Page 13 of Anyone But Me

My heart warmed from her comparison. I had no idea how much she meant it, but I hoped she did. I loved my whole family, but my mom and I had always shared a special connection because of our love of reading. Being like her was a huge compliment.

“If this drawing is anything to go by, I’d say she’s ridiculously talented,” Jill said.

“I hope I can do her work justice.” She turned her attention to me once again.

“I’m going to make a smaller copy of this, then trace out a design and make sure you’re happy with it before I make it permanent. Sound good?”

I swallowed hard. Permanent. What a scary word. Except, when Jax smiled over at me, I forgot all about my fears. I blew out a breath and nodded. “Let’s do it.”

All of the steps leading up to the actual needle went by in a blur.

Jill updated me every step of the way, but I was in such a haze, I only half-listened to what she was saying.

When it was time to check how the design looked on my arm, I lost my breath.

I loved it. There was no way I could ever regret something so perfect and special.

“Yes. It’s perfect.” My voice cracked as I said the words, because I was so overcome with emotions.

The tears that threatened to fall became even worse when the needle hit my skin.

I had read that this spot didn’t hurt as much as some others, which made me feel like an even bigger baby since I could hardly handle this.

I tried to keep a straight face, but it clearly wasn’t working because Jax grabbed my hand and held it tight.

“Anytime it hurts, squeeze my hand,” she instructed me. “The more it hurts, the harder you squeeze. Okay?”

“Are you sure about that?” I asked with a laugh. “I have literally no tolerance for pain.”

Jax laughed along with me and held my hand even tighter. “Lucky for you, I have a very high pain tolerance, so I can handle it. Don’t worry.”

Jax stayed true to her word and kept holding my hand no matter how much I squeezed hers.

By the time my tattoo was done, I was sure she had no feeling left in her hand, but she didn’t complain once.

And having her hold my hand actually did help.

The pain didn’t seem as bad when I shared it with Jax.

It made me wonder once again how she seemed to know exactly what I needed right when I needed it.

We had known each other for years, but we didn’t actually know each other.

At least, I never thought we did, but Jax already seemed to know me better than a lot of people in my life.

Weird.

“Your first tattoo,” Jill announced as soon as she finished. “What do you think? Ready for another one?”

As I studied the ink on my arm, an unintentional smile spread across my face.

I actually did it. I completed something I never thought I would do without overthinking it a million times, and the results were amazing.

“I love it. So much. I’m not sure if I’ll get another one anytime soon, or ever, but I’m really happy I got this one. ”

I held my arm out toward Jax. “Could you take a picture before it’s wrapped so I can send it to my family? They’re going to be shocked.”

Jax took out her phone and took pictures from a bunch of different angles, then sent them to me. “You didn’t tell them you were getting one?” she asked as she shoved her phone back into her pocket.

I shook my head. “I didn’t want to just in case I chickened out.”

I hadn’t chickened out, though, so I saved my favorite picture of the ones Jax sent me and opened my family chat to forward it to them. Within seconds, their replies came through.

Carter: (Picture attached)

Olivia: ???!!!!!!

Ronan: DID YOU GET A TATTOO?!

Mom: Is that the sketch I gave to you years ago? I think I might cry.

Mama: She’s not kidding. She’s holding back tears right now. Her face is turning red. It’s adorable.

Mama: So is the tattoo. I love it, sweetie.

Olivia: YOU SERIOUSLY GOT A TATTOO?! Is Jax with you? If she is, that bitch took all of our tattoo virginities. She must have a thing for triplets…

Mom: Don’t be crass, Olivia. Is Jax with you though?

I wiggled my phone at Jax. “My family wants to know if you’re with me.”

Jax struck a pose, and I took a picture that I sent to my family.

Olivia: Ugh. My heart. Tell her I miss her. Quinton doesn’t cuddle me as well as she does.

Ronan: It looks awesome. Tell Jax I said hi.

Mallory (Best SIL ever): HI JAX!! Love the tattoo, Carter!

I laughed when I saw the contact name for my brother’s wife. She must have taken my phone and changed it at some point.

Carter: Thanks, everyone! Also, Mallory, when did you steal my phone?

Mallory (Best SIL ever): Ha! I forgot I did that. It was at the wedding after Olivia made us all take shots.

“What are they saying?”

I jumped at the sound of Jax’s voice. I was so distracted by my family group chat, I didn't realize she had moved right beside me. I handed her my phone. “Might as well read it. They’re all over the place.”

Jax chuckled as she stared at my phone. “I love your family so much. I’m a little pissed, though. I’ve known your family longer than Mallory. I should be in the group chat. Guess I’ll just have to find a different way to get in,” she said with a wink as she handed the phone back to me.

I cleared my throat as I contemplated how to respond.

I was terrible at flirting, so it would sound unnatural if I teased her back.

For Jax, it was natural because it was just how she acted with everyone.

“That’s one off of each of our lists,” I said to change the subject.

“That’s a good start. Maybe tonight we can work on your dating profile. ”

Jax crossed her arms over her chest and smirked at me. “Only if we can do your unplanned trip next week.”

“ Next week? ” She didn’t actually mean that, right? Taking a trip that last minute had to be impossible.

“Yeah. It’s perfect. I’m off Wednesday and Thursday. I’ll tell my boss I need to take off on Friday too. She owes me, so it won’t be an issue at all.”

My heart was beating out of my chest just thinking about everything that would go into taking a trip so soon. “That’s a week away. It’s impossible.”

Jax wasn’t deterred. In fact, her smile only grew in response to my doubt. “Do you trust me?”

“Of course I do.” Jax had never given me a reason not to trust her. Everything I had learned about her these past few weeks made me trust her even more.

“Perfect.” Jax clapped her hands together. “Relax and leave the details, or lack of details, to me.”

Relax. Sure.