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I probably shouldn’t have told her either, she has enough stress, but it had come out when she’d taken one look at me and I’d burst into tears. Honestly, I think dealing with me and my drama distracted her from her own.

“Yep, headed out.”

Sam takes my hands in her own and holds them out slightly. “You look hot as fuck. He’s gonna rue the day he fucked around on you, babe.”

“Am I doing the right thing? This is very devious and conniving and maybe it’s too far for revenge.”

Sam shakes her head. “Screw that, he deserves everything he’s getting. Now go, and text me as soon as you’re done. Rusty is gonna watch out for you but I wish I could be there as well.”

Rusty was Sam’s brother and a dear friend of mine too, and he’s helping me exact my revenge. “No, you need to be here with Joey. He’s what matters right now.”

Sam sobers as she glances back at her sleeping son through the glass window then sniffs back tears. I pull her into my arms and hug her tight, knowing just how hard this is on her and Lucas. I’ve never seen two people so in love as them, but this is a strain and it’s taking a toll on them both.

“I can stay, Sammy, if you need me.”

Sam shakes her head and pulls away to wipe her eyes, her blue eyes luminous against her pale skin and red hair. “No, you do this and then you go have fun. You graduated, babe. You need to enjoy this before you decide on your next steps. Maybe think about that demo tape again?”

I ignore her comment about the demo, knowing full well it’s a pipedream when I can hardly sing in front of anyone over ten years old.

“You sure? You don’t need me to stay?” I bend my knees so I can lock eyes with my vertically challenged friend. At five-eight, I’m not a giant but, compared to Sammy’s five-one, I am.

“Yes, knowing you’re out there doing your thing will make me feel happier. Text me when you’re done, or, better yet, send pictures.”

“I will and give Joey a kiss from me. Do you need me to bring food back for you?”

“No, Lucas is going to meet his friends, Nico and Eddie, at Mickey’s so he’ll bring me something back after.”

“Okay, call if you need me. I’m gonna go. I need to meet the jerk outside Ink Tank in five minutes.”

“Yes, okay. Shoo, go.”

I give Sam one last wave of my fingers and head out. The weather is warm on my skin as I walk on the highest heels I have and fight the urge to tug the miniscule skirt I have on lower down my thighs. For someone who lives in denim shorts and a vest in summer, this tiny skirt and bodice style top feel restrictive and uncomfortable, but I’m not here for comfort, I’m here to make a statement, and this outfit definitely does that.

“Hey, babe, you look hot.”

Forcing a wave of disgust away, I smile at my soon-to-be ex-boyfriend and manage to dodge the kiss he aims my way so it lands on my cheek.

“Thank you. I wanted to look my best.”

“You look great. You should wear this more instead of those ratty denim shorts that make you look like a hick.”

I grit my jaw and smile through my anger, biting back a sharp retort on the edge of my tongue. Fucker just made this decision a lot easier. “You ready? Rusty is waiting inside.”

“Yes. I can’t believe you’ve taken this long to get me booked in here, Laney. You know how much I wanted Rusty’s work for my first tattoo.”

His whiny voice grates my nerves and I close my eyes and try to summon some much-needed calm. This last week living with him, knowing the truth about who he is and what he’s done, has been eye-opening for me. The way he criticizes everything I do, the way he expects me to work a full-time job at his parents' hotel and then come home and cook and clean for him all the while looking like a fucking Stepford wife and finishing my degree is insane. I’m annoyed with myself for putting up with this bullshit for so long, but I know I’ve done it because it was the easier choice and I am done with those. We’d met in collegewhen I’d been studying music and Randy had been wonderful at first but now, looking back, it was his criticism of my singing which had prompted me to change my major and study Public Relations instead.

“Sorry, baby, but this tattoo is totally going to make up for it.”

Randy wraps his arm around my waist and gives me a nod as if accepting my apology, as we head into Ink Tank. Pictures and stencils from some of the work Rusty and his girl, Kendal, had done over the years cover the walls and each one is more impressive than the last. Some are so realistic and lifelike that it’s like looking at a picture.

“Hey, Laney girl.”

I turn at the sound of Rusty’s voice, pull out of Randy’s arms, and rush toward the huge tattooed mountain man with the shock of red hair. His arms envelop me and he rubs my back as he whispers close to my ear.

“You ready for a little revenge, sweetheart?”

I turn my face to him, his beard tickling my nose. “So ready.”