Jett’s smile widens. “You free now? It’s early afternoon so it won’t get much busier that this, perfect opportunity for a trial run.”
“Sure, why not?”
And just like that, things are finally starting to look up.
10
The buzz of my tattoo gun fills the space as I finish up the last tiny detail on the patchwork sleeve I’ve been doing on my regular client, Adam.
It’s taken almost two months and several hours of sessions to complete and the day is finally here that I can sit back and admire my work. I hate to blow my own trumpet, but I’m pretty fucking good at what I do, it’s why my diary is fully booked up for the next three and a half months.
Becoming a professional tattoo artist was never on my radar growing up, the idea never even crossed my mind given I had a full ride scholarship to play football at college until it allwent to shit.
I fell into tattooing while I was prison, forced to use safety pins, needles, anything sharp enough to pierce the skin and apply the ink. They weren’t perfect, but in lockup, the days dragged on and on, so it helped pass the time, and I enjoyed it. I’ve always loved to draw since I was a kid, so it allowed me to showcase my talent. It helped distract me from my surroundings—God knows I needed one.
Tattooing is a way to soothe my mind and quieten the riot of thoughts that make it impossible to switch off sometimes. It’s my own form of therapy, because I’m certainly not one to talk about my feelings, so I tattoo them instead. Channelling my thoughts, feelings and nightmares into my art so they don’t weigh so heavily on me.
I apply the last of the shading to the dove’s wing on Adam’s bicep, letting my eyes sweep over his inked skin, making sure I haven’t missed anything. After a couple of final finishing touches, I switch off the gun, placing it on the table beside me before wiping away the excess ink and blood from his skin. “You’re all set.”
Adam slides off the chair and heads to the full-length mirror to inspect his arm, taking his time to look it over. “It’s fucking epic, dude. It’s better than I ever imagined. Thanks, man.”
It’s an intricate tattoo dedicated to his mother who recently passed away, the design centred around a pocket watch displaying the date and time she died. Surrounding it are various flowers she loved, an image of the pearl necklace she never took off woven throughout the design. And underneath the pocket watch, a dove that symbolises peace and purity.
Even I have to admit, it’s one of my best.
“It was my pleasure.” I smile. “If you need anything you know where to find me.”
“Appreciate it.”
I snap a quick photo of his tattoo, like I always do after I complete one and after I see Adam to the door, I retreat back into the studio.
My eyes catch on the empty stool on the other side of the room like they always do. The same stool Jack used to use when he was tattooing clients. You’d think I’d be used to seeing it empty by now, but a lump still forms in my throat when my eyes settle on it. It never gets any easier and it never stops hurting.
Jack was my business partner, one of my best friends. One of mybrothers.
A few months back when Allie was kidnapped by The Cobras, a fight broke out between our two clubs, and in the struggle, Jack was killed.
Not a single one of us was the same after that day. It was like losing a limb, at least that’s how it felt. An essential part of our existence was cut clean off leaving us broken. His death left a huge gaping hole in our club, one that will take a long time to heal.
Sometimes when I’m working late, and everything is quiet, I can hear the sound of his laughter echoing through the studio. It’s as if he’s still here.
I miss my friend.
Four more clients come and go after Adam leaves and before I know it, it’s almost eight o’clock and I’m in dire need of a drink.
After locking up the shop, I ride the short distance to the bar and back into the space beside Jett’s bike before switching off the engine.
Drew, Alex, his sister Shelley, and Jade are the first people I see when I enter the bar, sat in the corner booth just inside the door.
“Here’s trouble,” Drew sniggers.
“I’ll give you trouble, little Cobra.”
He glares at me.
My eyes find the girl next to him and I can’t help smiling. “Hey, sweetheart.” I lean in and place a kiss to Jade’s cheek. “You okay?”
She nods. “Just want this baby out now, I feel like a beached whale,” she says rubbing her huge belly soothingly.
