Bad Boy Ink (Get Ink'd #5) - Ali Lyda Page 0,41

was calling me in for just that.

I tipped an imaginary hat to Eryk and Erykah. “Pardon me,” I said jovially.

Erykah’s you-are-so-stupid look just sent us all into laughter, and I was still chuckling once I reached the office, where I took the hot seat across from Reagan’s desk. “What’s up, boss?”

“Erykah wasn’t supposed to broadcast Eryk’s potential employment.”

“It’s no big deal, I can keep a lid on it,” I said. “But where is he going to set up? We don’t have room for any more artists.”

Reagan leaned back, his fingers steepled below his chin. “Actually, I was thinking about your spot. You’ve really been handling school well—I don’t think I’ve seen you this excited since you started working here.”

I paused and tilted my head. “You’re going to fire me for doing well in school? I don’t think you understand how motivation works, boss.”

“What? No.” He shook his head and pointed a finger at me. “I’m not firing you, but you aren’t going to stay here long-term. We both know you're destined for something else. You’re a talented artist and a great employee, and I’d be happy to keep you on forever. But you’re following your dreams—and this isn’t it. I wanted someone lined up so you didn’t feel like you had to stay here.”

My tongue felt like paper and my throat stung. “But—”

“Bryce, you always put others before yourself. Including me. If it wasn’t for your work on social media, we wouldn’t have the TV show. You know that, right? Your making the film of Javi’s charity fundraiser is what put us on a national map. Your web design and marketing have earned us enough clientele to work comfortably for years. The show has padded everyone’s bank accounts and really boosted morale.”

His blue eyes looked watery, like he was going to cry. If he did, I was going to cry, too, and we were going to be two giant bawling babies.

I swallowed hard. “Thanks. It’s...it’s nice to be recognized.”

“Bryce, it’s more than recognition. You’re part of our family. And that means we encourage you to move on if that’s the right move for you. I didn’t want you to worry that you owed anyone here, or that you couldn’t leave. We will always have a place for you, but we also love you and want you to be doing what you want.”

“Goddamn it, Reagan,” I growled, pinching the bridge of my nose. “If you make me cry before my client comes in, I’m going to be so pissed.”

It was a lie. The gratitude was filling me to the point of bursting.

“Thank you,” I said when I was certain I wouldn’t lose it. “It means a lot to me.”

“Good. Get the job, Bryce. Be happy.”

With those words bouncing in my head, I made my way back to my station. As I collected inks and sterilized my machine, I found myself renewed. Focused. Aiden had been right: I needed to let go of the kiss. I admitted to myself that I was wildly attracted to Aiden. If this were any other time and we were in any other situation, I’d be pursuing him with gusto.

But now I knew that my crew wanted this for me as well. Getting the job wasn’t just for me anymore—it was for them. To make them proud.

To choose happiness for myself.

Later, when I was tattooing an eagle on a butt cheek (I tried not to judge people’s choices but damn), the buzzing of the gun in my hand was a little too reminiscent of the tingling of my lips after the kiss, and I wondered for the briefest of moments if winning the job would be enough.

If only I could have Aiden, too.

12

Aiden

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

I pulled my T-shirt off and tossed it on the bed. Then I went to my closet and looked at the remaining clothes on their hangers. Maybe I should choose the green button-down, to go with my eyes?

The mirror that hung off the closet door showed the reflection of an angsty idiot. I stared at myself hard.

Stop it, I told myself. Who cares what you look like? This isn't a date. You don't want it to be a date.

As if rebelling against myself, I grabbed my rattiest T-shirt and tossed it on. Same uniform as usual. Jeans and a T-shirt and I wouldn't think twice about it. Because I was just meeting Bryce.

...But I did run a little gel through my hair before I headed out the door.

The day was unbelievable. Not a