Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 79147 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79147 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
“Who the fuck is Terry, and how should I know how they are?” he asks before tossing his can into the recycle bin at the edge of the bar.
“You…you’re Tary. Well, you and Gary. Get it? Travis and Gary.”
He rolls his eyes at me, but I see a small smirk tease the corners of his mouth. Travis is fucking gorgeous—thick muscles, beautiful eyes, and dark hair you wanna tug on. I have no doubts that he and Gary are doing just fine and Gary’s pulling that hair every night, but I still like to give him shit. Because he’s happy. I don’t think he realized he wasn’t happy before he fell head over ass in love with his guy.
“We’re fine. Why wouldn’t we be fine?” he asks.
“Aww. Are you blushing? I think you’re blushing,” I tease him.
“Fuck off. I don’t blush. And we’re fucking perfect, which you know. We were perfect right up against the wall of your condo the other night. I told Gary to scream real loud so you’d hear him.”
“Good lookin’ out, man. Gave me something to jack to. I came right along with Gary.”
Travis’s eyes actually go wide as if he hadn’t expected me to say that. I didn’t jerk off to them, of course. I don’t need Travis and Gary for that, but the shocked look on his face is priceless.
As if it clicks into place that I’m giving him shit, Travis shakes his head. “You’re fucking crazy.”
“Which is why you’re besties with me.”
“I don’t do besties.” He walks over to the coffee table and tosses a few things into his black duffle bag before saying, “But for whatever reason, I do like you, and you are my friend. Wow. Look what love did to me. I’m all emotional and shit.”
I laugh. It’s cool to see the changes in Travis. He might never be the guy who wears his heart on his sleeve, but he’s different from the man he was pre-Gary. I can’t help but be happy for him. “So…this Hayden guy. He’s good people?” I ask him as he makes his way around the room to finish getting his things ready.
“Yeah, seems like it. I don’t know him real well, but he’s close with Gary and Derek. They had some guys’ night, wine-fest shit just last night. His ex is kind of a dick.”
What was it with asshole exes? “Seems like a lot of them are roaming around here.”
“So, you’re really going to be okay with this roommate thing?” Travis picks up his bag and hefts it onto his massive shoulder. “You haven’t had a roommate for as long as I’ve known you.”
“Well, it’s not set in stone yet; we’re meeting tonight, but yeah…I like the idea of helping someone out.” It’s not like Hayden’s situation is anything like mine was, but there was a time in my life where if someone hadn’t taken me in, I’m not sure what would have happened. Plus, “It gets a little quiet over there anyway. Ever since my bestie got a boyfriend, he ignores me.” I wink at him. “I was thinking about getting a dog—little Frenchie I can take to work with me and shit, but then I remembered puppies are a fuckload of work. At least I won’t have to potty train Hayden.”
Travis laughs then nods toward the door, telling me he has to go. I push to my feet as he asks, “Are you still busy as ever? I still think it’s weird as fuck. A tattoo artist who isn’t covered in ink.”
“I’m unique. A unicorn tattoo artist. And my piercings make up for it. Men love to tongue my nipples and feel my pierced cock in their ass.” I follow him toward the door. “And yeah, it’s good as ever. It’s important to me, ya know?” I learned to tattoo from Doc. He’s the guy who took me in when I was seventeen. Let me sleep on his couch and didn’t expect blowjobs for a good night’s rest. He just wanted me to do well—wanted it more than my parents ever did. He stopped working about eight months ago. He still handles the business end of things, but I’m running the tattooing for him now. I’ll never be able to thank him for what he’s done for me; I’d probably be dead if it wasn’t for him.
“Yeah…yeah, I hear ya.”
We step outside and Travis locks up.
“See ya later, man,” he says. “Let me know how it goes with the new puppy.” Travis grins at me, turns and heads down the hallway toward the elevators.
I go home, shower, and get dressed before I head to Midtown to open Fierce Ink. We have three chairs, but I’m the only full-time tattoo artist. Leila and Brad are here part time, so it’ll be just me in the shop until I head out to meet Hayden later.