Shattered Ties(49)

“Shit,” Jesse grumbled under his breath.

I prepared myself for Ally’s attitude when they stopped beside us. She was already sneering at me, but I refused to let her bother me.

“Hey, guys,” I said.

“Where are you going?” Ally asked again.

“Out. Why?” Jesse asked shortly.

“Maybe we want to come,” Ally said.

“I don’t remember inviting you,” Jesse shot back.

“What’s with the f*cking attitude? Are you too good for us now that you have a rich bitch to occupy your time?” Ally snarled.

“Whoa, cool it, both of you,” Andy said as Jesse took a step toward Ally.

“What is up with you guys? You never fight.”

Ally pointed at Jesse. “Ask him. I don’t have a problem.”

“Bullshit. You attacked Emma the other day for no reason, and you just called her a bitch. You need to take a step back or else.” “You wouldn’t hit me. I’m a girl,” she taunted.

“No, I wouldn’t. But I also know I can tie your ass up without you being able to get loose. I’ve done it before.”

Ally rolled her eyes. “Whatever. It’s not my fault that you have no taste in women.”

“Excuse me? I’m standing right here,” I said.

“And your point is?” she asked.

“Ally, enough. Get the stick out of your ass. If Jesse likes Emma, then I have no problem with her,” Andy said as he glared at his sister.

“You’re both idiots then. I’m out of here.” Ally turned and walked back toward the direction where they’d come from.

“Sorry about that. She isn’t usually that hostile,” Andy apologized to me.

“It’s fine. I don’t care what she thinks,” I replied.

“So, where are you two going?”

“I’m taking Emma to the shop for a tattoo.”

“No way. The rich girl is getting inked?”

“Yeah, I am.” I stuck my tongue out at Andy. I knew he was kidding, but I was tired of being referred to as the rich girl.

“I was going to see if you wanted to go to a party down on the beach, but you’re obviously busy. We’re having another one tomorrow night if you want to come. You, too, Emma.”

Jesse turned to me. “You want to?”

“Sure, sounds good to me.”

“Awesome. I’ll see you guys later,” Andy said.

“Later,” Jesse said.

I unlocked my car, and we got in.

“She really doesn’t like me, does she?” I asked as I started driving toward the shop.

“No, but I’m not sure why. Just give her time. She’ll come around.”

“I hope so. I don’t want to put you in the middle or make you feel like you have to choose. I know she’s your friend.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll handle Ally and her claws.”

“Thanks.”

I reached across the console and put my hand on his. He turned his hand over and threaded our fingers together. I squeezed, enjoying the feel of my hand in his. His hand was so much bigger than mine, and I felt safe with even that small touch. We spent the rest of the drive in silence, enjoying the feel of each other.

“You ready?” Jesse asked when I pulled into the shop’s lot.

“As I’ll ever be. Is it going to hurt?” “A little, but it’s not bad, I promise.” “I trust you.” And I did.

For reasons unknown to me, in such a short time, this boy had wormed his way into my life like no one else ever had. For the thousandth time, I wondered if I’d lost my mind when it came to Jesse. His presence in my life had completely thrown my world off course.

“Come on, let’s get you inked.”

We got out of the car, and he held my hand again, leading me to the front door. After unlocking the door and disarming the alarm, he took me to one of the back rooms. I glanced nervously at the table in the center of the small room. I’d been thrilled on the way here, but now, I was terrified.

“I’m nervous,” I said.

“Don’t be. You said you trusted me, so prove it. Lie down on the table, and get comfortable while I get everything ready.”

I did as he’d said, and then I watched him as he started prepping for my tattoo.

“Do you have any kind of script in mind?” he asked as he placed a small cup on a rolling cart and filled it with black ink.

“Not really. Something girlie, I guess.”

He smiled. “Let me do a few, and see what you think.”

“What? You’re going to freehand them? Don’t you use a computer to print them out?”

“Some do, but I prefer to freehand them if I can.” He grabbed a piece of paper and pen. “Give me a second.”

I watched silently as he started running the pen across the paper. I’d never seen him in such deep concentration.

“Here are a few different ways I can do it. You choose which one you want.”

He put the pen down and handed the sheet of paper to me. I was surprised by how precise he was on each different way he’d written freedom. If I hadn’t seen him write them down, I would have sworn that he’d printed them off of a computer.