Page 12 of Bound By Ink

“Let’s get the forms filled in, and we can get started.” I slide the paperwork across the counter, and he reads through them and signs his life over to me. “Let’s get you inked up.” He rips his shirt over his head, stands in front of the mirror, and I apply the stencils, wrapping them around his bicep. “There, how’s that look?”

He turns and twists before looking back at me. “Perfect.”

I lead him over to the chair and get him comfy, pulling up my stool and positioning my table with the millions of colours he wants on this space-themed, alien pin-up design, which is so bonkers, it looks cool. The alien in pinks, reds, yellows and oranges, long legs, one straight with pointed toes and the other bent in front, three tits with hard nipples, and a snake-like tongue flicked out, piercing blue eyes with long lashes, surrounded by space and planets behind her. Her bright green hair billows out and cascades around his arm.

Who am I to judge? He’s the one paying, and his wife is the one who has to look at it. Apparently, she’s paying for this for his birthday. I pick up my tattoo machine. “Ready?”

He nods eagerly, and I get to work. I do the outline first; that way, if he taps out, I’ve got the base ready, but he sits like a champ. I start the colour, blending and shading them to give a 3d effect, the alien’s skin glistens, and the swirls of the space setting bring it to life.

The door creaks open, and I glance around to see Scott peeking around the corner. When he sees the customer, he pulls back.

“You good, Scott?” I shout after him.

He peers back around the corner. “Erm, yeah, fine, I just. Erm. Where are my clothes?”

Dave stares between us, and I grin at him, winking. “Washing Machine. Stick something of mine on.” He nods and runs back upstairs. I chuckle.

“Boyfriend?” Dave grins. Raising an eyebrow and smirking at me.

“Nah, best mate’s little brother. Got shit-faced and passed out. I had to go and get him last night.”

He nods. I can sense the “We’ve all been there, mate”, and I get back to finishing up. Once I’ve wiped him down, I wrap him up and go through the aftercare again.

“All the info is on the form you filled in. I’ve emailed you a copy. Any problems, give me a shout.” He shakes my hand, and I lock up behind him. I crack the door open and listen from the bottom of the stairs before heading up. When I get to the top, I hear Scott talking. I know I shouldn’t, but I hang back, tab-hanging on every word.

“I’m sorry… I don’t know. I woke up at Killian’s… No, it’s not like that… I’m still here… No, don’t come and get me. It’s fine… I’ll see you soon… Yes, I am sorry, Derren, Derren?”

I push into the room. He jumps back and hangs up. “Killian, you scared me.”

“Who else were you expecting?”

He shakes his head. Before he can overthink it, I step into the kitchen, pulling open the fridge and grabbing out the bacon.

“When was the last time you ate?”

“Erm, lunch or maybe breakfast yesterday.”

I shake my head at him. “You were out of it, you know. I’ve never seen you drunk. So out of control. Anything could have gone wrong. What happened, kiddo? Who were those guys you were with, and why the fuck were you in that place?”

He blows out a breath before staring me down. “It was a date,supposedto be a date. He picked me up, and his mates were there, and they were drinking, and I kinda… ya know… had one then another, but I hadn’t eaten. I guess it was a little much.”

“You guess, huh? They’re not the kind of guys you should be hanging around with, Nerd.”

“Why not?” he snaps, defiance spreading across his face. I place the bacon in the pan and turn to him. Resting my hip on the counter.

“They’re not good guys, Scott.” I fold my arms over my chest. “You shouldn’t be going to places like that. They’re not good for you. They’re dangerous, Scott. Guys like you shouldn’t be in places like that.”

“How do you know who they are and what they’re like? And what do you mean, guys like me?” He stands abruptly and storms towards the door. I step into his way and grab his arm.

“I know guys like them, Scott.” He tries to pull away.

“You don’t know him, though. He actually likes me, Killian. He really likes me. For me, as I am.”

“Scott, he’s not good enough for you.”

“How the hell do you know?” The fury that contorts his face makes me dig my heels in. I just need to get through to him.

I soften my voice, hoping he’ll listen. “Because I am guys like him, Scott.”