just wait and see if the guy focuses on that thing when he’s with you?”
Afton tosses her head back, laughing. “Oh, my sweet summer child.”
Elana grins wickedly. “No, Vandy. You flaunt it in front of him.”
“Mercilessly,” Afton adds.
The bell rings just then and Afton slides from the counter as Elana packs her purse.
I pick up my bag, my head still flooded with this knowledge. “It probably goes without saying, but can you—”
“Not tell your psycho over-protective brother?” Elana says, smirking. “It does go without saying.”
I exhale in relief. “Thanks.”
Now I just have to figure how to mercilessly flaunt my thighs in front of Reyn without making a complete fool of myself.
Truthfully, the tattoo seems less painful.
My stomach erupts in feral flutters when I arrive at Cain’s Ink and see Reyn’s Jeep in the parking lot. I linger a bit before going inside, finding him curled over the reception desk, flipping through a binder. His head turns just enough to peek over his shoulder, eyes locking with mine. The flutters turn into wild twisting when he gives me a small grin.
He turns back to the binder, finger tapping against the counter. “I see we’re paired up again.” He sounds perfectly neutral about it, neither approving nor disapproving.
“I thought you had practice.” I’d come straight from school, still in my uniform. I’d had to catch a ride with Elana since Emory was tied up in football duties, and I was half expecting to find someone else here waiting for me.
“I got the afternoon off to let my injury heal,” he explains.
“My brother’s work, I suspect.” I know Emory. He’d flip out if he knew how close Reyn and I had become, but he also trusts his best friend to keep an eye on me more than any of the other guys.
I’m relieved.
He nods and I watch him closely, prepared to mentally document where his eyes go. But he’s not looking at me anymore. “Any fallout from the other night?”
We hadn’t really spoken since our accidental sleepover. It’s weird, but sometimes it’s like Reyn is everywhere, and other times, he seems to just be nowhere. This week has been one of those instances where I didn’t see him around the quad or in the driveway. My furtive peeks through my curtains have been met with an empty room, as well.
“Not really,” I reply, grabbing another of the binders and opening it. I flip through it unseeingly. “Mom and Em are a little more hovery, but that’s just business as usual.”
Quietly, he asks, “And the sleeping pills?”
I glance at him in confusion before I remember my mom’s comment that night. My face heats. “My mom’s just obsessed with fixing every little thing wrong with me.” I roll my eyes and mirror his pose, elbow propped on the counter. “But no, I don’t need that.”
He nods again, muttering, “Good,” and that has to be a sign, doesn’t it? Someone who didn’t care wouldn’t give my addiction that much thought. It’s a weak concession, admittedly.
I flip through the images in the book; peace signs, half-naked women riding tigers, daisies and snakes. I barely process any of it. Instead, my ears slowly and intensely fixate on the buzzing coming from the other room. Suddenly, all my musing about whether or not Reynolds likes me seems completely idiotic. It hits me why I’m actually here.
I push away from the counter. “This is a bad idea.”
Reyn eases his binder closed. “What’s a bad idea?”
“This. The tattoo. I thought I could do it, but I can’t.”
He finally looks at me, languidly twisting to watch me pace by the door. “Freaking out, huh?”
“You think?!” I try to keep my voice low. “I’m becoming a Plaything to get access for my article, but I didn’t think I’d have to…” I wave spastically.
He studies me for a minute, tongue swiping out across that bottom lip. Every time I look at his mouth, my stomach bottoms out. If he’s watching me for signs, then they have to be clear as day. “Is it about the pain?” I give him a look and the corners of his eyes crease. “No, we’ve both been through way worse than this. It’s about the permanence.”
I wring my hands. “I know it’s good proof. Like, indisputable. It’ll be great for the piece, but god. It’s forever.” Even if I cover it up, even if I laser it off, it’ll still be a part of me, flesh and blood. “Aren’t our scars enough?”