“Sam, I really like you, I mean I really, really like you, and it’s the same for me too.”
I feel so conflicted, and when he is looking at me with those intense green eyes, I lose all sense of rational and coherent thought.
“Why do I sense there’s a but coming?”
His hand is still on my cheek, and he is regarding me intently.
“Is there something going on between you and Seb, is that it? Is he standing in my way? Do I need to kick his arse?”
My eyes widen, and I dismiss it immediately. “Jesus Christ! No, of course not! Seb’s my boss, and we’re close friends, that’s all we’ve ever been and all we ever will be”
A look of relief washes over his face, and he visibly relaxes.
“You should know it’s not like that; I need to get to know you first. I can’t just jump in feet first. It’s not that simple for me. God, I wish it was.”
I sigh. He nods, and something about the way he looks at me knows I’m holding back.
“Then I’ll wait, for as long as it takes. We can take it slow, I just know I have to have you.”
I get a warm feeling inside at the closeness and his sweet words. Every second I am alone with him makes me want him even more. He leans down and kisses me tenderly on the lips. I ache for him, and I know I am falling fast and hard for this man, which usually spells trouble for me, so I pull away at the unwelcome thought. A look of confusion crosses his face.
“What’s wrong, babe?” he asks softly, and I shake my head.
“I … Erm … I-I can’t … I should get back to … work,” I manage to stutter and go to leave. He grabs my wrist, and his green eyes look into my blue.
“I meant what I said. I have to have you, Peyton. I’m a patient bloke; I’ll wait as long as it takes, and I’ll take what I can get with you. Give me a chance; please just don’t walk away from me.”
He subconsciously makes circular movements on the back of my hand, and I instantly get goosebumps from his touch. I sense a presence outside the door, which unnerves me.
“Someone’s outside,” I whisper.
“Fuck them, they can wait. I really don’t know how I’m going to hold out until seven.”
We both smile at each other, and I can feel my brain turning to mush every time I’m within touching distance of him.
“I have to get back to work.”
He nods but looks disappointed. He leans down, pulls me into his hard chest, kisses me gently on the lips, and strides out of the back room. I hear voices and instantly know that it was J.D who was standing outside the door. There is something about that man that doesn’t sit right with me—he is unnerving and creepy. I shake the feeling and go back out into the shop. Ruby looks at me and winks while I take Seb’s lunch over to him.
“Here you go, babe.”
Seb is sitting at his desk with his hands behind his head.
“Thanks, honey, you’re a total star. I’m taking a break. I have some paperwork and stuff to do out back. Will you be OK out here on your own for a while?”
Seb code for: ‘Are you going to be OK out here on your own with these unruly rockers?’ I smirk and nod.
“Yeah ‘course. I need to make a start on Jax’s tattoo anyway.”
Seb points with his head. “If you can tear him away from Ruby. That girl is … extremely fucking challenging.” He rolls his eyes and we both laugh. “Give me a shout if you need anything, honey.”
Winking, he heads for the back of the shop.
“Jax, you’re up,” I shout.
Brody laughs. “He is definitely up, darlin’!”
The boys in the shop burst out into raucous laughter. Jax stands up and makes his way over to my workstation, hops up on the leather bed—which has been wiped down, sprayed with anti-bacterial spray and laid out with a fresh paper towel ready for my next client. I also find that my workstation and my tattoo machine have been thoroughly cleaned, sterilized, and wiped down. God bless you, Seb Henry!
“OK, so what did you have in mind, Jax?”
He explains to me what tattoo he has in mind, and I make a rough sketch. When I’m finished, I show him the design.
“Something like that?”
He nods and smiles. “Yeah exactly like that, babe; it’s like you read my mind! You’re fucking awesome!” he says, excited. I can’t help but laugh at his child-like enthusiasm.
“I can freehand some of the other parts as I go. Where are we putting it?”
He laughs. “Well, I’m kind of short on space but have a wicked space on my upper thigh.”
I nod—another awkward place. Great. What is it with these guys and wanting to purposely embarrass me? Although I should be used to tattooing awkward and embarrassing body parts by now, it never gets easier. I make a stencil on the thermal copier, and when I get back to my station, Jax has shamelessly removed his combat shorts and is casually sitting on the leather bed in his bright, neon-green boxers. Sam is standing across the shop, arms folded, biting his thumbnail, his thumb ring glinting in the afternoon sunlight. He is visibly trembling, and I sense that he is silently seething at seeing Jax half-naked. From the corner of my eye, I see J.D go towards Sam; he brushes his arm, and Sam snatches his arm away. There is definitely something going on, so I vow to ask Sam later. I place the stencil on Jax’s upper thigh, and as my fingers make contact with Jax’s skin, I hear Sam growl from across the shop.
“Do you need to look in the mirror to check the positioning?”
He shakes his head. “Looks great from here, love.”
His smile is infectious, and I find myself smiling along with him. I set up the needle and put on my black rubber gloves ready for my afternoon tattooing session. I can sense Sam’s eyes burning into the back of my head as I line Jax’s tattoo of a rocker skeleton playing a flaming guitar with the words ‘Vengeance Forever’ just like Sam’s. I am suddenly interested in the other two band members’ tattoos and whether they have the exact same words. Ruby comes over and leans in to check my progress on Jax.
“Nice work, babe.”
She smiles, and her eyes lock with his.
“So will you come out with me tonight sweets?” Jax confidently asks Ruby. I hope she follows her own advice and says yes. She deserves to be truly happy with someone and not just a quick fumble with her scumbag married boss. She flashes a flirty smile.
“Yeah. OK, sure.”
Jax’s face lights up. “Excellent, I’ll pick you up at seven thirty?”
She nods coolly, and he hands her his mob
ile phone.
“Could you put your digits in my phone please, love?”
She takes his phone and quickly types her number into his phone then hands it back to him and smiles.
“OK, I’ll see you then. I have to get back to work now, though,” she says to both of us. Ugh, now I need to get home before she does, or I’ll be waiting forever for the bathroom! She will take extra-long being as she is going on a date. I stop tattooing for a second and kiss her on the cheek.
“I’ll see you back at the flat, sweetie.”
She looks at Jax. “See you at seven thirty, rock star.”
She turns and leaves, swinging her hips as she goes, and Jax’s eyes follow her as she leaves. Jax adjusts himself in his boxers, and I avert my gaze. Sam is quietly boiling with rage at the other end of the shop still trembling and deep in hushed conversation with J.D.
“Fuck me, that girl makes my dick hard.”
I laugh at his shameless comment and pick up my tattoo machine to start again.
Four hours pass quickly before Jax’s tattoo is complete.
Looking down at his thigh, he exclaims, “Babe, that is totally awesome work. I love it, you are a total bloody legend.”
He hops down off the bed, hugs me, and goes over to the other guys. They seem suitably impressed with what I have designed and tattooed on his leg. They all compare tattoos, and I think our work for today is complete. Seb comes over and puts his arm around my shoulder, pulling me close to him.
“Great work today, babe. You did some amazing tattoos. I’m so proud of you.”
His praise warms me inside. Since Callum, my confidence and self-esteem have taken a beating. Seb’s words make me feel fulfilled and worthy of my position at the shop. He kisses my forehead, and I see Sam’s shoulders tense at Seb’s gesture. J.D comes over and stands next to us.
“Thank you so much for cancelling your appointments and fitting the guys in at such short notice. I’ll see that you get substantially reimbursed for your losses today.”
Even the way he speaks has me on edge. You know that niggling feeling when you instantly take a dislike to someone? I instantly took an intense dislike to J.D, and with him standing so close to me, I feel my skin crawl.
“Seb, could I get a word, please?” J.D looks at me but gestures to Seb.
“Yeah, sure, give me a second, mate. Peyton, do you want to get going? I said I’d break your station down and wipe down for the day.”
I brush Seb’s arm. “Are you sure? I can stay if you want me to, honey.”
He dismisses it. “Don’t be silly, babe. Go home. You’ve done such a fantastic job today you deserve to let your hair down and unwind.”
“If you’re sure. Thanks, Seb.”
I kiss him affectionately on the cheek, go to the back of the shop, and put on my coat. I sense a presence as I bend down to retrieve my bag—I automatically assume it’s Sam.
“Couldn’t stay away, could you?”
I smile and get to my feet. My smile fades as J.D is standing in front of me.
“Sorry, sweetheart, lover boy Sammy isn’t available right now.”
He looks smug and pushes his glasses further up his nose.
“What the fuck is your problem? Sam might think the sun shines out of your arse, but I’ve got your fucking card marked, J.D.”
I emphasise his name, and he tightly grips my arm.
“Owww, you’re fucking hurting me, get your filthy hands off me.”
He leans closer to my face, and I can feel his stale breath on my cheek.
“You see, there are some things that you don’t know. Sam is fiercely loyal to me as his close friend and his manager. You fucking stay away from him; he doesn’t need groupie whores like you upsetting him. It’s blatantly obvious he is smitten with you, so back the fuck off, little girl, or you’re going to get yourself seriously hurt.”
I struggle against his steel, vice-like grip.
“Get the fuck away from her now, John.”
I hear Sam’s gruff, stern voice from the doorway. Spinning around, I kick J.D square in the balls, catching him off-guard. His eyes are glazed, and he drops to his knees, clutching his crotch, but he doesn’t say anything.
“That’s for grabbing me, you fucking prick,” I spit before rushing to the doorway.
“Are you OK, babe?”
I nod, but I am physically shaken by the incident. Sam brushes my arm, and I flinch. A look of concern washes over his features, and his voice is soothing.
“Hey, it’s OK, I’m here I promise. I’m not going to hurt you, and I’m definitely not going to let anyone else hurt you, babe.”
His muscular frame towers over me and pulls me into his hard chest for a hug. He tenderly kisses my forehead.
“Go home, babe, I’ll sort this.”
I look up at him for reassurance, and he cups my face in his hands.
“Go. Everything is going to be OK, honey, I promise; you’re going to have to trust me.” He winks to reassure me. “I’ll see you at seven.”
He smiles that panty-dropping smile and I reluctantly go back out to the shop, hearing the sound of Sam and J.D arguing.
“See you tomorrow, honey bunny,” I tell Seb who is breaking down my station. I stand on my tiptoes and kiss him on the cheek.
“See you tomorrow pumpkin, love ya.”
As I walk to Highbury tube station, I am hit with a blast of cold air. I plug in my iPod, and for the second time today, I am transported to my own little world ready for my journey home.
7
Peyton
When I get back to the flat, I kick off my shoes, put my bag and coat down, and then call out, “Rubes?”
My voice echoes through the flat, and I’m met with nothing but silence. I am secretly happy that I have beaten her home and don’t have to wait an hour to use the bathroom. After I do a little victory dance, I make my way to the bathroom, lock the door, and look in the mirror. Immediately I notice the rosy glow on my cheeks. I am not sure whether it is from the cold or the fact that I have a hot date with an equally hot rock star tonight. I am oddly excited and feel kind of nervous about seeing him again.
I turn on the shower, strip off my clothes, and climb in. I pull the curtain across and switch on my waterproof iPod dock, and soon the bathroom is filled with steam and the dulcet tones of Amy Winehouse singing about love being a losing game. Letting the hot water sting my back, I reflect over the day so far. Meeting the members of Rancid Vengeance was the highlight of my day—the prospect of a brand new chapter in my life on the horizon fills me with a renewed purpose and fresh hope.
Then I think of J.D. and the creepy way he was with Sam. He grabbed me and threatened me as if I was a cheap groupie whore. I only met the bloke today, and I already hate him. That is a record even for me; I usually give people the benefit of the doubt, but there is something in the way he acts around Sam that seriously unnerves me. Frankly, it scares the shit out of me, and I vow to ask Sam exactly what is going on when I see him later.
It has been a while since I have been on a date. I haven’t really been part of the active dating scene since I split with Callum just over a year ago. This date with Sam is a big deal to me and is my introduction back into dating and the whole romance thing. After I finish my shower, I go into my bedroom and turn my stereo up full blast and instantly recognise the song that is playing. It is a song by Rancid Vengeance called ‘Whispers of Hell’ on the radio. I start to think that it might be a major sign that this thing with Sam is the real deal. Quickly, I style my hair poker straight and apply natural-looking makeup with a daring splash of red lipstick to finish the look.
I hear the door of the flat slam shut, and I know that Ruby is back.
“Hey, babe.”
She breezes in and greets me in her sing-song voice, which lets me know she is in a really good mood. I stand in the doorway of my bedroom with my GHD hair straighteners in my hand.
“You’re back early. Are you getting ready for your
hot date?” she asks.
“Yeah, Seb offered to break down my workstation for a month if I took a late lunch to tattoo the band.”
Ruby matches the smile that’s been plastered on my face all day.
“That boy loves you. Men are like buses: you wait a long time for one, and then two show up at once. Actually, that’s not strictly true. Seb’s been under your nose for what, eight years?”
I roll my eyes and stick my tongue out at her, halting her rather annoying inquisition.