Page 46 of Open Road (Tattooed Hearts Duet 3)

As we walked through the rest of the aquarium, stopping to see the penguins on their rock, some jellyfish and art, and even butterflies, I felt lighter and not so out of place for once.

Buying a few postcards and pins for my collection, we headed out a few hours later, discussing where to grab some dinner. Which, of course, meant we had to run into Lee.

“Well, well, well…” he sneered, taking in our group.

“I’m starting to think you’re my new stalker,” I said, rolling my eyes. Slade growled, sending a different feeling to my lady bits. Hot mama alert!

“You wish.” He laughed, which was not the right move for him.

The three men who’d been mostly ignoring him for over a week stiffened, their stances changing as they took in the man who’d decided today was a good day to diss me.

“Oh man, wrong choice of words there.”

Lee, for once gulped, realizing the danger he might be in. Only the crowd around us was saving him from having his ugly face bashed in.

“How about you leave us alone and leave the trash talking to tattoos, asswipe?” Slade said, practically spitting at the man. “We have no problem with you. You’re the one who keeps seeking us out. Stay in your lane, and we won’t have any issues. Understood?”

“Yeah, man, sorry. I got carried away. No disrespect. I’ll stay away. Um, good luck.”

Lee ran away so fast that I wondered if I’d imagined the whole ordeal. Once he was gone, the guys calmed down before breaking out into laughter.

“Did you see his face? I think he was this close to pissing himself.”

Walking down the street, we found a restaurant without a line and took our seats, the guys praising one another for their excellent scare tactics on Lee. I didn’t mention how I’d handled him all the previous times. They could have this win. I was just glad it hadn’t resulted in punches. Maybe tomorrow we could get through the competition without more visits from Lee.

No matter what, I knew it would be a hard day to concentrate, with the audition looming afterward. It didn’t scare me, though. In fact, I was feeling more invigorated than I ever had before.

It was time for this songbird to spread her wings and sing.

ChapterTwenty-One

LENNOX

The morning had flown by,and I was finalizing my sketch of a woodland scene at our booth. Simon had already started his hair and makeup, so it was just Slade and me for the moment. So far, Lee had stayed true to his word, and we hadn’t heard a peep from him. Just a few side-eyed looks when he didn’t think anyone was looking.

“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m ready to return to Kentucky,” Slade said, stretching. “I’m getting too old to bed hop.”

Snorting, I looked up at him, taking in all the tattoos on his neck. “Yeah? How’s a bus going to be any better?” I bit my lip as I waited for him to say something.

“Nah. It will be fine. I’m just moaning.”

“You?” I gasped, giggling.

“What?” he asked, narrowing his eyes at me. “I don’t complain regularly.”

“Yeah, okay.”

Snickering, I shaded in one more area, finishing the last spot. It was one of the more detailed tattoos I’d done, but it wasn’t bringing the same sense of exhilaration I’d grown accustomed to. I turned it to Slade so he could see it.

“What do you think?”

“It’s good. Real good. You’re getting better each time, Peach.” I smiled, turning it back. The compliment felt nice, but for some reason, it didn’t feel like it should.

“What is it?” he asked, pulling me closer.

“I don’t know. I think I’m just nervous about tonight, so my mind’s a little preoccupied.”

He looked around quickly, taking in the crowd and time. “I have an idea.” Slade grabbed my hand and tugged me up, pulling me down a row and then behind some dividers. He kept walking; the crowd separated by blue partitions. The noise was slightly muted, but you could still hear people as they mingled and talked with competitors.

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