I sigh. No, I would never hurt Jasper, or Olly, oranyone. I know what my size does in a room; the way I look usually gets me further than a shove ever could. And if it doesn’t, I walk. Tonight, I’m walking—from the noise, from the poking, from the weird ache in my chest I don’t want to examine in public.
I scan the room. Beckett’s sagging against the bar, nodding at whatever Jules and Mira are rapid-firing at each other, eyes half-lidded, attention somewhere else entirely. He looks wrung out. My gaze softens without my permission.
That’s enough for me.
I grab my jacket, cut through the crowd, and tap his hip with two fingers. He turns, focus snapping into place the second he sees me.
“Hey, are you ready to go?”
Beckett jumps at the sound of my voice. “What? Oh, yeah,” he says, clearing his throat. “I’m ready to head out.”
We gather our things and make a round of quick goodbyes before we head to the front door. It’s no longer a downpour, which is good, but there’s still a light drizzle.
“It’s barely even raining anymore. I can walk,” Beckett says as we approach the door.
I raise one eyebrow. “You really think that’s gonna work on me?”
He sighs. “Fine, let’s do this.”
Before I even have time to pull my keys out of my pocket, Beckett takes off at a light jog toward my car. I’m a few feet behind him when he grabs the passenger side door and pulls the handle. He looks up at me incredulously when it doesn’t open. I smirk, holding up my key fob and pressing the button. The bewildered look on his face is adorable.
“There is such a thing as rain etiquette, ya know,” he yells over the top of the car and slides in.
As soon as we’re out of the rain and in the car, I start the engine and turn the heat up, hoping it doesn’t take too long to cut through the cool, damp air.
I pull out of the parking lot, driving down two blocks before pulling into the alley behind Ink Me and Dragonfly.
“Thanks for the ride. I know it was out of your way.”
We both stifle a laugh.
“Shut up,” I say, pushing against his arm, my hand lingering. His skin feels warm under my touch, sending a shiver down myspine.
He grabs the handle but doesn’t open the door. He’s quiet for a moment, looking out the windshield. “Why are you doing all this, Dom? Why are yousoconcerned about me?”
I could tell him the truth, that Jaxon asked me to watch out for him. That he’s been worried. Or that every time I’m in his presence, I fly to him like a moth to a flame.
“Why did you come back home?” I ask instead.
He’s quiet, chewing on his bottom lip before he pushes open the car door.
“Why does it matter?” he asks, eyes never making contact.
“Because you matter.”
He finally turns and looks at me. I can see the questions swirling behind those hazel eyes, and I hold on, hoping he doesn’t ask.
He gets out of the car without another word and jogs up the steps to his apartment over Ink Me. I don’t release the breath stuck in my chest until he opens his front door.
The shop was busy tonight.I had a client scheduled, who I’ve been working on a sleeve for over the last few months. Then a bridal party booked, wanting to get matching tattoos. I thought Mira was going to stab someone to death when they came in covered in glitter. Jasper, of course, put on theBarbiesoundtrack, causing us all to snicker.
Finally, the last of the giggling blondes leaves, and I’m ready for a hot shower and some headache medicine.
I rap my knuckles on Jaxon’s open door. “I’m heading out.”
“Oh—wait, Dom, before you go.”
I groan on reflex but step inside anyway, dragging a chair over. “What’s up?”
