Ink My Heart

Riley, but that was to get Romeo’s perfectionist panties in a twist more than anything. It was obvious he had it bad for the girl from the first moment she walked into our audition. After a couple of band practices, it was clear she had it bad for him too. I pretty much knew from the start it was a no go.

Allie’s expression softens as Riley scoots onto the stool across from us. “As of now, I’m the current drummer of the Bleached Blondes, the best two-member band you’ve never heard of. Or maybe we’ll be called Rowdy. Or possibly the Brassy Dolls.” She frowns. “Obviously, the name is a work in progress.”

I frown. “What are you talking about?”

Riley grins slyly. “I’m starting a band. Romeo’s helping me with auditions. I’m hoping it will be an all-girl band, but hey, if that doesn’t work out, boys may be welcome. As long as they like loud and fast.”

“All-girl sounds cool,” Allie murmurs.

“Why the hell would you do that?” I ask, slapping my hand on the table. “Why don’t you come back to us?” I’d love to get rid of ass-wipe Gabe.

Riley pauses from tearing the paper wrapper off her muffin. “You worried about the competition?”

“Ha. No. I’d like to get rid of the dick behind the drums. I’d rather deal with you and Romeo making out in between sets than him.”

Riley’s head shakes and her ever-present dark brown blonde-streaked ponytail swings behind her. “I’m not doing that to Gabe.”

“Why not?” I snap.

“Because you and Romeo would be at each other’s throats again if Gabe wasn’t around, so I can’t take his spot. Besides, you should give Gabe some credit. He’s been working really hard, Justin.”

“At being an asshole,” I say under my breath.

Riley tosses her muffin paper at me. “We’re not going to be anything as serious as Luminescent.” She catches the paper I whip back at her and turns to Allie. “So how long have you been inking?”

“Over six years.”

The muffin pauses on the way to Riley’s mouth. “You must be good.”

“She’s better than good. Check this out,” I say, turning and lifting my T-shirt.

Riley lets out a low whistle. “That is awesome. If I ever get the courage, I know where to go.”

Allie digs out a card from her bag and slides it across the table. “With the right artist, it’s not that painful.”

We spend the next half hour talking ink and music and school. Riley doesn’t leave, which is on the verge of irritating me. I don’t get to spend much time with Allie as it is. But in the end, it’s not too bad. I like Riley, and miss her being in the band, and she and Allie have hit it off.

When it’s time for both Riley and me to take off for afternoon classes, Allie packs her stuff too and walks us out. After saying good-bye to Allie, Riley goes to read the message board outside the shop. The kiss I give Allie feels way too quick, and I promise to call her.

As I’m watching her walk toward the parking lot, Riley comes to my side. “I really like her, but you’d better not screw this up with your manwhoring ways, Justin.”

“Rile, I’m a changed man.”

She lets out a harrumph of disbelief.

I hoist my backpack to my shoulder. “Since I met her I’ve been as celibate as your man was back in the day.”

Riley’s eyes just about pop out of their sockets. “No shit?”

“No shit,” I say, understanding her skepticism.

“Huh.” She lets out a low whistle and glances at the empty sidewalk where Allie had disappeared around the corner. “Maybe I should be worried about you.”

“Huh? I thought you wanted me to stop my manwhoring ways.”

Forcing a smile, she says, “Forget it. Come on. We’re both in the Lit building.”

“Bullshit,” I say, following her. “Why would you say that?”

She shrugs. “You’ve never been close enough to someone to get hurt.”

“Why are you assuming she’s going to hurt me?” My tone is exasperated.

Just as we separate to avoid a group of students in the middle of the sidewalk, she says over her shoulder, “I’m not, but things don’t always work out like we want them to.”

When we rejoin on the other side of the little crowd, I let out a huff. “Just because you and Romeo have had problems doesn’t mean everyone will.”

She adjusts the backpack on her shoulder with a bounce. “Here’s the thing, except for a shaky start, Romeo and I worked. It was everything else that wasn’t working.”

“I’m not Romeo. Allie’s not you.”

“Justin, you’re not dating a college coed whose biggest worry is her social calendar, GPA, and hair color. Allie has a son, an ex-husband, and a business.”

“So she can’t date?”

“Sure she can date.” Riley lets out a sigh as I open a door to the Lit building for her. “But even though you’ve pulled a three-sixty, she has bigger commitments than a boyfriend—and you need to be aware of that.”

“I’m aware.”

“Okay, just don’t smash any more guitars,” Riley says. Starting up the stairway, she adds, “Catch you later.”

As Riley disappears around a landing, thoughts of Trevor hit me. I’ll never forget the look on Allie’s face at the art show when she saw him. Though I have a hard time believing she’d toy with me if she was still in love with that asshole, I haven’t known her long. She doesn’t seem like the type of girl who would lead me on or use me to fill in for her ex, but Trevor was the reason she went out with me on that fake first date.

Chapter 22 Allie

I step out of my car and stare into the dark antique shop window, wondering if this is a good idea. The muffled sound of loud music comes from above as I lean against the driver’s door. After Justin told me where they practice, a place not too far from my shop, the thought of stopping by and seeing him before going home had stuck with me all day long. Now, standing here, the entire idea seems rather stupid because, essentially, he’s at work. Yet I want to see him if only for a minute or two. Hearing his voice later while we talk on the phone won’t be enough to sustain me until Sunday, still three long days away. I try to ignore that he’s starting to fill my thoughts all of the time. Which means I really should not be here.

The music ends and I tap my fingers on the roof of my car. This would be the perfect time to make my unofficial entrance, but I don’t move. Suddenly a door at the far end of the old building opens and Sam steps out. After lighting a cigarette, he glances over and catches me leaning on the car.

He blows a stream of smoke. “Allie, right?”

Pushing away from the car, I nod.

“Looking for Justin?” he asks, running a hand over his buzzed hair.

“I wanted to say a quick hi, but if the band is too busy…”

He grins. “I have a feeling Justin will never be too busy for you. Give me a minute and I’ll take you up.”

I hesitantly step onto the sidewalk. “If you’re sure I won’t be interrupting.”

Sam blows out smoke with a laugh. “Romeo’s a slave driver. Trust me. We all look forward to interruptions.” His head tilts as he studies me. “Tell me something. If I showed up stoned, would you ink me?”

I blink at him, then slowly say, “Ah no. You would need to be fully sober.”

He tosses his butt in a can by the door. “Knew you were going to say that,” he says, hauling the door open. He waves a hand in a rolling gesture. “Ladies first.”

With a deep breath, I step inside and ascend the long, narrow staircase.