Page 56 of Ink

“I’m sorry?” I ask, tilting my head in confusion.

“You’re all cozied up with this bone head when it’s my arm you should be on.” He winks before placing his hand dramatically over his heart. “You wound me.”

“Fuck off.” Ink shoots him a glare that has the hair standing up on the back of my neck.

The guy lets out a loud laugh as he pulls out a chair and joins us. It’s clear he’s enjoying this.

“Since my brother seems to have forgotten his manners, I’m Cyrus.” He beams a flirtatious smile.

I can’t help but snort at the irony.

Just moments ago, I was shocked he had any.

“Hi. I’m Sutton.” I smile.

“Oh, I know who you are.” He drops his tone lower, giving it a seductive edge. A sound that can only be described as a growl is coming from Ink, making my eyes widen at him in alarm. “Ignore him.” Cyrus waves his hand, unbothered by Ink’s outburst. “He’s a little testy lately, but I’m sure you knew that.”

“A little testy?” I laugh. “Working with him has been like working with a bear. I was beginning to think he was born with a permanent scowl on his face.”

Ink huffs as he shoves the last of his burger into his mouth.

“What? You know I’m right.” I snicker.

Ink remains silent as he looks at me while slowly chewing the last bite. “I think I liked you better when you were afraid to talk to me,” he says after a long moment.

My jaw drops.

“I wasn’t afraid to talk to you!”

I totally was.

And honestly, I still am.

“Alright, alright, I get it, babe. Don’t need to rub it in my face, but I can tell when I’m out beat,” Cyrus says, sounding sad.

Wait, what?

“Oh no.” I rush out. “You’re not out beat for anything. There’s no competition.”

“The fuck?” Ink says at the same time a huge smile spreads across Cyrus’ face as he says, “Oh, really?”

Ink’s signature scowl is back, and it’s aiming right at me.

“What?”

“You know what.”

“If I did, I wouldn’t be asking.”

“Don’t play dumb. It’s not a good look on you.”

My head rears back as my nose scrunches up. Cyrus’ dancing eyes widen as he takes in the expression on my face.

Don’t play dumb?

“Well, excuse me if I don’t know what the heck is going on here. The whole entire time I’ve known you, you’ve been a world class butthead. If there was an award for it, your name would be on a gold plaque. I’ve had a really bad two days and then you were being nice and it was weird, so please forgive me if I don’t understand what’s going on!” I rant, getting louder and louder as I go on.

Both Cyrus and Ink have their mouths covered with their hands as their bodies silently shake.