Page 98 of A Sky Full Of Stars

Joel laughs before patting his chest, presumably near his tattoo, and nods. “I did.” He smiles and a giddiness hits me.

He marked his body.

A tattoo—something my parents and Gran would never approve of. Something that would change my body and make me different from the girl that was on stage. The girl I wish never existed. A messed up happiness runs through me as an idea forms, and before I know it, my mind’s made up.

“Wow, that’s perfect timing,” I say honestly, because the more I think about it, the more I love the idea. “Have you got a minute?”

Joel’s eyes light up and he nods before stepping out of the way of the incoming foot traffic, then motioning for me to join him. “I’ve got all the time you need. Are you here for the parlor?”

I wasn’t, but… “I am. I want a tattoo. I just have no idea where to start.”

Joel chuckles but nods again, this time in understanding. “There are a few things you need to decide. Where, what, and when?”

“Seems simple enough,” I joke as I suck in a breath, clenching my teeth in concern.

Joel laughs again. “Let’s break it down. If you know where you want it, it might be easier to decide what?”

“Okay, I can do that.”

“You don’t have to do it all now. How about I introduce you to my friend Michelle. She just gave me my first tattoo, and she’d be happy to help you.”

“That would be amazing. Thank you. But first, can I see yours?”

Joel lifts his tee to show me the covered tattoo positioned over his heart. It’s difficult to make out what the image is with the dressing hiding it away, but the position alone suggests that it’s personal, so I don’t ask.

“I think I want it close to my hip bone,” I muse. I’m not really sure why, but it feels right.

Joel smiles knowingly. “You want to be able to hide it away?”

No, I want it to be something that’s mine and mine aloneunlessI choose to show that part of me to someone.“Yeah. Something like that.”

“Then that’s what you should do. Next up, you just have to decide what.” He lifts his arms in question before his expression changes, and he shakes his head with a laugh. “It’s crazy to think I haven’t seen you since that night with Summer. Have you two spoken at all?”

A shiver runs through me, but I manage to hold back a frown, my mind immediately going to her situation with Thomas. “I was so worried about her. I mean, she texted like she said she would, I just…”Didn’t know how to reach out again after reconnecting with Thomas.

Joel smiles sympathetically. “I get it. But I have a feeling she’d want to catch up, if you want to.”

I hold back a nervous laugh. “It’d be nice to see her.”But I’m not sure that’s the best idea right now.

“Why don’t you come by the house sometime? She practically lives there. I’ll get her to text you.”

She practically lives there? Are they dating?Wait… Thomas mentioned he thought Dylan and Summer were together. I’m so confused.

“Sounds great.”Sort of.“Thanks, Joel. I’m glad I ran into you. Literally.”

Joel laughs before walking away while I stand frozen on the spot, my mind racing. I wasn’t joking when I said I’d love to see Summer, but right now, I’d prefer she reached out to Thomas.

The door to the tattoo parlor opens again, and rather than calling out to Joel when I realize he didn’t introduce me, I throw caution to the wind and head inside, determined to see this through.

A soft bell chimes above the door, and it’s a complete contrast to the muscular and heavily tattooed man sitting behind the desk, yet the room feels welcoming all the same. Taking in the musky scent, I make my way over to the desk and wait for him to look up, conscious not to interrupt him.

“Can I help you?” he asks after a beat, his eyes still focused on the screen in front of him.

“Ah, yes. I was just talking with Joel outside. He knows Michelle and—”

His gaze shoots up and I startle. “Are you here to prank me or something?”

“What?”

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