~
Monday was phenomenal I woke to Xavier’s tongue and then got to go to work and listen to him play guitar, drums, and even piano. He could sing too. All four artists signed with him. Billy who I knew Xavier was keeping close because he worried about me was the fourth. There was a very soft side to him that I enjoyed almost as much as his rough side, which I would never get enough of. I learned so much more about him every day.
He told me he didn’t want to spend time away from me be but would like it if when I was finished with school we could go to the shop a couple days a week. He missed it. I agreed, of course I agreed.
“That means you’ll stay here?”
I nodded.
“Thank God. I can’t lose you Irish.”
I couldn’t lose him either.
He consumed my life but he wanted me to consume his too. Four weeks into what started out as a way to deal with being cheated on and I was in love. Real love. The kind of love that knew no bounds. The kind of love that doesn’t leave you still feeling lonely. The kind of love I would have never known existed if Josephina Steel didn’t intervene.
By Wednesday I was exhausted but Carly, Bekah, Joe, Bella, and I were making bird houses and birds’ nests for the reception. Cyrus sent me a text of a sign he had hung on the addition he had built on their house and I nearly cried.
Friday I was invited to dinner and drinks with the girls. The men were going out to a club to play cards. I was a little uneasy about it but Xavier told me it was just a bunch of guys and the club was not up and running. Zandor owned it but ditched the idea of opening it when he met Bekah.
We were in the SUV and Carly was driving she had music pumping as she pulled onto the strip. She slowed down when we past the new tattoo shop that had Xavier and apparently his brother’s up in arms over.
She rolled down the window, laid on the horn, and flipped the crowd gathered in front of it off she leaned out the window. “Ink this bitches.”
She revved the engine and peeled out.
Bekah and Tara laughed, “You told them didn’t you Carly?”
“I said bitches and I flipped them off.” She was a little overly excited.
“You sure did,” Bekah laughed.
“Lame huh?” Carly giggled.
“I’d say your inner bad ass is almost there. You keep working on it Mrs. Steel,” Bekah giggled.
She pulled in the alley leading to the back of the shop.
“We don’t chicken out.” She said as she put the vehicle in park.
“No we don’t,” Tara laughed and got out.
“What are we doing?” I asked Bekah.
“Surprising the guys let’s go.”
I followed them in the back door and Momma Joe was waiting. “Let’s do this before my boys find out.”
We all followed her into the room. “Bekah what did you decide on?”
“Steel Kitten. Tramp stamp.” She grinned.
“Kat can do you. Are you alright with that?”
“I trust you Momma Joe. If you’re cool so am I.”
“Perfect. Carly, Jase will have a fit. Are you ready to deal with that?”
“You and I both researched it. Nothing big and if you do it he’ll be fine. On the back of my neck very small Forever Mrs. Steel. I want three little hearts. One that’s says Jase, one that say’s Bella, and one left empty. I want him to pick our sons name and ink me.”
“Good. And then Tara?”
Josephina Steel loved those girls. It could be seen in the love in her eyes and the reverence in her voice. And they loved her.
“On my side.” She looked at Carly, “You sure?” Carly nodded. “Forever Mrs. Steel, then the tattoo he fixed I want a little sign that’s says.” She cringed, “Cyrus’s nest?”
“Oh Tara that’s very naughty.” Joe laughed.
“If you don’t want to--.”
“No he will love it.” She smiled. “And you Taelyn?”