Kiki cackles as we make our way downstairs, hollering out a goodbye to her mom as we do.
The balmy air holds the promise of excitement, and as usual, Kiki and I are commanding attention as we head downtown.
“Gregory said he might be out.” Kiki taps at her phone with a frown. “We can meet him for a drink if that’s cool?”
“Sure. Just don’t leave me with Jaden.”
“I don’t think he’s with Jaden.”
Kiki zooms in on her phone, turning it my way.
Gregory’s drinking a beer in the photo Kiki held out, with a handsome looking guy beside him.
“Looks like there’s someone else on the horizon, Sierra!” Kiki grins, lacing her fingers with mine.
“Remind me why we’re going to Potion?” I wrinkle up my nose at the thought of the bar. It’s on the wrong side of town, frequented by ex-cons and the like, somewhere my parents would die if they knew I was there.
“If someone offers you drugs, just decline, princess.” Kiki checks the road, hailing a cab with a seductive smile. “They’re hiring, and it’s cash in hand. My sort of gig.”
“Okay, but why am I going?” I eye her suspiciously as the cab slows beside us.
Kiki gives me a side look, tugging open the car door.
“Because you’ve got an interview too!”
Holy shit!
FIFTEEN
CRANE
“Tattooing your first is always nerve-wracking.” Rafe yawns, focusing on the laptop in front of him. “But I’m back-to-back all day, so the walk-ins will be yours. Half price, so you’ll be busy.”
I cough, sure he’s joking.
“You’re serious, aren’t you?”
Rafe frowns.
“What else are you gonna do all day? Sit there looking pretty?”
I swallow, glancing toward the door.
I’ve only been here a few weeks, but Rafe is a hands-on kind of guy. He believes in just going for it.
“What if I fuck up?” I half whisper, imagining someone screaming in horror after I’ve tattooed them.
Rafe shakes his head with a smirk.
“You won’t. You’re a natural, kid. If they want complex shit, they can book in with me. It’ll be a long wait though.”
Complex shit.Right.
The day starts off quiet, but soon enough, I get my first walk-in.
“Can you do a butterfly on my wrist?” the girl asks, looking up at me with wide eyes.
She holds out her arm, a pink nail tapping the veiny flesh.
