“I’m all good, thanks for calling. The flight from New York was smooth, and we landed on time. Nothing to report,” I tell him, a wide smile covering my face.
He huffs on the other end of the line. “You know, you have too much talent, so if something happened to you, it would suck balls. That’s why I was calling.”
“Sure, keep telling yourself that. How’s the shop? Everything all right?”
“The same. Not much has changed since your shift three days ago. Have you decided on your final route?”
“Not yet, but not having plans for once sounds like the best idea right now. I want to enjoy my time while seeing where the road takes me.”
“That doesn’t sound too bad—” There's some talking in the background, and a few seconds later, instead of Jax's deep voice, a soft female voice fills the car. ”Spade, my friend, how’s Tennessee?”
I chuckle at the interruption. Since Soph, Jax’s partner, started working at King Tattoo Brooklyn last year, there haven’t been many boring days. Those two together are something.
“It’s a beautiful, sunny day, which should make the drive to Gatlinburg smooth, just like my flight here. I just got the keys to my rental and am ready to head to the hotel. The festival starts tonight, so I’ll see a few bands and relax later.”
“That sounds like so much fun! I’m glad you’re taking this time off work for yourself.”
“Even though I love working with you all, I need a break,” I admit.
“Don’t we all?” She laughs. “Anyway, take lots of pics and send those to us on the group chat.”
“Will do. Say hi to everyone.”
“I’m sure they’re happy to hear you made it there safely. I’ll let you continue your trip. Enjoy!”
“Thanks. Take care of Jax while I’m gone, will you? I don’t know if he truly knows how to behave without me being there. I have doubts, but maybe you can keep him in check.”
Soph laughs again, but this time louder. “I have my ways to keep him controlled, trust me.”
“I heard that, darling,” Jax comments somewhere in the background.
“That’s why I said it, love,” she shouts back.
We say our goodbyes after their banter, and the call ends. I had already forgotten that the couple on the audiobook I was listening to were about to fuck, so when it starts playing again, I can’t help but mutter to myself.
“At least someone is getting laid.”
* * *
After a shower and nap at the hotel, I’m ready for the evening at the festival. It’s the first weekend of August, and the weather is still warm, so I wear a black T-shirt showing off my tattooed arms and a pair of jeans. Having no idea how much cooler it will be after the sunset, I wrap a red and black flannel shirt around my waist. My dark cowboy boots, a cap with the King Tattoo logo, and aviator sunglasses complete the festival look.
I have a shuttle ticket for the next time slot in fifteen minutes, so I find my way to the front of the mountain hotel and soak in the sunshine. I had to add SPF 50 on my face, neck, and arms before leaving the room as my pale skin would otherwise burn—the joys of being a natural redhead.
As I wait in line, a group of four people, two women and two men, stop behind me. They’re making plans and discussing which bands they want to see. I hear the name of one of my favorite bands and decide to turn around.What do I have to lose?
“Hey, um, do you mind a fifth wheel? I’m attending the festival alone and heard you mentioning one of the bands I’m here to see,” I ask them as I take off my sunglasses.
The blonde woman hugging the dark-haired man laughs and points to the other couple. “You wouldn’t be a fifth wheel as those two aren’t a couple. But sure, we have a free spot in our group just for you, hun.”
I turn to greet the others and can’t believe how stunning her friend is. She steals my breath with only one look. I could just stand here for hours admiring her beauty and grace. But before embarrassing myself by staring too long, I stick my hand out in an awkward wave. “I’m Spade; nice to meet you.”
The friend who caught my attention studies me, her forehead wrinkling like she’s thinking hard.Still beautiful.Her long dark hair in loose waves, glowing skin, and full lips are only a few things that enthralled me from the moment I laid my eyes on her.
“Spade? Like in a deck of cards?” she wonders aloud, and damn if I’m not hooked; her voice is unique yet comforting. It’s like I’m wrapped in fresh sheets with my favorite book after a long day at work when she speaks.
A flicker of a smile passes my lips as I try to hide my excitement. “Exactly. It’s actually my last name, and everyone but my family calls me that.”
“What’s your first name, Spade?”
