by S. M. Shade
I’m glad to get back to work. It’s only been about twenty-four hours since my discovery, but it feels a lot longer. I’ve barely walked through the door of my shop when Denton texts.
Denton: Are you working today?
Me: Yes, but please don’t come by. This isn’t the place for us to talk. I’ll be home after work.
Denton: Okay
I’m glad he agreed so quickly. I expected more of an argument, but he’s respecting my request for space and time to think. Fuck, I know he’s a good guy. Why does this have to be so hard?
The best way for me to distract myself is to throw myself into my art. I have a few clients scheduled, and a walk-in chooses one of my designs as well. In between, I work on sketches, then check my business email.
My breath catches when I see an email from Inked Up magazine. Inked Up is the holy grail in our business and only extremely talented artists get in. Being featured usually leads to offers from hugely popular studios in large cities and special events, and even if that isn’t the goal, the artist would never struggle to find clients again. They can pick and choose who they want to work on.
“What is it?” Sasha asks.
“I—come and look at this.” I need a second pair of eyes. Hell, maybe a third too because there’s no way I’m seeing this right.
Sasha lets out a squeal that probably deafened half the dogs in the county and then almost knocks me out of my chair with a hug. “Inked Up wants to feature you! Oh my god! You didn’t tell me you submitted to them!”
“I didn’t.” It wouldn’t even have occurred to me to send them my work. Reading the email more thoroughly, I point out, “They saw my art on the website.”
“Well, who cares?” Sasha grabs me and shakes my shoulders. “You’re going to be famous, and I’m riding your coattails right up with you, bitch!” Letting me go, she does a little dance. “I’m so proud of you!”
Finally, I let myself believe it and I join her, jumping and screaming like some sorority girls gone crazy. For the first time in so long I can’t even remember, I feel myself relax. The shop is going to make it. I’m going to make it.
Because of the website.
Because of Denton.
“I need to tell Denton!” I exclaim.
Sasha practically shoves me toward the door. “Go! We’re only open another hour. I’ll clean up.”
I squeeze her hard. “Thanks for being there.”
“Always, girl.”
My ride home may be the fastest I’ve ever ridden a bike. I won’t be riding a bike for much longer. This is going to open up amazing financial opportunities. Denton’s car is the only one that’s home, and he looks up in surprise when I enter.
“Hey, I thought you had to work late. Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m freaking out a little. I just…look.” I shove my phone at him with the email on the screen.
He reads it, then peeks up at me, his eyes widening. “This is big, Becca. Huge. This magazine only features the top artists in your industry.”
I wasn’t sure he’d even know who they were. “How do you know that?”
“Research is a big part of marketing,” he mumbles, reading the email again before grinning up at me. “I told you. I told you if people saw your art, nothing could stop you.” He gets to his feet, and I know he wants to hug me, but he’s not sure where he stands anymore.
I don’t let the moment last long enough to get awkward before throwing myself into his arms. He squeezes me tight. “I’m so happy for you.”
We stay there like that for a few seconds before he releases me and catches my hands. “Becca, I’m—”
“I know.” I interrupt. “You don’t need to keep apologizing.”
“Are we…okay then?” His cautious expression breaks my heart.
“I’ll be honest. I’m still mad, but we’ll get past it. We definitely need to talk about some stuff. I don’t trust easily, and I want to trust you.” I peek up at the relieved smile slowly dawning on his face. “I wouldn’t have done any of this without you, Dent. I don’t like that you hid things from me, but you also helped me realize my dream. I’ll never forget that.”
A soft kiss finds my lips. “I love you, Becca. Please trust me on that.”
Looping my arms around his neck, I kiss him again. “I do. I love you too.”
Grinning down at me, he says, “So, hot makeup sex time?”
“No,” I laugh.
“I agree. No sex. Let’s just get naked and see what happens.”
“Time of the month, man,” I remind him.
“Ugh, cockblocked by your inconsiderate uterus.” He pulls me onto the couch and into his lap. “I’ll just have to cuddle the fuck out of you, then.”
I can live with that.
There’s an absence of warm arms around me when I wake, and I glance at the clock. It’s early. Denton said he didn’t have class or work today, so I wonder where he is. He never gets up early unless he has to, especially after we stayed up half the night talking.
I wander into the living room to see Trey on the couch with a textbook on his lap. “Hey, where’s Denton?”
One glance at his expression is all I need to know something is wrong.
“His final interview is today.”
“Oh, he didn’t say anything.” I rub the sleep out of my eye.
“He’s taking himself out of the running.”
That wakes me up fast. “What?”
“He didn’t have another project to present or time to throw anything together.” Trey shrugs.
Shit. We didn’t get a chance to talk about it, and while I wanted to know what he planned to tell them about Dreams in Ink, I wasn’t going to keep him from giving the presentation. He’s worked six long years for this moment, and while I’m thrilled he’d put my feelings ahead of his career, it sure as hell isn’t what I want.
He saved my career. Now it’s my turn to do the same for him.
Rushing back to the bedroom, I grab the folder from its spot on the table, throw a hoodie on, and shove my hair into a ponytail holder. Trey looks up at me when I plant myself in front of him. “I need to borrow your truck.”
“That’s a big negative there, girl. You aren’t on my insurance.”
“Then I need you to drive me. We have to go. Now.” I wave the folder. “We might be able to catch him in time.”
Trey considers it for a moment, then hops up and grabs his keys. “Load up the navigator on your phone. I have no idea where Paducah Advertising is located.”
I don’t know how we don’t end up with a speeding ticket or smashed into a tiny metal ball, but we manage to make it there safe and sound. Trey really had the pedal to the metal. I know he hates the thought of Denton losing this chance too.
He drops me off at the entrance, and I shove my way through the glass doors into the lobby, praying I’m not too late.
Please please please.
Chapter Fourteen
Denton
Dread fills my stomach, but I know what I have to do. The twenty-four hours I spent without Becca, fearing I’d blown the relationship was like nothing I’d ever experienced before. If I had even an inkling of a doubt about my love for her, I don’t now. Because that was brutal.
She asked me for time and while she didn’t end up needing much, it was pure torture to agree. To hang up the phone and leave her alone. I don’t know how many times I picked it back up to text or call. To try to get her to talk to me. An embarrassing amount of times for sure, but in the end, I resisted because what she wanted was completely fair.
I hid something incredibly important from her. I may have helped her build her brand and get a leg up, but I’m under no illusion that it means I have any right to her business or how she runs it. Or to share sensitive information about it with strangers, no matter the reason.
We didn’t talk about the project last night, just had a heart to heart about trusting each other and not keeping secrets. Then we spent the evening cuddled in
bed. I just needed to be close to her, to feel like she was mine again. Nothing else matters.
She doesn’t know my final interview and presentation is today. It’s early when I creep out of the bedroom, and I’m surprised to find Trey sitting in the living room. He knows my plan and doesn’t like it.
“Denton, you’re fucking up an amazing opportunity. Are you sure?”
“Yes, I can’t use the presentation I prepared. I screwed up and I’m paying for it. That’s all there is to it.” He doesn’t argue, just gives me a somber nod as I grab my keys and head out the door.
Paducah Advertising isn’t far away, and I show up a few minutes before my interview. The other candidates try to size me up as I take a seat in the lobby along with them. Nothing to worry about here, guys. I’m not your competition anymore.
I try to swallow down the regret and disappointment. I know there will be more opportunities in the future, and I’ll find a position somewhere, but I really wanted this. God, I wanted it.
Just not enough to hurt her again.
None of the excuses I run through my head seem sufficient, and I figure the only thing I can do is tell them I don’t have a project prepared, apologize, thank them for their time and consideration, then get the hell out. Every inch of me wants to just skip out, send an email or something, but the least I can do is show professional courtesy. I’m going to be in the same industry as these people soon, and I want their respect.
The tick of the clock behind me counts down the minutes as my hands sweat and nausea twists my stomach. I hate disappointing people. And this week I’m three for three. First Becca, now the executive here who is considering me, and mostly, myself.
The receptionist glances away from her computer for a moment and gives me a reassuring smile. I’m sure she thinks I’m nervous I won’t get the job. I know I’m no longer a candidate for the job. Now, I’m just trying to save as much face as I can.
After what seems like hours, the meeting room door pops open and Mr. Gains, one of the same three men who interviewed me before, gestures to us. “Come in and have a seat, gentleman. We feel it’ll be advantageous to hold your presentations together, so you can learn from your colleagues’ projects as well.”
Great. A public humiliation.
The other men file in and take a seat at one end of the table, across from two other executives. I hover in the doorway for a moment beside Mr. Gains. I need to just tell him. There’s no reason to go any further.
My voice squeaks the first time I try to speak, and I clear my throat before trying again. “Mr. Gains, I’m…I need to inform you. I can’t…”
Damn it. Words, Denton. You remember words, right?
“I can’t give a presentation. I—”
“Denton!”
I’m not sure I’ve ever been as shocked in my life as I am when I hear her voice from behind me. Not even when I slept with Jani’s cousin and came face to face with more pubes than a human should be capable of growing.
“Becca, what are you doing here?”
She smiles and shoves the folder with my prepared project into my hands. “You grabbed the wrong folder, didn’t you? I’m glad I caught you! Don’t worry, I’ll get mine from your car.”
“I…” My gaze lands on hers, and she gives a frantic nod. She gives me what I should’ve asked for all along.
Mr. Gains chuckles, and his eyes sweep over her. I guess it isn’t every day a woman rushes in wearing a bright red hoodie and pajamas bearing yellow ducks.
“Thank you,” I exclaim, trying to convey my gratitude for what she’s just done. And what she prevented me from doing.
She flashes a grin at me and hurries back out the door. I glance up at Mr. Gains. “Apologies, sir.”
He slaps his big hand on my shoulder. “No harm done. Beside every successful man is a woman who helped him get there. What would we do without them?”
Gripping the folder, I thank him, and take my seat with the other applicants. Now, I just have to show them what I can do.
Becca and Trey are waiting in his truck, parked beside mine when I emerge from Paducah Advertising over an hour later. I see them before they see me, and I feel like the Grinch because I swear my heart swells three sizes in my chest at the sight of her.
She sits with her feet propped on the dash, laughing at something Trey says. They both jump when I smack the hood of the truck. “You asshole!” she screeches.
She jumps out of the truck, and rushes over to me. “How did it go?”
Grabbing her jaw, I kiss her. I kiss the hell out of her, ignoring the snort of laughter I hear from one of the other applicants as they walk past us. “Thank you.”
She beams up at me. “You’re welcome, now don’t keep us in suspense. Did you get it?”
“They’ll make their decision this afternoon. I have to wait on them to call.” I regard Trey, who stands there with an I-told-you-so smirk. “Thanks, man, really.”
He just nods at Becca. “It was either bring her or give her my truck. She wasn’t going to take no for an answer.”
“Ugh! I can’t stand the suspense,” Becca cries.
Laughing, I wrap my arm around her shoulders and steer her toward my car. “We’ll have to find a way to kill some time.”
“I have an idea. Why don’t we go home so I can put some clothes on that don’t make me look like a homeless person, then we can shop for a car.” She settles into the passenger seat, and waves at Trey as he drives off.
“Yeah? Are you ready to buy?”
“I have enough for a down payment, and I’m tired of the bike.”
“Okay then. Let’s do it.”
What started as such a horrible day only gets better and better. After going from dealership to dealership for hours, Becca finds a car, and her excitement is adorable. By late afternoon, we’re hanging out in the living room, along with Trey, Jani, and Noble. There’s a video game in front of me and a controller in my hands, but I’m not paying much attention. I’m just waiting on the phone to ring.
Jani sneezes and Becca says, “Bless you.”
“Thanks.” Another sneeze rockets out of her.
“Gesundheit,” Noble says absently.
She doesn’t quite get a thank you out before sneezing again, and Trey looks at her. “All right, get your shit together.”
It feels good to laugh, to let some of the stress abate. “I heard from Kenny,” Trey says. “He isn’t going to jail. Since it was a first offense, he got probation and community service. Plus, he has to pay back the money he stole.”
“Did he even sound sorry?” Jani asks.
“No, he just kept going on about how good he looked in the suit he wore to court.”
Becca scoffs. “Sticking a flower in an asshole doesn’t make it a vase.”
Trey grins at me. “He must’ve swiped your lube and had it in his room when his dad packed up his stuff. He wanted to know what you put in it to set his dick on fire.”
There’s no time to respond to that because my phone rings, and I dive on it. “It’s them,” I whisper.
“Well, answer it!” Becca laughs.
Mr. Gains doesn’t drag things out. The first words out of his mouth are “Be here Monday morning at nine o’clock.”
The rest of the short conversation is a blur, and I hang the phone up, still processing the information.
“Dent?” Becca says, cautiously, touching my arm.
“I got it!” I yell, sweeping her into my arms and squeezing her.
I did it. My big break. This internship is damned near guaranteed to lead to a job offer right out of school. I’ll be able to stay local, stay with Becca, and pursue my dream as she chases hers. So much of my time has been spent feeling like life is soup and I’m a fork that I can hardly believe my luck.
The job and the girl. I have everything a guy could ask for.
“Denton, I can’t breathe,” she wheezes, and I relax my arms.
“Sorry, babe.”
She grins up
at me. “I’m so happy for you.”
“Me too,” Noble says. Jani gives me a quick hug.
Trey smiles at me and slaps me on the back. “That’s great news. And now we have some more great news for you.”
Noble’s evil smile clues me in even before Trey says, “We figured out your punishment for breaking the bro code.”
Laughing, I pull Becca down into my lap on the couch. Nothing could bring me down today. “Go for it. Do your worst.”
Epilogue
Becca
“I can’t believe this is what you assholes came up with,” Denton grumbles as he fidgets with his tie.
“Let me. You want to be all handsome for your date,” I say, adjusting his tie.
“You’re not supposed to be enjoying this so much.” He swats me on the ass. What can I say? Trey and Noble are evil geniuses. I knew they’d come up with something crazy for his bro code punishment, but they’ve really outdone themselves. Having to take an inflatable doll out on a double date is bad enough, but having to propose to it? Priceless.
It’s actually a triple date since Noble and Jani are coming along. I’m posing as Trey’s date for the night which Denton isn’t thrilled about either, but he’ll be with us. I wouldn’t miss this for anything.
“Making him dress up was a nice touch,” I tell Noble, and he grins. It earns me another whack on the ass, but it’s worth it. I know Denton isn’t really upset about this. I mean, this is the same guy who has no trouble parading around in a dinosaur costume.
“Okay, let’s go. Don’t want to be late!” Trey chirps.
“Are you sneaking in snacks for all of us?” Denton asks, when I pick up my oversized purse. I open it so he can get a peek inside, and he grins at me. Yeah, I thought he’d like that.
Trey and I ride with Denton while Jani and Noble follow in their car. Trey slides into the backseat with me, and Denton shoves the blow up doll into the seat.