Page 21 of Tease
“I do love my neck being kissed...” I can’t hide the heat that takes over my face. Anytime I think about this thing between Joey and me, it brings the blush out of me. He has become one of my favorite guys to hang out with. We just get each other.
“It’s definitely a sensitive spot for me. I love when Jared nips my neck or gives it a long lick.” From where I’m lying, I’m barely able to notice a red tint coating her cheeks now.
“Why are you looking at me like that?!” Kailey asks me.
“I’m just so happy for you, Kailey.” I hope she can hear the sincerity in my voice. “I mean it. Jared is good for you, and you deserve the best of everything life has to offer.”
Now that my tattoo is finished, Kailey’s up next. I can tell she’s putting up a front of being a tough girl, but her hazel eyes give away that she’s scared as they linger on the empty chair. Before Jordan places the transfer paper on her neck, he instructs her to lay on her left side. Kailey hears the buzz of the tattoo gun starting up, and her right hand shoots out. She waves her small hand up and down. “Well, come on, Beth, get your ass over here and hold my hand.” I bite back my laughter and grab her hand into mine. Kailey’s eyes snap shut, and her hand squeezes mine, hard, once the ink tip starts going behind her ear.
Biting her lip, she grunts, “Holy shit, you weren’t kidding about the pain.”
I rub her shoulder in soothing patterns, back and forth, and clutch her hand. I lean down and whisper into her ear. “It’ll be worth it. Matching tattoos, baby!!!” I seal my statement with a kiss to her cheek.
After all is said and done, we walk out of Let It Bloom after an hour and a half. Walking toward my Mustang, I see that same gentleman from earlier, the one who I gave forty bucks to; he’s carrying a bag of fast food to a bench with a new blanket over his shoulder. I’m happy knowing he’ll be warm and have a belly full, at least for tonight. Our parents always taught us to give kindness if you want to receive kindness; what goes around comes around.
Holding Kailey’s hand in mine, our necks sore and shiny from the Tegaderm covering, I realize this is the happiest I’ve felt in a very long time.
Kailey’s shriek pierces through the air, and she stops me by grabbing my elbow, “Ohmygod, Beth, I can’t keep it in any longer… Ihaveto tell you about what happened with Jared at the rural fire station!”
CHAPTER 16
Kailey
The right side of my neck stings when the warm shower water sprays over it. My fingers lightly graze over the area. I smile, knowing my sister and I now have matching tattoos. A sunflower, located behind one of our ears, with a vine that trails down to our neckline. Mine is behind my right ear, hers behind her left. Honestly, for my first tattoo, I thought that there would be more pain.
After my body is completely dry from my shower, I replace the film over the tattoo. The Lubriderm lotion Jordan gave me, I’ll use once the five days of keeping it covered are over. I hustle to get ready for tonight. It’s my birthday party, even though my actual birthday was yesterday. I secretly think it gave Joey and Jared a reason to also throw a housewarming party, since it’ll be the first one they’re hosting.
My phone pings on my bedside table, and on instinct, I flip it open; heat fills my cheeks when I see whose name it is. I don’t know if I will ever change Jared’s original name on my phone. Brings me back to the first time I met him.
CapGuy:P
Hey, Beautiful! We’re almost all set over here. Can’t wait to suffocate you with some *kisses* ;)
Me
You’re just excited to try and figure out where my tattoo is :P You can’t fool me babe. But I will freely take all your *kisses!!*
CapGuy:P
Hoping that part will let me get you completely naked, a total body search…
Me
Mmmm, guess you’re gonna find out soon enough! Brittney should be picking me up shortly. I told her that I’m planning on you taking me to her house in the morning =] Beth should get there about the same time as us. She was going to grab Sarah so she didn’t walk in alone. Haha.
CapGuy:P
Deal! Don’t freak out… but there are more people showing up than we originally planned…
Me
As long as my besties are there along with my sister and you. I’m happy, it’s all I need.
CapGuy:P
You really are the best.
Me
