Page 19 of Spring Break Fling

Maybe that was why Greg was there, like her message was all about letting me know she had moved on. That door was closed in more ways than one. That would be nice.

I tossed my shit into the car. Aside from the sketchbook, which I put in the glove compartment, there was no way I was going to be using any of it again. I didn’t trust Samantha. She probably poisoned the protein powder and rubbed shit on the shirt.

Back at the shop, Diego was waiting for me with a raised eyebrow. “How’d it go?”

I dropped the box onto the counter. “Better than I expected, surprisingly.”

“What’s in the box?” he asked.

“Garbage.”

“Like actual garbage?”

I shrugged and pulled out my gripper. “I’ll keep this but the rest is going in the trash.”

“She didn’t try to kill you or jump your bones?”

“No. I think she wanted me there to see her new man. She’s dating a guy named Greg now, poor bastard.”

Jessie poked her head out from the back room. “She actually thought she was going to make you jealous?”

“That or to let me know she had moved on,” I said. “Whatever. I offered to fix his shitty tattoo. He didn’t seem too thrilled.”

She laughed. “You’re such an ass.”

Diego shook his head, chuckling. “Man, you’ve got more drama in your life than a soap opera.”

“I can’t help it if my life’s interesting,” I said with a grin, tossing the gripper up and catching it with one hand.

“Interesting is one word for it,” Diego muttered, sorting through the box. He pulled out the protein powder and raised an eyebrow. “You’re not going to keep this?”

“Man, toss it. Knowing Samantha, she might’ve spiked it with laxatives or something just to mess with me.”

Jessie snorted from where she was organizing some new ink bottles. “You’re probably right.”

“What’s on my schedule?” I asked.

“You got that guy coming for another session on his back,” Diego said.

I nodded. “Better set up.”

I got to work preparing for what was going to be a long session. I was kicking myself for not getting Hannah’s number. It would have been so easy to ask. But then what? I sure as hell didn’t want a girlfriend. And if she wasn’t sticking around, what was the point?

“What’s got you all quiet?” Jessie asked. “Don’t tell me you’re actually thinking about Miss Idaho.”

“Maybe I am,” I said, surprising even myself.

Diego and Jessie exchanged a look, and then Jessie grinned. “Well, well. The mighty Nikko Malone, caught by a good girl. This is gonna be fun.”

“Fun for who?” I muttered, but the truth was, I didn’t really mind. Not this time.

7

HANNAH

Izipped my suitcase and looked around the hotel room. Without fail, I always left something behind. Whether it was a phone charger, curling iron, or a sock, I never managed to get it all. I dropped to my knees and looked under the bed.

There it was, a lone earring that I had taken off last night thinking it hurt too much to sleep in. I reached for it. Sighing in relief, I stood up and checked the mirror, making sure I looked presentable for my flight back home. Idaho was nothing like Miami. Part of me couldn’t wait to get back to the quiet.