Page 82 of Saved By My Buyers

“I lied about my age, but yes. Percy took me in anyway, despite whatever she may have thought,” she confirms. “I found that I really like dancing. I ignored everyone else, and just let myself move.”

Adding that to my mental notes of things to do with her, I nod. I want to take Bee and Dolly to some of the clubs in Detroit now that Bee will be graduating in a week. She got into a behavioral therapy masters program, and is starting in the fall. She’s worked her ass off to get here.

Paying for the check once we finish our shared dessert, because the calories don’t count if you share, we start to walk again. Graffiti Alley is on the way to my tattoo artist, and I want to make sure they see it.

Bee hasn’t left Detroit very much outside of visiting her aunt, reminding me of how much I neglected spoiling her.

She’d probably say it’s enough that I helped her in other ways, but I’ve never been someone who does the bare minimum. I felt guilt for being attracted to her, stealing her from Dolly.

I’m thankful to be able to put that in the past, because I want more with both of them.

“What’s this?” Dolly asks, eyes wide as she sees the shock of color down the alley.

“Graffiti Alley,” I tell her, motioning for her to check it out. Bee and I are on her heels, appreciating different aspects of each piece. It’s all so different, yet works well together.

It reminds me of the way that tattoos fit together to create a living piece of artwork.

After exploring, I check my watch, nudging them to keep walking. I’m glad I suggested good footwear, because we’ve been walking a lot today.

“What are you up to now?” Bee asks curiously. “Don’t say ‘nothing’ because you’re squirmy.”

Barking out a laugh, I shake my head. “Baby, I don’t think I’ve been ‘squirmy’ a single day of my life.”

Snorting, Bee shows me exactly what she thinks about that as she rolls her eyes. Opening the door to The Ink Blot, I gesture that they step inside. I’ve had a few pieces done here with Caelan, and they’ve always been intricate and gorgeous.

There’s no one else I can imagine to get these last two pieces on my right forearm with.

“Jack, it’s good to see you,” Caelan says with a small smile. He doesn’t easily find humor or joy in things, and rarely shows emotion. It’s a credit to the fact that he enjoys my company and money, that I get even this.

“You too. I wouldn’t want to do this with anyone else. This is my bee and my dahlia,” I introduce them by the tattoos I’ll be getting in their honor. He doesn’t have to know those are their actual names.

“You’re getting a tattoo?” Dahlia asks, intrigued as Caelan ushers us to his station.

“I’m getting two,” I say, pushing my sleeve up completely. “See these two blank spaces? They’re yours. A bee will go here, while the dahlia will be underneath her as she sits on the petal.”

I show them both where the tattoos will sit on my forearm, and their eyes are wide with excitement. I’m glad to see they’re both invested, because it would suck if they hated it.

Sitting in Caelan’s chair, I watch him perform his usual ritual before he begins. The man is meticulously trained, and an excellent artist.

The girls sit around me, holding hands as they watch me drop my head back as Caelan’s tattoo gun begins to tattoo me over the stencil he put over my skin. The pain grounds me and feels good, giving me the same high that music gives Bee and Dolly.

Mine.

If I thought the caveman in me was bad before, I can feel him getting more and more feral as the piece on my arm gets more distinct. A quick trip to Belmont is a drop in the bucket compared to the lifetime I plan to have with both of them.

Chapter Sixteen

Dahlia

Is it possible for this many emotions to be inside of me right now? Jack’s date day was the perfect first date. He didn’t make a big deal about it, which is what I needed, to be able to enjoy it without overthinking it.

Or exploding into tears.

The only first date I’ve ever had has been with Bronwyn. We went to the mall and saw a movie. We held hands the entire time and giggled at the comedy. Unfortunately, I was under the haze of Gareth’s threats even then.

God, I hate that man so much.

“Penny for your thoughts, Dolly?” Jack asks as he drives. We convinced Bronwyn to stay home and sleep since she has work in the morning. He’s cutting it close to drop me back off at the club, but doesn’t seem too worried about it.

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