Page 54 of A Little Jaded
Pretending to be oblivious, I say, “Hey, Dad.”
“Was it Lucian?”
“What?” I shake my head and touch my bottom lip with my hand. “No, not even a little bit.”
Reaching for me, my dad hugs me, then lets me go and lifts my chin, studying the damage in a way that’s eerily similar to Everett’s response. Well, other than the possibly wanting to kiss me part. Not that Everett wanted to kiss me or even thought about it, for that matter, but?—
“Gonna tell me what happened?” my dad demands.
“Bar fight in Cedar Springs,” I lie. It was the best one I could come up with since our phone call earlier. “Took an elbow to the mouth in all the commotion, but I’m fine.” I grab his wrist and force him to lower his arm. “Promise.”
His gaze narrows. “You sure?”
“Pretty positive, actually. It should go down in a few days, but if we could not make me feel like an alien with a bad lip injection until it goes away, that’d be great.”
His mouth twitches, and he clears his throat. “Did you bring your notebook?”
I slip the weathered book from underneath my arm and offer it to him while trying to hide my surprise over the fact he actually dropped his interrogation for once. The guy’s been overprotective since day one. The fact he bought my lie is a freaking miracle, but I’m not about to question it.
When he takes my notebook, he smiles. “That’s my girl. Come on. We have a full afternoon.”
“Already?” I ask.
“You doubt your old man’s abilities to book a fewclients?” He tosses his arm around my shoulders and guides me to his cubicle without any further explanation. Then again, I guess he doesn’t need one.
Sometimes, it blows my mind. How he can basically work whenever he wants, and with a simple post on his social media, he has clients champing at the bit to book an appointment with him. I should know better, though. The guy’s talented, and his reputation is insane. It’s…inspiring and hella intimidating, too. Honestly, it’s one of the reasons why I was scared to work with him. Terrified of disappointing him. Of disappointing his coworkers or fans. Terrified of one of them pointing out how I’ll never live up to my father’s legacy when I’m already well-aware of it. The shadow he casts. The shoes I know I’ll never fill.
But I guess it’s life.
“Come on,” he prods, leading me to his small desk tucked beside the vinyl adjustable chair he uses for clients. “Let’s see what you’ve learned so far.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
EVERETT
She’s late. It’s the first time she’s been late since she started last week. Things have been…quiet. Between school, hockey, and Raine working, we’ve barely even crossed paths other than our daily car rides and a few dinners here and there. Half the time, she scurries to her room as soon as her dishes are clean, but I haven’t pushed her on it. Honestly, part of me is grateful. Call me a bastard, but I have a feeling if she opened up to me, I’d let her in, and with all her baggage, it’s the last thing I need.
Yeah, I really am a bastard.
I stare at the entrance to Etch ‘N’ Ink when I cut off my car’s ignition. The open sign above the door is dimmed, but lights are still on inside. I can see through the glass door. She’s sweeping, mouthing the lyrics to whatever song is playing. Or maybe she’s talking to herself. I don’t know her well enough to say which possibility is more likely. She looks pretty, though. Dark hair braided over one shoulder. Messy. Chaotic. Like the storm she is. The black crop top and low-slung jeans showcase her lean stomach as she bends at the waist, sweeping under one of the black cabinets near thewaiting area. Pretty sure my hand could reach from one hipbone to the next, covering her entirely. The thought hits out of nowhere, and I look down at my phone, making a mental note to get some food as soon as possible. Must be low blood sugar or something.
Yeah. That’s what it is.
I had a game tonight. We lost. It sucked. Now, all I want to do is head home and lick my wounds in private. Easier said than done since I’m parked out front, waiting for Raine to finish her shift. Normally, I wouldn’t mind waiting, but after tonight, I only want some good food, a hot shower, and my bed. As I continue watching through the glass, Raine nods at someone, rests the broom against the back wall, and disappears through a hall toward the back of the building.
When I catch myself staring at her swaying hips, I climb out of my car. I head inside, anxious to get home. A bell dings as I push the front door open, noting it’s past closing time as I shove my keys into my front pocket. It’s nice. Nicer than the other shop where she worked, though I didn’t mind that one. This place has less graffiti, though. Smells better, too. Like it’s cleaner, maybe. The walls are dark gray, with pictures scattered throughout. Some are black and white. Others have bold, vibrant colors. The images are so clear, most could pass for photographs.
Tilting my head, I study a particular piece. It’s a dandelion. Some parts are still yellow. White seeds are speckled throughout. And fuck me. I swear I can feel the wind through the image as I stare at one of the smaller seeds. It looks like it could let go and be carried away at any second. Actually, it’s…pretty sick.
“Hey,” a gruff voice calls.
I tear my attention from the artwork. A guy with wavy hair stands next to the front desk. Streaks of white weave through the blonde strands pulled into a messy bun on top ofhis head, leaving his weathered face on full display. I can’t tell if he looks happy or mad to see me here. With a Broken Vows T-shirt stretched across his body, he folds his arms, showcasing how built the guy really is. He might be older, but it’s clear he hasn’t let himself go.
“Welcome to Etch ‘N’ Ink,” the stranger adds. “We’re actually closing up, but you can make an appointment online, or if you’d prefer, I can help you schedule a time to come back another day.”
“I’m okay, thanks.”
He frowns.