Page 27

“Ready?”
I nod, watching as he wipes the area, shaves, then wipes it again. “Don’t you need a stencil or something?”
“I can freehand. Once I’m done, you check it to see if it’s perfect, then I’ll tattoo it.”
I nod, relaxing back into the chair whilst he draws on my wrist. The feel of the pen on my skin is relaxing, almost making me sleepy.
I roll my head to face Banner. “Can you see if it’s in a good place? I want to see it for the first time when it’s done.”
He nods, looking over to Levi, who has stopped drawing. “That’s perfect.”
I hold my breath when I hear the tattoo gun start buzzing, my heart beating rapidly against my chest.
As soon as the needle pierces my skin, I go lightheaded, more from the adrenaline running through my system, as so far, the pain is bearable.
I keep my gaze locked on Banner’s, but from the corner of my eye, I notice his phone pointed in Levi’s direction.
“Are you recording me?” I ask, my voice tight when my skin starts to sting and burn in one particular spot.
“Yes. You’ll want to see this later.” He grins, taking my hand in his. I squeeze his hand, grateful for him being here, especially when he’s missing a meeting with his coach.
The buzzing stops and continues, the burning so bad in places that I have to grit my teeth and close my eyes.
It will be worth it though. I know it.
“How you feeling?” Levi asks, and Banner’s eyes come to me, waiting for my answer.
“Good. It stings a little more in certain places, but other than that, it’s fine. It just feels like tiny cat scratches.”
He chuckles. “Some places are more tender on the wrist. Let me know if you need a minute, okay?”
I nod, but then realise he’s probably looking down at what he’s doing—well, I hope he is. “I will. I promise.”
“Have you got a sleeping bag?” Banner asks randomly.
I shake my head. I’ve only ever been camping a few times. “No. Why?”
“I have a tent for us to share, but I’ll have to get a list of what else you’ll need. I’ll grab you it when I go to get a new sleeping bag. Todd was smoking a spliff and burnt holes in my last one.”
“You smoke weed?” I ask, shocked.
He scoffs. “No. I’ll never touch the stuff. I want my brain cells intact, thank you.”
I relax a little, not knowing how I would feel if he had answered differently. Drugs have affected my life so badly, and I’ve never touched anything other than prescription tablets.
“That’s good—not about your sleeping bag, but that you don’t do drugs.”
His eyes shine with laughter when he smirks at me. “I don’t need drugs to have a good time or relax. I’m too mellow for that shit.”
I giggle at that. “You are the light of the party.”
He grins, looking sexy as ever. “There isn’t a party until I’m there.”
A thought occurs to me. “So, you’ve never done drugs?”
He pauses, thinking about it. “I think I tried weed at the back of the school field once, but once was enough for me to cough up a lung and swear to never do that shit again.”
I laugh at that. “So, you were completely sober when you climbed out of Mrs. Waldwick’s classroom window and down the drain pipe?”