Page 102 of Fractured Souls
Cam
AsIwalkthroughthe woods with Jamie, my mind is on Bo. I really wanted to talk to him, but I just need a bit of space. What he said to me still hurts. I know he didn’t really mean it, but still. It hurts.
I’ve hurt him too. I need to talk to him when I get back, but I figured I’d let us both wake up and let him ease his hangover first. I look up, noticing the sky around us darken, and my skin starts to prickle. I don’t want to look like a loser in front of Jamie. It’s fine, it’s literally mid-morning. It’s not like the world is going to suddenly turn dark.
“You alright?”
“Huh?” Jamie’s brow furrows. His eyes are so dark they’re nearly black. Kind of like the sky above. “Yeah, I’m fine.” Myhead is a mess. I’ll be fine. Seriously I’m twenty-fucking-six. I shouldn’t be this afraid of the dark. Even in these creepy woods.
“We’re almost there. You want to get a tattoo? Today’s a walk-in day. Ian’s letting us come in before they open. First dibs. As long as it’s small.”
“Oh uh, no.” I only have one on my back, and I’ll never do it again. It was so painful, and sitting still that long sucked. “What are you getting done?”
“I want to get my sister’s name tattooed. When I told Ian we were coming down for the week he said he wanted to do it.” We break through the woods, walking further until we come to a street. Brick buildings line the small area. It’s eerily quiet right now.
We turn down another street, and I nearly run into Jamie’s back as he stands still watching a blonde White woman ahead walking into one of the businesses. “You okay?” Her blonde hair swings as she looks at Jamie. Her eyes narrow, then she rushes inside. “You alright?”
“Uh yeah, sorry.”
“Ex?”
“Family of an ex,” he says quietly, walking faster now toward the tattoo shop. “I’m fine.”
We walk quietly down the street. The silence makes me itch, but I can tell he’s struggling with something so I try not to fill it. Finally we come to a brick building with the words Madd Ink in graffiti. He opens the black door. I follow Jamie through and rock music greets us immediately. The place is neat. Tons of art hangs from the walls. I bet Amira would love it. “Madd Ink?”
Jamie waits at the desk, nodding. “My best friend named it. His name was Maddox. The one in that accident.”
Oh.
Before I can ask about it, a Black man covered in tattoos walks through from the back room. It looks like every inch of him iscovered. He’s extremely handsome, with warmth in his brown eyes when he looks at Jamie. “Hey.” He comes over, giving him a hug. “Ian will be right out.” The man’s eyes level on me, interest glinting in them. “And who do we have here?” His eyes travel over my body.
“Julian, stop ogling my customers.” A White man—also covered in tattoos—with an auburn fohawk walks into the showroom. He’s wearing a deep V T-shirt that displays what looks like a galaxy across his chest. Both of them have very little skin left to show. “Are you getting a tattoo also?”
“I’m free.” Julian puts his elbows on the counter top, leaning forward with a smile. “I got time, handsome.”
Ian rolls his eyes. “Ignore him. Anna’s not here today to rein him in.”
“Uh, no, I’m not.” Although the thought comes to mind to get a tattoo. Then an idea pops into my brain. “Actually, um, yeah, if I can?” Jamie looks at me, surprised, and well . . . me too. I don’t know what possessed me to say that, but before I know it Ian hands us both waivers.
“What are you getting?”
“I just had an idea.” I look back at Julian. “It’s small.” I am kind of freaking out about the pain. I want this, though. It’s tiny. It can’t be too bad, right?
Once our paperwork is done, I sit in Julian’s chair. Jamie’s right next to us, sitting in Ian’s. “So, are we still grossly in love?” He smirks as the soft hum of the tattoo gun comes alive.
“I’ve never been happier in my life.” I let Julian set up, but I see his eyes flick to Ian.
“That’s amazing, dude. That’s gotta be amazing. I’m happy for you,” Ian says softly. Julian’s eyes don’t leave Ian until he notices me looking.
“So . . .” He clears his throat. “What are we doing?” The only part of his body that doesn’t seem to have any ink is his neck.Damn, all that had to hurt. He even has the word “Treasure” curved with the flow of his eyebrow. Something feels off. There’s this anxiety that feels tangible.
“Can I get two little strawberries and a banana, here, on my on my wrist?" The spot where Bo kissed me. Bo made me feel seen. I can’t describe it. I’ve never had someone treat my body that way. Bo touched me, kissed me, like I was something special. Like I meant something.
I felt wanted for the first time in my life. It’s not that I don’t love pleasuring my partners, because I do. Looking back, though, I realize it’s all been a bit one-sided. I’ve never wanted to ask. If they wanted to, they would, right? I love foreplay, but I am very much a giver in all my relationships.
Except the other night.
Except with Bo.
