Page 81 of Ink

“Oh, my god!” Evan exclaims, shooting up until she’s on the edge of her seat facing me. “Where? At the clubhouse? Cain said he hadn’t seen you when I asked earlier if you and Ink had any plans tonight. Ooh, did he pull over somewhere on the way home? Cain and I have done that. A quickie on the side of the road. It doesn’t sound hot, but it totally is.”

I shake my head.

“Where else would you have… no! At work?!” She waits for the small nod of my head for confirmation. “God, this keeps getting hotter and hotter. I needed some new juice in my life. It’s the limbo period where one of my reality shows ended and I have an off week before the next one starts. I don’t know what to do with myself with some tea in my life. How did this happen?”

“I don’t really know, if I’m being honest. One second, I was talking about the raven barbells I liked that I saw in the showcase with Tommy, and the next, I was riding him in his room and walked out with my nipples pierced when we were done.”

Evan doesn’t say anything for a few moments, giving me no choice but to finally look at her again. She’s staring at me, wide-eyed and mouth open, looking truly at a loss for words.

After what must have been at least five minutes, Evan slams the rest of her drink that was basically still full, minus the first sip in three big gulps. “I don’t think I’ve ever been more jealous of someone in my life. It almost makes me want to take mine out and let them close up so I can make Cain pierce me.”

I don’t know what to say as an awkward laugh bubbles out of me. I take a long sip of my drink to stop it. I’m not used to talking about things so personal, let alone about the intimate details.

“So I’m assuming you guys are together now?”

“Uh… I don’t think so. I don’t want to assume, and it hasn’t been outright talked about. I think we’re just keeping it casual? I mean, he is my boss. This isn’t professional in any manner.”

Evan’s laughter fills the room. “Girl, what about these men says professional? If they aren’t living life to the fullest, then they just flat out aren’t living. They’re going to do whatever makes them happy. Fuck all the rules.”

“How long does it last?”

Evan’s laughter dies down as she studies me. “How long does anything last? No one knows. It lasts as long as it’s still a good thing and you’re working at keeping it that way.”

She has a point.

Everything has an end date.

Even my own hell had an end date. At least I’m hoping that was the end of it. I still need to figure out what I’m going to do with that. If I was smart, I should pack up and leave to find a new city. I would be on Zach’s level of being a crappy human being if I got innocent people involved that I’m beginning to consider my actual friends.

“I still have some things to figure out before I would feel comfortable working at something.”

“Your ex?”

Either Evan made these drinks really strong, or alcohol makes me have word vomit of the mouth because any filter I had is gone along with my drink. Setting my glass down on the coaster that’s resting on the end table next to me, I say, “Yeah. He found out where I’m working and left a note on the desk when I was in the back.”

“What?” Evan’s tone sends a chill down my spine. “Does Ink know?”

“No.” I shake my head. “I haven’t had a chance to tell him and I’m honestly not sure if I should. He’s already done so much.”

“I get it. I really do. I’ve been there. But I do think Ink is going to lose his shit when he finds out about this. It’s not an if it’s a when.”

I agree, but… “I can’t put this on him too. You know he won’t just listen to me vent. He’ll take this on like it’s his own problem.”

“I hate to break this to you, but it is kind of his problem now. Your ex came to your place of work, yeah, but your place of work also happens to be Ink’s territory, which ultimately ties back to the club. The dude’s got balls, I’ll give him that.”

That’s part of the problem. Zach has always had balls bigger than his brain. He just hasn’t met someone that won’t bow down.

“You need to tell him,” Evan says seriously.

“Ugh, I know.” I throw my head back as I groan.

“Tell me what?” A deep voice that has me closing my eyes and praying he didn’t hear the whole conversation sounds behind us.

“Holy shit! You guys seriously need to knock that off. The fact that every single one of you weighs over 200lbs and can sneak around like you’re a ghost is seriously freaky. I’m going to make you all start wearing a bell to announce yourself anytime you enter a room.”

She’s right.

It is seriously freaky that these large men don’t make a single noise.