Chapter 21
Drew finished setting up her work area for the day.
It wasn’t every day that she had a group of nine schedule an appointment.
Today was the day that Vera Lossett and all the women who had the benefit of being in her group were coming in.
Drew had been texting Vera all week making slight changes to the small tattoo design.
For the most part Drew was ready. Though she did worry slightly about seeing Emily.
As Brooke’s best friend, Emily had to know everything that was going on between the two of them.
Now Drew would be tattooing her. She pushed that thought out of her mind.
Drew opened the cabinets next to her small kitchenette and sink in the back of the shop.
The box of rose tea stared at her, its mere presence taunted her.
This was Tuesday, which meant that it was the day she and Brooke usually had tea together.
The habit had developed almost by accident.
Seeing the box of tea hurt like an arrow through Drew’s heart.
An arrow might have hurt less than the pang she felt down to her bones.
A reminder of what she and Brooke had. The longing for what she had hoped they might become.
Drew loved Brooke, and she thought that the same was true in reverse.
Still, she couldn’t get over the fight they’d had.
How could Brooke care for her, but not understand why she had been so upset?
Drew closed the cabinet; there had been too many reminders of Brooke over the last couple of days.
She didn’t need another one. Drew couldn’t take the way her heart leapt every time she heard Brooke’s door open down the hallway of the apartment building.
She couldn’t stand watching Brooke walk to work just a few feet ahead of her every morning.
Drew could see glimpses of Brooke in the bookstore throughout the day, even when she wasn’t looking.
Her eyes and her heart seemed hellbent on finding Brooke.
If only she’d allow herself to bend enough to talk to Brooke.
Drew heard the commotion of multiple people pulling up to the shop.
Car doors closed and there was so much laughter in the parking lot.
She looked out her shop’s window and couldn’t help but smile.
There was something about watching the group with their bright smiles and easy laughter that tugged at Drew. She met Vera at the door to her shop.
“There she is. The woman of the hour,” Vera laughed.
“I’m pretty sure you’re the woman of the hour,” Drew chuckled.
She looked out over the group. Everyone smiled back at her. When her eyes landed on Emily the woman gave her a short smile before glancing away. Drew supposed that reaction was fair.
“How does all of this work, Drew?” Vera asked.
Drew snapped her focus back to her job and the women lined up for tattoos.
“Who here is nervous about the tattoo?” Drew asked.
Scarlett, Emily, and Cora immediately raised their hands. Drew gave them all what she hoped was a reassuring smile.
“Let’s do y’all first. That way you’re not waiting in worried anticipation the whole time. Who’s willing to volunteer to go first?” Drew asked. Cora immediately raised her hand with a smile.
“Cora it is,” Drew announced.
Drew watched as Cora straightened her shoulders.
Cora’s wife, Ayden, patted her arm as Cora strode forward.
Drew gave her a reassuring smile and showed Cora to the station she’d set up earlier.
She pulled out the stencil of the tattoo design they’d all chosen.
A heart that was made up by an infinity symbol on one side.
Love that keeps on going, that’s what Vera had said it meant.
“What placement are you thinking?” Drew asked.
“My right wrist,” Cora answered with a nervous smile.
Cora placed the stencil and had Cora check it.
When Cora was sure that the placement was correct, she sat on the tattoo bench.
Ayden stepped forward and held Cora’s other hand.
The gesture was sweet. Drew felt what was becoming an all too familiar pang of longing.
She missed Brooke more than she’d care to admit.
Drew simply didn’t know how to bridge the gap between them.
That didn’t make it any less painful of an experience.
Cora stared at her tattoo, admiring it once she finished.
Next up was Ayden, Skylar and Leigh. Of all of them Skylar was the one who seemed the most excited.
She took a picture of herself with Drew and then of the tattoo.
Skylar also tagged Drew and the shop, which meant the shop was in for an influx of interest.
When it was Emily’s turn she gave Drew a nervous smile. Drew could only give her the same smile in return. She placed the stencil and allowed Emily to check it out in the mirror. She sat back down and turned to Drew.
“Have you and Brooke talked yet?” Emily asked.
“Do you really want to start that conversation before I start giving you a tattoo?” Drew smirked. Emily paled but Drew offered a reassuring smile.
“I care about my friend. I want her to be happy. I know that you’ve made her very happy,” Emily smiled.
“I know. She just doesn’t understand why I’m upset. She couldn’t understand me at a moment when I needed her to,” Drew pulled herself back. She knew too many emotions were leaking through. Emily sat quietly for a few minutes before speaking again.
“Sometimes when Brooke is overwhelmed or confused or hurt, she lashes out. I’m not saying she’s doing herself any favors.
But sometimes when she’s pushing, it’s because she’s afraid.
I don’t think she knew how to handle you leaving her behind.
I think it brought up a lot of things for her.
And she wanted to pull you closer but instead she pushed and stuck her foot in her mouth.
I know she regrets how she left things with you though. ”
Drew was at a loss for words.
“I need to hear that from her. Instead of from you.”
“Her saying that she was willing to stay and work through something was her saying all of those things. You just have to speak the language of Brooke to understand that.”
Drew put the tattoo gun down.
“You’re all finished,” Drew smiled at Emily.
“Think about what I said,” Emily pleaded.
Drew doubted she’d be able to avoid thinking about Emily’s words no matter how much she tried. Scarlett walked up next, and Drew tried to hide her dread. She placed the stencil on Scarlett’s left forearm right above her wrist.
“I suppose you want to tell me to forgive Brooke too?” Drew groaned.
“Nope,” Scarlett said with a smile.
Drew eyed the woman suspiciously.
“Why not?” Drew asked, her eyebrow raised in blatant appraisal of Scarlett.
“Did you forget that my dad let me get arrested for a crime he committed? Pretty sure the entire town of Nashville is aware of my issues with my father,” Scarlett met her eyes in challenge.
Drew could remember the drama within the Lossett family from a few years ago. The Lossetts were Nashville royalty and everything surrounding the case had been a huge media story.
“I remember,” Drew admitted softly.
“I’m sorry,” Drew added.
“Well, let’s just say I understand what it’s like not to want your dad in your life.
The feelings surrounding that can be complex.
Which is my way of saying you should do whatever is best for you.
Hopefully, you can let Brooke back in and she can support you.
Dealing with that sort of thing is difficult on your own. ”
“Do you think Brooke has it in her to support me? I mean to really support me, whatever feels right to me.”
“Only Brooke can answer that.”
Drew finished up the last line for Scarlett’s tattoo. She rose from the chair and admired her new tattoo.
“Hey, that wasn’t bad at all,” Scarlett declared.
“I told you I was good,” Drew shot Scarlett a wink.
“You did,” Scarlett smiled.
“Thanks for sharing your insights,” Drew said, meeting the woman’s eyes. Scarlett simply returned the smile before walking off and allowing Vera to take her spot.
“Well, this has certainly been an exciting day.” Vera’s tone was lively.
“I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself. I’ve been having fun too,” Drew grinned.
She was having a good time. Vera and company had made for a lively crew. Dreew’s eyes lifted and found their way to Brooke’s store. She could just make out Brooke’s figure watching them through the glass. Drew’s heart startled. The longing that was a constant dull ache in her heart grew sharper.
“Trouble in paradise?” Vera asked following Drew’s gaze over to where Brooke still stood.
“Something like that,” Drew admitted.
“Was it you or her?” Vera asked.
“Excuse me?”
“Who started the fight?”
“Me, I think. Not that it matters. I don’t know if we can be what each other needs,” Drew’s voice trembled.
“Take it from someone who is basically surrounded by lesbians on a daily basis. Your love is probably stronger than you’re giving it credit for.”
Drew felt a warming smile spread across her lips.
“Maybe. But what if we still hurt each other?” Drew asked.
Vera allowed a loud laugh to come through. Drew stared at her a little shaken.
“I apologize. It’s just that, of course, you’ll hurt each other. Loving one another doesn’t mean you won’t sometimes hurt each other. Love is more about how eager you are to repair the damage.”
Drew’s mind instantly remembered the rose tea in her cupboard. She knew exactly what she wanted to do. Vera patted her arm as if she could see the inner workings of Drew’s mind. Drew wasn’t convinced that Vera couldn’t read minds, she certainly seemed intuitive enough.
“Thank you. You know you give really good advice,” Drew smiled.
“Anytime, Drew. I’ve been told that a time or two,” Vera chuckled.
The bell above the door chimed signaling a new customer.
Drew turned her head towards the door. Whoever it was, they would have to wait for another day.
Drew’s mouth was partially open when she saw who standing at the front of her shop.
Frank stood rather nervously by the front door.
He wore faded jeans and a black t-shirt.
Drew’s shock must have shown because Vera gave her arm another pat.
“Is everything alright?” Vera asked.
“Yeah, everything is fine. I just wasn’t expecting that particular visitor,” Drew answered, her tone clipped.
“Do you want us to help you get rid of him? I can assure you we’re more formidable than we appear,” Vera promised.
Drew smiled down at Vera’s tattoo and got back to work.
“Thank you. But that won’t be necessary. That’s my dad,” Drew groaned out.
“I see. Well, family dynamics can be hard sometimes,” Vera said, her tone sympathetic.
“Yeah. He left when I was young. We recently bumped into each other by chance. I guess we’re both trying to figure the other one out,” Drew forced a chuckle.
“Just remember you’re allowed to set your own pace for things.
Nothing has to look absolute,” Vera said.
Her tattoo was done, and Drew knew she should let Vera go.
Drew’s curiosity was getting the better of her.
She found herself wanting to squeeze as much wisdom from the interaction with Vera as she could.
“What do you mean?” Drew asked.
“I mean that you can go at your own speed. You don’t have to absolutely forgive whatever grievances you have. Nor do you have to absolutely shut your dad out. You get to choose what things look like from here. And you should take what feels right to you into consideration.”
“Tattooing you has been an amazing experience,” Drew admitted.
“And having you tattoo me has been an amazing experience,” Vera returned.
Vera gave her one final pat on the arm. Drew glanced over and caught her dad checking out her artwork hanging on the wall. Drew agreed to herself that if Frank was still there when she was done tattooing, she’d talk to him. Part of her wished Frank would leave before she finished her tattoos.
A bigger part of her was grateful when she finished her final tattoo and found Frank still browsing around the store.
Drew told Vera and all of her company goodbye.
Vera pulled her into a tight hug promising to invite Drew for dinner soon.
Drew’s heart warmed. There was something about being invited into Vera’s circle that left her feeling warm.
Drew waved goodbye and then steeled herself for what would come next.