Page 85 of Midnight Ink

“And I’m sorry. Please tell Noah I’m sorry. I promise I will never say something so ugly again. I promise.”

“I know you won’t.”

We hang up and I lean forward, putting my head in my hands.

The weight of everything sinks in. This is it. Moving forward. I’ve thought a lot about it, but I didn’t want Julian to know about the mural right away. There are so many things to do, but unlike most times when all my tasks weigh down on me, I’m excited for what’s to come. I feel lighter. Even with my workload.

When we get back, I’m going to take Maddox’s station. I don’t want anyone else to use it but me. I couldn’t handle anyone else being in that spot. It’s just something my brain won’t even let me entertain. And I think that’s okay. More than that, I want to be there, tattooing in the spot meant for him.

Footsteps sound along the porch.

I feel fingers in my hair and lean into the touch, wrapping my arms around Julian’s waist and resting my head on his stomach. I sit there for a moment with him soothing my hair between his fingers. He’s so solid and warm.

I press a kiss near the band of his jeans and look up. His locs are down now, spilling over his shoulders. He gives me one of his lopsided smiles, and I just know everything’s going to be okay. With him, everything’s going to be just fine.

“Are you done shriveling in shame?”

He bites out a sharp laugh. “So squeaky.”

“Yeah, you squeaked me real good.”

“We’re never having sex again,” he says.

I lean back, offering my lap to him, and I smile when he falls into it and leans against me.

“How’d it go?” he asks, and I smile.

“Better. I can’t believe I said that shit to him.”

I rock slowly. The rain falls around us while we sit on the enclosed porch. “Can we talk about the shop?” I say softly.

“Yeah.” He doesn’t make a move to get up. He just lies there while I hold him gently, rocking us both. “When we get back, I’m going to hire more artists.” He sits up abruptly. “Two, and a piercer. I’ve wanted to do that for a while. I’d ask Anna, but I think she’d get too much enjoyment from stabbing people.”

“You’re right,” Julian laughs. “How are we going to afford it?”

“I’ve got some money set aside, don’t worry about that. Just one station to buy.” With the money we’ll make in the shop getting these appointments done, I know it’ll all work out.”

“Just one?”

I nod. “I’m going to take Maddox’s station.” Surprise hits his brown eyes. “It’s time.” I smile sadly. “We need a change, Jules. I need a change. And like you said, this is a cool fucking job. It’s time to bring a little fun back into our lives.”

He shocks me with a kiss, and while the shop needs a change, I think I do too, and I know that nothing in my life lately has felt better than this.

Nothing in my life has felt better than him.

NINETEEN

JULIAN

“Jamie still angry at you?” What Ian said was shitty, but I hope they can work it out. I’ve known Jamie for a bit now and he seems like a good guy. And we all love Noah, especially Anna, which should be a concern to everybody.

“He’s not angry, but I haven’t been completely forgiven, and he shouldn’t, honestly. That was horrible. I can’t believe I said that. And I can’t take it back.” He sighs.

I know some details about the accident. Just shit the papers said. I’ve been too afraid to ask Anna or Ian. “Can I ask why he feels responsible? If he wasn’t the one driving?” I know that was Maddox. And where was Ian through all of it? “If you don’t want to talk about it, you don’t have to.” Ian sinks onto the bed with a smirk, bouncing a little and letting the bed squeak.

Yup. Fucking mortified. I can’t believe I didn’t realize how loud we were. Ian laughs, bouncing a bit more making the squeak echo.

“Stop! I don’t want them thinking we’re⁠—”