Theo peers up, lips twitching. “Ah, perfect, you guys can check out Pete’s new ink.”
Pete is a big guy, maybe in his forties, with a shaved head and tidy beard. He looks kind of like a biker. He’s smirking as we approach. The second we stop in front of them, I see why. Aiden’s brows knit like he’s confused, and I can’t keep the laughter in. Theo wasn’t joking about the dick pic. There, on Pete’s inner bicep, is an extremely detailed cock spouting a fountain of rainbow cum. Well, go figure.
I snicker, shaking my head. “Holy shit, why is that so cool?”
Aiden looks at me like I’m a crazy person, which only makes me laugh harder. Theo and Pete chuckle too, and Aiden finally smiles while muttering, “Idiots.”
Theo cleans the tattoo and covers it before Pete winks at us and heads to the counter to pay. A woman with pink hair comes out from the back to help him, piercings glittering, a denim vest bristling with pins that declare everything from Trans Rights Now to Eat the Rich.
“Nice place,” Aiden says, running a hand down his already tattooed arm. His floral sleeve shows beneath the rolled cuff of his hoodie, a garden of ink. “Thinking of getting a rose incorporated here.” He taps his hand. “For my daughter.”
Theo, still sitting on a sleek stool, nods, a soft smile creeping onto his face. “Yeah, man. Good placement. Sentimental but visible. I can sketch a few options if you’d like.”
The woman behind the counter approaches us as Aiden nods in agreement.
Theo doesn’t even look at her. “Ren.”
She snorts and rolls her eyes. “Typical. You gonna introduce me properly, or should I assume they’re here for nipple piercings?”
Aiden actually chokes. “Uh—”
“Nope,” Theo says flatly, though his mouth twitches again. “Ren, this is Aiden. Gym bro with the flowers. And Noah. Gym bro with the forest. They’re my friends.”
Theo seems pleased with that silly introduction. I can’t help but smile, though. I already considered Theo a friend, but it’s nice to hear him say it. I step forward and hold out a hand to Ren. “Noah Richards.”
She eyes me like she’s deciding whether to bite, then grins and shakes. “Ren Vega. Piercer, and occasional babysitter to this asshole.” She jerks her head at Theo.
“Occasional?” Theo says without looking up.
“Fine. Frequent. Quite regular, really. I should get some sort of caregiver allowance. Honestly, I’m glad he’s made more friends. I need a break.”
“Oh shut up, you love me,” he replies playfully.
Aiden crosses his arms, smirking. “You guys always like this?”
Theo flicks his pen aside. “Like annoying siblings, even though we aren’t related? Yes, always.”
“Ah, so we have that in common,” I say, hitching my thumb toward my best friend.
They’re so easy, and it hits me how much I love this. Banter that’s sharp but good-natured. People who throw shit at each other but mean every jab with fondness underneath. Actual friends.Realfriends.
Ren cackles, clearly delighted, while ruffling Theo’s hair. “Don’t worry. He likes you, then I like you. My little Theo is basically a golden retriever with a tattoo gun, but he never introduces me to new friends, so you must be decent guys.”
Theo shoots her a look, grumbling about being bigger than her—and he is. The guy’s about six foot and built. “Retrievers don’t bite. And I definitely bite.” Ren leans against the counter, sipping from a water bottle before nodding thoughtfully. “Fine then, more like a poodle.”
I laugh so hard at the unimpressed look on Theo’s face that I have to press a hand to my chest. I’d like Gabe to spend more time with him, I think they’d get along. They both have a dry sort of humor.
I smile to myself, thinking of Gabe. Then my mind takes a nosedive right into the gutter, dragging me back to last night.
Gabe over me, flushed and breathless, his mouth greedy against mine. The way he kissed me like he was starving, clinging to me with fingers that lingered even after. How his eyes tracked me this morning, every movement, like he couldn’t stop.
Those fuckingnoiseshe made. So hot I could cry over them.
“Earth to Noah.” Aiden snaps his fingers right in my face, breaking through the haze. He’s glowering at me, but I see the uptick of his lips.
“You’ve got that stupid look on your face again.”
“What look?” I ask, feigning nonchalance.
