Page 78 of Sugar and Skulls

Laughing I let my gaze fall over him again.

“When you smile, it breaks through all this.” He motions over his dark ink. “It’s like feeling the warm summer sun after a long dark winter.”

My laughter falls away as I study him. I’m having a hard time associating the words with the man. Words that don’t match the pictures on his body.

“And…and Raffe?” I ask puzzled how we are all supposed to fit. I want them both. I know it’s strange…taboo. But, my heart wants them both.

He drops his head, his dark hair falling in front of his face. “I don’t know, Jesse. This is new for me too.” Dirk takes a deep breath and faces me. “I like seeing him with you.” He falls back on the bed. “This is confusing. I just know that I want you both with me. Maybe it’s because I’ve seen you both at your purest form, vulnerable, and hurt. But, when you are together you both seem, relaxed, happy.”

“Partners in crime,” I tease.

His eyebrow pops up. “Oh, the things I’m going to do to you…someday.”

I bite my lip, wiggling on the bed. “Dirk, I’ve taken care of myself for a long time. I’m not a child. I don’t understand why we have to wait.”

He sits up mirroring me. “We wait not because something magical will happen when you turn eighteen. We wait because it’s the right thing to do. You deserve to be waited for….no one else has done that for you, Jesse. I’m not just going to take from you. I’m going to woo you Jesse Miller.”

Should I laugh or should I cry? His words hit me hard. He’s right. Everyone has just taken what they want from me. No one has worked for it, earned it. “Okay, scary tattoo man, let’s see what you got in the wooing department.”

“Are you making fun of me?” he asks, his eyebrow hitting a forty-five-degree angle.

“I am.” I lean over so that my nose is inches from his. “But, thank you.”

Good news is I think it’s safe to drop the mean.

Bad news is...come to think of it, I don’t have any bad news.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Jesse ~ 7 months later

???

Today is the day. I’m nervous, excited…I don’t know if I’ve ever been more anxious to begin a new day. Raffe and Dirk have been so sweet. Late night bike rides, lazy days by the lake, teasing…lots of teasing. My life may have been a shit show for a few years but finally I’m right where I belong.

I get out of bed, stretching in front of my window. Just like every morning I find Katie and my dad down fishing. It’s become their thing. He asked me one day if it bothered me. It doesn’t. My dad and I missed times like that together, but it doesn’t mean Katie has too…or him for that matter.

Candice and my dad announced a few months ago that they are getting married. Their wedding is only a few weeks away. I’m happy for him, for both of them. I like Candice. We’ve become friends. I wouldn’t say that it’s a mother daughter relationship but that’s okay. I’m learning that love comes in many forms.

I graduated a few months ago. My dad threw a big bash here at the warehouse. I’m so lucky to have such a big family. I didn’t accept it at first. Some days I fought harder than others. Being on my own had become engrained in my very being.

As I’m taking a shower I think about the last few months. The club has basically cut off all sources of income that the Desert Devils relied on. We’ve heard a lot of them left, joining other clubs. It’s just a small band now. We also decided that we couldn’t take them all out and risk Katie’s adoption. So, we let them live…except for one. The man that hurt Katie. Dirk took him out quietly. No one missed him.

The guys haven’t let me step foot in Trap County. My dad did eventually let me call my guys and Thomas to explain that I had moved and would not be back.

I miss three things about Trap County. Thomas, his dog Teddy, and Big Dan’s Tattoo shop.

When I get downstairs for breakfast I’m a little disheartened. It’s empty. I try not to be disappointed. Maybe everyone is busy this morning.

I make myself some toast and eggs before heading back up to my room.

Still no one.

I glance out my window. Dad and Katie are gone.

Maybe no one knows it’s my birthday.

That can’t be true. I tattooed it right on my dad’s chest.

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