Me: Sure.
Bruiser: Thanks, Red.
Grabbing my keys, I mentally shift plans and head out.
The parking lot behind the tattoo shop is busy today, presumably because it’s business hours. I find a spot to park and walk around to the front door. The buzz of equipment reaches my ears when I push inside, an employee at the front desk lifting her head. “Can I help you?”
“Um, hi. Is Rafael in?”
“That Isaac?” I hear from the back. A second later, Rafael rounds the corner, a grin on his face. “Hailey, this is Trevor’s boy, Isaac. He mentioned you’d be swinging by. You have a minute first? I was just setting out lunch.”
“Oh. Uh…sure?”
Rafael waves me back. I give Hailey a smile before following him into what looks like a break room, a tray of enchiladas set out. Rafael grabs a tub of sour cream from the fridge, then a little bowl of chives, and places them alongside the enchiladas.
“Food’s on,” he calls, lowering his voice to ask, “You want to join us? It’s not often I cook for this bunch. You may want to grab a plate before they descend.”
“Are you sure?” I check, despite my growling stomach’s interest. “I don’t want to impose.”
Rafael waves his hand with apsh. “Please. Have a seat. I’ll introduce you to everyone.”
“Their bark is worse than their bite,” Hailey says, shooting me a wink as she joins us. She hands me a plate, and I let my hunger win out, holding it steady as Rafael places an enchilada on top.
And that’s how I find myself eating lunch with a half-dozen tattoo artists. Everyone is loud, as Hailey warned, and kind, as I expected. I find myself understanding instantly why Trevor feels so comfortable here.
This is his family, isn’t it?
Once the platter has been licked clean, Rafael leads me around to the back of the building and up the stairs. He unlocks the apartment for me, waving me inside. “I’ll wait for youhere.”
Nodding, I head to Trevor’s room, realizing I never asked him where the flash drive is. My question is answered the second I set eyes on a red-orange poppy lying atop his small desk. The flash drive is next to it. I shake my head, a fizzy sort of warmth taking up residence beneath my rib cage as I pick up the flower and pocket the drive.
Rafael raises an eyebrow upon seeing the poppy, but he doesn’t comment, just locks the door behind me. “All set?”
“Yeah, thanks. Um… See you soon, I guess?”
“Hope so,” Rafael says, a gentle chuckle in his voice. He gives my shoulder a pat before heading down the stairs.
As Rafael goes back to work, I get in my car. Trevor is likely in class, but I’m sure he’s waiting for my text.
Me: You’re really fucking sneaky, you know that?
Bruiser: Whatever could you mean?
I send him a picture of the flower.
Me: Stop being cute. I have your flash drive held hostage. What’ll you give me for it?
Bruiser: Now who’s being cute? Meet me outside the garden at the west side of campus. I’ll have your payment.
I snort, sending him a confirmation that I’m on my way before starting my car. Fifteen minutes later, I’m pulling into a mostly full lot near the west gardens. As I scour for an available spot, I’m reminded exactly why I rarely drive to class. Parking is a nightmare. Eventually, I find a spot and continue on foot.
It’s a pretty area, the manicured gardens surrounded by buildings with a small fountain at the center. I spot Trevor approaching before long, wearing a smile I refuse to be charmed by.
“Well?” I say once he’s close. “Where’s this promised payment?”
Trevor stops in front of me, plucks up my chin, and kisses me square on the mouth. I’m so shocked it takes me a second to react. Trevor’s wrists are warm as I wrap my hands around them. He tastes of chocolate for some reason, and I can’t help but moan into his mouth.
He gentles the kiss with a couple small pecks before pulling back. “Paid in full,” he murmurs.
