Page 14 of Ink

Fuck it.

Pulling my phone out, I send a text to Gage.

Me: She show?

Gage: If by she you mean Sutton, then yes, Sutton is here.

The grip I have on my phone tightens. I don’t know whether to be relieved she actually came back or pissed she actually came back.

Me: What’s she wearin’?

What’s she wearing?

What the fuck is wrong with me?

Gage: The same mom clothes she’s been wearing, man. You want me to ask her bra color too?

A low growl escapes my throat before I can stop it, causing Hash to look around as he goes for his gun.

“You see somethin’?” Hash asks, eyes alert.

God damnit.

“No, sorry, brother. Just somethin’ Gage said.”

Hash relaxes but doesn’t let up. “This have somethin’ to do with the mood you’ve been in lately?”

“It wasn’t until it was.”

“Right.”

Me: Don’t be a fuckin’ dick.

Gage: Don’t be a fuckin’ creep.

I wonder if we’ll be back in time for me to stop by. I don’t have any clients today, but I’m the owner, so that won’t look weird if I drop in, right? Gage will for sure give me shit, but that’s just because he knows I’m being weird as fuck.

Hash and I both look towards the drive that we pulled off of as pipes rumble in the distance.

“Looks like they finally decided to show up.” Hash cracks his knuckles. “Let’s get this over with. I’ve got shit to do.”

Maybe I’ll be able to make it back in time after all.

Chapter

Seven

SUTTON

Disappointment coursed through my veins this morning when Gage told me Ink wouldn’t be in today.

Something about club business?

I wanted to ask what kind of club a grown man would be in, but I didn’t think Gage and I were at that level yet. He’s nice and always seems happy to help when I have a question, but part of me thinks he’s only like that because he feels bad for me. I’m also only on day two.

I don’t know why I’m disappointed. All night I tossed and turned on the lumpy motel mattress trying to find a spot where a lump wasn’t jabbing into a kidney. My stupid brain couldn’t stop playing the day before on repeat. Analyzing every little thing that was said. Every little interaction I had. The conclusion I came to is that Ink hated me the second he found out I was the new hire.

Hate is such a strong word and I’ve only used it with two people in my life. And even then, it was under extreme circumstances. I felt cornered, like there was no way out. I usually try to find the good in everything and everyone.