“So, Jacob, how’s life?” Leo asks, glancing up with an easy smile.
“It’s fine.” I have no idea how much detail he wants, so I move straight to my real question. “Listen, is there any chance I could squeeze in with one of you today?”
Leo switches the needle off. All three of them stare at me. Tippi’s grin blooms; Sadie and Leo look like I just told them I can turn into a golden retriever at will.
“For a tattoo?” Sadie clarifies.
“Well… yes. That was the idea.”
“Awesome! What’re you gonna have?” Tippi is instantly and completely on board, though she hisses when Leo starts inking again.
“Er…I haven’t decided yet.”
“Wait,” Sadie says gently, laying a hand on my shoulder. “Have you thought this through? Because you don’thaveto do this. And once it’s done, it’s done.”
She loves tattoos. I expected delight, not caution.
“I know.” I feel foolish all of a sudden, and I don’t like it. “But I want to… I mean…” I sigh, hating how clumsy my words sound out loud compared to when I type and can edit and refine as I go. “I want something that’s just for me. To prove to myself that I have…” I search for it. “Autonomy.”
Sadie’s eyes sharpen, then soften, like she’s slotting puzzle pieces together. “You mean…” She mouthsDad.
“Yeah.” Shedoesget it, after all.
“As long as it’s something you actually want, bro.” She still sounds wary, but she’s coming round.
“It’ll be a permanent reminder that I’m my own person,” I say. “So, yes. Idowant it.”
“In that case, let’s go.” She grabs her leather-bound portfolio and hands it to me.
“Right now?” I hadn’t expected it to be this quick.
“No time like the present. And if you think I’m letting anyone else ink my older brother, you’re dreaming.” She checks the clock. “How big were you thinking? I need to get Rhi in just over an hour.”
“Nothing huge. Just something on my wrist.”
“This isso cool,” Tippi says, shooting me another approving look. For that alone, it feels worth it. “You’d rock a tattoo.”
I give her a sceptical smile. “You think so?”
“Iknowso.” She squeezes my hand. “Go you.”
A thought occurs to me. “I’m supposed to be keeping you company.”
“No problem, I’m fine here. And I’ll be sitting right there thinking about you seizing the moment.” Her dimples should come with a warning label; they hit with the force of a physical blow.
“Come with me,” Sadie says, then looks to Leo. “You all good?”
“Sure,” he replies.
She glances at the twins. “They’ve been fed, so…”
“We’re fine,” Leo assures her with a soft smile. “Go scar your brother for life.”
That’s… one way of putting it.
Sadie’s studio is veryher: skull wallpaper, shelves loaded with inks and machines, and her name in twisting pink neon lights at the far end.
“Are you really sure?” she asks again, turning to me with a worried look. “There’s no shame in changing your mind, but once I start—”
