Page 31 of Bulletproof
Travis got to his elbows. “Anyone get my name tattooed on them?”
The tattoo artist waved his finger at Travis with familiarity. “I know you. You’re in that band. Reckless. Your song’s on the radio all the time.”
“He’sgot more than one song.” It annoyed Derek that Travis was defined by the number of hit singles under his belt.
“I know. I just meant that—”
“I’m just thankful people know who I am, whether it’s for one song or ten songs. I’m happy to be riding the wave while it lasts.” Travis put his head back down and rested it on his arms. “I hope someone gets my autograph tattooedon them before the world forgets who I am.”
Derek turned to Travis, surprised that he expected Reckless to crash and burn. Maybe that’s why Travis’ stress level was through the roof and why he couldn’t sleep at night. “Don’t talk like that. Plenty of people probably already have your name tattooed on their body.”
Travis lifted his head and gave Derek a skeptical smirk.“Yeah, right.”
The tattoo artist who tattooed Derek’s autograph on the girl’s shoulder stepped closer. His eyes dropped to Derek’s butt, then across at Travis’, as if just realizing the placement of their tattoos. “You’re getting your asses tattooed?”
“Yeah. We’re butt buddies,” Derek said, with a smile.
The tattoo artist inspected the work. “Why do I getthe feeling that you chose each other’s tattoos?”
Nerves tickled Derek’s belly, worried about what Travis had chosen. The guy was off-the-wall crazy sometimes, and Derek could have something totally absurd on his ass, even though they agreed to treat this seriously. “Are you kidding? Is it bad?”
“No. Not at all. They both look good. You’ll see. Well, nice meeting youboth. Gotta get back to work.”
Derek gave Travis a warning glare and a threatening smile. “You better not have chosen something stupid.”
“Would I do that?” The guy had the angelic little-boy look down pat.
“You’ll pay.”
“I know.”
Derek put his head down and dazed out again while he listened toRespectby Devour The Day, tapping hisfingers on the upholstered table beneath him, until Travis walked by with his naked cock swinging at eye level. “You’re done?”
“Yep. And I hope you hurry up because I’m getting a chill.”
“Almost done,” the artist said, as he wiped down Derek’s tattoo.
For the remainder of the session, Derek was forced to either watch Travis’ ass or his crotch. It was justthe distraction he needed, because his ass was sore as fucking hell, and it felt like the tattoo encompassed his entire butt cheek. A final wipe with a paper towel, which felt more like sandpaper, and Derek’s piece was done. He jumped off the table and faced Travis, just as they had before they started this venture. But this time, the sexual energy was replaced with anticipation of what the helltheir tattoos looked like.
One of the tattoo artists led them to a mirrored wall and handed them each a hand-held mirror so they could view their reflection from behind.
“You go first,” Travis said.
Eager and impatient to see the tattoo, Derek lifted the mirror with apprehension. He had no idea what to expect. He imagined something silly or juvenile, a comicalinside joke between the two, or something ridiculous that he would end up punching Travis in the arm for. But it wasn’t ridiculous. It was . . . amazing. The moment Derek saw the letters of the Hollywood sign, his mouth fell open. Not only were the three dimensional letters perfectly drawn, but the background scenery of mountain and sky brought the tattoo to life. The detail in the blades ofgrass and rocks shocked the hell out of him with its beauty and realism. Beyond the artistry, the piece radiated with significance. It was a memento from the first night they had met. The first night they formed a connection. The first crazy thing they had done together. Their first kiss. Derek gulped at its meaning and its beauty. “I don’t fucking believe it.” He turned to Travis, his voice raspywith sentiment. “I love it. And I get it. I know what it means. I wish it was on the front of my leg or somewhere I could see it all the time, because this is really special. It means something to me. You mean something to me.” He thought of the tattoo he chose for Travis, which was nothing compared to what Travis had selected. “I feel stupid now about the tattoo I chose.”
“Why?”A hint of panic colored Travis’ face. “Is it that bad?” He held up the mirror and turned so he could see what was inked into his ass cheek, and Derek saw it for the first time. Bulletproof’s logo, with its hammered letters, looked like metal branded into Travis’ flesh. The tattoo artist’s rendition was phenomenal. The letters had depth and the twin bullets meeting head on below the band’s name lookedlike they were about to explode.
Bulletproof. It wasn’t just the name of Derek’s band. It mirrored everything he knew about Travis. The guy had a rough upbringing and a troubled childhood. Travis was having a hard time dealing with life on the road, dealing with success, dealing with his bandmates, and doubting himself. Yet, he went out there every fucking night on stage and bleweveryone away. No one would have guessed that behind the façade of the confident frontman lived the vulnerable, troubled soul that opened up to Derek. No one knew the turmoil that spun inside Travis’ head and in his gut. Yet he persevered, pushed through and flourished. He was bulletproof. “That’s you, Trav. You’re bulletproof.”
Travis placed his hand on Derek’s chest, lowered hiseyes for a second, and then looked back into Derek’s face. He slowly shook his head from side to side. “Bulletproof? Is that how you see me?”
Derek cupped Travis’ face in his hands. “Youarebulletproof. Don’t sell yourself short. I know there’s a lot of stress and pressure going on in your life right now. I don’t know exactly what your backstory is, but I know you’ve overcome a lotof bullshit. And you came out on top.”
“Thank you. For believing in me.” He examined the tattoo in the mirror again. “I love it. Not because I think I’m bulletproof. I’m not. I’m just the opposite of bulletproof. I’m a mess, riddled with holes like a piece of fucking Swiss cheese, held together by tattered strands waiting for one more thing to blow me apart at any second. I love itbecause it reminds me of you. And you’re everything I aspire to be.”
It was as if Travis stuck his hand inside Derek’s chest and squeezed his heart. He ached for the tormented soul in front of him. He was dumbstruck. The only thing he could do was hug Travis with everything he had. God, he cared for this man so fucking much. He slowly pulled back and placed a delicate kiss on Travis’lips. “I’m glad you like it.”
They both turned with their back to the mirror to examine their new tattoos again. Side by side. Hip to hip. Ass cheek to ass cheek. Travis adjusted his position to get a better view. “Wait a minute. You have something tattooed on your other ass cheek? What is that?” He lowered the mirror in his hand, turned Derek around, and bent down to inspect Derek’stattoo closely. “You gotta be fucking kidding me.” His voice softened to a poignant hush. “I don’t believe you did that. You got my signature tattooed on your body?”
Derek turned to face Travis and nodded, feeling a little sheepish. “I hope you don’t mind.”
“Mind? I’m honored. But, how? Where—”
“I got it from the consent form you signed for the tattoo.”
Travis dropped his head and pressed his thumb and forefinger to his eyelids, while he let out a soft breath. “I don’t know what to say.” When he looked at Derek, there was a light mist covering his eyes. “Today has been unbelievable. First, the pool . . . then this.” He rested his hands on either side of Derek’s neck, fingers shaking slightly. “You’re so much more than I ever fuckingexpected. I never thought I’d find someone who understands me, someone I connect with so strongly. You, Derek MacAlister, are one in a million.”
