Page 1 of Forever Ink

Chapter 1

SIMON

I looked down at my naked hip, seeing the new ink, and I couldn’t help but smile. Mouse had done a fantastic job in transforming my thoughts to reality. We’d made the right decision encouraging my little brother to start tattooing. Mouse had turned my rough sketch of a grizzly bear and his cub into something with deeper meaning. He’d somehow managed to transfer the protective love I had for Rhys into the bear’s expression. He’d used a deft hand and subtle colour to give the grizzly and cub subtle highlights of red and yellow to resemble our hair colour.

“So, you hate it, then?” Mouse’s voice came from behind me. I could see him reflected in the mirror, his expression crestfallen. Why my kid brother was always so quick to think the worst I still didn’t know, but I was going to correct him right now.

“Mouse, come here for a minute.” He stepped closer until he stood alongside me. Looping an arm over his skinny shoulders, I planted a loud kiss on the top of his head. “This is brilliant. It’s perfect, and exactly what I wanted.”

Mouse tipped his head up to meet my gaze “You’re really happy with it?”

“It’s fucking amazing,” Rhys said excitedly, earning a frown from me.

“What did we say about language?”

“To watch it, but I got too distracted staring at your arse to remember,” Rhys said cheekily.

He totally ignored my warning which honestly gave me a warm feeling. Rhys had started to grow comfortable with good natured teasing and wasn’t afraid to let that sweet little brat he had inside come out and play. I loved it, but that didn’t mean I’d take it easy on his arse the next time he sassed me. Today, I was willing to look away—just this once.

Squeezing my brother’s shoulders hard enough that he squeaked and then shoved me in the gut, I reiterated just how much I loved the tattoo.

“Your client books are going to fill up in no time with this level of skill. We’re fucking proud of you,” I said, dropping my arm and letting Mouse affix the tape to protect the new ink.

I caught Rhys’s eye and saw him smiling fondly at my brother before he lifted his gaze to me. “Love you, baby bear,” I mouthed, and earned myself a sunny smile. I was soft as hell when it came to my boy, and I never pretended otherwise.

Rhys kissed my cheek then stepped back, smiling. “I’m going to head to the flat and start cleaning, then give Grandad a call. Will you be back soon?”

I pulled my jeans up, careful not to tug against the tape that Mouse had stuck to my tattoo, shaking my head. I knew my placement choice was going to give me a few days of grief, but it was worth it.

“I need to head out and see to a few things. It shouldn’t be more than an hour.” I really hoped Rhys didn’t ask to tag along. This was not so much a secret, but something special I was trying to plan for the both of us, something to solidify us moving forward in our life together. Or I hoped so, if the crotchety Mrs Cowan was of a mind to agree.

“Okay, less chance of me getting distracted if you’re not there to distract me,” Rhys answered, laughing at my pout.

“You didn’t seem to mind my distractions this morning, baby bear. In fact, I think you were quite vocal in how much you appreciated them,” I said, laughing softly as Rhys’s cheeks pinked up.

“You were very distracting. You go do your thing,” Rhys stammered out, backing away from me.

“Christ, you two are adorable,” Mouse muttered, shooting us both a scowl. “Fuck off so I can get some work done and not be drowned in all this sweetness.”

“You almost sound jealous, Mouse.” I couldn’t resist stirring the pot a little with him. He’d sworn off dating after Ziggy and maybe being with Rhys had made me a sap, but I wanted to see my brother as happy as I was.

“Hardly. Love them and leave them, that’s my motto.” Mouse grabbed the disinfectant bottle and waved it menacingly in my direction.

“The mouse doth squeak too much,” Rhys said, hiding behind me. Neither of us missed the quick and not-so-subtle glance Mouse shot at Callum’s back.

Without looking towards us, Callum said, “Stop tormenting my apprentice and get your arses out of the shop if you both don’t want to be cleaning up old ink bottles.”

“Yeah, boss man, we’re out of here. But as Mouse’s brother, I hold rank on when it’s proper to tease the little shit,” I muttered. Grabbing my coat and following Rhys towards the front door, I took the chance and pulled my boy in for a slow kiss. There was nothing quite like the feeling of having Rhys go all soft in my arms, but Callum yelling at us kind of spoiled the moment.

“Out now, the two of you.”

Outside, Rhys and I hugged. “I’m going to take the bike while the weather is still good. I’ll be as quick as I can.”

“Did you want to eat before we head to your dad’s place?”

“What were you thinking of?”

“Mae gave me a nice vegetarian lasagne recipe I’ve been dying to try out.” I didn’t hide my scowl very well, judging by the cackle Rhys gave.

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