Tell Me Pretty Lies(13)

We head out to the student lot, making our way through the crowded parking lot to Valen’s pearl white Mercedes. Since it’s my birthday and my mom had to fly out for a quick two-day trip, I’m celebrating with Valen. I wouldn’t have it any other way. It doesn’t feel like my birthday, anyway, without Grey and my mom around.

When Valen asked me what I wanted to do, I suggested touring the Lizzie Borden house in Fall River. She thought I was joking. I wasn’t. As we brainstormed on things I could do as an eighteen-year-old, it came down to either a strip club, an eighteen and over club, or a piercing or tattoo. The thought of something as permanent seemed too intimidating, but a piercing? A piercing I could do. I’m actually excited.

“Have you talked to Aiden at all?” she asks once we’re inside the car, starting the engine.

I shrug. “Here and there.” It’s been a week since he brought me home. We say hi to each other in passing, and he’s texted me a couple of times, but that’s it. I think he knows I’m not interested.

“Well, that’s disappointing.” She pulls out of the parking lot, heading for her house. Our appointments aren’t until later tonight.

“Why?”

“Because I don’t want you to waste your whole year hung up on your ex-stepdick.”

I gape at her. Valen’s always suspected, but after the funeral, it was obvious something had happened between Thayer and me. I played it off, chalking his behavior up to grief, even though I wanted nothing more than to confess everything. Judging by her comment, she didn’t buy it.

“I’m not!”

“Mhm.”

“You saw him last weekend. He despises me. They both do.”

“Which is exactly why you should focus on other boys. Specifically, ones that look like Aiden.”

“I don’t want to date anyone.”

She lifts a shoulder. “Whatever you say.”




Four hours later, we pull up to the red-bricked building with the large picture window. There’s a sign that reads Heartbreak Ink with a purple neon sign underneath that flashes the words Tattoos and Piercings. Behind us are a bunch of cars parked in every direction, some I recognize and some I don’t. When I see Thayer’s Hellcat, my stomach swirls with nerves. There’s a string of bars and restaurants in this area, which means everyone congregates here. It’s pretty much the only other thing to do in town besides the beach. It’s also a pre-party meet-up point, and my guess is they’re all about to head out to some college party.

Valen cuts the engine and we both hop out of her car, making our way toward the brightly lit shop. Just as we’re approaching the building, Thayer, Holden, and Christian come out of the convenience store next door. Thayer sees me first, his eyebrows tugging into two angry slashes. Holden notices the shift in his demeanor, and he follows his gaze. Amusement flashes in his eyes, as he says something I can’t hear. Christian’s the last one to catch on, barely acknowledging us with a glance.

Lovely.

“Ignore them,” Valen says from my left.

I tear my gaze away from Thayer and walk up to the sidewalk. The door chimes when we walk in, and a guy with a Celtics jersey and arms full of colorful ink greets us.

“What can I do for you?”

“We have appointments for Valen and Shayne,” Valen supplies.

“Right on. I’m the piercer here, so you’ll be with me. Name’s Nate. I’ll need your ID’s and you’ll both need to fill out everything on these forms,” he says, pulling out two clipboards from behind a counter. He hands one to each of us, and I scan over the consent form, feeling a slight rush of excitement. “I’ll be ready for you in just a minute,” he says, and then he’s disappearing into one of the back rooms.

“What did you decide on?” I ask as I fill in my information and pull my license out of my back pocket before clipping it to the board.

“Nose,” Valen says, pointing to her nostril. She’s not going to be eighteen for another couple of months, but she has fake ID. Because, of course, she does.

“Hoop or stud?”

She twists her lips together, seeming to consider it. “Stud. What about you?”

The door chimes again before I can answer, and even before I turn around, I know it’s Thayer. Sure enough, he and Holden walk inside, surveying the place.

“I think you’re in the wrong building,” Thayer says. “The Chuck E. Cheese is on the next street over.”

I turn back to Valen, pretending like they’re not here, and touch the shell of my ear. “I’m thinking about getting a little hoop up here. Or maybe an industrial.”

Valen crosses her arms over her chest. “We did not come here to get something you could’ve gotten when you were thirteen, Shaynie Baby.”

I roll my eyes. “Fine. My bellybutton then.” I like the idea of having a secret piercing. Something I can hide easily.

“Way to live life on the edge,” Thayer deadpans.

I whirl around, pinning him with a glare. “I don’t remember asking you.”

Nate, the piercer, walks back out, nodding his head at Thayer and Holden. “Getting a touch-up?” he asks, directing his attention to Thayer.

He has a tattoo?

Thayer shakes his head in answer.