Page 83 of Gunner

“I’m scared of needles!” she shouted loudly, making me jump.

Confused, I stepped out of the shower and walked into the bedroom.

“Bailey, you’re a tattoo artist. You work with needles every day.”

“I know!” Bailey sighed, throwing herself face down on my bed. “It’s stupid. I know. The big bad Venom of the Ink world is a fucking sissy bitch when it comes to needles. Do you know how embarrassing it is for me to walk around with no ink? I’m a fucking tattoo artist, Sarah. I ink people every day, but I can’t ink myself because I’m petrified of fucking needles. It makes no sense.”

Slipping on a pair of panties, I walked into the large closet and said, “No, it’s not. Many people have phobias. There is no rhyme or reason to it most of the time. So, you have Trypanophobia. That is nothing to be ashamed of.”

“I have what?”

“Trypanophobia. It’s an extreme fear of needles. Specifically, people with that phobia are afraid of getting injections or their blood drawn.”

“How do you know that?”

“I took a psychology class in my brief time at college. One of the lessons was about phobias. I thought it was interesting.”

“Is there a cure?”

I chuckled. “No. It’s a phobia, Bailey, not a disease. Look, I will be happy to go with you and hold your hand while Claudia takes your blood. It’s no biggie.”

“You know,” Bailey whispered. “You can’t tell anyone, especially Scribe. If that fucker finds out, he will make my life a living hell.”

I laughed, nodding. “Got it. But you need to tell King. What are you going to do if there is an emergency or worse, you’re pregnant? Needles will be involved.”

“That’s why I’m careful. Well, I was until fucknut hid my birth control pills. Fuck. If I’m pregnant, I’m shaving his fucking head and permanently inking pussy lips on his face.”

Walking out of the closet dressed, I sat on the bed next to her. “What time does Claudia want you at the clinic?”

“Around three.”

“I’ll meet you there. In the meantime, try to relax. Now, I’ve got to head to the pharmacy, then I’m gonna stop in and see my mom.”

“Yeah. I’ve got to head back to the shop. Got a client coming in soon,” she sighed, getting to her feet. “Thanks,Sarah. I appreciate it.”

“No problem. We women need to stick together, right?”

“Absolutely.” Bailey fist bumped me before leaving.

Hearing the front door close, I flung myself back on the bed and sighed. Placing my hand on my stomach, I closed my eyes and whispered. “You are going to have a lively family, little girl. Brace yourself.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

Sarah

Pulling in front of the drugstore, I killed the engine and stepped out into the bright sun when a motorcycle pulled up next to me. Frowning, I watched as Scribe carefully shuffled off his bike, still looking a bit green.

“Shouldn’t you be in bed or something?”

Scribe nodded as he slowly walked over to me. “That evil woman forgot my meds Claudia called in for me. Instead of taking care of me like she said she would, she stormed off after King told her to get a pregnancy test.”

“Yeah, she stopped by my place and told me. If you want, I can drive you back up the mountain. That’s where I’m headed after I get my prenatal vitamins.”

Scribe slowly shook his head. “No offense, Sarah, but I know how you drive. I think I’m safer on my bike.”

I grinned. “Fair enough. How about I follow you up, then? I don’t want you laying down your bike.”

I followed as we both entered the drugstore.

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