“I can’t be mature about it! You act like your pity party in prison was some bold epic gift of letting me go, blah blah blah. It wasn’t! Newsflash Sully, you fucking broke my heart!”
I watch as he goes cold, heartlessly cold and opens his door before looking at me. “I get that. Broke my own heart too, but for you to stand here and read me the riot act on shit you know nothing about, wont fucking happen. Not today not ever!”
Each word was laced with venom as he glared at me. “Are you kicking me out?” I ask, completely shocked at the turn.
“Yeah. You want to throw stones and I ain’t strong enough yet to dodge that shit. Hate me, whatever.” He steps close, letting the screen door slam behind him as he gets in my face. “But don’t ever, fucking ever tell me that it was a pity party. I was in mourning for fucks sake. I felt like the worst father in the world and I finally mourned my baby. I couldn’t see passed that. I am fucking sorry I gave up on us, but I was in a dark place and saw no fucking hope for us, only for you. Don’t you ever tell me I was pitying myself. I was finding the resolve to go on, you asshole.”
Before I could say or do anything, he grabbed his keys, slammed the door and was gone before I could move.
Chapter Six
Sam
I hadn’t been to the PIT since I was released and when I pulled in, that old welcoming feeling I always had from my former life, washed through me. I see Asa and Otto’s cars in the lot and knowing only two artists are here means its slow for the time being. I just want to sit in my booth and draw.
Tattooing was my first love. I miss it something fierce, to the very core of me. I know I will come back to it one day, but for now I need the peace and quiet until I get my shit together. I keep chasing Mya down even though I know something, probably me, will fuck it up. I can’t take that risk with tattooing as well. I need to give up one or the other to keep the balance in my life and I will keep Mya every time.
I know I sound crazy, but live as I have lived and suffer what I have suffered, and it suddenly makes sense. Coming here was the right choice. I calm down and feel the anxiety and stress dissipate at the sight of my happy place.
“The king has returned!” Otto says as I enter the shop. “You look less like a felon and almost conservative in a millennial man bun way.”
I roll my eyes and hug him. “Been a while.” I say knowing he last saw me in court the day I was sentenced. Now days I am bigger, hairier and a lot more brooding.
“I was planning on coming out to the new house when I could free up some time. It’s been hella busy in here my dude.”
“I’m glad to hear it. It’s about time you were full time in the game.” Otto had started as my apprentice a few years back and was starting to take walk ins and a few clients when I killed Tenpenner. It makes me proud that he has built his name in my shop.
Or Noah and my shop I guess, though he pretends I am the owner.
“What’s up? Not that I’m complaining but what brought you by?” Ace asks.
“Fighting with my girl. Had to get away.” I rub my hands over my beard and let out a frustrated sigh.
“She still got you on the shit list?” Asa says with a chuckle.
I nod. “I don’t know how to explain the head space I was in when I ended things between us.” I go on to explain everything to him and wait for… I don’t know… advice maybe?
He whistles through his teeth and leans back in his chair, taking it all in. “I get her side. We all felt the chill when you cut the world off. The difference is we spent day in and day out with you waiting on word for Kace. We saw what it was doing to you before she was found. We all knew you were finally mourning and wanted to just get through your time as easily as possible.”
“Yeah man, give her time to be pissed. She will come around.” Otto says and I shrug indifferently.
“I don’t think so. I think I lost her.”
“Dude, I have never known you to puss out in a hard fight. Don’t start now. Fight for her.”
“Would you fight for your lady Ace?”
He laughs uncomfortably. “Dude, that would never happen. I am not the monogamous type and we both know it.”
“I fight for Dali all the time, still not winning the fight but I am hopeful.” Otto says and I know he does, but his comparison of he and Dali’s issues doesn’t make me feel better.
“She’s killing me. It was hard as fuck to be without her in the joint. I chose it though, so I suffered through it. This shit is worse, so much worse. Like go the fuck away or stay but, pick God dammit because the limbo shit is making me crazy.”
“Do you still love her, or is this about getting in her pants?” Asa asks me and I know he doesn’t mean it as shitty as it sounds.
“Madly bro. I am so fucking deep with her.” I admit without shame. I will tell anyone who will listen.
“Then keep fighting and remind her why she loved you in the first place. My bet, is that if she keeps coming around then the girl is still as in love as you are.”
