Page 5 of Marked By The Grouchy Grizzly

“Go,” I say, grinning.

“She believed she could, so she did.”

“Love it,” Himari says.

Carly looks at me with a wince. “Is it corny?”

“It’s classic,” I say. “And it’s true.”

I can tell her brain is turning as she looks out the windshield.

“What’s the backup tattoo?” I ask.

“Beyond fear lies freedom,” she says. “I don’t know. This is so hard. It’s going to be on me when I’m ninety-five years old.”

“Yeah, but your skin will be so saggy that it will cover up most of it,” Himari says and we all crack up.

Himari is getting a koi fish on her back shoulder. She’s been wanting one since before we met.

We’re all freaking out when we pull up to the tattoo shop. It’s an adorable little cabin tucked at the base of the Montana mountains, like something out of a rustic dream. The wooden exterior is dark and weathered, the kind that makes you wonder how long it’s been there and how many stories it’s soaked up over the years.

A big maple tree towers over the shop, its branches hanging over the roof like it’s keeping watch. Neon signs glow in the windows—one flashing an intricate tattoo machine, the other a simple OPEN in bold red letters.

Carly pulls into the gravel lot, cutting the engine, and for a second, none of us move.

“This is really happening,” I murmur, my heart suddenly pounding. Now that I think about it, I’m not too fond of needles either…

Carly narrows her eyes on me, a smile tugging at her lips. “No backing out now, Lainey.”

“I’m not backing out,” I say, swallowing hard.

I don’t know why my palms are so sweaty. This is something I want. I’ve thought about it for months, spent hours scrolling through designs, sketching out ideas, picturing the ink on my skin. But now, staring at the bold red door of Heat & Ink, my nerves are humming like a live wire.

Carly throws open her door, steps out, and stretches. “Okay, let’s do this before I second-guess my life choices.”

Himari and I climb out, the scent of pine and crisp mountain air tickling our noses. I can’t believe we’ve been this close to these gorgeous mountains for the past four years and it’sthe first time we’ve come out here. It seems like such a waste. This place is special. I can feel the energy tingling in the air.

A bird calls out from somewhere in the forest, sharp and high as we walk to the door. The wooden steps creak as we walk up. Carly is the first one to open the door and head in. She’s always been the bravest.

I take a deep breath as I step inside to the buzz of needles. The warm scent of cedar and vanilla hits my nose, but under the nice scent is a slight smell of sweat mixed with disinfectant and ink.

Carly walks up to the counter as I look around at all of the gorgeous tattoo art hanging on the walls—delicate florals, snarling wolves, intricate mandalas, and old-school flash art of daggers and hearts. These people are talented.

“Hello,” the big burly guy in the black apron says as he walks over with a smile. He’s massive with his T-shirt sleeves rolled up his big tattooed arms. He’s got a big brown beard, messy hair, and bright green eyes. “I’m Magnus. Welcome to Heat & Ink. First time?”

“For tattoos, yes,” Carly says, flashing him a flirty smile.

Himari giggles. Of course, Carly is flirting with him already. She can’t not.

But he doesn’t flirt back. He just heads over to the computer next to the old steel cash register. “Then you’re in the right place.”

I look around the room with my heart pounding. There are three leather tattoo chairs—two empty and one with a ripped shirtless guy laying on it. He’s being tattooed by a cool-looking girl with tattoo sleeves on her arms and straight black hair tied into a ponytail. She’s focusing on tattooing the guy’s magazine-cover chest.

“Hey, ladies,” the guy getting tattooed says, flashing us a sleazy grin. Carly and Himari giggle.

“He’s flexing,” Carly whispers and they laugh even harder.

The girl glances at us with the same fierce green eyes asthe guy behind the counter. She’s beautiful. So striking. I’d love to have a cool style like that, but I’d never be able to pull it off. I have too much of a good girl next door vibe to pull off tattoo sleeves.

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