Page 199 of The Trouble With Bad Boys

“Thanks.”

He tips his head toward the bag I was demolishing. “You ready for a fight this Thursday? Your name came out of the pool.”

I wipe my forehead with my arm. “Yeah, sounds good, man.” I step closer. “Who?”

He smirks. “You know I can’t tell you that.”

“Worth a try.” I shrug and return his smirk.

“Yeah, not gonna happen.” He taps the rope along the side of the mat. “See ya Thursday night.”

I say goodbye to his retreating back and decide to call it a day. Grabbing my bag, I head to my car—I need a shower and a beer.

And that’s where Aaron finds me—on our back porch, feet resting on the railing, and a beer to my lips.

He sits beside me with his beer. We’re both silent as we watch the sun sink into the horizon, painting the sky with slashes of rose and peach. “You okay?” he asks without taking his eyes from the view.

I can be honest with Aaron. He’s been my best friend since kindergarten. He knows everything. He was there to drag me out of bars after a fight. He held me as I cried until I passed out drunk. He knows the true impact losing my sister has had on me over the years—even before we were mature enough to understand. I’ve shared more of my burden with him than anyone, including Mom. Over the years, I’ve protected her from a lot of my pain. I’d be fucking ashamed for her to know even a quarter of what I’ve done. I take a long drink and shrug. “I’ve been better.” I pick at the label on the bottle. “Mom was a mess, as usual.”

“To be expected.”

“I guess.” I blow out an exhausted breath. “It’s been a long time.”

“Doesn’t matter.” He looks at me. “There isn’t a time limit for this sort of thing. Especially since you guys don’t have closure.”

I swallow and decide to tell Aaron about a possible sighting. “Mom thinks she saw Beth, and it got her wondering if she has kids. Then she started on me about giving her grandkids.”

He huffs out a laugh. “Only your mom would work out a way to use Beth’s disappearance to pressure you about kids.” He shakes his head and takes a sip of his drink. He’s not a fan of my mother. “Do you think you’ll ever change your mind about having kids one day if you meet the right woman?”

I shake my head. “Hell, no. I’ve had a front-row seat to the devastation caused when the worst possible scenario happens.” We’re both silent for a long while. “Do you think it’s possible that Beth could be living here?” I whisper into the space between us.

He exhales a long breath. “I dunno, man. It seems unlikely, but stranger things have happened.” He climbs to his feet. “You want another?”

I tip up my bottle and drink the last of it. “Sure. Thanks.”

He returns a few moments later with two focaccias from his café and two fresh beers like the best friend he is.

Ten

Sophie

Using the iPad to design a tattoo has been a learning curve, but I love the way I can shape the lines perfectly with a simple stroke as opposed to sketching it out on paper. I can’t wait to watch Linc ink this piece onto Natasha’s breasts. Glancing out of the front window to the street, I spot Lincoln returning with his lunch—something I normally go out to get for him, but he understood I needed to tweak this design. I want it to be perfect. Dropping my eyes back to my work, I ensure the swirl that will sweep up over the area where there should be a nipple is delicate, yet detailed enough to disguise the missing areola.

I’m acutely aware of every shift of Lincoln’s body as he stands close and his scent surrounds me, sending unfamiliar signals firing through my synapses. “That looks spectacular. It’s going to cup her breasts like the best lacy bra money can buy.”

Warmth fills my body and my lips tip up at his praise, but it’s more his tone of approval that makes me happy. Anyone can love a piece of art, but it’s something else to have an artist you admire think your work is spectacular. It means so much more. I tip my head back and almost gasp at the appreciation in his blue gaze as he studies the artwork on the iPad. “Thank you. I want it to be perfect. She’s already been through so much; she deserves to have beautiful work on her body.”

He raises his gaze to mine. “It will be. You’ve done an awesome job. I can’t wait to ink it.” He swallows and places an iced latte on the reception desk next to me. “Are you still okay to stay late so you can see how I do it?”

I point to the drink. “Thanks for this.” He’s always doing sweet things for me, such a turnaround from the man who seemed unhappy to hire me. “Yeah, of course.” I drop my head back to the device to hide my guilt. I told Dad I was going out with the girls from Beyond the Fringe because I couldn’t think of a reason I’d need to work late in the job he thinks I have. He thought it was strange to go out on a Tuesday night, but still gave me his blessing. God. The lies keep stacking up. I’m going to need to write notes on my calendar soon. “I wouldn’t want to miss seeing my first design being inked. I can’t wait to see it finished.”

The sun is sinking below the buildings, creating glittering reflections on the windows when Natasha walks through the door with a man at her side. I’m giddy at the thought of what’s about to happen. My very first design is going to be on her skin forever. Forever! “Hi, Natasha.”

“Hi, Sophie.” She gestures toward the man beside her. “This is my hubby, Jacob.”

“Hi, Jacob. Welcome to Fine Line.”

He looks around, taking everything in. “Thanks. This place is not what I was expecting.” He drops his gaze to his wife. “You were right. It has a great vibe.”

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