43. Big Blue Tattoo
Big Blue Tattoo
Zoe
Getting your period early while visiting your man for the weekend … sucks .
I’m tired, I’m irritable, and I’m disappointed. I was looking forward to seeing him for a whole weekend, and now I just want to go home.
‘You okay?’ Leo asks for the four hundredth time, and I close my eyes, inhaling deeply. He’s not doing anything wrong. He’s being sweet as sugar, honestly, but every word out of his mouth is making me want to kill him. ‘Munch?’
‘ Leo ,’ I snap. ‘Could you just stop asking me if I’m okay, please? Just leave me be.’
His eyebrows shoot up, and he inhales as he returns his attention to his sketchbook. I feel guilty. It’s not his fault my periods are shitty.
‘I just don’t like seeing you in pain.’
‘Well, get used to it. Or don’t — whatever.’
‘Okay.’ He slams his book down on the coffee table and stands, and the movement makes me sit up straighter and turn to look at him.
‘What are you doing?’
‘Setting this straight, right fuckin’ now.’ He crouches in front of me, grabbing my legs and pulling me to face him fully. ‘You got your period. I don’t know how that feels or makes you feel, and I’m trying to be good to you, Zo, but you’re being a bitch.’ My eyes widen at him, and the bastard smirks. ‘I can take you being a bitch to me a couple days a month, munch. I don’t give a shit about that, but do not, ever, insinuate that I’m going to walk away from you because of it.’
‘What?’
‘Get used to it. Or don’t — whatever.’ He repeats my words back to me slowly, punctuating each one, and I press my lips together. ‘I’m not walking away from this, so you get used to that. Now, lay down, get comfy, whatever you want. Eat your snacks, drink some water, read that smutty book of yours.’ My lips twitch with a smile. ‘And for god’s sake, woman, let me draw in peace.’
He picks up his sketchbook and starts to draw once more while I stare at him. There’s a slight lift in his cheeks with the curve of his mouth, but he isn’t looking at me.
I lower my feet to the floor and stand, walking over to bend and kiss the top of his head before heading for the bedroom.
I inhale deeply, stretching out on Leo’s bed, before I realize he’s sitting on the bed next to me.
‘Hey.’ He smiles down at me, and I reach out to take his hand.
‘I’m sorry I was a bitch.’
His low laugh vibrates through me. ‘Baby, I don’t care if you use me as a punching bag. I got you.’
‘I love you.’
He smiles. Every time I say it, he smiles as if he can’t believe I have.
‘I love you, Zoe Bennett, you tiny pain in my ass.’
He leans in to kiss me, then stands and points to the nightstand.
‘Water, pain relief. Take them while I go and get us some takeout. What are you in the mood for?’
‘You’re getting takeout?’ I smile excitedly, and he laughs.
‘Yes, hungry girl. I have a feeling that nothing I can cook would cut it tonight. So, what do you want?’
‘Indian food.’
‘Specifics?’
‘Surprise me.’
He kisses me once more, then turns and heads out.
The first time his phone rang, I ignored it. The second time, I picked it up to check the name. Jason B. The third time, after three texts and a voicemail, I picked it up.
‘Hi, um, this is Zoe, Leo’s girlfriend. He went out and left his cell behind.’
‘Zoe, I’ve heard so much about you.’ Um, I have no idea who this person is, so it makes me a little uneasy. ‘This is Jay from Big Blue.’ Big Blue? My eyes widen as I process.
‘In San Diego?’
‘That’s us.’ Oh my god. Big Blue Tattoo is the setting of the latest and biggest tattoo show on TV — and the owner is calling Leo.
‘Oh, okay.’ I giggle a little awkwardly. ‘I’m sorry I answered. I just saw you call a few times, and I wanted to make sure it wasn’t an emergency.’
‘Oh man, I’m sorry. No, no, it’s nothing like that. I guess I’m a little eager to get all the details fixed. I sent Leo a list of apartments close to the shop that will take a six-month lease.’
Huh? ‘Um, apartments?’ I question, confused.
‘Yeah, all but one can start the lease any time. That one will be vacant about a week after he arrives, so he can get an Airbnb or something for that week.’
‘Yeah.’ I’m numb. Am I hearing this right?
‘So, let him know I called, and that I emailed, and that we can’t wait to welcome him to Big Blue. Good to talk to you, Zoe.’
‘Yeah, you, too.’
He ends the call, and I stare at the phone in my hand. Leo’s going to California for six months, and he didn’t tell me.