Page 32 of Broken

“You shouldn’t be carrying that.”

“I’m not an invalid,” I say, for the fiftieth time this week.

My elbow is bruised and hurts like shit when I’ve not taken a painkiller, but I’m not incapacitated. I’ve done small work on customers. Although I’ve explained to those who want larger pieces, I’m carrying an injury and can’t work for long periods. As much as I hate it, I owe my clients that.

There are worse injuries to have. I’m not gonna stop because I have a sore arm. I’m not even angry about it. The accident was my fault.

I’ve gone over that day in my head so many times, I’ve driven myself crazy. More so because I can’t forget how Calli looked at me as she got out of my car, after tossing the keys at me.

She did a good thing for me, and I gave her the silent treatment. What is it about her that brings out the asshole in me? It’s nothing new. People see me a certain way. I’ve gotten used to it, the same way the guys I work with have. Calli doesn’t know me from the next guy in the street.

It wouldn’t surprise me if she never wanted to speak to me again. She’s coming to the party tonight. I’m not sure how to feel about it. It’s not up to me to monitor the guest list. She’s friends with Shane, and the others.

Lucky and Katja talk about her around the shop. From what I’ve overheard, they think there is something in her past she doesn’t want to share.

Damn, first I was spying on her at her apartment building, now I’m eavesdropping on conversations her friends are having about her.

I set the case of beer on the counter and surreptitiously rub my elbow.

“Told you,” Lucky pops up behind me, eyeing my arm.

Immediately dropping my other hand, I glance over the top of her head at the shop. It’s decorated for the party. Banners with ‘Happy 21stBirthday’ are strung around the walls. Black and gold balloons are hanging off every surface and streamers are falling from the ceiling.

Phoenix and Sumner pushed all the beds back against the far wall to provide a larger space for people to mingle. A table is set up in front of the mirrors where food is laid out and a giant box that contains the cake.

Despite my reputation, I’m not heartless. I appreciate what Lucky has done for Shane. The kid lost everything when he quit school. He didn’t know what he was doing with his life, where he was going to live. Or how to make a living.

He took a chance coming here, asking to be my apprentice. It was the last thing I needed, but he begged me to let him prove he is worth it. Then he showed me his drawings. I could see the raw talent even if it would need a lot of fine tuning to translate to tattoo art.

He was desperate, and that bugged me, but I took a chance. I’m glad I did. He’s a good kid. He’s found his people. Ones who care and will do things like throw a ridiculously over the top birthday party for him.

I’m not gonna be the party pooper. Not tonight.

Lucky turns up the music and flits around, making sure everyone has a drink. She directs any gifts, to be put in Shane’s little corner of the room.

Phoenix moves in beside me and hands me a beer. “She lives for this shit,” he says.

I eye him as he watches her. The guy is fucking deluding himself. He’s never got over her and never will. That shit scares me more than anything. Relationships are so fucking complicated, and theirs is unfinished. One day, that shit is gonna blow up.

More people arrive and it gets louder. Resisting the urge to leave, I join in, chatting with past clients, and people from the other stores on the street.

All the while, I’m looking for the one person who isn’t here yet. I’m not sure she is going to show. Wouldn’t blame her after the way I treated her the other day.

This isn’t about me. This is Shane’s night. I won’t factor into any decision Calli makes. Sin isn’t here yet. They go everywhere together. Her and that other friend from the coffee place.

“Running low on beer!” someone yells.

Jesus, already? “On it,” I call out as Sumner heads over. He stops and lets me handle it. He’s the only one who hasn’t given me shit about overdoing it. Going down the corridor to the storeroom, I grab another crate.

Someone screams and I almost drop all the beer and run back. Laughter swiftly follows. Fucking Lucky. She gets far too excited. A smile still tilts my lips. Without her around here, the shop would be boring. Even if her and Phoenix are going to give me an ulcer.

When I step into the shop, the reason for the shrieking is clear. Sin is holding her arms in the air, a glass of liquor already in her hand as she dances around by the counter. Jericho is grinning at his girl while talking to Sumner.

Standing behind them, looking a little apprehensive but smiling at Sin too, is Calli.

Fuck me.

Her long blond hair is pulled up in a high ponytail. The length of it trails down her back and I imagine all kinds of things I could do while holding on to it. My eyes trail lower to the complicated top she is wearing.

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