Page 47 of Three Little Words

“You want to just leave?”

He shrugged. “Yeah. But I can’t. I don’t even know if it’s safe for me to walk out the front door.”

I moved closer, sitting down on the bed. “You think it’s that dangerous?”

“Could be. I dunno.”

I sighed. “Okay. Um, stay here, all right? I gotta go to work today. I haven’t been by the shop in a few days.”

“Yeah, yeah. Go do some cool tattoos and shit. I’ll be here.”

I nodded. “Okay. Call if you need me?”

“Yup. Will do.”

“All right. See you tonight.”

* * * * *

I pulled into the lot at Skin Buzz. For a moment, I just sat in my car.

It had been weird to take a few days off.

There was only one other car there. I recognized the bumper stickers on the back—it had to be Marissa.

Good. She was my best employee, and probably my closest friend.

I walked into the shop. Marissa looked up, smiling brightly. Her red lipstick paired perfectly with her dark skin. As she ran across the shop to hug me, her tight corkscrew curls bounced.

She was gorgeous, always dressed in retro-style clothes and made up like a pinup girl.

“Bryn. We missed you so much!” She hugged me tight. I returned it, closing my eyes as we embraced.

“I’m glad you’re here. I’ve missed you. And work. God, being stuck at home is miserable.”

“Were you sick?” she asked. “Nobody really knew what happened, just that you were out.”

She went to her chair, sitting down on her stool. The shop was spotless already; we just had to wait a few minutes to open.

“No. My brother was in a little trouble. I had to stay home and take care of him.”

“Shit. Is he okay?” She crossed her legs. The white ink tattoos on her thighs—shooting stars—looked good.

“He’s all right.” I nodded. “He’ll be fine. He’s just housebound for now.”

“Shit. Well, if y’all need anything, let me know. Okay?”

“I will.” I smiled.

Behind us, the front door opened. I must’ve forgotten to lock it. I turned. “Hey, sorry—”

But it was Benny.

What the hell was he doing here?

I looked back at Marissa. She raised an eyebrow, smiling. She made a sound like a purr, rolling an R on her tongue.

Anger flared up in my chest.

“Hey! Whoa,” I said. “This one’s mine.”

She blinked in surprise. “Really?”

“Yeah.” I looked back to Benny.

He was smiling.

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