"So we often have to text her reassurances that she's going to be just fine and doesn’t need to stage an attack." He takes a sip. "Alright." He says as he finishes swallowing. "Tell me about those."
I watch his finger travel across the table and tap the I on my knuckle. "Originally, they were my mom’s idea." I had gotten some tattoos right out of high school, most notably the sign for I love you above my heart.
"Why is WILD upside down?" Duncan asks as he tilts his hand.
I flip my hand over and mime holding the neck of my guitar. "It’s spelled so you can read it while I play chords"
"That’s genius." Duncan says as his eyes move to HOPE on my other hand. "And this one is straight so it can be read while you strum."
"Exactly."
When she suggested them, my hair was longer, shaggier, and she called me her wild boy. I had just signed a contract for my first album and I was hopeful. I was excited. I couldn’t wait to leave home.
I wanted to go out into the world and be loud. Be heard.
Ironically now I crave quiet moments alone.
"Do you have any tattoos?" I didn’t see any when he was nearly naked in front of me yesterday.
"Nah, I haven't felt the need to permanently commemorate anything." He shrugs. "So, is it true you're here running away from a broken heart?"
He says it in a thick Scottish drawl and it makes me laugh. "It's not fair you can turn that on and off so easily."
He laughs. "It's my only party trick."
"I highly doubt that."
He shrugs.
"But, to answer your question, yes, I am here at home in the highlands to escape the media coverage of my ex-boyfriend with his new girlfriend."
I sigh and take a sip of my beer.
"That sarcasm didn't really hit. Are you actually heartbroken?"
"Maybe."
"Woof. No thank you."
I chuckle. "You've never been heartbroken?"
"Personally? No. But I’m sure I've left a trail of them behind me over the years." He raises an eyebrow playfully and it’s so endearing I have to look away.
"I bet you have." I say half to my drink and half to him.
"Nah," his head shakes as he spins his glass on the table. "I stick to friendships and one-night-stands."
"I've never had a one-night-stand." I admit and as soon as the words leave my mouth I realize I sound like a total prude.
"Really? I would have expected the opposite for the hot Scottish country star." He pulls his beer up to his lips and pauses to say, "that's a mouthful." Before taking a sip.
"Yes, I am."
My bold and flirty remark is met with a face full of spittle and beer as Duncan sprays it across my face.
He gasps for air and chuckles through a cough. "Shit, I'm sorry, but holy shit. Not what I was expecting out of your mouth."
"Duncan," I wipe my face with my sleeve, "listen to what you've just said."
