Page 39 of Dancing Hearts

I’m now on my way to my appointment. I’m nervous, but I think my excitement keeps a small smile on my face. I park my jeep and check myself in the visor mirror. Satisfied, I flip it up and blow out a breath before opening the door and hopping out. Even though my heart is shattered in my chest, it is beating frantically. I pull open the door and step inside.

I walk up to the counter and smile. “Hi.”

“Emma. How are you?” I’m actually starting to feel a bit more nervous, but I hide it behind a smile.

“Good, Rain. How are you?” She gives me a shy smile and it’s all I need to see. Things with her and Levi must be great.

“I’m great. I’ll let Levi know you’re here. Hang on.” She gets on the phone and I start looking around at all the tattoo pictures hanging on the walls. Levi really does amazing work and that’s why I’m here. I wouldn’t trust anyone else to permanently mark me.

“Emma.” I spin around and Levi envelops me in a tight hug. I am trying damn hard to keep my tears at bay, but I’ve missed him. I didn’t even realize how much until now. “How are you?” he whispers in my ear, and a tear escapes falling onto his shoulder.

“I’ve been better, Levi.” He pulls away giving me a sympathetic face.

“Come to my office.” We walk the distance to his office, and we both sit on the couch. “I’m so sorry about everything. Is there anything I can do? Besides give you a kick ass tattoo.” I appreciate the shift because I don’t

want this to be about my broken relationship.

“Thanks, Levi. There is nothing you can do, but I’m not here for that. I’m here for my first tattoo.” He smiles and I can see how excited he gets. He loves what he does. He asks what I want and I tell him exactly how I want it.

“Shit, Em. That is going to look fucking hot. Alright, let me draw it up real quick and once you approve it, we will head out to my station and get to work. He sits at a drafting table drawing, while I sit on the couch getting more excited. When he is done and shows me, I hold my hand over my mouth. It is exactly what I pictured; no, it’s more beautiful.

“Levi, that’s it. It’s perfect.” We make our way to his station. He explains everything to me. He shows me the ink and the tattoo gun before putting the image on me. When I look in the mirror to see if I like it, I smile. I can’t wait until this is on me permanently. He has me lie on his table and turns on the machine.

“Just relax, Em. It’s going to be a little uncomfortable, but nothing you can’t handle. If you move, it won’t be perfect. I’m going to do the first line, you ready?” I squeeze my eyes shut and shake my head. He touches me with the needle and I want to pull away at first, but I don’t want to fuck this up. He was right, it was uncomfortable at first but nothing awful. “How you doing, Emma?” I don’t open my eyes but I do smile.

“I’m good. It’s not too bad. Ouch, shit. That was.” He chuckles and I crack one eye open to look at him. He’s leaning on my body but looking at me now smiling. Dick.

“Some spots are more sensitive. It’s looking really fucking good already. You’ll be done in no time.” We bullshit the rest of the time. Nothing heavy, just easy talk. Before I know it, he is wiping the extra ink off. “You are done, Em, and it looks fucking amazing. You ready to see it?” I’m so damn excited I almost fall off the table getting up. Levi laughs but grabs me. He walks with me over to the mirror and stands in front of it. “Thank you for allowing me to do your first tattoo, Em. I think it looks hot.” He steps out of the way, and I nearly fall to the ground. It is perfect. It is music notes running along my side, the basic chords of the guitar. I had him add a heart at the end of the scale. It curves up my side giving it a flowing motion. I feel a tear fall as I take in this amazing piece of art on my body. I look at Levi in the mirror and smile even with the tears in my eyes.

“I absolutely love it, Levi. Thank you so much.” He gives me a quick hug.

“I know this tattoo reminds you of Cooper. Are you alright?” He is spot on. This tattoo has everything to do with Cooper--music, the guitar, and love, all wrapped into one.

“You’re right it does, but I’m alright. You really did an unbelievable job.” He winks at me and pulls some papers out of a drawer.

“Alright, let’s go over how to care for this.” We sit down, and Rain comes rushing over with the phone. She looks worried and that puts me on edge.

“Sorry, Emma. Levi, it’s Roy. He says it’s an emergency.” I jump up when Levi grabs the phone. My heart is pounding so hard in my chest I can hear it in my ears.

“What’s up Roy?” I look over at Rain, but she shrugs her shoulders. Shit.

“What the fuck! Alright, I’ll be right there.” He hangs up and looks at me. “I need to get over to the bar.” Wait, what the fuck? I step in front of him and he looks down at me.

“What the fuck is going on?” He runs his hands roughly over his face before sighing.

“Come here and let me bandage that while I fill you in.” Fill me in? My heart is still pounding and I’ve got butterflies in my stomach. “Emma, Cooper has been on a destructive path. He’s letting the bar fall apart, he’s not booking bands, and he is being a complete asshole to customers. Even a lot of the regulars won’t go in there. He says he doesn’t give a shit to fight for anything anymore because it’s not worth it.” The tears are unstoppable. How could no one tell me?

“Why?” I choke out. He finishes putting the bandage on me and stands up.

“His mom lied to him, Emma. She is bipolar and never told him, plus he knows he fucked things up with you. I think this was his alternative to drinking. Listen; here are all the directions for how to care for the tattoo. I need to get over there because he is about ready to beat the shit out of Roy.” I pull my shit down and grab my purse.

“I’m coming. I’ll follow you.” He just nods and we rush out the door.

We pull up to the bar, and I’m shocked to see how easily we find parking. I jump out of the jeep and rush to catch up to Levi. We make our way inside, and holy shit, he wasn’t kidding. This place looks fucking disgusting. When was the last time he cleaned? No wonder no one wants to be in here; it actually smells. There are a few people, but nothing compared to what it used to be. As I get closer to the bar, I see dirty cups everywhere, old rags, and alcohol bottles knocked over. I shake my head, disgusted with him for allowing this to happen to his legacy. Levi rushes behind the bar when Cooper starts telling a customer if she wants to dress like a hooker, she should stand on the corner. Roy pushes Cooper back, and Cooper goes after him. Levi jumps in the middle. I’ve seen enough. I rush behind the bar beyond pissed.

“Cooper!” He spins around and pins me with the same horrible angry eyes he gave me in the hospital. Well, fuck that. I’m not taking his shit anymore. If he won’t help himself, I will.

“I already told you this was over, Emma. Get the fuck out of my bar.” Levi goes to stand in front of him, but I shake my head. I’ve got this.

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