Page 7

Bradley

“ H ey, Mom. How’s it going?” I answer my phone, pull the door of the tattoo shop, and stride inside.

“ It’s… going with your crazy siblings.” She shouts at someone in the background. “When are you coming to visit us?”

I give it a moment of thought, nodding to myself. “Soon… I might bring some friends too.”

“The more the merrier. I miss you, you are the sane one.” Her contagious laughter transfers to me.

“How is that possible?” My voice drips with sarcasm as I let each word escape my lips.

We laugh some more, already knowing the answer.

“Well, I’ll let you go, honey. But please come soon and bring someone pretty for me to look at.”

“You got it.” I end the call and pocket my phone.

I’ll bring two pretties.

“Coffee mate?” Luka is already up and running, slipping his fingers through his dark hair as he organizes our sketching table.

I move to the fridge in the corner of the room and extract a water bottle. “I’m good.” The first thing I noticed coming here is how spacious the shop is. But what captures everyone’s attention is the graffiti on the black wall behind the tattoo chairs about an angel and a devil.

Given Luka’s name in the media, The Devil, I assume the artist was inspired by his story.

This building feels special, it’s how I felt the first day I set foot here. I stare at the door, lost in my thoughts when my phone pings.

Ronnie

No one tattoos me other than Luka, you already know that.

He finally replies to the text I sent him earlier. “You should let me tattoo you.” But he is being so annoying about it.

Bradley

So, you’re the loyal type but there’s always a first.

Ronnie

Yeah, Luka.

He immediately replies without giving it a moment of thought.

Bradley

Quit being stubborn.

My first client walks through the door and I shove the phone into my rear pocket, channeling my energy to create something. A couple of hours later I cross the shop to the hallway and enter the elevator to get down to the club.

I subtly swing the bag in my hand and the smell of Nana’s cooking drifts in waves. She made saucy mushroom noodles, Luka said he would sell his soul for it so we ordered four and he went to eat it with Dylan.

The elevator dings and the neon sign Hella Club stares at me.

I pass the open office—it’s vacant. I pull open the door that says staff room—no one is there either. Next, before I reach the supply room, Ronnie exits with two big boxes. I rush to get to him and take the one on top.

“Thanks. What are you doing here?” he walks quickly towards the bar where this hall ends.

“My client canceled so now I have a two-hour slot, do you want to fill it?” I playfully wiggle my brows and wink as I place the box on the floor by his side and put the bag I brought on the counter. “I also brought lunch.”

“Why don’t you help me restock and check inventory?” he suggests with a wicked little smile and starts restocking the shelves with new bottles.

“You like to boss me around don’t you?”

“I run a business twenty-four-seven with my best friend who lets me do most of the job because he trusts me.” Bottles aggressively clink on the shelf. “I’m responsible for the whole staff and the sufficiency of this place while I also have my duties at home.” He moves next to wipe the counter with a rag. “So, just admit that you like me bossy because I boss around for a living.”

Completely hypnotized, I can sense something is weighing on him but I automatically replay, “I do—I mean, I admit. That’s an odd way to propose but I accept.”

“Ugh, you’re driving me crazy. Go upstairs and do your job.” There’s an edge to his tone, he is not fully angry but irritated. “That smells like Nana’s cooking.” He finally acknowledges, sniffing the bag thoroughly and licking his lips.

“It is, but why are you running around like mama-duck doing all the chores?” The club is closed from morning till noon. The morning shift is helping with inventory back in the supply room. And workers from the cleaning company are already running around making the place spotless.

A heavy sigh pushes past his nostrils. “One employee called in sick, another has just started so he’s slow, and this shift is off the clock soon. No one else can work tonight so I have to replace them.”

“You don’t have to give me that sulky pout.” I zoom in on his full lips, watching his jaw roll as he chews his gum angrily.

“Do you even listen to a word I say?”

My eyes flick to meet his, “Every syllable.”

His eyes flare but he looks away. “Please, go home. You distract me.” Tossing the rag he used a minute ago into a bucket behind the bar, he exits toward his office and I follow.

“I can’t focus on anything but you and Amber either.”

“That’s not… what I—” he cuts himself off, rethinking his response again because we both know he means exactly what I just said. Grabbing a box of Skittles from his desk, he storms out of the room.

I can watch him work all day.

“Ronnie,” I call out but he continues to push forward and out of the club toward the parking lot. The sound of a motorcycle engine instantly draws my attention and I charge forward, “Ronnie!” Shooting my hands around his stomach, I pull him backward.

Cutting the engine, she pulls the helmet off. “Why do you lounge yourself forward before you check your surroundings?” Amber shouts, sounding like she is about to cry.

Frowning, he delivers his words slowly, “Because it’s a parking lot, Amber.”

“You nearly gave me a heart attack.” She exhales heavily, moving toward Ronnie, her hands reaching up to cup his face. “Are you okay?”

His anger smooths out straight away, his features soften when he sees the panic in her eyes and a gentle smile rises across his mouth. “Yes, I’m sorry.”

“ I’m sorry , my head was all over the place and I just wanted to come here and see you.” Her thumbs stroke his cheeks tenderly. “I used it as an excuse to get Dylan’s bag for her. I said I’d ride here faster.”

“It’s probably in their apartment upstairs.” He comments softly.

“You got candies.” She acknowledges the box in his hands.

“Wants some?” He breaks into laughter and she joins him, letting her small arms wrap around his back for a hug.

“Do you have a death wish?” she asks, still holding him tight.

“Only when I’m around you.” He answers playfully, making them laugh again. “Come here.” Ronnie reaches out his hand for me and waits.

I grin, slipping our hands together and joining their hug.

“Can you tell us what is going on?” He didn’t seem well before and I know him enough to recognize the difference.

A little sigh leaves him as he rubs his forehead. “I caught the new guy stealing two liquor bottles from the supply room and had to let him go. Now, I’m short on staff so I have to help Lisa and Marcus because the bar is swarming with orders especially when it’s getting crowded into the night.”

“Okay, I’ll help. I’ll be happy to volunteer for a few shifts. We don’t work nights in the shop so it works perfectly.” This will mean I would also spend more time with him.

“But you have to sleep before your sessions.” Ronnie’s concern is cute but when it comes to him I’m wide awake no matter the occasion, plus, I know I wouldn’t be able to sleep when he is not at home.

“Luka is giving me free days and some days I take many small sessions or just one if it’s a big piece but don’t worry about me. I want to help until you find someone you can rely on.”

“Count me in too.” Amber pulls back and says, “I work in the salon from morning till noon four days a week so I’m pretty free afterward and on my days off.”

“Really…?” His features subtly pinch with disbelief and it can bring me to my knees.

“Yeah.”

We answer together and a wide grin settles when we glance at each other.

“Thank you. I don’t want to bother Luka with this, he has his tattoo shop to worry about. And Dylan just moved in with him. I want it to work smoothly, this is my job.”

“We got you!” I cheer him, shaking his shoulder and Amber joins me, shaking his waist. “Look at us working things out together.”

“By the way, don’t leave cookies on the coffee table, Teddy is very determined when it comes to food.” Amusement colors his voice and he drops it lower. “He will go feral for a cookie.”

“Copy that.” Amber salutes him, giggling. “I guess we’re kindred spirits after all.”

“Do you want to come inside?” I ask her.

“No need, Luka is bringing me the bag here.” She stretches her hands to the sides, seeming in a better mood.

I interlace my fingers through Ronnie’s and gently pull him with me. “Let’s go eat at the shop, maybe Luka will convince you.”

“You won’t drop this until I agree, huh?”

“Probably not.”

He turns his head over his shoulder and I can tell he has the same spark for her as he has for me. “We’ll see you at home, Amber.”

“Ride safe, Bear.” I wave to her before we enter the club.

“See you later, guys.”