Page 4 of Bound By Ink

Derren:So, you gonna let me take you out?

Scott:Maybe

Derren:Come on, don’t play hard to get

Scott:Ok. When?

Derren:I’ll let you know

Scott:When?

Scott:…

I start and delete the next message over and over before tossing my phone down and climbing into bed. I was ready to have a bit of a flirt. To chat and get to know each other better before our date, but now it feels a little flat. I stare at the ceiling.

Minutes turn into hours as I overthink the situation. Where did I go wrong? I was keen, but not too keen. I was engaging without appearing desperate. I don’t have loads of experience, but I’m no virgin, even though I’m second-guessing myself right now.

I wake up feeling rubbish. I haven’t slept, just tossing and turning all night. The piercing sound of the alarm startles me.

Fuck my life.

After rolling over, I hit the snooze button. My eyes flutter closed. The beep rings out again. Gasping, I open my eyes. The confusion of not being sure where I am and what time it is clouds my thoughts before I sit bolt upright. Panic sets in; I’m going to be late. If I head to the sandwich shop like I normally would, I’ll look desperate, and the way he’s so hot and cold makes me feel confused and unworthy. Knowing I’ll have to make myself a pathetic sandwich at home, the thought of the crap fillings I have turns my stomach and fills me with dread.

My body aches, and I check my watch and decide to forget the sandwich. Instead, I’ll take a detour to get a decent coffee at least. I’ll go to Killian’s shop. He has an amazing coffee machine, and he’ll be there early. He always is.

I throw my clothes on, snatch my bag from the bottom of the bed, and run downstairs. Mumbled grunts and curses fill the hall. Steven is on the sofa, gaming again. I shake my head as I bolt out the door and speed-walkdown the street. My mind keeps wandering to Derren, though. Maybe Killian can give me some more advice.

When I get to the tattoo shop, I knock on the front window, and Killian’s face pops around the wall before he shakes his head and comes and opens the door.

“What the fuck do you want at this time in the morning?”

I roll my eyes at him. “Shut up. I need coffee.” I push past him and into the back. When I step into the small kitchen area, I groan because I can already smell coffee. The machine is fired up, and I slide a cup underneath, filling it up and dumping far too much sugar in before blowing it and taking a sip. I trudge out to the main room and flop down on the sofa.

“This is amazing.”

“What’s with you? You look a state. You been up fucking all night?”

I cock a brow at him, but run my fingers through my hair, bits sticking up in all directions. I take a sip of my coffee before placing it down and rubbing my hands all over my hair, dragging my fingers through it and smoothing it down.

“Better?” I frown up at him.

“Yeah, sure.” He waves me off.

“Killian?” He sighs at the question in his name. “How do I know if someone’s not really interested?”

“Just look closely. People always show you what they want rather than tell you.”

I nod, but don’t have any idea what to do about Derren. I tug out my phone and show Killian. He stares down at it and back at me. “Dude’s a player.”

“Really? What should I do?”

“Is he hot?”

“Yes. So hot.”

“So, he’s got options. If you want some fun, go for it. If you want a relationship, run.”

“You can’t tell all that from those messages.”