Page 10 of Blue

One week of hell.

Last week would’ve just been the beginning. His wife was psychotic. It’d only be a matter of time before the woman turned her ire off Mooky and onto Blue. It really was just self-preservation to end the relationship. She didn’t need to be on the receiving end of that woman’s wrath. It was bad enough she’d baited Blue into punching her.

Damn, that had felt good.

But that wasn’t who Blue was as a person. She couldn’t go down that road anymore. Assaulting another human being was her limit.

When she’d walked through Odin’s Fury’s main area a week ago, she’d noticed the patches had headed toward the meeting room.

Church.

Club business.

Mammoth said something about a run the other day. She might not be at the clubhouse as much but she still had connections. Whether or not she wanted them to, people kept her up to speed. Conflicted as she was, deep down, she needed to know.

Each day without contact felt like another harpoon in the heart.

How was he? Where was he? Would he come back?

This was his shop.Of course, he’d come back. He wouldn’t just abandon his shop because ofher.

There were other potential outcomes.

The scary truth, going on a run didn’t guarantee a safe return. But she couldn’t fixate on that. No good would come from worrying.

Bringing her attention back to the skin and the client in front of her, Blue pressed the pedal, making her tattoo machine vibrate in her hand again. With astute concentration, she scratched the needles into his flesh, leaving lines in its wake as she shaded the area of his calf.

Stella’s friend wore headphones while he texted his friends or scrolled through social media or a dating app or whatever.

She wasn’t sure. All she knew was he didn’t care to chat with her. Which meant she had plenty of time to think. Something she desperately wanted to do less. So, she did her best to shove Mooky out of her mind and push past the anxiety about their situation.

Her focus needed to be on making sure she inked a quality turquoise and green octopus on this guy. If he wanted to chat, she’d chat. She dedicated all of her attention on her task. If she could only get thedamnsong out of her head.

One week since he smiled at her. One week since he held her. One week of crying herself to sleep.

She owed him everything. How did she repay him for it? She’d ended their relationship. The moment things got hard, she abandoned him. Okay, it was alittle morecomplicated than that. But really, what could she do?He was married!

She could have waited, but no. She’d been an impatient—and apparently ungrateful—cunt.

One week since she broke up with him. One week since she’d last seen him. One week since she had potentially ruined everything she’d ever wanted in life.

Though the run might’ve been a blessing. She got to stay in the shop where she felt comfortable. She’d already established herself there, became familiar with the routines, and what the artists expected of her. She knew their moods, their specialties, and their return clients. Going somewhere new would mean starting over.

No one had time for that.

Stella already said she’d take over as Blue’s mentor. But Blue wasn’t sure how long she could continue to be at the shop if Mooky was around. It was his place, so she’d have to be the one to go when and if he returned.

Who was she kidding? He would be back. He always came back.

For now, since he wasn’t there, she could put that decision off. Thank God for minor miracles, procrastination, and club business. Truly, she should use this opportunity to set up her backup plan.

After all, she had Dylan’s card somewhere in her purse. She really should have called him or texted him or something by now. They could go for coffee. What harm could a little latte do?

What was the age-old advice? The best way to get over someone was to get under someone new.

Blue fought back the urge to shake her head at herself. She was in no place to be calling anyone or going on dates. Her mind, her heart, and her career were too entangled with a guy who wasn’t available.

She had bigger fish to fry than her next boyfriend. She needed to figure out her career path before she threw herself into something different.

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