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“You think I’d narc on you?”
“No. But she might realize—”
“She doesn’t.”
“Oh. Good.” I check the time. Only five minutes until I need to leave for class. Damn. I want to tell Grandma everything. Well, some things. She always gets it. And she won’t feel betrayed the way Emma will.
“Does he want you too or is he an idiot?”
“He does. But it’s complicated.”
“It’s never complicated. Not unless you make it that way.”
“He used to say that.”
“Smart man. But stupid if he hasn’t scooped you up yet.”
“There are good reasons.”
“Still. He cares about you?”
“I think so.”
“Then find a way to make it uncomplicated.”
It’s good advice, even if I have no idea how to accomplish it. “I have to go. Class. I love you, Grandma.”
“Gigi.”
“I love you, Grandma.”
“Love you too, Kay-Bear. Give him hell for me.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Brendon
The pen is heavy in my hands. It’s sleek. Silver. One of those hundred-dollar fountain pens.
Honestly, I don’t see the appeal.
It spills ink the same as any other pen.
And there’s my name on the dotted line.
This is the last form.
As soon as the transfer goes through, I’m officially an Inked Hearts co-owner.
This is everything I want.
It should thrill me.
But my thoughts are stuck on Kay.
Dean picks up the pen and signs. He’s in the chair next to me.
He hands it off to Walker. “You look cranky as fuck, Brendon.”
Walker shoots him a drop it look.
I can practically hear Ryan rolling his eyes. “You ever shut the fuck up?” He looks to the lawyer sitting behind the desk. “Sorry.”
“I’ve heard worse.” The lawyer’s voice is flat. Like he only cares about dollar signs and dotted lines.
Dean is fucking annoying.
But he’s right.
I should be over the moon.
I shouldn’t be thinking about all that desire in Kay’s eyes.
I’ve had half a day to get over it, but I haven’t.
I’ve thought about Kay a million times, but I always knew it was a fantasy. That I wouldn’t throw her on the bed and split her in half. That I wouldn’t order her onto her knees and fuck that pretty pink mouth. That I wouldn’t slam her against the wall and fuck her hard enough to leave bruises on her cheek.
But I could.
She knows every dirty thing I want to do to her.
And she wants that too.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Kaylee
I don’t go home after school.
I go straight to the shop.
Park my bike at the rack out front. Smooth my dress. Run my fingers through my hair. Switch from my prescription sunglasses to my regular glasses.
Brendon is in there somewhere.
I can handle looking him in the eyes.
Really, I can.
The bell rings as I pull the door open.
At once, the room quiets.
Conversations cease.
Tattoo guns stop buzzing.
Footsteps move into the lobby.
There’s Ryan.
Walker.
Brendon. He’s in the back. Leaning against the wall. Looking straight through me.
Leighton’s blue eyes find mine. She tilts her head to one side. Mouths are you okay?
I nod a yes, even though it doesn’t feel accurate.
“I just wanted to… uh…” I play with my backpack strap. “Give this back.” I set Brendon’s keys on the counter.
Leighton turns toward the brooding tattoo artist. “You want to grab those now, Brendon?”
“Yeah.” His voice is even. Like he doesn’t hate me. Like he doesn’t feel anything toward me.
“Did you guys sign the paperwork?” I bite my lip. He hates me. I know it.
“Yeah. We did,” he says.
“That’s great. Congratulations.”
He pushes off the wall. Takes a dozen steps toward the counter. Slides his keys into his pocket without looking at me.
It’s like I don’t exist.
His coldness is contagious. It sucks all the warmth from the room.
Walker steps forward. “Hey, Kay. You coming to our celebration?”
“Huh?” There’s a celebration?
“For signing the paperwork. It’s tonight. I know just the thing. It will be fun.” He looks back to Brendon with a smile. “For all of us.”
“You really step up when Dean isn’t here,” Ryan says.
“Do what I can.” Walker turns to me. “It’s my treat. Bring Emma too. And any other hot friends.”
I shake my head. “I’d never sink that low.”
He chuckles. “Fair enough.” He smiles at Brendon. Then at me. “Tonight. Meet here at eight. Then we’ll… well, it’s a surprise.”
“It’s Walker, isn’t it?” Emma pulls open a Vitamin C cap and lets the powder fall into the glass below it.
“No.” I bite my lip. That’s a good lie. Maybe I should say it’s Walker. Dean. Ryan even. Emma wouldn’t try to make things happen with Ryan. I think.
“Hmm…” She opens another cap.
“That’s enough.” I motion to the dozen cellulose caps in the sink. Then to the glass filled with orange power.
“I don’t want to do it again.” She glances in the mirror, pushing now light purple hair behind her ear.
This is her third Vitamin C wash. For whatever reason, mixing vitamin C with your shampoo is a great way to gently fade color from hair.
After doing Emma’s hair for the last few years, I’m an expert.
