Page 1 of Innocent
Chapter One
Janie
My mom always says,‘Why fit in, when you can stand out?’It’s a nice sentiment for someone like her. She’s tall, thin, elegant, and somehow managed to be exceptionally smart as well. To this day, at nearly sixty, everyone she knows is still envious. For her, standing out was a good thing. For me, not so much.
I spent most of my childhood being bullied for wearing my hair too short and playing video games with the boys. I won’t apologize for enjoying the escape act of diving deep into a world that doesn’t exist and pretending to be someone else for a while, but it hasn’t exactly led me to popular waters.
“Are you off to work, sweetheart?” My mom kisses my head as she walks by me in the kitchen. It’s seven p.m. and she’s still dressed like she’s expecting an important visitor. I’d ask her if she was, but this isn’t new for her. She stays perfectly primped until she crawls into bed at night. She knows I’m not that girl, though. Usually, the second I get off my shift at the library, I sling off my bra and toss on the longest, biggest oversized tee I can find. Tonight, I uncomfortably sit in a short black dress and a pair of Spanx so tight that I’m sure I’ll have heartburn later. She knows something’s up.
“Yeah, we’ll see how it goes. I’m a little nervous. Mark was telling me that this place is swarming with people this time of night and I’m not sure I’m ready for that much socialization.”
“I gotta say, Janie, I was surprised when you took the job. You have all those hours at the library and you’re still finishing up your online classes at the university.” Her eyebrows crinkle as she pours herself a cup of tea. “And the tattoo shop doesn’t seem like your thing.”
I bite the inside of my cheek and stare at her blankly. I knew this question was coming, and I’ve been mulling over a good response in my head for days, but I haven’t found one yet.
I shrug. “Pushing myself outside my comfort zone, I guess.”
My mother glances up at me, then back down at her tea, squeezing a smidge of honey into her cup. “I love you with all my heart, dear, and I’m all for you getting out of your comfort zone, but the tattoo shop? Your ears aren’t even pierced. You did a final paper in eighth grade English about how tattoo ink causes allergic reactions and should be avoided at all costs.” She grins after she says it. I know she’s razzing me, but I’m not in the mood. My nerves are too frayed.
“It’s only for a couple of days while Mark is visiting his girlfriend in the city. I’m just setting appointments and answering phones. It’s no big deal.” I hop down off the stool, unrolling the top of my Spanx that have rolled down my stomach. These stupid things are a pain in the ass. I have no idea why I wear them. Well, technically, I do. My dress won’t zip if they’re not on. So, there’s that. “I’ll see you in the morning. I won’t be home until after eleven.”
She smiles. “Okay, hon. Be careful, and have fun. You look great, by the way.”
If she weren’t my mother, the compliment would mean a lot more, but I think she might be obligated to say nice things. I’m not sure. Besides that, any minute now, she’ll be able to see straight through me. I’m not a tattoo shop kind of girl. I’m a library, pet store, fruit stand woman. And I’m definitely not into a busy Friday night with loads of people. I prefer to spend the little free time I have locked in my quiet room with my video games and romance novels. That said, Mark really needed the help and I need a few extra bucks to pay for my last semester of college. Besides, I wouldn’t mind saying hi to Mark’s dad, Huck. It’s been too long, and I’ve always had the tiniest crush on him. He’s tall, rugged, inked everywhere, and he has this presence about him that’s always driven me wild. Of course, none of that matters. He’s about two times my age and my best friend’s dad. Besides that, he’swayout of my league.
“Thanks, Mom.” I give her a quick squeeze and head out the back door and hop into the pickup truck I was gifted on my sixteenth birthday. That was six years ago now. Back then, my family was living in The Springs. We weren’t rich, but my dad had a successful law firm, and things like trucks for your birthday were a thing. Now, things are very different… for everyone. We live in a small shoebox of a cabin just outside the main street of a small mountain town and money is harder to come by.
I crank up the radio to the local country station and head out into the snow toward the tattoo shop that sits on the corner a few miles up the road. From the outside, the place doesn’t look like much. The highlight is the Christmas window that’s decorated with a snowman family and twinkling white lights hanging above. It’s simple and gives small town vibes like every other brick building on this street.
I pull up outside the shop and head inside, readjusting my dress again before stepping into the warmth of the large tattoo shop whereOutlaw Countryis blaring. It’s a bluegrass sound that’s amped up with a few guitars. I’m used to the vibe. Most people around here play it, but it sounds different through the deep bass speakers of the shop.
The bell above the door jingles and everyone looks up from their stations to greet me. There’s Maddox, a big, burly guy with mostly gray hair, who owns the shop. Henry, a similar looking guy who’s his brother and co-owner. And Huck, Mark’s dad.
I immediately regret coming. It’s been a while since I’ve seen him.How is Huck hotter?I try not to stare, but I can’t help but glare up as I situate myself at the small office space in the front of the shop.
“Hey, Janie! Thanks for filling in this weekend. The last time Mark went away, Maddox was answering phones, and he messed up quite a few appointments.”
Maddox laughs and shuffles his fingers back through his hair. “And apparently, I’m not friendly enough for phones.” He grins. “I’m friendly, right?”
“No one said you’re not friendly, Maddox,” Henry calls out as he returns to his work.
My heart stops as Huck makes his way to the front counter, drawing his inked hand down over his heavy salt and pepper beard. His arms stretch out toward me for a hug. “Janie… good to see you. It’s been too long. What have you been up to?”
Where have I been? A hug?I figured I’d be staring at him and watching him work. I sure as hell didn’t expect to be touching him. The shop is packed, and he has a guy on his table. There’s no time for chatting. He’s busy. Go… be busy. I shoo him away with my eyes, but I think they’ve betrayed me, because he’s leaning in.
“Here and there, I guess.” I lean into his wide barreled chest for a hug and suck in the scent of cedar and pine, flooding back a thousand memories of Mark and I getting lost in the mountains while listening to Bon Jovi. We’d write our own songs over their lyrics and make up goofy sounds to every track. Then, we’d have lunch by the river and get drunk on wine coolers. For a while, I think Mark thought he and I would be more, but there’s no way I could’ve focused on a relationship with him, knowing how I felt every time I saw his dad.
I can still hear the rumble of Huck’s truck as it roared up the mountainside to pick us up, stones popping and the bright summer sun filtering through the pines. Looking back, I’m sure he knew we’d been drinking, but he never said anything. We’d go back to the cabin, make lunch together, and eat outside by the granite rock overhangs above the river's edge. He didn’t say much in those hours we spent together, but he was steady, strong, capable. His presence alone was enough to incite a reaction from my body that I didn’t understand.
His chest reverberates as he pulls away from the hug.
God, how long did that last?
Was I awkwardly holding on as I fantasized about having lunch with him by the river when I was seventeen?
My clit throbs, but my cheeks turn dark red. This is what happens to anti-social girls who play video games and read romance novels. They end up drooling all over their best friend's dad at a tattoo shop they don’t work at.
I can’t imagine what Mark would say if he knew. He’d probably vomit. Then, he’d take me to The Springs for a CT scan…if he could ever look at me again.