Lucky Strike (19 page)

The tears begin to well up again. This is a huge honor and after everything Brian and I have been through over the past two years, I can’t believe he trusts me with this. “Brian I don’t know what to say.”

“Just say yes. After what you did today shows me you have my son’s back like you did with me. I trusted you to keep me safe for over twenty years, and I know without a doubt, you’ll have my son’s best interests at heart. There isn’t anyone I trust more than you.”

“Yes. Yes, I’ll do it.” Brian gives me a side hug then returns to Brooke’s side.

My godson and I take a seat over by the window. Matthew looks up at me with his big blue eyes and wraps his tiny hand around my finger. I’ve held him for all of five minutes, and I already feel a strong bond with this little dude. “Hey little man, you and me we’re going to be thick as thieves.”

Lucky joins me and Matthew by the window “Hey little Matthew Ryder.” She smiles placing a gentle kiss on his head. “Seeing you holding this adorable baby makes me want one of our own.”

“You really want a baby?”

“I kind of do. I know you want babies and lately, I’ve had very strong feelings about having one or two.”

“You don’t have to have kids because it’s what I want. I will love you and be with you whether we have kids or not.” I had barely made it past the thought of making Lucky my wife let alone adding kids into the mix. I came from a big Irish Catholic family, so kids were always something I wanted. With Lucky, I didn’t think it would be an option. I love her so damn much I was willing to sacrifice kids to be with her. But now looks like I get both.

“I want to have your babies, Ryder.” There is that beautiful smile, I love so much.

I slide my hand along her cheek. She never ceases to amaze me. “I love you, Lucky.”

She kisses the palm of my hand. “I love you too, Ryder.”

Standing outside Lucy’s shop, I’m filled with anxiety and fear. Not for what happened here with Jackson, but what I’m about to face with Lucy. Our last conversation ended with her telling me to either get onboard with her secret or we can’t be friends anymore. I just got her back, I can’t lose her again.

The strand of bells hanging over the door jingle, signaling my arrival. I step inside, the smell of fresh coffee brewing fills all of my senses. Stepping further inside I find Lucy behind the coffee bar counting the cash in the register. My heart leaps into my throat when she looks up and our eyes meet.

“We need to talk Lucy.”

I take a seat at the counter, where I plan on staying until she finally tells me why she’s so hell bent on keeping Hunter and her a secret.

“So here is the deal, you’re going to tell me why you’re being such a cunt about what’s really going on with you and Hunter, or I’m going to go tell Brooke.” I look her dead in the eyes. Her brown eyes flicker with guilt, guilt that I know has been eating her alive. I’ve been there, I’ve lived it. I know how painful it can be. I also know what a beautiful release it can be to let it go and come clean.

“I’m sorry for being such a bitch to you and you’re right I need to come clean with Brooke. Like you said the other day this isn’t me.” She drops her gaze down to her hands while nervously picking at her purple nail polish. “I don’t know what’s gotten into me. It was just supposed to be a drunken accident, then it just spiraled out of control. I wanted to end it so many times, but I just can’t stay away from Hunter. He has this magnetic pull, and the more time we spend together, the stronger it becomes and the more I don’t ever want it to end. You’re right my heart is getting in the way. I’m scared that if this ends, and Brooke does find out about us, she’ll one… be pissed I went against her wishes and two… she’ll tell me
I told you so.
And I’ll be broken-hearted and without my other best friend.”

I slide off my stool and walk around the counter over to Lucy. Wrapping her in my arms, I pull her in for a hug. Strange how the roles have shifted between us. Normally it’s Lucy comforting me and giving me the advice. Now it all falls on me.

“Do you love him?”

She buries her face in the crook of my neck, her tears soaking through my shirt. Lucy is not the type that can just have a sex only relationship. She married Colton a week after they met. The girl falls in love fast and hard.

“Yes.”

I stroke her hair and gently rock her side to side. “It’s going to be okay, Lucy. We are going to figure this all out. I don’t think you have anything to worry about with Hunter ending this. He’s willing to keep a secret from his sister in order to keep seeing you. That tells me he probably feels the same way about you.”

“I hope you are right because I don’t want to lose him or Brooke.” She sniffles, squeezing me tighter.

“When you’re ready, I’ll go with you to talk with Brooke.”

“Thank you, Lucky.”

The air is filled with the refreshing scent of rain as I walk the four blocks to Roy’s Tattoo Shop. After the morning rush at the coffee shop, I got a little bored and started sketching out a new tattoo I want to have done along my rib cage. I have my clover tattoo with Ryder’s R, but I want something bigger that will let the world know I’m his.

Opening the door, I step inside and all the memories of every tattoo I’ve gotten at this place floods back. I look to my left and see the chair by the window where I sat while getting my first tattoo. It was my eighteenth birthday, I snuck out of my party early to meet up with Ryder to get our clover tattoos. He held my hand the whole way through. And every year after that we meet up at Roy’s to get new ink. Every peony and sparrow that’s etched on my left arm marks a good point in my life. All of which included Ryder. Now this new tattoo will symbolize the start to many more amazing memories with him.

I walk up to the front counter and ring the bell. The red velvet curtain flings open and out walks Vivian, Roy’s daughter. Last time I saw her she was a redhead with barely any tattoos, and now she has a jet black pixie hairstyle and she’s a walking piece of art. I was her test subject during her apprenticeship six years ago. She did the beautiful black lace tattoos interlaced between my flowers. She’s a brilliant artist and I wouldn’t want anyone else doing this tat.

“Well, look what the cat dragged in. Girl where the hell have you been?” She walks around the counter, her arms stretched out, primed and ready for hugging. She gives me a big squeeze then steps back, looking me up and down. She’s not the only one that’s changed since the last time we saw one another. “I am loving you as a brunette.” She grins, running her fingers through my dark chocolate locks.

“I’m digging the dark tatted Tinkerbell look you have going on.”

“Tinkerbell is one feisty and determined fairy, so I’ll take it.” She laughs. “So what brings you in today?”

I reach into my messenger bag and pull out my sketch pad and open it to the drawing I made. “I want this on my left side, just under my tits.”

Vivian grabs the pad from my hands and examines my drawing. “So, I see you and Ryder finally made it official.” She looks up at me with a smirk.

“We got engaged last week.” I hold my left hand up showing off my lovely new ring. My face is slightly flush. It still feels strange to be engaged.
Me of all people getting married.
I want to shout it from the rooftops, but I also want to scream at Ryder, telling him he’s insane for wanting me. But when that little voice creeps in, I just bitch slap the annoying cunt.

She grabs my hand and brings my ring finger up close to her eyes, looking over every stone on my ring. “It’s about goddamn time you got your head out of your ass and locked that gorgeous man down. I was this...” she holds up her thumb and index finger measuring out an inch, “...close to scooping him up for myself,” she says with a wink.

“Sorry to burst your bubble, sweet cheeks, but he’s mine.”

“Congratulations doll. I’m happy for you both. Now let’s get started.”

Two hours later Vivian has most of Ryder’s name etched across my skin. The sting of the needle just a faint prick. From what I can see in the hand mirror Viv gave me, the tattoo looks amazing and I can’t wait for Ryder to see it.

“How are you doing, doll?” Viv asks, wiping away the excess ink.

“I’m doing just fine. Just anxious to see the finished product.”

“With your skill at drawing and my skill with the needle, this is going to look exquisite. Have you ever thought about becoming a tattoo artist? You would be phenomenal.”

“I’ve never thought about it before.” I remember Ryder saying something about that during our fight, but I never gave it a second thought. Art has been my passion since the minute I could pick up a crayon. My focus has always been on teaching art and selling my paintings. What better way for people to see what I’m capable of than having my art on actual people.

“You should really think about it. Daddy is retiring at the end of the year and he’s leaving me to handle the shop, and I could really use another talented artist onboard.”

“I will give it some thought. Right now I’m working with Lucy at the coffee shop while I wait for an opening at one of the art schools.” As much as I have loved working with Lucy, minus the fights, I’ve felt like I’m wasting away serving coffee to the masses. This could be just want I need to express my creative talents. I did design all the tattoos for Ryder’s sleeve.

“Think about it and let me know? I think you’d really love it here.” She smiles up at me. “I’m just about done with Ryder’s name, just have the clover left to do.”

I grab the hand mirror again and angle it over my tattoo. It looks fantastic. Now Ryder is forever marked on not only my heart but now my body, in black curvy filigree letters. I can’t wait any longer for Ryder to see this. While Viv changes the black ink out for green, I climb down from the table and grab my phone from my bag and snap a quick pick of my new ink in the mirror.

Me:
Now the world knows who I belong to.

I hit
send
then hop back onto the table so Viv can finish up my tattoo.

Viv is putting the final touches on when the door to the shop flings open. I look up and see Ryder standing in the doorway. He looks pissed. I thought he would love this.

He stomps over to the table, looking down at me with harsh eyes.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were doing this?” He looks down at his name. “You know we do this together,” he calmly says, trailing his finger down along my stomach.

“I wanted it to be a surprise.” A sheepish smile stretches across my face. I know this is our tradition, but I wanted this one to be a surprise, to show Ryder how committed I am to him and to us.

“I’m definitely surprised, baby. But now you’re going to have to sit with me while I get your name on me.” He grins down at me. The half-cocked grin that brings out his one cute little dimple on his right cheek. That smile could destroy a million panties. He takes a step back from the table and reaches behind his head and pulls his shirt off. “Viv, when you’re done with Lucky, I’m next.”

“Perfect timing because she’s done. You better get to designing his, future Mrs. Callahan.” She winks over at me. “But first take a look at this masterpiece.”

Ryder helps me up from the table and follows me over to the floor length mirror hanging on the wall. I run my fingers just below Ryder’s name. It looks absolutely perfect.