Page 21 of Mayhem

It is perfect.

“I’ll take it.” I turn around and smile at the sales lady. “How much is it?”

“I’ve been holding on to that for almost 20 years. You would be doing me a favor just taking it.” She waves her hand like it is nothing.

I open my mouth to protest, but she gives me a look that tells me not to argue with her. I snap my mouth shut and nod. Turning back to the mirror, I take in my reflection. This feels so good to me.

The girls all come walking out of the changing rooms, talking with a bunch of clothes between them. They all stop when they see me. Instantly, I feel self-conscious until they all start telling me how great it looks on me. My smile grows exponentially.

We walk up to the cash so they can purchase their new clothes. I tried to pay for the jacket again, but the sales lady would not let me. I notice a donation jar by the cash for the local hospital. I smile and place a fifty-dollar bill in it. She may not let me pay, but I can help the hospital instead. The sales lady smiles when she notices the donation.

With bags filled with clothes and my new jacket, we leave the thrift store and meander down Main Street. I look across the street and see a few motorcycles parked outside a tattoo shop. A crazy idea pops into my head. I used to want to get tattoos when I was younger, or at least until Evan said only whores get tattoos. This feels right and like the ultimate fuck you to him. Proving to him that he has lost me.

A few more motorcycles drive down the road, all wearing King MC cuts. Three sets of eyes notice me. I can’t see who they are, but I can feel their gazes on me. It sends a shiver of dread coursing through my body. They drive past, and the sense of unease doesn’t leave me as I wander to the small tattoo parlor.

Inside, everything is dark. The black walls are decorated with black and white images. Most look like tattoo designs, but there are a few black-and-white portraits of women on motorcycles. The floors are black and white tiles that gleam even in the low lighting. A guy covered in tattoos sits at the front desk, on the phone, not saying anything. He looks up at me and says something quietly into the phone before he hangs up.

“Can I help you, sweet cheeks?” He drawls while his eyes graze up and down my body.

“I want to get a tattoo,” I say without trying to sound as creeped out as I feel.

He nods before taking me to the back of the shop and sits me down in a chair. I tell him what I want, and he draws out a sketch. We work together to make a few adjustments, and when I am finally happy, I lie down on my stomach and take off my shirt. I hear the buzzing of the machine before the first needle hits.

I sit and let the pain of the needle take over the pain in my heart. I let myself get deluded enough to think that Evan and I would last. I should have known long ago that something like this would happen. I never knew he would cheat, but I should have expected this from Cleo. I should have known she would do whatever she could to get him back. She found the perfect way to get him back and make him stay with her.

He would never leave her now that she is pregnant. If that is his baby, he will stay with her because of it. I wonder if he knew when he proposed to me. He probably proposed because of the baby. I need to stop thinking about him and her.

I lose myself to the external pain and push the internal one to the side. There is no point in dwelling on this because it won’t change what happened and what is happening.

It does not take long to finish the tattoo, or at least, it doesn’t feel like it. The artist cleans it off before I get up and look in the mirror. I gasp at the beautiful artwork on my shoulder blade. I smile and turn around to thank the guy. His glare is fully on my nearly exposed chest. I quickly put my top and jacket back on.

The girls are all waiting in the front with coffees when I come out. Evie hands me one and bounces on her feet, waiting to see. She pulls down the back of my jacket so they can all see it.

“Serena?” I look up, and Zeus is there. I shrug my jacket back on, hiding the tattoo. I know exactly what they will think if they see it.

I look up at Zeus. His face stays blank, but his eyes are curious as Odin and Midas march into the room. I internally curse that the three of them are here. The last thing I wanted was to run into them here.

“Are we sure it’s your birthday and not mine because God damn! You look fucking delicious in that jacket.” Odin says, sauntering over to me.How did he know it was my birthday?He grabs me around the waist and pulls me into him. I can feel his rigged muscles under his grey t-shirt. He places a sweet kiss against my cheek and whispers into my ear. “Happy birthday, Serena.”

“Why do you look like that?” Zeus asks, breaking the trance between Odin and me. I take a step back and look at Zeus.

“Trying something new. Do you like it?” I twirl for the three of them, keeping my jacket on.

“I do!” Odin exclaims, raising his hand above his head. I chuckle at him, and he winks back.

“I think you look like a smoke show.” Midas purrs. I hate to admit his voice does something to me. I will never tell him that, though.

“I don’t think I asked you,” I smirk back. Midas looks like he is ready to blow like a volcano. I probably shouldn’t push his buttons, but sometimes it is just too much fun not to. I know I will pay for it one day, but until then, I will keep being a brat.

“You look like a fucking club bunny,” Zeus says to me in a deadly quiet voice. “Like every slut that tries to get us to fuck them.”

My jaw drops and my heart breaks at his words. I have no idea what a club bunny is but from his tone it’s not a good thing. Odin openly glares at Zeus, pissed and confused why he said what he did. Midas looks at him quizzically before looking back at me. I can see the wheels in his head turning, but I have no idea what he is thinking.

“If I want to look like a fucking club bunny or a biker slut I will. Not that it is any of your business, Zeus. I can do whatever I want without needing your permission. I swear all men are the same. Let’s go.” I turn and look at my friends. I grab my bag, and we walk out. I hear Zeus calling my name, but I don’t even turn around. I am not doing this with him.

Serena

After the tattoo studio, the girls and I went out for some food. The girls grilled me about my birthday and why we ditched school today. I told themeverythingabout Evan, not leaving a single detail out. They were all shocked and pissed off. Naomi offered to get on a plane and beat his ass. I thanked her for the offer, but I honestly never wanted to talk or even think about Evan again. I was leaving that all behind.

---