9. Art
ART
T heresa Dawson does not have a good effect on me.
The taste and scent of her body has taken my mind hostage, and now I can’t think about anything else.
Damn. I hope she doesn’t think I only had sex with her in order to stop her talking about raising the rent again. Though even I have to admit, as far as diversion tactics go, it was a pretty good one.
I try to concentrate on my latest client—a quiet young woman in her mid-twenties, who walked in here with her head down and her hair falling over her face. I hope she’ll be leaving with more confidence in her step.
I need to figure out what I’m going to do about my own situation.
I can’t couch surf for the rest of my life.
I wish I had enough spare cash to rent somewhere, but everything is tied up in the shop.
Each time I think I’m going to have something spare at the end of the month, another bill lands on the doormat, or a piece of equipment breaks.
I don’t need much to live. I spent the previous night with a sleeping bag under the counter of the shop, and I figure I’ll be spending tonight in exactly the same way.
It was torture knowing Tess was lying in a bed right above me— my bed—and it will be even worse now I’ve had a taste of what she’s really like.
I’d considered her to be uptight, but the way she’d allowed me to turn her around and bend her over the stairs, she’d acted anything but.
I finish up my work for the day, wash off the last of the ink and blood from the woman’s skin, and then start to wrap the artwork in cling-film. I glanced up to see tears running down her face.
“Hey, are you all right?”
She nods. “Yeah, it just means so much to me. I can’t thank you enough.”
I smile. “You’re welcome. I’m glad I was able to help.”
“You have. I can’t explain how much.”
We’re left clearing up.
“You okay, boss?” calls Rocco. “We’re heading out for a couple of beers, you want to join?”
“Nah, you’re all right. I’ve got stuff to do here.”
“Seriously? All work and no play, Art.”
“Yeah, yeah. I know, but someone’s got to keep this place together.” My seriousness comes across more than I intend, and Rocco’s face pinches in concern.
“Anything we can do to help?”
“Nah, just trouble with her upstairs.” I lift my eyes to the ceiling and then roll them, and the atmosphere relaxes.
Rocco chuckles. “She’s got you under the thumb already.”
“More like has his balls in a vice,” jokes Kane, who’s overheard. “But Art probably likes it like that.”
“At least someone’s paying attention to my balls,” I throw back. “Been a while since you last pulled, Kane.”
“I’m saving myself for the right girl,” he banters. “One that’s double jointed and bendy as fuck.”
I laugh. “Good luck with that. You might want to start checking out any local circus acts.”
He throws me a salute. “Will do, boss.”
“See you tomorrow.”
I watch the other two as they leave, the door shutting behind them.
I envy them their simple lives. Maybe I should go back to that, and work for someone else.
It would make life a lot easier, but then I wouldn’t be free to work on what I want.
I enjoy being my own boss. Working for someone else would hurt.
I’m not sure I could do it now, but I might not have any choice.
Especially if Tess gets her way and increases the rent even more.
I keep a kettle and mugs in what we use as a staffroom out the back of the shop, so I make myself ramen noodles for dinner and hang out in the shop, clearing up and getting some paperwork done.
My heart lurches with every sound from upstairs, wondering what she’s doing or if she’ll come down.
I don’t like to think of her up there alone.
She’s in a city where she doesn’t know anyone.
It’s insane that I’m sitting down here, while she’s up there, but I don’t want her to know I’m staying in the studio.
As far as she’s aware, the place is empty and I’ve packed up and gone home.
Problem is, I don’t have a home to go to.