Page 76 of Joey

He worked steadily, using the new design to cover the name Lisbeth. It would take another session to colour it in, but even though Joey designed it, he was still impressed that it had worked how he wanted it to. It took an hour and a half, and when he was done, they couldn’t see the name. Only if they really looked for it. Joey had created a mandala effect using swirls and sharp corners to intersect with the old name, making it indistinguishable.

“I can see why you’re the best,” Ade said, clapping his shoulder.

Joey laughed. “Don’t let Beck hear you say that.”

“He wouldn’t be able to dispute it.”

They headed down the stairs, where Ani took Ade’s payment, and Ethan booked his next session. Ade said goodbye and left just as someone came in.

Grey.

Joey rose from his lean on the counter and frowned. “Everything okay, Grey?” To be honest, Grey was the last person he wanted to see that day.

Grey nodded. “I’m here for my tattoo.”

Joey’s heart calmed. “I have someone booked in right now. I can fit you in later, though.”

Grey pointed to himself. “I’m booked in. I booked it under Greg so no one would know.”

Joey failed to point out that by entering the shop using the front door as he had, if someone was following or watching, it wouldn’t matter what name he was booked in under. They would know.

He feigned interest. “Oh, really? Great. Come on up, then. Ethan, do you want to watch?”

Ethan nodded, which Joey had hoped he would. For some reason, being alone with Grey was not what he wanted right then. “Lead the way,” Ethan said.

They climbed the stairs in silence, and Joey opened his door, waving Grey forward. He met Ethan’s gaze, who looked as troubled as Joey probably did, but Ethan wiped his expression clear and stepped in with a smile.

“I’ve seen tattoos being done before, but not up close. Thanks for allowing me to watch,” Ethan said to Grey.

“No problem. I might need you to hold my hand,” Grey joked as he settled into the chair.

Joey busied himself getting things ready while they discussed what Grey was having done.

“I’d like Elliott’s name on my back, between my shoulder blades. Freehand if possible.”

Joey paused, letting himself get used to the idea. He had no problem writing the name, but why would Grey want that? If he was worried about Robert and others, why would he take the risk of them seeing it? There was more to him than met the eye, and Joey needed to figure out what it was.

“What about that tribal tattoo you showed me? I thought that was what you wanted.”

“I changed my mind.”

“That’s fine,” he said finally. “I will caution you about it, though. If you’re worried about Robert, having Elliott’s name on your back will make things worse.”

Grey shook his head, lowering his eyes. “I don’t care. It’s the least I can do for him. To remember him.”

Joey swallowed. “Okay. Straddle the chair, facing the back, and take off your shirt.”

While Grey got ready, Ethan sidled up beside Joey and lowered his voice. “What’s wrong?”

Joey studied Ethan’s face, wanting to tell him his concerns but unable to do so at that moment. He shook his head. “Later,” he mouthed. He put everything on a tray and carried it to the table next to where Grey waited. “I’m just going to shave the area to make sure it’s free from hair,” he said to Grey.

“Okay.”

Joey went through the motions, preparing the skin for tattooing. Knowing he couldn’t do the job in silence—only because he never usually did, and it might seem strange to not say anything during it—he said, “I wasn’t sure you’d gather the courage.”

Grey chuckled. “I wasn’t either. But then I thought about Elliott and everything he did for me. I want to remember him. I think it’s a fitting memorial.”

Joey frowned. Something was off. He shared a glance with Ethan, who was also frowning. “Yeah. I’ve seen others do similar,” he said, stretching the time out. He didn’t want to put Elliott’s name on Grey’s back, but he couldn’t think of a reason to decline. Shaking his head, he wiped the area once more. “Ready?”

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