Chapter 35
Summer
I’m excitedly waiting for Nick to pick me up for my first tattoo on Friday night.
My inquiry about getting a tattoo surprised Zander, but after seeing Nick’s drawing, he said I was mature enough to decide for myself.
Maybe my emotional response to the positive DNA test results on Wednesday for Lily Bee softened his stance.
My first full week of work went well at the plantation, and Aaron is becoming a friend. I felt like I was hitting a groove by Friday, and Rose seemed pleased with my work ethic.
A knock on the front door has me jumping up to answer as Zander chuckles at me. I find Nick waiting in a black tank top and athletic shorts. “Hi Grumpy,” I smile.
“Shortie,” he nods, raising a brow at me.
“What? I’m excited,” I tell him, heading back to the living room. “Zander, we’re going now.”
“Nick, you’re taking her to the same guy that did your tattoos, correct?” Zander asks.
“Yeah, Z,” he nods.
“This guy is clean and sterile, right? No issues or complaints?”
“Of course. I wouldn’t let any harm come to her, Z. He’s the best in the state.”
“Just checking,” Zander says. “Good luck, darling.”
“Thanks,” I smile. Grabbing my wallet, we leave the house.
I hop into his Jeep, and we’re off. The shop is in Charleston, so we have a bit of a drive.
It’s a warm evening, the sun still carrying heat from the day, and not too humid.
With the top down, the wind feels amazing on my skin; a pleasant, warm caress.
“Did you take some pain meds like I told you?” Nick asks.
“Yup. Just before you got there.” He’s worried I can’t handle the pain, but my accident injuries have toughened me up.
We park in a nice looking area on a downtown street, in front of a shop.
I hop out and follow Nick inside. It’s much newer and nicer than I imagined a tattoo shop to be.
Upon entering, you can’t see any of the tattoo chairs from the front.
A guy close to the same size as Nick comes through a door.
He has curly red hair and a big smile. “Nick man. How are you?”
“Good Brian. This is Summer,” he says, pointing to me.
“Nice to meet you, Summer. Come on back, guys,” he waves.
We follow him through the door to the main part of the shop.
There are three chairs, two on the right and one on the left.
Brian leads us to the left side. “Hop on up,” he says to me.
I climb onto the chair and relax back. Pulling a chair close, Nick sits beside me, his arm draped against my leg.
“Nick tells me you’re not great with strangers touching you, so we’re just gonna chat while I tell you what I’m doing.
When you feel comfortable with me, we’ll start. There’s no rush.”
“Thanks,” I smile at him. “Here’s the sketch I want.” I hand him the drawing Nick did from my pocket.
“Cool. I’m going to scan it into the system, then I’ll give it back,” he says, walking over to a flatbed scanner. “So, ask me anything, Summer.”
“Um, how long have you been doing this?”
“Ten years now. This is my shop. I’ve got two other artists working for me.
Both are really talented. Gina is a take no shit woman with purple hair and an attitude problem.
Zack looks like an accountant, but he’s amazing at what he does.
They may show up before we’re done this evening, but they won’t come near us. ”
We chat some more, and he shows me the transfer he’ll use on my leg. I show him where I want it, and he suggests placing it along the side of the scar since it’s not an intricate design. He takes a seat and just gossips with us, not bothered at all about the delay.
When I’m ready, I let him know. He brings his equipment over and dons gloves, talking the whole time with us.
He sets his hand over the area he’ll be tattooing, checking in with me.
It’s uncomfortable, but I really want this tattoo, and with Nick here, I can handle it. Nick takes my hand as Brian begins.
It certainly doesn’t tickle when he starts, but it’s not as bad as the pain I endured in the hospital, and after a while, it just feels numb. I smile at Nick, who has his brows furrowed, looking between me and the tattoo gun, so I squeeze his hand. “I’m fine, Nick. The pain isn’t bad at all.”
“Your girl is a champ, Nick,” Brian smiles. “I have a feeling this won’t be her only tattoo.”
Nick just grunts and goes back to watching the tattoo gun.
A while later, I hear the door open and see a short woman with purple hair enter the back area.
She looks over, makes eye contact with me, and smiles, but says nothing, maybe not wanting to interrupt Brian.
I watch her disinfect her station even though it already looks sterile, and get her equipment set up.
“Okay, all done, Summer. Take a look,” Brian says.
It’s an exact replica of the drawing Nick made. “Perfect. Thank you,” I smile.
“Can I have a look?” Gina asks from across the room.
“Sure,” I nod.
She walks over and examines my thigh. “Nice. That would look sick with some pastel watercolor ink,” she says.
“It would,” Brain nods. “That’s Gina’s specialty. Show Summer what you mean.”
Gina takes her jacket off and holds her arms out for me. I see amazing tattoos with soft colors in and around them. “They’re beautiful. I’ll think about it.”
“Fair enough,” Brian responds as Gina walks back over to her station. “Let’s get you wrapped up and talk through aftercare.”
I snap a pic before he covers the tattoo, and once he's done, we follow Brian out front. I grab my card to pay, but Nick stops me. “First one's on me, Shortie,” he says, handing his own card over.
“Thank you, Grumpy.” Brian laughs at my nickname, handing Nick the receipt.
After we're in the Jeep, I send a text to the guys with the pic I took of my new tattoo. I get responses from Bay, E, and Seb right away, saying they like it. Nothing from Alex, but I’ve only heard from him once this week. When I asked E, he said Alex seemed normal to him but was busy with stuff.
I give Nick a kiss on the cheek when we get back to my house and hop out.
He’s meeting up with Ceres tonight to watch an MMA fight.
Going inside, I find Zander on the couch and show him the pic and my leg.
He’s surprised it wasn’t painful for me, but he’s glad.
I grab us both some ice cream, and we watch an action movie together.
I’m working with Finn tomorrow at a wedding in Charleston since all the guys are working.