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“Liberated. Although, I haven't told my parents yet. They actually haven't even tried calling me at all this week. Not since I texted my mom to let them know that I wouldn't be going home. But I'm really excited about it. I've even looked up other museums and galleries in the state.”
Ryan is thrilled about choosing a major, one that she wants without a doubt. That is clearly written all over her face, and I love seeing it. I especially love having her in my house, watching how comfortable she is here. My family needs to like her. Or at least respect that I want her in my life. Their opinion matters to me so much, even though I have ignored some of it since seeing Ryan. I've ignored theirs and my own reservations about her age, which actually no longer concerns me. I've definitely chosen to ignore the comments about her tattoos, because I love those.
“Hey, did you ever decide on your next tattoo?” I ask, having finished my sandwich.
“Yeah, I did. There's not really a reason for me to get this particular one, though. I was just searching the internet for inspiration, came across this one, and knew I needed it. Just a matter of going to get it.”
“Want to do it tonight?” For some reason, I really want to watch this happen. Ryan's eyebrows rise, so I add. “I would like to go with you. We're already here together, so why not?”
“I usually set up an appointment, but if you really want to go with, then let's go.” Ryan grins.
We lock up the house, and Ryan drives to the tattoo parlor she likes downtown. She holds my hand as we walk inside, the sound of the needles buzzing immediately making me queasy. The guy behind the desk grins at her, and his stupid eyes rake over her body.
“Ryan! It's good to see you again.” He glances at our hands, but ignores me. “We weren't expecting you, but I'm happy you're here. Which part of your body will we be privileged to see tonight?”
She laughs. “My side. Where's Max?” Ryan turns to me to let me know who she's talking about. “I didn't get my tats until I moved here for school, and Max has done them all.”
I nod, and the guy tells her, “He's not in tonight unfortunately. All our other artists are busy. You can wait for one of them or I could do it. I'm only filling in here until Sally finishes smoking her cigarette.”
Please say you'll wait, I think. It didn't occur to me that someone else would be touching her, especially not this guy who would love to do it.
“I don't know,” she says, but there's a playful tone in her voice. “I love Max's work the best. However, this is a simple tat, so I guess you can do it. It was a last minute decision to do this tonight. Can I borrow the computer to show you what I want?”
“Sure thing.”
Ryan leaves my side to walk behind the desk, next to him. She doesn't seem to pay him any attention as he looks over her once more. Which is why I'm completely surprised when she says, “If you expect to tattoo me, quit looking at me like that.” Without taking her eyes off the computer, she tilts her head towards me and adds, “I don't appreciate it, and I doubt he does either.”
He looks over at me. “And who is he? You've never come here with a guy before.” His entire attitude has changed now that Ryan has forced him to be aware of my presence. Thankfully, he's stopped looking at her like he wants to fuck her.
“That is Gabe, and he's a cop. Future warning, Pete, if he ever pulls you over, don't be a smart ass.”
He laughs, and I smile at her comment. “I told you that mouth of yours would get you in trouble,” he says. “That's what you want?” He adds, apparently seeing the tattoo on the screen.
“Yes, and I want it right here.” Ryan lifts her shirt on her left side and points to a spot just a little b
it away from the side of her breast, but down a little to sit more on her ribcage. She's going to have to unhook her bra, so it won't get in the way. Great.
“All right. Have a seat, and I'll draw up a copy. Do you want it exactly like that? Black too?”
“No,” Ryan tilts her head at the screen. “I want red instead.”
“Okay.”
Ryan walks back around, takes my hand, and we sit down on a couch as we wait for him to do his job. “Sorry about that,” she says softly. “He's a huge flirt, and I've always flirted back.”
“It's fine. What are you getting?”
“A heart. I fell in love with how it looked,” is her only explanation.
Before I can question her further, a girl comes from the back, plopping into the seat that Pete vacated. The hum of the needles is threatening to make me sick, and I don't understand how just the sound doesn't bother her. Pete returns and calls us back. We pass a burly, shirtless man, who is getting work on his arm, a woman in her thirties getting something on her foot, and another girl getting someone on her lower back. Pete leads us to the very back. I watch and listen as Pete tells Ryan to lay down on the table and lift her shirt. He tells me where I can sit, so I take a seat.
“Been doing good, Ryan?” he asks as he unhooks her bra, making sure that won't be in his way. I hate that his hands are on her at all. Ryan takes her arm out of her sleeve and that side of her bra before lifting her left arm over her shoulder while the other holds her shirt in place. A small swell of the side of her breast can still be seen though. Then Pete applies a piece of paper with the outline of the heart on it.
“Better than ever.” She smiles at me, and I return it. “Is everything good with Max? I don't think I've ever known him not to be here on a Friday night.”
“He's been sick all week, and we sure as hell don't want him here like that. I'll make sure he knows that he missed you though.”
“Thanks. This will be my last one for a while, I think.”
