“Shayne,” he groans. “You can’t say shit like that.”
“Why?” I pout. He touched me once, and I’ve been dying to feel it ever since.
“Because now I have to walk around with this all day,” he says, pushing into me to demonstrate his point.
“I guess I’ll just have to take care of it myself…”
“Fine. Meet me in the barn after we have cake and presents with our parents. Then I’ll give you your real present.”
“Ready?” Valen asks, jerking me from my memory. I tear my eyes away from the classroom that triggered it to find her frowning at me, probably wondering why I’m staring at the empty, dark room.
“As I’ll ever be.”
That was a year ago today, when things with Thayer and me first started to heat up. I did meet him in the barn that night, and he gave me exactly what he promised. Thayer wasn’t exactly known for his morality, but for some reason, he fought going any further with me. It was fun and exciting and reckless to sneak around at first. But eventually, as our feelings grew, having to hide got old. But we couldn’t stop it, no matter how many times we tried to end it.
We head out to the student lot, making our way through the crowded parking lot to Valen’s pearl white Mercedes. Since it’s my birthday and my mom had to fly out for a quick two-day trip, I’m celebrating with Valen. I wouldn’t have it any other way. It doesn’t feel like my birthday, anyway, without Grey and my mom around.
When Valen asked me what I wanted to do, I suggested touring the Lizzie Borden house in Fall River. She thought I was joking. I wasn’t. As we brainstormed on things I could do as an eighteen-year-old, it came down to either a strip club, an eighteen and over club, or a piercing or tattoo. The thought of something as permanent seemed too intimidating, but a piercing? A piercing I could do. I’m actually excited.
“Have you talked to Aiden at all?” she asks once we’re inside the car, starting the engine.
I shrug. “Here and there.” It’s been a week since he brought me home. We say hi to each other in passing, and he’s texted me a couple of times, but that’s it. I think he knows I’m not interested.
“Well, that’s disappointing.” She pulls out of the parking lot, heading for her house. Our appointments aren’t until later tonight.
“Why?”
“Because I don’t want you to waste your whole year hung up on your ex-stepdick.”
I gape at her. Valen’s always suspected, but after the funeral, it was obvious something had happened between Thayer and me. I played it off, chalking his behavior up to grief, even though I wanted nothing more than to confess everything. Judging by her comment, she didn’t buy it.
“I’m not!”
“Mhm.”
“You saw him last weekend. He despises me. They both do.”
“Which is exactly why you should focus on other boys. Specifically, ones that look like Aiden.”
“I don’t want to date anyone.”
She lifts a shoulder. “Whatever you say.”
Four hours later, we pull up to the red-bricked building with the large picture window. There’s a sign that reads Heartbreak Ink with a purple neon sign underneath that flashes the words Tattoos and Piercings. Behind us are a bunch of cars parked in every direction, some I recognize and some I don’t. When I see Thayer’s Hellcat, my stomach swirls with nerves. There’s a string of bars and restaurants in this area, which means everyone congregates here. It’s pretty much the only other thing to do in town besides the beach. It’s also a pre-party meet-up point, and my guess is they’re all about to head out to some college party.
Valen cuts the engine and we both hop out of her car, making our way toward the brightly lit shop. Just as we’re approaching the building, Thayer, Holden, and Christian come out of the convenience store next door. Thayer sees me first, his eyebrows tugging into two a
ngry slashes. Holden notices the shift in his demeanor, and he follows his gaze. Amusement flashes in his eyes, as he says something I can’t hear. Christian’s the last one to catch on, barely acknowledging us with a glance.
Lovely.
“Ignore them,” Valen says from my left.
I tear my gaze away from Thayer and walk up to the sidewalk. The door chimes when we walk in, and a guy with a Celtics jersey and arms full of colorful ink greets us.
“What can I do for you?”
“We have appointments for Valen and Shayne,” Valen supplies.