I take a deep breath. I have to before I rear back and kick my friend in her knee cap. Violet doesn’t need to hear all my dirty laundry. “Aren’t you supposed to be working, Jamie?”
Violet saves Jamie’s knee, though, when she comments, “You know, you really should get one if you want one. Especially if it’s something you’ve wanted to do for a while.”
I shrug, and Violet gasps. “And I know the perfect person. He works at Savage Ink, and he is a great guy – I mean really talented. Write it down.” When I don’t grab for a pen or paper, Jamie is pulling a pad from her scrubs pocket. Violet nods at her. “Treyton Cree at Savage Ink. It’s in downtown Whiskey Run, and I promise, he’ll give you exactly what you need – I mean – want.”
Jamie is smiling ear to ear and opens the door of the room. “I’m going to make your appointment. Thanks, Violet.”
She’s gone before I can even talk her out of it. I swear sometimes she wears me out. “Thank you, Violet. Sorry about the interruption.”
She’s smiling ear to ear. “No, don’t be sorry. I’m happy I can help.”
Josh Junior starts to fuss just as his dad walks into the room carrying a suitcase as if it weighs nothing. “Uh oh, do I hear someone calling their daddy?”
Violet and I both laugh. I walk over to the bed. “I bet he could eat if you want to try again.”
Violet nods and pulls the sheet down and adjusts Josh Jr. on her chest. He starts to suckle without any problem at all. I walk over to the door. “Well, it looks like I’m not needed anymore. Just call the nurse’s station if you need anything.”
Violet nods. “Thank you for everything, Katie. And make sure you call him.”
I nod and slip out the door. I take a deep breath as I walk down the hall to the elevators already thinking of the one hundred and one things that I need to do tonight. Who has time to get a tattoo? Not me, that’s for sure.
2
Treyton
A part of me wants to roll my eyes watching Aiden and Gracie, but another part of me knows that they deserve to be happy. They are made for each other, and if that means I have to put up with all their public displays of affection, well, I guess I’ll do it.
I clear my throat when their kissing continues. “Really, guys, can you get a room or what?”
Aiden’s smiling as he pulls his lips from Gracie. As a matter of fact, they both have a goofy grin on their face. It’s been like this for the last six weeks, ever since Gracie came back to Whiskey Run and had little Aiden Jr. Aiden and Gracie can’t seem to keep their hands off one another.
“Yeah, bro. I can definitely go get a room. So you’ll take the rest of my appointments tonight?”
“Fuck off,” I tell him good-heartedly. Savage Ink has definitely picked up, and I couldn’t imagine taking over his clients as well as doing my own. I nod to Gracie. “How you doing? How’s AJ?”
“Good. We’re all good,” she says, wiping the smeared lipstick from her lips. I don’t even know why she keeps putting it on. Aiden can’t seem to keep his mouth off hers. “How about you? How you doing, Trey?”
I grunt my answer, because that’s really all I’ve got. I mean I’m good, but like I said, I’ve been unsettled lately. “Good. I’m good.” I turn to Aiden. “The new hire is coming in tomorrow to start. I’m going to get Dawson to show her the ropes.”
Aiden shakes his head. “Bad idea. Dawson’s an asshole. He definitely doesn’t need to be her first impression. She’ll quit before the day’s over.”
I hate to do it, but I’m going to. “Fuck, man. I’ve worked nonstop for the last six weeks. No offense, Gracie. I was happy to do it so Aiden could help you all get settled, but I need a break.”
Aiden wraps his arm around Gracie’s waist. “You’re right. I know you’re right. I’ll be here when she gets here and give her a warning about Dawson before he completely traumatizes her. It’s good. You’re right. Take your few days off.”
Gracie smiles at me warmly. “What are you planning to do with your time off?”
I shrug my shoulders. “I don’t know. Maybe ride up into the mountains. Relax a little. I’m not sure.” The uneasy feeling returns; it’s almost like something’s about to happen, and I tense up at the sensation. “I’m going to head back and clean up. My appointment should be here soon.”
I walk back toward my tattoo room to give them a little space. I can hear the bell on the door, but looking at the clock on the wall, I know it’s probably not my appointment – unless they’re really early. I busy myself cleaning up my station and getting everything ready. I hate down time more than anything. It gives me time to think about my future, and lately, that’s the last thing I want to be thinking about. It’s like I’m on edge all the time. Fuck, I probably just need to get laid. It seems like it’s been forever.