it in HD, and with the music and the edits, the tattoos were featured perfectly. For flash tattoos, they looked great, and I realized halfway through that most of the ones Bryce had featured were been mine. A sensation I was afraid to call pride crept its way up my spine.
“So in the comments,” Bryce said, “they all want to know the artists. And it’s been shared over two thousand times since I put it up yesterday. And…” he paused, looking to Reagan, who nodded. “They’re going to show it on the news tonight! They’re doing a whole segment on the shop, and the fundraiser for the center!”
Trinity and Dane immediately began whooping and high-fiving. It was a huge deal, that kind of free publicity. But Reagan came up behind me and said low enough that it was just for me, “They wanted to interview you for the news, but you’ve had so much going on, I told them you were unavailable. I’m sorry if that was overstepping, but I’ve been worried about you, Javi.”
The tears threatened to return, but in gratitude this time. I faced Reagan and signed, unable to speak. “Thank you. I wouldn’t have felt comfortable with a recorded interview. This is awesome, though!”
“It is,” Reagan agreed. “And don’t think I didn’t notice how much of your art was in there. You’ve got a gift, Javi. Remember how lucky we are to have you in our lives.”
My throat ached with the rawness of trying to swallow down the feelings trying to get out. “Do you mind if I take a few days of vacation? I’ve got some stuff going on, and I’d like to help with the center.”
Reagan’s smile faltered. “Is everything okay?”
“Not really. But I think with some time and space to think, I’ll be better. Especially with your good news.” I hoped that by turning it back on Reagan’s success, he’d let me off the hook.
“Just don’t brood and worry yourself into some kind of kick-you-when-you’re-down cycle, okay?”
It managed to make me laugh. “You d-don’t know me,” I joked. Because that had been a very real possibility.
“Okay, take the time. You’ve earned it, but you better do it now, because I have a feeling this video is going to mean big things for the shop.” Reagan looked like a dad who’d just seen his kid walk for the first time, full of pride and excitement.
But I needed to get out before I fell apart. Throwing some quick signs to let Dane know I’d talk to him later, I grabbed my things and went to my truck. Inside, I gripped the wheel hard enough that my knuckles shone white. There was a chance I was making the situation out to be worse than it was. I knew that my self-esteem did tend to push me to assume the worst. And while I had told Gordo that maybe us being together was a stupid idea, I was surprised to discover I didn’t fully believe it.
What that meant for me...I wasn’t sure.
A few days later I was still eating breakfast and trying to pull myself out of the funk a night of fitful sleep had left me in when the phone rang. I picked it up immediately, blindly hoping that it would be Gordo, but I was quickly disappointed.
“Javi, you gotta come in to the center,” Mike said. He was trying to make it sound like an emergency, but there was no missing the lilt of mirth in his voice. He was giddy, and I wasn’t surprised.
I’d spent a lot of my time off reading, working out, and following the video online. Bryce had really struck gold. After the news had featured Get Ink’d, the story had continued to spread and I’d seen the video shared on celebrity twitter pages and several nationwide news channels. It was surreal, and I knew when I went back to work that the hustle would really begin.
“I’m in the middle of s-something, you sure you can’t tell me on the phone?” I wasn’t in the middle of something, but I was still trying to work up the courage to talk to Gordo. I hadn’t seen or heard from him in days, though, and that…well, it didn’t feel good.
Mike hemmed and hawed in an exaggerated fashion. “Fine, you spoilsport. We’ve been getting donations from around the country. From some very famous names, too. The video of your fundraiser has helped make enough that I can hire a tutor for Andrew. And possibly expand