Going Inksane (Nice Ink Book 1)

by Trish Edmisten

  Heath: Damn, how many pairs of shoes do you own?

  Is it a deal breaker if I say it’s something like fifty?

  Heath: Nothing about you would be a deal breaker, but fifty? Are you serious?

  As sweet as that was, I wasn’t naïve enough to think it was true. In fact, there was something about me that was a pretty big deal breaker. Something I needed to tell him before we got in too deep.

  It was too late for me. The fact that I was more comfortable around him than I’d ever been around any other guy, even before my moratorium on dating, was enough for me to decide I was all in.

  Realizing he was waiting, I sent my reply. Totally serious. I love shoes.

  Heath: At least now I know what to get you for your next gift.

  I smiled so wide my cheeks hurt. I loved how thoughtful he was. At the Farmer’s Market yesterday, he’d bought me olive oil and honey and those flowers and then he’d paid for our lunch.

  The flowers were my favorite. I loved flowers, always had; same thing with shoes. I had a thing about matching my shoes to my clothes. Something all of my brothers gave me shit about. Not that I cared. There was nothing wrong with having some style.

  I wasn’t used to guys being so nice without expecting something in return. Heath had been a perfect gentleman so far. To be honest, I wasn’t sure if I was happy about that or disappointed. Probably a little of both.

  Heath was an absolutely stunning man who was obviously no stranger to a weight set. I was dying to know how much of his skin was covered with tattoos.

  Despite his size, I had no trouble picturing him as someone who was gentle and patient, someone who took care of his lovers. That was the part that scared me. A virile man was going to expect sex at some point. While I wasn’t opposed to sex, I couldn’t give him what he wanted.

  I was going to have to be honest with him about that. It wasn’t fair to let this thing between us go any further without letting him know what he was really getting into.

  My phone buzzed and the text he’d sent made me smile. If you’re dressed yet, I’d love a selfie.

  Only if you send me one too.

  Heath’s response came in the form of a picture that nearly made me swallow my tongue. Talk about hotness. Though the picture was from the chest up, he was still sexy as hell. The black T-shirt he wore showed off his firm pecs and well rounded biceps and thick forearms. A baseball cap turned backward on his head hid his blond hair while his smirk made his blue eyes sparkle.

  I was still drooling over the photo, which I was not only going to make his contact picture but my wallpaper for my home and lock screen, when another message came through. Your turn.

  Feeling a little self-conscious about being able to look as good as he did, I held the phone away from me and took a photo. When I checked it before sending it, I grimaced at the constipated look on my face. Yeah, that had to go. I deleted that one and tried again. It was marginally better.

  As soon as I hit send, my phone rang. Kiel was calling.

  “Hey, Kiel, what’s up?”

  “Mom wants to know if you’ll stop and get some butter for the French bread. She ran out.”

  “Yeah, I can do that.”

  “Make sure he knows to get real butter and not that horrible margarine,” Mom yelled out in the background.

  Like I needed the reminder. Our mother detested margarine. She swore it was more plastic than dairy.

  My phone buzzed with another text message that I was sure was from Heath, but I didn’t check it yet.

  “He’s got it under control, Mom,” Kiel assured her.

  “What’s for dinner?”

  “Mom’s making lasagna.”

  I did a mental fist pump while my stomach rumbled in anticipation.

  “Are any of the others coming?”

  “Just Gerry. Ollie says he’s on a deadline and Ricky’s on duty.”

  “You’re not?”

  “Not until Saturday, but Roger’s back on tomorrow night.”

  “Cool, I’ll stop at the store and see you guys soon.”

  “Sounds good.”

  We traded goodbyes and then ended the call.

  I smiled when I checked the text message that was from Heath. Damn, you look gorgeous.

  Thank you. Just found out my mom’s making lasagna for dinner. I’m pumped.

  Heath: Awesome, have a good time.

  I will. Don’t work too hard.

  Heath: I’ll try. Talk to you soon.

  Shoving my phone into my pocket, I grabbed my keys from atop my dresser and headed out.

  I was the last to make it to my parents’ house, thanks to my trip to the store. I didn’t mind stopping though. Not if it meant I could get Mom’s lasagna.

  The smell of garlic and tomatoes hung heavy in the air to remind me what a good idea it was to come over for dinner.

  “I’m glad you made it, son,” Dad said. “You’re looking good.”

  I would hardy call skinny jeans and a novelty tee looking good, but I didn’t contradict him.

  “It must be the new man he’s seeing,” Roger piped up.

  I turned narrow eyes on him. I’d expected this, especially from my mom who was always after me to find a nice man I could settle down with.

  After letting the Ned-has-a-date cat out of the bag, Roger should have known better than to piss me off; the traitor.

  “Mom, Neddie’s giving me dirty looks,” Roger sang.

  “Ned, stop giving your brother dirty looks and bring me that bread so I can get dinner on the table,” Mom yelled from the kitchen, and Roger stuck his tongue out at me like he was five instead of twenty-seven. “And, Roger, stop doing whatever it is that made Ned give you dirty looks.”

  Kiel cracked up at the smug look I shot Roger who didn’t look the least bit worried. Some days, my brothers were a pain in the ass, especially Roger.

  “Hey, Mom, here’s the butter,” I said as I entered the kitchen.

  Setting the butter on the massive island, I gave her a peck on the cheek.

  “Thanks, honey. Would you mind getting a stick in the butter dish so it can soften while I finish up?”

  “Sure thing, Mom.”

  The kitchen filled with heat when she opened the oven. I could barely contain my happy dance when I peeked into the oven and saw two pans there. That meant leftovers to go.

  “Do you need me to do anything else?”

  “Not right now, thank you though.”

  “No, thank you. I love your lasagna. Please tell me you made enough for me to take some home.”

  Even though I already knew the answer to the question, it didn’t hurt to be sure.

  “Of course I did. I made an extra pan so all of you boys can take some home.”

  “You’re the best.”

  “I am, aren’t I?” Mom said and we both cracked up.

  Yeah, she really was. My mom was the kind of mom that put all others to shame with her unwavering support and outstanding cooking and she was organized to a fault. I guess she had to be otherwise she wouldn’t have been able to manage the five of us.

  I’d always known I was lucky to have her, but I’d been feeling even more grateful lately after what Heath told me about his mom. My heart hurt for him having to grow up so fast and take care of his little brother because his parents couldn’t be bothered.

  Sadly, I’d seen that one too many times working in the ER. Hurt children tugged on my heart strings like nothing else, but children who were hurt by those who were supposed to be looking out for them were worse. I just could not understand how anyone could hurt a child, let alone one they had given life to.

  “Did you need any help in here, Connie?” Dad asked as he breezed into the kitchen with Kiel and Roger behind him.

  “If you boys want to get your drinks, I’ll get the lasagna on the table and we’ll be all set.”

  Once everyone had their drinks in hand, we took a seat at the kitchen table and dove in. Mom and Dad’s house had a formal dining ro
om, but it was usually saved for occasions like holidays. We also had to use it on the rare nights all five of us could make it for dinner since the table in the breakfast nook wasn’t big enough for all of us.

  Over dinner, we took turns talking about our jobs, something Dad was particularly interested in. Ever since he’d retired, he had become more interested in what we were all doing at work. I had a feeling he was bored.

  Between the three of us, we had a lot we could share that kept the conversation going. Out of respect for Mom, we avoided stories of blood, guts, gore and vomit.

  “So, Neddie, tell us about your date with the tattoo artist,” Mom suggested, and I shot a glare at Roger who just grinned back at me.

  Even though I was still a little pissed Roger had told my parents about my date, I would have had to tell them sooner or later. Might as well go for broke.

  “Which date?” I asked.

  Mom’s eyes lit up. “You’ve been on more than one?”

  “Yes, we went to dinner at LaManzo’s for our first date and yesterday we spent some time at the Farmer’s Market.”

  “Oh, the Farmer’s Market, we haven’t been there in ages, Grant,” Mom said and then turned her attention back to me. “Were the vendors good?”

  “They were amazing. Heath bought me some olive oil that I can’t wait to try out on a loaf of French bread.”

  “You should have brought it tonight.”

  “I’m saving it to make for him when he comes to dinner next week.”

  “Hold on,” Kiel interjected. “You’re inviting this guy to your house?”

  I frowned at the accusation in his tone. “That’s what I just said.”

  “You never invite guys to your house,” Roger pointed out.

  I had a good reason for that. One my brothers knew and my parents didn’t and I wanted to keep it that way.

  “I’m so happy you’re finally seeing someone, Ned,” Mom said, oblivious to the death glare I was giving Kiel and Roger.

  “Thanks, Mom. He’s a great guy.”

  “He’s a tattoo artist,” Kiel said.

  “Yes,” I said, bristling at Kiel’s tone. “He and his brother own the shop.”

  “It takes real brains to own a successful business,” Dad said.

  “I can’t wait to meet him,” Mom added.

  “Same,” Kiel said.

  “That’s not going to happen anytime soon,” I said. “We just started seeing each other.”

  “So, it’s too soon to introduce him to us but not too soon to invite him over to get freaky?” Roger said.

  “You should talk,” I snapped. “You didn’t even get the name of the last guy you took home.”

  Roger’s eyes widened for a moment before narrowing.

  Yeah, I’d probably gone a little bit too far with that one, but I didn’t appreciate their implications that I couldn’t take care of myself. I’d made one mistake, a long time ago, and believe me when I say I’d learned from it.

  I didn’t need my brothers to vet Heath to know he was worth spending time with.

  “Well, I certainly hope you used a condom, Roger, especially if you really didn’t bother to learn the young man’s name,” Mom said, and I’m not ashamed of the glee I took at watching him blush.

  “I’m always careful, Mom,” Roger said.

  “I’m sure Ned is too,” Mom said.

  I could have kissed her. At least someone in this family had some faith in me.

  “Now, then,” Mom said, clapping her hands together. “Who wants dessert?”

  I was still too full from dinner to even contemplate dessert, but Dad didn’t seem to have the same problem.

  “What do we have?” Dad asked with a gleam in his eye.

  “I picked up a cheesecake when I was out earlier.”

  “I could go for some cheesecake.”

  “Anyone else?”

  Both Kiel and Roger said yes while I opted to wait.

  “Neddie, why don’t you help me get everyone’s dessert?” Mom suggested.

  I barely held back my groan, knowing that was just an excuse for her to give me a more private third degree. Still, I followed her to the kitchen like the dutiful son I was. It was the least I could do after she made such an amazing meal.

  “If you could pull the cheesecake out of the fridge, I’ll get the plates and forks,” Mom said.

  When the cake was on the counter, Mom used a large knife to cut into it and then slide it onto the plates.

  “Don’t be too hard on your brothers. They mean well.”

  “I know, but I’m a grown man. I can take care of myself.”

  “I’m sure you can, but isn’t it nice to know that you don’t have to? That you have a family who loves you and cares about you?”

  It was, especially when I knew Heath’s family wasn’t the same. From what little he shared with me, it was a wonder he wasn’t an angry, bitter person.

  I hated that his parents could throw him and his brother away so easily. It didn’t seem fair that his mom was so selfish that she hadn’t even bothered to make sure he and Cooper were fed while my mom always went out of her way to feed us and anyone else we brought around.

  Case in point, there was a second pan of lasagna on the stovetop that I had no doubt would make its way home with me, Roger and Kiel. Maybe I could finagle enough to share with Heath.

  “Do you think I could take home a little extra lasagna tonight?”

  “That’s why I made the second pan.”

  “I know, but I’d like an extra serving to take to Heath,” I explained. “His mom never cooked for him and his brother, and I guess I want to show him how moms are supposed to be.”

  “Of course you can take some to him. In fact, you can take the extra pan home.”

  “The others won’t like that,” I pointed out, and she shrugged.

  “They’ll get over it.”

  “Thanks, Mom,” I said and gave her another kiss on the cheek.

  “You’re welcome, honey.”

  I appreciated that she hadn’t asked for any details about Heath’s childhood and that she was so willing to share with him. Even better was going to be the look on my brothers’ faces when they realized they were going home empty-handed.

  I hadn’t been able to stop laughing when I left my parents’ house with the extra pan of lasagna. I’d even walked out with the last of the French bread, much to my brothers’ dismay. With the way Roger and Kiel looked, you would have thought someone told them Christmas was cancelled. Served them right after that shit they’d pulled at dinner.

  The plan had been to take the lasagna to Heath while it was still warm, but looking at the busy parking lot, I realized this might not have been my best idea.

  Then again, if he was busy he didn’t have to eat it now. He could save it for later and then he wouldn’t have to worry about going out for dinner; unless he’d already eaten and then it would go to waste. Of course, he could always have it tomorrow night.

  “Stop being such a loser and just take it in,” I said in the silence of my car.

  Yeah, that was a good idea. I stepped out of the car and leaned inside to grab the still warm pan with the bread perched atop.

  With my hands full, I had to use my hip to push the door open. As soon as I was inside, I was hit with the sounds of rock music. Derek would have been happy to hear that. He loved that stuff.

  I was more of a pop music kind of guy.

  The shop was busier than the last time I’d been there. A couple of women sat in the lobby holding a binder between them and flipping through its pages while the buzzing of multiple tattoo guns carried from the back of the shop.

  A guy stood behind the counter talking to a woman. If I remembered right, he was Damian, the shop manager. From what I heard, she wanted her nipples pierced tonight, but Cooper was the only piercer in the shop and he was in the middle of a tattoo that was going to take at least another hour and then he had another one after that. They were trying to work out if
Cooper would have time in between his tattoos to see her and if she even wanted to wait.

  In the end, she decided she would come back in an hour and see if she could get in. And yes, she understood that Cooper might not have time to see her.

  When they were finished, I stepped up to the counter, glad to be able to put my burden down. That pan was heavy.

  “Nice shirt,” Damian said.

  Until he mentioned something, I’d forgotten I was wearing one of my novelty T-shirts. It had been a Christmas gift from one of my brothers. I couldn’t remember which one because it was one of many I had just like it. This one was white and said, Did you want to talk to the doctor in charge, or the nurse who knows what’s going on?

  All of us took turns giving each other these kinds of shirts. I bought one for Derek that read, ‘Fuck the police. No really. I hear they’re great in bed.’ It was still his go to shirt when he went to the club. According to him, it was a great conversation starter.

  “I assume you’re here to see Heath,” Damian said.

  My surprise must have shown on my face because he smirked. I sensed he was about to make some kind of joke at my or Heath’s expense, but I could take it. With four brothers, I’d grown up talking trash.

  “Yeah, I remember you, Nurse Ned. I didn’t know nurses made food deliveries.”

  “I guess you’ve never heard of house calls.”

  “Good one.” Damian laughed as he held out his hand for me to shake. “I’m Damian. It’s nice to meet you.”

  “You too. If Heath’s in the middle of something, I can just leave this here.”

  “Nah, he’ll want to see you. Just give me a second.”

  Before I could object, he turned and headed to the back of the shop. In less than a minute he was back.

  “Heath says he’s got about ten minutes left if you can wait.”

  “Sure, I can do that.”

  “Cool, we can get to know each other better.”

  Damian flashed me a grin that was an equal mix of pretty and mischievous. I had no doubt it was one he used to get guys to notice him, and I had to admit it worked. He wasn’t my type, but even I could acknowledge he was good-looking.

  Pretty would have been a more accurate description. Wheat gold hair swept to the side, eyes so dark they looked closer to brown than hazel and a set of full, smirking lips made for an appealing package. Whereas Heath was big and buff, Damian was lean and wiry.