Rory
Eighty-Six
Ifinished wiping the light-pink chrome of Pink Pearl with a satisfied grin.
Nothing would beat Pink Betty, but my new baby was a close second.
The extra tattooing this week made me more than enough to put a deposit on this bike.
It would feel odd at first, but I knew I would get the hang of things again and it would be like riding a tricycle.
I took a selfie with my bike and sent it to Hades.
I knew I would see her in a few days, but I missed her.
After Vesper showed me the news articles, I didn’t spiral like I thought I would.
I did need several sessions with Izzy to process everything.
The main thing I couldn’t process was why Cinder was looking into this and didn't tell me.
She questioned me about someone being with me, but she knew the whole time? Did she want me to remember?
I needed to remember so I could find her, but nothing was triggering a reaction.
I was going to make a mistake, but I needed to see him in person, and maybe that would do something.
If I mentioned this to Hades or Vesper, they would have a stroke.
If Cinder was alive, he was tormenting her and I needed to do something other than wait for my mind to stop protecting me.
The tone felt off in the clubhouse, like everyone but me knew something I wasn’t privy to.
It was something I would deal with later.
I was a class-A sleuth and would break into Widow’s office to find out what she was hiding.
Everyone here thought I was going to break.
What they didn’t know was I already had, now I wanted to move on and get this over with.
I wanted my life back without someone trying to take it away from me.
If I didn’t choose to take my life, no one else was going to get the chance.
Before I went to the tattoo shop, I had a lunch date with my best girl.
Babs was staying with Cass and her guys in Crestview.
They were all excited for the baby, and I was ready to be an auntie.
I wanted her to have a little girl, but I could spoil a little boy regardless.
I might not want to be a mom, but I would be the best auntie.
I pulled up to Groovy Griddle, a seventies themed diner that was mine and Babs’ favorite place to go.
My bestie was waiting for me outside so she could look at my new bike.
She didn’t ride, but she loved admiring them.
With three bikers as partners, she might’ve changed her viewpoint, if it weren't for the little bean inside her that could turn her into a minivan mom.
I stopped and removed my helmet, straddling my bike. Babs looked like a kid in a candy store when she crouched, or attempted to, to admire the light-pink chrome. “Babe, you’re already waddling like a penguin.”
“I’d say fuck you, but it’s true,” She snorted before she could stop herself. “I’m seventeen weeks, but I feel huge.”
“Is there only one in there?”
“There better only be one big baby in here, or I am killing all three of them.”
I laughed. “Only one got you pregnant.”
“Yeah, well, I still don’t know which one, so I’m blaming them all. Let's eat. Your future niece or nephew is starving.”
EVIE
Faye’s awake.
“I gotta go. Fang is awake. Make sure your polycule spoils you rotten and take good care of my future nibling.”
“I love you. If you need me, call me.”
Evie was sitting on the edge of Fang’s bed when I arrived at the hospital. All three of their kids were here, and the aura in the room wasn’t as depressing. Fang was laughing, or trying to laugh, since she had broken ribs.
“Hey, sugar.”
“I am trying hard not to leap in your arms right now,” I said, trying and failing to hide the wobble in my tone.
“C’mon, sugar. I’m not gonna shatter. I can get a hug.” I gently leaped into her arms, careful not to hurt her. “Now, last I heard, you were blamin’ yourself? Let’s not do that ‘cause it’s not your fault.”
I pulled back. “I’m sorry he tried blowing you up.” I wiped my eyes. “I don’t understand why he keeps hurtin’ everyone I care about.”
“Weak men take out obstacles. He wants you, and he knows we’ll protect you just like Cinder protected you.” She took my hand. “And we will be by your side when you kick his ass.”
“I’m so glad you’re okay. Get better so you can get out of here. I know Cher is crawlin’ your ass huh?” Fang laughed before wincing. I looked at Evie and their kids. “Keep her outta trouble. Lemme know if you need anything. I’ll be at my shop for a few hours, and then I’ll be home.”
I left the hospital and headed towards Misfit Ink.
There were several tattoos to do today, but none of them were major.
Tattooing was my passion, but right now it was hard to focus on it.
I did enough to keep the bills paid, but I wasn’t letting myself work on big pieces.
The only big tattoo I was doing would be Ariel’s in a few days.
With my music blasting and sketches being prepared, I was ready for a busy night.
Vesper and Hades kept me company via FaceTime until my first client got to the shop.
The first tattoo was a whimsical crescent moon tattoo with flowy clouds, bats, and a black cat.
It was one of my favorite tattoos I’d done, simply because I loved tattooing moons.
My final tattoos for the night involve a mushroom lady, a jellyfish, and my personal favorite lesbian tattoo—scissoring scissors.
It always made me giggle since I had a version of the same tattoo on my thigh.
When my last client was done for the night, I locked up the shop and started cleaning.
I glanced at my phone and Vesper sent me a cute text.
She was truly a poet. Vesper was truly an amazing woman, and she let me tattoo her.
She let me claim her as mine after years of denying her feelings.
Vesper had shown me unwavering devotion and even groveled a few times since the night I tattooed her.
I was in love with her, and I think it was time to finally give into what I knew I wanted.
I was ready to take that leap and finally give myself to the woman I loved. There was no point in denying my feelings for her. I was in love with her—had been in love with her for years— and now I wanted nothing more than to consummate years of desire.
I grabbed my phone and texted Vesper. It was time to have her.
ME
Tonight. I’ll shower at the shop.
VESPER
I’ll be ready for you, mariposa.