“Okay.” I shrugged.
We sat waiting in the small reception area, if two deckchairs could be called a reception. I couldn’t let the choice or rather lack of furniture put me off though, Pete had given me his portfolio and his work was impressive. I’d decided I wanted Joe’s name in English, not some undecipherable Latin or hieroglyphics, and I wanted it on my hip, just inside my underwear so only he would ever see it. I chose an elegant looking script and once we were called through and all the paperwork and discussion was complete I showed him what I wanted and where.
“You know this is gonna hurt don’t you?” Robyn said and Pete smiled but tried to hide it. He did a terrible job.
“I’m no wuss I know it’ll hurt. Bring it on Pete.” I
said confidently.
“It’s a sensitive place to have your first tattoo, you sure you don’t want to go home and sleep on it?” Pete asked.
“No, get on with it.” I urged and he shrugged as Robyn huffed her disapproval.
“It’s not like you to be disapproving Hun.” I glared over at her.
“I’m not, but you are different Ella, you don’t suit tattoos and I’m worried you’ll regret this, not to mention what Joe will say. For the record, if he asks, I told you not to, okay?”
I nodded as the sound of the tattoo needle buzzed and I gripped the arms of the chair in anticipation of what was to come.
“Jesus that fucking hurts.” I shouted and they both laughed. “Okay I admit it I’m a wuss. Just hurry up and get it over with.” I gritted my teeth as my skin was ripped to shreds and my body sweat buckets.
Then it was over and I opened my eyes to have a look. It was perfect. “I love it!” I exclaimed and lay my head back on the head rest of the chair. “I feel utterly exhausted though, I didn’t realise being tense and in pain could knock you about so much. I think my crazy spree may be coming to an end.”
“Thank God for that!” Robyn cried. “Next time you get a wild idea ring Chris to help you okay? I’m gonna lay low for the next few months until Joe calms down after seeing what you’ve done.”
“He’ll love it.” I said with zero conviction. In truth I had no idea how he’d react but I seemed to remember somewhere in the recess of my mind he told me never to touch my skin or my hair. Oh well, too late now.
I picked up my mobile as we headed out to the front of the shop to pay. I had a ton of missed calls and various texts from Joe. ‘Where the hell are you’, ‘answer your phone before I call the police’ and other messages in a similar vein. I dialled his number figuring he wouldn’t appreciate a text.
“Where the hell are you, I’ve been going out of my bloody mind here woman.” He snapped at me.
“I’m fine, thanks for asking. I came shopping with Robyn. I am allowed a life outside of your apartment you know.” Robyn raised her eyebrows at me. I knew I was poking at a viper’s nest by taunting him but I couldn’t help myself sometimes.
“It’s our apartment and no you don’t have to stay in these walls, but a phone call or text would be appreciated.” He was not a happy bunny. This didn’t bode well for me today.
“I’m sorry. I should have rung you. It was thoughtless of me. I won’t do it again.” I said by way of an apology and hoping to soften his mood before I got home.
“Fine. When will you be home? Or am I to guess that too?” He was so pissed I was kinda dreading going home now, but I couldn’t put it off.
“I’m coming home now. Should be there in about thirty minutes.” I said meekly.
“Good.” He grunted and hung up the phone.
“Shit, I think I chose the wrong day to get a tattoo, he’s really pissed off.”
I threw my phone back into my bag as Robyn put her arm through mine and led me out towards the direction of her car.
“Could be worse chick. Maybe you can hide it from him till tomorrow, you know if you keep your underwear on tonight.”
I burst out laughing. “That would be harder than telling him the truth. You think I can keep it hidden from him, not a chance and I won’t go into graphic detail about our nocturnal activities, but keeping this under wraps aint happening.”
“Oh I know, I just thought I’d play with you.” She teased.
Half an hour later I was slinking nervously through the door, keeping my head down like a naughty school girl. Joe was standing in the middle of the living room in his jeans and a black t-shirt, his hands in his pockets looking utterly gorgeous. His stubbled square jaw clenched closed in anger and an air of hostility drifting around him. I didn’t need to look up to know he was glaring at me. I walked with my head down and stopped behind the couch.
“Sorry.” I mumbled.
“Jesus Christ Ella, you don’t have to come in sulking like a teenager. Just keep me updated on what’s happening that’s all I ask.”