Chapter 30
Chapter Thirty
Owen
If there’s one thing my brothers know how to do, it’s throw a party. And the grand opening of Temporary Ink is their magnum opus.
They’ve thought of everything—bouncers, valet, a red carpet. There are even dozens of reporters and photographers roped off, trying to stop all the who’s who of the city as they enter the party, flashing cameras and shoving microphones into their faces.
The inside is packed, looking like the hottest nightclub in town with all of the special lighting and the DJ who I’m sure is internationally known, although I’ve never heard of him.
The music is approximately thirty decibels above what any reasonable person would consider acceptable for a business event.
There are three hundred people here at minimum, shoulder to shoulder, all of them in possession of neon-colored martinis.
“Thirsty?” a heavily tattooed waitress in a silver miniskirt and bikini top asks as she holds up a circular tray, offering me one.
I look at them and my mouth goes sour. “No, thank you.”
She looks me over and moves on.
I immediately get claustrophobic as I push deeper into the crowd.
A panicked, demanding part of my brain insists on going home.
I’ve spent all twenty-nine years of my life avoiding this exact kind of situation.
I glance back at the door, tempted, but the thought of Faye somewhere inside this crowd pushes me on. I take a deep breath and trek forward.
Every one of the sixteen seats is occupied, each tattoo artist working under a dedicated lamp while the party rages around them.
One guy is getting his face tattooed. Most likely, it’s an impulsive decision, but at least it will be gone in three years.
Who knows what this man’s life would have ended up like without Temporary Ink to blunt his poor decision-making?
I find Ryan first, which is usually how it goes. Ryan is always the loudest guy at any party. It’s as if he considers it a personal challenge to be the most vociferous and boisterous attendant in the crowd. I usually find it extremely grating, but a part of me is relieved to see him.
“Owen!” he shouts, the bloodshot eyes, relaxed posture, and slight slur of his words suggesting he is approaching intoxication. “You came! I thought for sure you’d bail!”
He’s wearing a light gray suit with no tie and frowns when he sees what I’m wearing. I wanted to look extravagant for Faye, so I wore my best black suit with a white shirt and a light blue tie. “We’re at a party, bro,” he yells as he pulls the knot out of my tie, “not at work.”
I’m about to correct him and remind him that this is indeed a work function, but it’s too loud, and anyway, he yanks the tie from around my neck and throws it into the crowd where I can’t retrieve it.
“Lighten up a little,” he says as he undoes the top two buttons of my shirt. “That’s better.”
I scan the crowd, eagerly searching for my favorite barista. Again, no sign of her.
“So many hot girls here tonight,” he says as he wraps his arm around my shoulders and looks out at all of the scantily clad women. “Take your pick and I’ll make it happen.”
I’ve never understood that instinct.
Even before Faye, even in the years when I had no particular person to look for, I never walked into a room and looked at it that way. Ryan has always found this baffling. I’ve always found his bafflement baffling.
Besides, there’s only one woman I want. And unfortunately, it’s up to me to make it happen.
“Boys!” Jason says, wrapping his arms around both of us as he arrives. “Can you believe we did all this?”
“I’m still in shock,” Ryan says as he looks around. “This is massive.”
“And we’re just getting started,” Jason says, looking so excited for the future. He’s always been the brother with the grand vision. Ryan follows him eagerly, and they usually drag me along, kicking and screaming. “Let’s take a second and take it all in.”
We all look out at the vast space, my brothers enjoying our latest accomplishment while I search for Faye. I can’t be excited about my future unless Faye is in it.
I’d trade all of this to be with her. I’d happily give it all up and go back to doing experiments in my parents’ garage if she was there with me—wearing a lab coat and safety goggles of course.
“Are you okay?” Jason asks when he sees my face. “What’s wrong, bro?”
I take a deep breath as my eyes roam over a group of people lounging by the DJ booth. “I thought she’d be here. I thought she’d come.”
“It’s still early,” Jason says, glancing at his watch. Although, it’s not that early. It’s after eleven o’clock and I know Faye is an early riser. I doubt she would stay out past midnight if she had the choice.
“She’ll come,” Ryan says, nodding confidently.
I shift my weight from foot to foot as I glance at the door again. Three women walk in. None of them Faye.
“You really had fun with her, didn’t you?” Jason says.
“I had the time of my life.”
And that’s when it hits me. Everything snaps into place and I realize what I must do.
My body hums as everything comes together.
“Guys, I need your help,” I say with my heart pounding. “I need you to help me with something.”
Ryan grins as he looks up at me. “I got your back, brother. Whatever you need.”
“We’re here for you,” Jason says. “Always.”
I lean in and tell them my plan. They both look shocked and horrified.
“Are you sure?” Jason asks.
I nod. “I’m sure.”
“Nobody can know about this,” Jason says. “I’m serious. If this gets out…”
“She’s the only one I’ll ever tell.”
They look at each other and nod. “I’ll get a chair open,” Jason says.
“I’ll find the stuff,” Ryan adds.
“Thank you, guys,” I say, feeling so emotional that I grab them and pull them in for a group hug. I feel them both stiffen with shock at first, but they quickly soften and hug me back. It’s the first hug I’ve ever initiated with my brothers, but it won’t be the last.
“I’m happy for you, Owen,” Jason says, looking at me with softening eyes. “Truly.”
“Me too, bro,” Ryan says, squeezing my shoulder. “I can’t wait to meet this girl. She sounds perfect for you.”
I take a deep breath as I search the crowd for her. She’s still not here. But there’s time.
For now, I know what I must do.
I finally know how I can show Faye how much she means to me.
Vivian would be proud.
“Shotgun being the best man at your wedding,” Ryan says with a grin.
“We’ll discuss it,” Jason says, furrowing his brow at our younger brother.
“Let’s just hope this works first,” I say, getting a burst of energy.
Ryan grins at me and slaps my shoulder. “It’s gonna work. It’s fate.”
“It’s destiny,” Jason says, nodding in agreement.
My heart pounds as I take a deep breath.
It may be against everything I’ve ever believed in. It may go against every shred of common sense I have. But I agree with them.
Me and Faye?
We’re fate.
We’re destiny.
We’re magic.