This shit is hard for me. We are looking at an almost twelve-year gap in our age. I am trying to recover slowly from the worst possible blow and she has her whole life ahead of her. To date, nothing ugly has touched Mya. I’m the one who will bring ugly into her world if we stand a chance, at even friendship.
Me: Yes, all my friends will be there.
Me: And we both know we aren’t friends.
I sent the last message before I could stop myself and I don’t know how I feel about it.
Mya: What are we?
I look at that forever before I finally answer honestly.
Me: It’s complicated.
Chapter Seven
Too many times, I have wanted
To turn around and walk away
Knowing deep inside, you can’t provide
What I need from you, anyway…
Mya
I walk into PIT and look around at the packed tattoo studio. They made the front counter the bar and Raleigh is working it like a champ. I felt dumb coming after the way I ran out on him this morning.
I don’t want to want him. I am over wanting to want him. I know something is ripping him apart inside and me constantly trying to dig my way into his life makes me feel pitiful and makes him more distant.
“Hey, you,” Cal says, and hands me a beer.
“This place is packed,” I say, and thank him for the beer.
“Inked Magazine ran the spread today. There’s a huge stack over by Sully’s booth and Asa can sign it.”
“Asa is worthy of the recognition. He is a damn good artist.”
Cal nods and gets distracted by his band mates, and I can’t find Jen or Tayla. I decide that I will go find Sully and embark on whatever it is I am doing here. “Hey, butterfly,” Sully says when I go to grab a copy of the magazine from his booth.
“Hey, crow,” I say with a smile and take the magazine from him. I start scanning it immediately until I see Asa’s gorgeous smiling face.
I turn the magazine to Sully and smile. “It has got to be a requirement to be hot if you work here.”
He laughs and stands beside me, taking my beer and setting it down before he pulls out a small bottle ofPatron. “Peace offering.”
I nod as he takes my hand in his and leads me from his booth, and out to the stairs leading to the roof.
“Is this your favorite place or something?”
“It kind of is. I like to see the bay from here. It’s calming.” He twists the cap off thePatronand hands me the bottle. “Pretty ladies first.”
I blush a little at that and wonder what brings the sweet side of him on. I sip from the bottle, cringing from the flavor with no chaser, and a hangover from last night.
He laughs and pulls me close to his side. “Pussy.”
I hit his arm lightly and laugh. “Too soon.”
“Good thing I brought us a Ginger Ale.” He pulls a can of soda from his hoodie and pops the top giving it to me.
