Quinn has always loved music. It’s something we used to have in common. She taught me a lot about pitch and different notes when I was a kid, eager to learn with hope in my heart. Hope that I might get out of where we came from and find my way to a stage.
Stupid.
She points to the building next to the one we’re parked in front of. “So, that’s the bar, the Lyrics part of Lyrics and Ink.” I notice that door has the same symbol as the tattoo shop. “And then . . .” she points to the other door, “that’s the tattoo parlor. The Ink. We can put you to work at either place.”
“I don’t know how to tattoo anyone,” I try to joke, but my tone comes out dull and flat.
“They could use a receptionist.” She looks over to the bar. “But I'm partial to the Lyrics side.” She cocks her head to the side. “You still sing?”
I shake my head quickly, shutting that shit down. “No.”
She studies me but then shrugs it off easily. “Okay. We can always use a waitress. Completely up to you.”
I shouldn’t be surprised they’re so willing to help, but it’s still hard to accept. Although I did go to Rhys. I had no other choice.
“I definitely have waitress experience.” My eyes meet hers, and I hope I've softened my gaze. “Thank you, Quinn.”
“Don’t sweat it. You can stay with Logan and me if you want to.” She looks into the backseat. “But it does get a little noisy in the night.”
I smile at that, looking back at her sleeping baby.
“Or you can stay in the loft above.” She points up, and I look up at the brick space above the shop with a few windows.
“That would be great. I’ll pay rent.”
She waves me off and turns off the car, opening her door. “Don’t worry about it. You’ll have a few roommates though.”
My entire body tenses, but I don’t object. I can’t. I just need to be patient and save. Then I’ll get far away from humans.
“Okay. That’s fine.” I hop out and grab my bag as she grabs her baby. We go into the tattoo parlor, and I see Logan immediately. He seems to be the only one here.
“Mya.” He stands up. “Holy shit. You grew up.”
Quinn rolls her eyes. “Men.” She hands their baby to him, and he cradles the still sleeping infant to his chest. She smiles at him, and I see the same love they’ve always had for each other in her eyes. “She’s going to live upstairs with the guys.”
His brows furrow. “You sure that’s a good idea?”
“It’s fine,” I cut in, the exhaustion growing to be too much.
He grins, a playful smirk on his face, and he seems happy. “Well, you better give them hell then.”
I have no idea who “the guys” are or why he’s smirking, but I don’t care. “That’s pretty much what I do.”
He smiles and then sadness comes over him. I know he wants to say something about Trey, but he doesn’t. Quinn leads me up the stairs at the back of the shop and then pushes open a metal door that looks heavy.
“Jesus fuck, Quinn.” We walk in, and a guy—a fucking hulk of a man, all muscles and tattoos—puts his hand over his heart like we startled him. I notice instantly he’s dressed only in a white towel. His muscles are pulled tight and tense, inked ridges and lines. I struggle to look up at his face. He grins at me, his teeth straight and white. His facial hair is scruffy but not a full beard. “Who’s your friend?”
Quinn is not amused as she folds her arms over her chest. “She’s your new roommate, so you better put on some fucking clothes.”
“You kiss my friend with that mouth?” He wiggles his eyebrows at her, and if I were in a better mood, or in a better life, maybe I would find him charming as hell.
“I do a lot more than that.” Quinn winks, and he chuckles as he hold out his large hand for mine.
I notice the full sleeve of tattoos on that arm, the other only has a couple. His chest isn’t covered in them, but he has a few there too. “I’m Jase.”
“Mya,” I say, not taking his hand. I don’t want to touch him. I don’t want anyone touching me.
He shrugs it off and drops his hand just as another man comes up to us, wrapping an arm around him. If I thought Jase was huge, this guy is fucking massive. Jesus. What the hell do they feed them down here?
This one has sandy brown hair as opposed to the black hair Jase has on his head. Jase’s hair is wet, but a little shorter than this one’s. And this guy is dressed in a black hoodie and jeans. “You got us a girl roommate, Quinn?” He’s eyeing me like a wolf but sporting a bright smile that seems friendly.
“She’s not for either of you fuckers.”
“Well, she sure isn’t for Tommy or James,” Jase says, dragging his fingers through his hair, and I'm ashamed of myself when my eyes track the muscles of his bicep and forearm flexing tightly.
More men? Jesus.
Quinn rolls her eyes at him again. “Not. For. You.” Her tone is direct, like a big sister’s, and it’s oddly comforting even though I should be annoyed. I don’t need anyone looking out for me.
The guy nods his head at me, his gaze trailing down my body before meeting my eyes. “Well, that’s a damn shame.”
“Ignore him,” Quinn says.
“Don’t ignore me, sweetheart. That would break my heart.” The guy feigns hurt, and I roll my eyes, but he just continues to smile. “I’m Finn.”
“Mya,” I say again. I turn to Quinn. “Who are Tommy and James?”
She looks around the empty loft and then looks at
