I can’t wait to tell Dean.
“You’re all done, Mack.” He applied some plastic thing over the ink and left a list of instructions. “Leave this on a day, do not itch it, and put some cream on it if it cracks. It has been an honor giving you your first tattoo.”
“Thank you so much.” I hopped off the chair, grinning so hard my face hurt. He got his phone from his pocket and came to my left side as we took a selfie.
“Thanks. I might be grown man, but anything to make my sisters jealous is still fun.”
I snorted. “Of course. Do I just… go pay and send someone else in?”
“Yup. Shirley will take care of you and send whoever is next back. Nice meeting you, Mack Mallinson.”
“You too.”
I strutted out of that room, a huge smile on my face, and ran intoDean? “What are you doing here?”
“Let’s see it.” His eyes sparkled with mischief. “I heard these vultures made you go first.”
“They did.” I frowned, trying to read Lo’s face as to why her brother was here. She just smiled at me like it was planned. “Um, what—”
“Shirley—we gotta put a photo up of me and my girl, Mack Mallinson. I just sent it to you. Can you print it?” the giant man said, winking at me.
“Sure, Gabe.” The woman with bright red hair nodded.
“Want me to sign it?” I teased.
“Please.
“Who is that?” Dean asked, moving closer to me. His tone was curt, and he lost all the playful edge he had seconds ago.
“Gabe. He did my first ink. He’s also a huge soccer fan too, which was awesome.”
“Come here, rainbow.” Gabe ushered me toward the counter.
Vee, Ale, Mally, Callum, and Lo all stared with lips parted. Ale whisperedhe’s so hot, oh my godas I walked up. Gabe was appealing in a lot of ways, that was certain. But my skin prickled with Dean’s stare.
I glanced over my shoulder at Dean, who looked pissed. His eyes were hard, his jaw clenched, as he stared Gabe down. A flutter of giddiness lifted me up. Dean seemed…jealous. Which… there was no way. Right?
“Sign this for me.” Gabe handed me a photo that Shirley printed. “We have a favorite wall, and I want to put this up.”
“Ah, yes, so when I’m famously famous, you can reflect on this moment.” I took a sharpie he handed me and signed my name and number. “You’re welcome.”
He chuckled. “You’re fun to watch on the field and in person. Dangerous combination.”
“Remember that.”
His eyes heated for a second before he righted himself. “Okay, who’s next?”
“Me! Take me!” Ale said, not even trying to hide her enthusiasm. We all laughed as she followed Gabe to the room, and I stared at my wrist, grinning.
“You look happy.” Callum nudged my hip with his. “Nice work.”
“Thanks. I feel so cool, which is so lame.”
“Not lame. The whole point is to push yourself. Isn’t asking some dude out on your list? You should totally ask Gabe out.”
“Wait, what?”
“I was thinking the same thing!” Lo said, her eyes dancing with evil. My best friend was adding fuel to the fire. “Don’t you think that would be a great idea, Dean? He was into her. She should ask him out. What’s the item on the list you need with a stranger?”
