Page 75 of Ink

“Probably.”

“You think I can get an invite?”

“It doesn’t work like that.”

Why do so many people feel entitled to every aspect of your life just because they gave you some business?

“Come on, bro. I dropped some serious cash on you for my piece. The least you can do is invite me back for a beer.”

Alright. I’m done with this motherfucker.

“I’m not your bro. Don’t stand here and act like you were doin’ me a favor. You got the roles twisted. I was doin’ Rick a favor by takin’ your ass on, which was a mistake, apparently. We’re done here. Sutton will take care of you up front.”

He opens his mouth and looks like he’s about to say something but thinks better of it. That’s probably the smartest decision he’s made all day.

He grabs his shit without saying another word and walks to the front.

Sutton’s voice carries down the hall as she checks him out. That girl is too sweet for her own good.

The bell dings above the door as I’m turning the lights off in my room, finished for the day.

“You still thinking about that piercing?” I hear Tommy ask.

Curiosity gets the better of me as I find myself walking up front to see who he’s asking, even though I think I already know. It’s not Gage. If that fucker wanted something pierced, he would do it himself. His crazy ass pierced his own dick and didn’t flinch once.

“I don’t know. I think so. I like the idea of having something that no one else knows is there.” Sutton sighs. “Don’t laugh, but I think it would feel a little… scandalous with no one knowing. I think that’s what I’m comfortable with.”

What the fuck is she talking about?

“Dudes dig that, babe. It’s always a happy surprise when they’re unwrapped.”

“What the fuck are you two talking about?” My question comes out more aggressive than intended. I wince, seeing Sutton jump from being startled by me sneaking up on them.

Tommy shoots me a knowing smirk. “Sutton here found some jewelry that she liked yesterday when she was helping me restock the case. It hasn’t sold and I’ve got time, so I was just seeing if she was still interested.”

“Which piece is it?”

My eyes dart between the both of them.

My sweet little bunny’s face is on fire as she looks like she wishes she was anywhere else but present for this conversation, and Tommy looks like he’s having the time of his life.

“I’ll show you,” Tommy says as he unlocks the case.

If he doesn’t pull out a pair of earrings for her lobes, Tommy’s ass might be fired.

Tommy returns with a pair of barbell nipple rings that I picked out during the last order. The black ravens decorating each end stuck out to me. If they sell well, I figured I would keep them as a permanent option since they fit the shop’s branding.

What I wasn’t expecting was little miss Sutton to be the first one to pick them out.

“So… are we thinking yay or nay?” Tommy waves the box in front of her, looking a little too eager for her response.

Sutton doesn’t move a muscle as she battles whatever is running through her head.

“Look, we don’t have to do this today if you aren’t ready. I’ll set the jewelry aside for you and we can do it whenever you want,” Tommy says, already putting the jewelry aside.

I’m ready to ease off, not wanting to push her past what she’s comfortable with because the last thing I want to do is make her run, especially from me.

“What if I want it now?” she asks, her voice so soft I almost don’t hear her.