I felt the first smile in days tug at my lips. “That’s awesome, Mike. I’m s-s-so happy for you.”
“Happy for me? Javi, this wouldn’t have been possible if it wasn’t for you. You’ve saved the center and you’ve made it possible for Andrew to keep coming and get some much-needed help. That’s incredible. I hope you’re as proud of you as I am.”
“I’ll try to be,” I said, hoping it sounded more like a joke than the truth it was.
Almost as soon as Mike hung up, my phone rang again. My heart skipped, hoping that the good fortune would continue, and that this time it would be Gordo calling me to make things okay. Instead, I saw Reagan’s name.
“Hey, Boss.”
“Crew meeting in an hour, can you be here?” There was an urgency to Reagan’s voice that I honed in on immediately.
“S-sure. What’s g-going on?”
“I’ll tell you if you promise not to call Dane or Trinity and spoil my surprise.”
My interest was more than piqued now. Reagan was as slow and steady as they came, the bear that protected you and then helped you learn to fend for yourself after. To hear him so worked up about something was rare.
“Deal,” I agreed.
“I just got off the phone with a TV network—they want to do a show featuring the shop. Not a series, just a one-time episode highlighting you guys, your art, and some stuff about the fundraiser. I’ve already been getting calls since Bryce’s video about booking.
“This would get us set for life, I think. Free promotion, you know? So come in and maybe stop and pick up some beer or champagne on your way? We’re going to celebrate, and you are not allowed to come grumpy or sad-faced or depressed, got it?”
Now my smile was stretched wide. “You’re the b-boss.”
Holy shit. Two phone calls just changed my life. Normally when I heard good news, I waited for the other shoe to drop, but this time, I found myself just wanting to be in the moment. I took a private moment in my truck before heading out to the shop.
I’d helped do this for people I loved. I’d helped the center. I’d kept my promise to Andrew. And Reagan, who had saved me in ways he probably didn’t know… well, this felt a bit like paying him back. And it would be a boost to everyone at the shop. All of us would be booked a year out for certain now; we’d be able to pick and choose each piece. That kind of freedom in the tattooing world was a fucking blessing.
My thumb hovered over my contacts. Gordo’s name was right there, and I wanted more than anything to call him and tell him the good news. While I was thrilled to go celebrate with the crew at the shop, it was clear that my heart wanted someone else there, too.
It might have been petty, though, but I wanted him to call me again. The fact that he hadn’t in days...I was beginning to worry that he decided I was right—that it had been dumb for us to be together, even though I’d only said that out of fear in the heat of the moment.
This moment was amazing, and I didn't think I could handle ruining it by calling Gordo and discovering he truly didn’t want me anymore.
It sucked, a low ache that hummed through my bones. But now I had the tide of good fortune to carry me through.
I just had to hope it would be enough until I could see Gordo again.
19
Gordo
“I come bearing gifts of coffee.”
Richard pushed his stroller up to the bench I was sitting on at the park. Giuliana was playing with blades of grass as she sat on the mat. Every five minutes I had to bend down and sweep a spike of green grass from her gummy mouth.
Well, not so gummy. She had two teeth sprouting from her lower gums that liked to try and take a chunk from my finger every time I put it in her mouth.
“Coffee is the best gift,” I said, taking the cup Richard offered me. “Thanks.”
“Thanks for agreeing to a playdate,” he said with enthusiasm.
I watched him as he set Quinn up beside Giuliana. Quinn was mobile, so Richard unpacked what looked to be a department store’s worth of toys to try and keep Quinn occupied close by. As Richard moved, I noticed he’d shaved. It made him look nice—very All-American