Page 69 of Calculated Chaos

“You’ve been thinking about it?”

“Definitely. We both spent a lot of time chasing the wrong dreams, but we ended up exactly where we were supposed to be. Together. I don’t know what the future holds, but I know we’re facing it as a couple. As partners.” A beaming smile spreads across his lips. “Yes, Hollister, I’ll marry you.”

Hearing the words does something inside of me, like unlocking the final box I stuffed my hopes and dreams into. “I’ve been afraid to think of anything else besides the daily grind. I spent so much time trying to be the man my dad wanted me to be, only to realize that all I really needed was to be the man you wanted. You rescued me, Ax.”

“Nah, babe, you rescued yourself. I just gave you some rope to help.”

“Just the same, everything that’s happened since that fateful night has been truly life-changing. I love you so much.”

Axel runs his hand down my arm. “I love you back. It’s funny. I used to think maybe I wasn’t built like most people when it came to love. It always felt like I was holding back, even when I tried not to. I get it now though. I’m capable of fully loving someone else as long as that someone is you.”

“Our families are gonna freak.”

Axel laughs. “Let them. We deserve to shake things up a little. Well, you do. It’s the norm for me.”

Grinning, I poke his chest. “Well, I might just surprise you. Speaking of, let’s get up and go out for breakfast, then we have somewhere to be at eleven.”

He raises his eyebrow. “Not gonna tell me where?”

“Wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you. Just trust me?”

“Always.”

* * *

Just before eleven, I turn onto the street to reveal my surprise for Axel. He’s staring out the window like a kid and practically jumping out of his seat. A little covert digging on his phone calendar led me to this place, and I really hope he’s as excited as I am when he figures it out.

As the shop comes into view, he quietly gasps then turns to face me, eyes wide. I just chuckle as I pull into the parking lot.

“No way, Holl.”

“Yes way, Ax. We have an appointment with Reylon. He’s your dude, right?”

Axel’s smile is just about off his face. “He is, yeah. You arranged all this? How?”

“Peeked at your phone when you were in the bathroom so I could see where you went for these. Hope you don’t mind.”

He just shakes his head, unbuckling his seatbelt before I fully stop the car. “I love tattoo days,” he says, already exiting the car.

Laughing, I hop out of the car too and jog to catch up with him.

“This is awesome,” he gushes as he opens the door and walks in.

His joy is infectious. Grinning, I follow him to the counter, where a man the complete opposite of how I pictured a tattoo artist looks up and smiles. He’s got a wild head of curly hair, dyed in various colors like blue, green, and purple. He’s on the shorter side and pretty lean, and he only has one tattoo that I can see—an elaborate scene on his bicep that I can’t quite make out. He has big blue eyes lined with black eyeliner, and several facial piercings.

“Axel.”

“Hey, Rey.” Axel throws his arm around my shoulders and pulls me into him. “My boyfriend made an appointment for me.” He glances at me. “I mean, my fiancé.”

Reylon’s face registers surprise before he nods. “Uh, congrats, man. I could’ve sworn we’ve talked about all the woman troubles you’ve had.”

Axel nods. “Yep. Turns out I was looking for love in all the wrong places. This is Hollister.”

“Ah, Hollister,” Reylon says, nodding knowingly. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

I feel my cheeks heat and I just smile in return.

Reylon turns his attention to the computer screen and taps on a few keys. “Oh and, Ax, the appointment is for both of you. Let me get the artwork printed for approval and then we can get started.”

---