Page 20 of Word to the Wise

Before I left this morning, she had covered her face in makeup. It hid everything except the blood staining the white of one of her eyes. But I could still see it—her pain, her regret.

Just remembering how she flinched when I came around the corner too fast has my fists clenching. I hold that tight and close my eyes, envisioning what I’ll do if I ever come face-to-face with Carter.

She shouldn’t have to be alone after what he did to her. Just thinking about it has me tempted to bail on my responsibilities for the day.

But then Reed would just wonder why I care so much, and I don’t know how to answer that question. So it’s better if I just keep my distance and let Lyla take care of her.

First thing this morning, Sage dropped Lyla off at the apartment. She plans on hanging out all day while he works, and they have plenty to catch up on. And since Sage doesn’t send Lyla anywhere without prospectsguarding her, I know there are guys with an eye on the apartment.

Still, it doesn’t change the fact that I’d rather be the one looking out for Reed.

Something about her calls to me, and the second I first saw her smile, it was like she held the sun in her heart. So warm and bright that something inside me melted. She makes me want to empty the universe so she’s free to orbit without any disruption.

She might not know I’ve been drowning in darkness, but her sunbeams help me see through it. If only she saw her strength like I do, she’d understand how amazing she is. She’d know she doesn’t need to hide her bruises around me because she deserves so much credit for surviving her piece of shit ex.

Last time Reed was in town, I got a glimpse of that other side of her.

We were out at a club, and Sage and Lyla disappeared, leaving me to spend the night hanging out with his sister. I didn’t mind. It had been so long since I’d spent the evening just talking to someone, that I felt like a teenager again. Excited about the prospect of anything—even if it was just looking into her eyes.

Our conversation wasn’t deep, and that’s one of the things I loved about it.

She told me about the chickens they used to have at the compound growing up. How she would chase them around when she got bored. About how she, Lyla, and Lyla’s sister used to torture Sage by getting into trouble. She told me about learning to ride a motorcycle atthirteen, and how she’s still scared to swim, so she’s never been in the ocean.

She’s fearless, and somehow careful about it.

An enigma.

I wanted to listen to her talk all night. About her favorite color being green and her favorite food being strawberries. I was so lost in the pictures she was painting that I didn’t even tell her I’m allergic. I’d let her eat one and kiss me, just to jumpstart my heart again.

She didn’t ask me about my history or goals. We were just in that moment—who we were. Frozen in time and soaking in it.

And when we were done talking, we danced until the club closed. I don’t fucking dance, but I did for her. Just to see her smile.

She’s the kind of girl who deserves to spend her life smiling. And now that I know the darkness she has been living in, my entire chest hurts.

Making my way to the front of the shop, I stop at Crew’s room, where he and Jude are standing around drinking coffee.

They own Twisted Roses, along with Sage, and Crew’s wife, Echo. The four of them are a tight-knit group, and it’s nice to be surrounded by that kind of closeness when I no longer keep in touch with anyone back home.

Between the owners and their wives always hanging around, the tattoo parlor feels like a found family. I should probably be trying to assimilate better into the group, but I’m still guarded after how things turned bad in Vegas.

“Was that Riggs?” Crew asks, tipping his chin toward the hallway behind me.

“Yeah, we’re going to start on his chest piece next week.”

He nods. “Nice.”

They glance at each other, and then back to me.

“What’s on your mind?” I ask.

“Is everything all right?” Jude crosses his tattooed arms over his chest, looking angrier than usual, which I didn’t think was possible.

“I’m guessing you heard from Sage.”

Jude nods once. “I hope Carter’s dumb enough to show up.”

“I second that.” Crew shakes his head.

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