Page 52 of B is for Beg

“My first kiss was at university,” Gabe says. “I was very drunk, and I nearly gagged on his tongue.”

“I could believe all that,” Blake says. “The first time someone stuck their tongue into my mouth, I gagged. It was really embarrassing.”

“Hmm… you obviously got used to kissing with tongues,” I point out.

“Yeah. Practice makes perfect.”

“That it does,” Gabe said. “Which one was the lie?”

Interestingly, I don’t know which is the lie. “You weren’t at university.”

“Youdidn’talmost gag,” Blake says.

“Correct, baby boy. Probably because I was drunk,” Gabe says with a laugh. “You’re out of socks to take off, Cal.”

Laughing, I pull my long-sleeved T-shirt off. I smile at Blake when I notice him staring at my tattoo. It’s a mixture of tribal shapes and huge thorny roses that starts on my shoulder and goes down to my elbow.

“You like it, princess?”

“It’s gorgeous. Would you tell me what all the symbols mean?”

“The thorns represent loss,” I say. “Whereas the roses are for hope and new beginnings. I got those to remember my dad by. He died when I was twelve.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It was a long time ago, princess. I’ve learnt to live with my grief. When he died, Mum put the life insurance money aside. She gave it to me when I turned twenty-one, and I used it to set up my photography studio.”

“Is that when you got the tattoo?”

“Yes. It seemed like a fitting way to thank Dad for making my dreams come true.”

“That’s lovely,” Gabe says. “I don’t think you’ve ever told me that.”

I shrug. “You’ve never asked.”

“What about the symbols?” Blake asks.

“They’re Adrinka, knowledge symbols from West Africa. My grandparents on both sides were from Ghana. I never knew them, but I wanted something that represented their culture and my heritage.” I point to the one at the top of my shoulder, which is of four spirals around a cross. “This is Dwennimmen. In English, that means ‘ram’s horns’. It teaches us that even the strongest must also be humble.”

Gabe chuckles. “That seems especially fitting for a Dom.”

“This one is Nkyinkyim.” I run my fingers over the next symbol, which twists back and forth four times before becoming four branches. “In English, it translates to ‘twisting’. It symbolises initiative, dynamism, and versatility.”

“Because you were starting your own business?” Blake asks.

“Yes. The last one is Bi Nka Bi. It’s supposed to look like two fish biting each other’s tails.”

Blake squints. “I can see that. What does it mean?”

“Basically that no one should bite anyone else.”

“Don’t fight?” Gabe asks.

“Sort of, yes. It promotes peace and harmony over conflict.”

“They’re beautiful,” Blake says. “All of them.”

“Now that I’ve bored you both to tears, shall we carry on with the game?” I ask.