Page 61 of Nine

“Depends. What’s the game?”

“Stare off,” Trig says.

I smile. “This sounds fun. Let’s do it. You know if I win, the soldier in your pants is getting a little upgrade.”

“Okay. Ready?” he asks.

I prep my eyes and then I stare at him.

“Ready,” I say.

“I can do this all day. You won’t win.” Trig smiles.

I don’t reply. I squint just enough to ease the burning sensation.

“Those eyes must be hurting, huh?” he teases.

“Shhhhh,” I say. “I’m trying to concentrate.”

He blows a gust of air my way, and my eyes can’t take it. I blink.

“Cheater,” I yell.

He laughs. “I win.”

“You cheated. That’s not fair.”

“Take your loss and don’t complain.”

He motions for the waiter to bring the check. He smiles and comes over with a paper receipt.

“Enjoy your day!” he says.

Trig tosses some money down on the table.

“Come on, loser. We need to find a parlor around here.”

I frown as he grabs my hand and pulls me out of the booth. We exit the restaurant and just as we turn the corner, there, conveniently located across the street is a tattoo and piercing place. I take a deep breath and grunt.

“It’s not that bad. I promise.” He grins.

“Says the guy with no piercings,” I poke fun at him.

We make our way across traffic and enter the building. I take in all the art on the walls as Trig breaks away to talk to the girl at the counter.

“He can take her back now if you like,” I hear her say.

I jerk my head their way and freeze.

“What did you want done, hun?” She looks at me.

“Well, he’s picking the piercing and I’m picking the tattoo.”

“I’ll give you guys a few minutes, while I go get Max from the back.”

Trig turns to me. “Clitoris piercing?”

My eyebrows shoot up. He laughs.

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