Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 63741 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 319(@200wpm)___ 255(@250wpm)___ 212(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63741 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 319(@200wpm)___ 255(@250wpm)___ 212(@300wpm)
To keep it at bay, I’ve been singing to her whenever I get the chance. I even wrote her a song, and sang it for her one night. I could tell she liked it by the way her face went soft, and the way she led me into my bedroom afterwards.
It’s like all three of us are courting her, even though we already have her. But I think the other guys feel the same thing I do, that this could end at any moment, and we’re doing everything we can to postpone the reckoning that has to be coming.
Why it can’t just be easy, I don’t know. But it’s not. I mean, when I’m with her, everything flows like a river, like it’s meant to be. It’s the other times that make me feel like I’m dancing on a tightrope without a net.
Tonight is one of those tightrope times. It’s after hours, but we’re all back at the shop, preparing to give Ember her first tattoo—not just one, but three, though each will be small and as painless as we can make them.
She wants all of us to make our mark on her, and something about it makes me think it’s the start of a goodbye. Maybe it’s because her mood seems more melancholy than nervous, though she tries to hide it all behind a smile.
I think the others sense it, too, because Zeb’s been making cutting remarks to me and Frank every chance he gets, and Frank’s been behaving like he’s on a security detail.
“Let us know if it gets to be too much,” Frank tells Ember as Zeb finishes with the transfer. We made sure she had a good dinner, and Frank’s been encouraging her to take sips of water every few minutes. It seems like overkill, but it’s good to see her being cared for.
“You can also take a break anytime you want.” Zeb says as he gets ready to start.
The doors are locked, the lights are low except for where we’ll be working, and all the privacy screens are up, though the three of us huddled around her form an effective barrier from the eyes of any passersby.
Not that we’re inking any intimate areas. Ember already knew the best and worst spots for pain from all her time working at Beasts Ink, and she opted for her outer thigh, because it was important to her that a future employer wouldn’t be able to see her ink.
I hate the thought of her getting another job someday, but with her graduation approaching, it’s only a matter of time.
I take her hand in mine and give it a reassuring squeeze just before Zeb sets to work. As the needles make contact, Ember’s eyes squeeze shut and her mouth opens in a silent yell.
“You okay?” Frank tips her chin toward him, searching her eyes once she opens them, fussing over her like a child.
“I’m good,” she says, giving him a nod and a brave smile. “It’s actually not that bad. Just a shock at first.”
“You’re doing great, Ember.” I send Frank a look intended to get him to relax and back off.
Zeb’s generally quick at what he does, and his design, a hibiscus bloom in his trademark black and gray style, is done in about forty-five minutes.
Frank uses the break time to give Ember a massage, digging his thumbs in between her shoulder blades as he leans in close to her ear. “You doing okay?” When she nods, he says, “You don’t need to have these all done in one night, you know. We could space this out over more short sessions.”
“Let’s do it tonight.”
A hint of alarm flickers in Frank’s eyes, so quick it’d be easy to miss, except I’m feeling the same way.
There’s a door about to close, unless we can find a way to keep it open.
EMBER
Two down, one to go.
It’s not comfortable by any means, but it’s not as bad as I feared. I had no idea what to expect, since I’ve seen customer reactions ranging from completely unfazed to uncontrollable shivering and even fainting.
I’m not sure I’ll ever do this again, but I’m glad I’m having it done.
Frank’s just finished the bright cherry blossom he created, which is nestled right next to Zeb’s flower, and I think the process hurt Frank more than it hurt me. Who would have known that beneath his imposing exterior, he’s actually a teddy bear at heart? He’s going to make a great dad someday.
“You sure you’re okay, Ember?” His voice is deep and rough, but his eyes are softer than melted chocolate.
“I’m good, Frank. Thanks.” I kiss his cheek, a simple gesture that feels incredibly taboo here at work, but we’re alone.
When Frank gets up, Griffin slides into his spot, humming a melody I don’t immediately recognize. As he prepares the ink and tools, he gives words to it, and my chest tightens.