Page 89 of Perfect Sin
“I think I want to pierce my nose,” I blurt out and start giggling.
“Me too,” Jen agrees.
Amber shrugs. “Why the hell not. C’mon, there’s a tattoo and piercing parlor a couple streets away.”
The guys gasp when they see us, especially Ted and Lucien when they see the transformation Amber underwent, but she just waves them off. “We are far from done, boys. Save your ogling until you see the final result.”
The change in her appearance seems to have given her newfound confidence. I find myself hoping the same thing will happen to me.
I’m a little nervous about how Sin is going to react to the piercing. I choose a black ring instead of a dainty stud like Jen and Amber. Studying my reflection in the tattoo shop mirror, I find I agree with Jen, I look badass.
I’m jittery the entire way to our house, wondering how Sin will react. It isn’t that I think he’ll be mad. I know he’ll always support me no matter what, but I want him to like it.
Jen and Shane were making out in their car before we pulled out of the parking spot. Both Ted and Lucien are eyeing Amber like she is their next meal. I can only hope Sin will have a similar response.
He still isn’t home when we return. I check my phone for the first time since we left, and there aren’t any texts waiting for me. The panic I’m barely holding at bay starts to rise up. All the what ifs play in my head. What if he was taken by one of Damien’s enemies? What if his father made another attempt to lock him away?
Lucien notices me spinning out and steps in front of me. This time he doesn’t make the mistake of touching me. “Little bird, take a deep breath.”
I try to do as he demands, but I’m growing lightheaded. “I’ve been texting with Ford all afternoon. Please don’t worry. He’s still at the bar with Sin. Do you want to join them?”
Do I? Better yet, can I? It isn’t fair for me to keep relying on Sin to help manage my mood swings. The feeling that something is wrong with me makes my chest tighten for what seems like the millionth time today, but I force a smile on my face so Lucien doesn’t worry more than he already is.
“Yeah, I want to go. Give me a few minutes. I want to change.”
Luce rolls his eyes. “You look fine, little bird.”
“Battle armor,” I tell him.
“Expecting a fight?” he asks, confused.
“Only if some chick tries to go after my man.” Lucien’s laughter follows me down the hall to my room. I might be a basket case, but at least I’m an entertaining one.
Amber comes with me back to my room and starts going through my clothes the second I close the door.
“I know you have some badass bitch clothes to go with your makeover because I’ve chosen practically everything in here,” Amber says mostly to herself from inside the closet.
“What are you studying in college?” I ask as I change into the tight black pants, slinky blue tank top, and pair of knee-high boots she tosses out to me.
“Public Relations. I want to become an image consultant. There’s a program at UC Playa, but it has a waiting list to get into it, so I thought I’d take care of my basics at PPCC.”
“That’s a great fit for you.”
She smiles at me. “I know, right?”
“You’re almost perfect,” she says, looking me over. She grabs my leather jacket off the back of the chair in my room. “This will make you perfect.”
I slip my arms through the sleeves and follow her down the hallway to where the guys are waiting.
I’ve been curious about this bar, knowing this was the first cut I received from Sin when he hooked up with Jess here. I imagine all sorts of scenarios before we pull into the parking lot. After the disastrous party at Jesse’s house, I expect to walk into an ambush.
Ted greets the bartender when we walk into the building. I don’t have much experience with bars, but I’d say I could easily classify this as a dive bar. Ford and Sin are standing around a pool table in the back. Being a Sunday night, there are few people inside.
None of the people who’ve been gleefully spreading rumors about Sin and I are hanging around, and I’m able to relax. The sound of Sin’s laughter further eases the tightness in my chest. I forget about my makeover as I head straight for him, until his head snaps up and he freezes.
He meets me halfway, and the intense look on his face makes my stomach flutter. I fight the urge to dip my head, and tip up my chin instead. If I’m going to be a badass bitch, I need to stop cowering.
Sin takes my hand and studies my nails. Slowly he takes in my outfit, my hair, and my new piece of jewelry. I start to worry he doesn’t like my new look, until his mouth curves up in a smirk.