Page 55 of PS: I Hate You

Josh

The artist smiles at me, the expression soft. Understanding.

“Of course, Maddie. I would be honored.” With obvious care, he accepts the sheet of paper to examine the writing closely. “Where would you like it?”

“My wrist,” I say without hesitation. “Where I can always see it.”

There’s a looming presence behind me, and I realize Dom hasstepped in close. I brace for him to suggest I get it in a place that can be covered up if need be. A responsible location.

“I want the same thing.”

I scowl over my shoulder, up at him. “Are you stealing my idea?”

He holds my gaze, an unreadable emotion in his brown eyes. “It’s a good idea.”

Before I can decide if I want to fight more with Dom about his choice to get a matching tattoo with me, Reggie ushers me to a chair, then copies Josh’s signature onto some special tracing paper that he’s then able to press against my skin and leave the design behind. Even seeing the script on me in the temporary purple ink, I know I’ve made the right decision.

For the rest of my life, a piece of my brother will be on my wrist. Wherever I go, he’ll be there in this tiny way.

The needle stings something fierce, a sharp, burning pain. I grit my teeth and stare at the wall of designs, distracting myself by visually tracing the lines of other pieces of work.

“Done,” Reggie announces sooner than I anticipated, though I’m glad the pain is over.

When I glance down, words clog up in my throat. But I’m not sure if I regained speech that I could articulate how much the sight ofLove, Joshon my wrist means to me.

“It looks great,” a deep voice murmurs, and I turn to meet Dom’s eyes.

“You better like it, seeing as how you’re getting the same one.” I mean to affect a mocking tone, but my words come out almost breathless. Not that I’m unused to that state.

I lose my breath a lot. It just seems to happen more often around Dom.

A smile twitches the corner of his mouth, and he watches as Reggie cleans the tattoo, then covers it with a clear protective wrap.

“Your turn, big guy.”

I climb off my seat, switching spots with Dom.

Reggie cleans his station, changes out his needles, and prints a new tracing of the design.

“Which wrist?”

Dom glances down at his hands, then he reaches to unbuckle Josh’s watch. “Hold this for me?” He extends the timepiece for me to take.

Unlike in the cabin, I accept it, cradling the accessory gently. While Reggie preps Dom for his tattoo, I fiddle with the device. As I hold the watch, my thumb rubs over the wristband, warm from contact with Dom’s skin. The metal backing of the watch holds the heat of his body, too, and I pause when I feel an indent in the otherwise smooth surface.

Tearing my eyes away from the man in the chair, I examine the underside of the watch and realize there’s an inscription. A simple message.

Brothers, always. -D

Dfor “Dom.”

Dom gave this watch to Josh.

My brother gave it back in the end.

Chapter

Fifteen