CHAPTER NINE
SPUN
Six months later…
“Well, well. I heard that Ink Realm was the hottest tattoo spot in the state,” a soft, raspy voice said from behind Moose.
Seated on his leather stool, needle in hand, he worked on a client and swore his ears were deceiving him. Pausing, he half turned and found Sierra Thomas hovering in his doorway, looking like she hadn’t aged a day. Her body sure as fuck had from those high school days. He hadn’t expected the excitement that filled him up inside when his dark eyes assessed her curves. Five nine, orange sized breasts, and a face like an angel, she was still a dime.
“It’s been a long time, Moose.”
He stood to greet her, applying a soft kiss to her cheek that she savored with her eyes closed. He smelled heavenly and looked even better.
“It’s good to see you, Sisi.”
“It’s good to be home. I didn’t realize how much I missed Ree Heights until I passed that welcome sign.” Business casual in slacks, a white blouse, and black pumps, she set her Dior bag ona nearby counter, and Moose returned to his stool to finish his client.
“This place is really nice.” She looked around, impressed, before stopping at one of the floor to ceiling windows.
She watched the people on the street for a minute before facing him and pressing her back against the wall. “How have you been?”
Moose shrugged. “Straight.”
“I can see that. I heard you opened your own shop, and I just had to come and see it. You’ve always been so talented,” she gushed.
Over the years, she’d thought a lot about Moose. Several times she wanted to reach out, but she knew her parents would have a fit. Leaving Ree Heights and moving to New York was supposed to put Moose out of her mind. Her father sure as hell expected it to. He couldn’t stand him and thought he was nothing more than a thug. Sisi knew better. There was far more to Moose than met the eye; you just had to get to know him, which most never took the time to. He could be thoughtful and sensitive, attentive and caring. A lot more understanding than the man who raised her. She admired all those qualities and more about him.
“You trying to get something? I’m running a two for one special this week.”
“No.” Sisi tittered. “I’m just in town for the holidays. I’ll be jetting back to New York after New Years. I’d love to have lunch or dinner with you. We can catch up.”
“You sure your pops ain’t sent nobody here to watch you?” Moose jested.
“My parents won’t be flying in until the week of Christmas. I’m here to see my sister and nieces and nephews until then. She’s got all this family shit planned, and you know Christmas in Ree Heights is never boring.”
“Give me a minute to wrap this up,” Moose told her, focusing on shading his current client’s butterfly tattoo.
She had earbuds in and rested on her stomach in his chair. She still had her eyes closed and hadn’t even noticed that Sisi was in the room.
“We can grab something from the Junction. I haven’t eaten since breakfast myself, so I could use a break.”
“Great.” Sisi smiled and picked up his book full of artwork to flip through while she waited.
“Moose, I’m heading to grab a few supplies from the drugstore—” Trini’s voice stopped cold when she locked eyes with a smug Sisi. “The fuck are you doing here?”
“Hmm, I see you’re still keeping company with the local skank,” Sisi muttered.
“Bitch—”
“Trini, fall back,” Moose warned.
“Good dog,” Sisi jested before cackling.
“Fuck this bitch!” Trini lunged, but Moose was on his feet, placing himself between them before either of them could swing.
All of a sudden, he was back in fucking high school. It was a known fact that these two couldn’t stand each other. Traveling in different circles, Trini was always the underdog. The girl from the other side of the tracks who got dissed and roasted because she didn’t come from much.
“Still ready to slide for this bitch when she don’t give a fuck about you.” Trini gritted her teeth.
