I turn off the shower and hand her a towel as I start drying myself off. She does the same. I walk to the bedroom and Ria isn’t far behind. I already have the bed covers turned down. I slide in naked and I’m ready for her to be in my arms. She walks in with a tee shirt of mine that she wears almost every night.
She snuggles down, leans up with her hands on my chest and her chin resting on top of them. Something is on her mind and I have no idea what.
“Do you think Toby hates me?” she asks with a miserable look on her face.
I am already shaking my head no. “No, never. The drugs got into his system quick. I went and saw him at our parent’s. I told him we were going to get married, and he needed to get whatever problems he had with it out of his system now. He told me he never did have problems with me and you, at first it was because he was just looking out for me, and I can’t understand why he did the things he did. He is more embarrassed than anything. He told me that when you’re ready, he wants to make amends. It’s part of his therapy. He seems to be doing better and will be coming back to work next Tuesday,” I tell her with a smile.
I understand her concern and I was too until I talked to Toby. He really does seem better. I am happy for him. Glad he’s coming back. I have had to work extra-time with him gone. I think I may look for someone part-time to fill in but who will also be a backup. People do get sick.
“Jax, I need to say this, so we don’t fight later.” Whispering she tells me this. My eyebrows are doing their funky bullshit now with them raised up. “We can’t get married until Debbie is better and she can be my maid of honor. I need my best friend to help celebrate this happy occasion with us. I love you with all that I am, but I need her too,” she tells me with tears running down her cheeks.
One of these days she won’t cry like this. It tears my gut up when she does this. I am wiping her tears away as fast as I can. I lean down and kiss her on her cheek and then hit her lips. I go to sleep a very satisfied man, in more ways than one.
Chapter Eighteen
I am just leaving my salon when I get a call from Samantha. “Hey, Samantha, how are you doing?
“Okay, but we’re swamped, and I have back-to-back clients until later tonight. All the guys do too. Can you come in and help man the front today? Jax asked me to call you,” she tells me and she does sound wore out already.
“Sure, give me a little while, about thirty minutes. Need to stop and grab something to eat. Anyone want a Subway sandwich? That’s where I’m going.”
She says she’ll call it in at Garden Mile. I head that direction. I go in and place my order and it looks like they may be working on the other one too.
“Is that for Ink-fusions?” I ask.
“Yes, ma’am,” I’m told.
“Okay, that’s mine then, as well,” I reply.
I get my drink, go back and pay for all the sandwiches. I take my drink and bags out the door and I go to my Honda. I get in and get to the shop just a few minutes later.
“Chow time everyone, I will put this back in the lounge.”
Zeke and the rest thank me for getting them food. They get damn hungry when they are busy and can’t go out to get their lunch without stopping work progress. I grab my sandwich and take mine and go to the front. I start checking everyone in and who they are going too. I take my clipboard and go through the electronic supply list. Jax had shown me one day how they take inventory, so that I could help out on Saturdays. It should be fairly accurate, but when things calm down, I will double-check the supply room. I start preparing the ordering for Ink-Fusions for the next couple of weeks. I have been working for a couple of hours when Toby comes up to me unexpectedly and gives me a hug. He has tears in his eyes.
“Ria, I am so very sorry for everything. I know it’s going to take time, but I want you to know I am proud to be your future brother-in-law. You make Jax the happiest I have ever seen. Thank you,” he says in my ear.
I give him a hug back. “Thank you, Toby, that means a lot to me.” I look over his shoulder and Jax is leaning with his body on the side of the wall in the hallway watching his brother. I give Jax the biggest smile.
The day continues on and things start to slow down. I look up as the bell above the door goes off, and in walks in Dog. He walks up but looks like he has something on his mind.
“Hey, beautiful, Jax around?” he asks me.
“Yeah, hold on for a minute,” I tell him and go back to Jax’s room. I knock and he tells me to come in.
“Hey, honey, Dog is out here and says he needs to talk to you for a minute,” I say concerned.
He lifts his chin. “Be out in a minute, sweets.” He’s putting his tattoo gun down and had already started cleaning the guy’s back.
I walk back out and tell Dog he will be out in a moment to see him. He nods and tells me thank you, distracted. I ask if he’s okay, and he’s nodding his head yes.
Jax’s customer comes out and I ring him up, take his card, and run it. He smiles and makes another appointment for one month. Jax walks out of the back room and walks up front. He walks over to Dog; I overhear him tell Jax he wants a piercing. I am listening or trying to. I hear Jax explain he isn’t qualified and if he wants one, he will have to let Samantha do it. Do it? What’s so big about letting Samantha pierce. She is good, and piercing ears, tongues, and such is no big deal. He finally nods his head and looks back out the window. Jax smiles as he walks past, and he goes and gets Samantha. She comes out a few minutes later and tells Dog to follow her to the back room and is gone for about forty-five minutes when he comes out walking bull-legged, red-faced and he looks like he has a great big hard on. Ummmm, now I know what kind of piercing he wanted. I keep a straight face, the best I can. I snicker and can’t stop. I am bent over laughing like a loon when Jax comes out, takes one look, and tells Dog he’ll bill him. Dog shakes his head, leans over the counter and tells me I better not tell a soul. I laugh harder than I ever have. “Be hard not to, Dog.” Jax smacks my ass and tells Dog he will take care of it.
He tries to storm out but looks more like a frog march instead. Jax shakes his head at me and tells me he’s going to go clean up so we can go home.
“Home sounds good, honey. I love you,” I tell him with a smile.
“Ditto, beautiful,” he replies.
Samantha comes out of her back room about ten minutes later. She walks up beside me, leans in and hisses loudly, “That’s the biggest fucking dick I have ever had my hands on. The biggest I have ever seen. My God, Ria, it stayed hard the entire time I pierced him. I’ve seen nothing like it ever… Evvvveerrrrr!
Her face is filled with not only excitement but determination. I see a story here, I think to myself.
Look for Samantha and Dog’s story coming soon.
Acknowledgments
Where do I start?
Hubby – Thank you for always being my rock, for pushing and believing in me even when I didn’t believe in myself. I love you to the moon and back. I have the best Hubby in the universe.
My kids – Although, you are all older, you have always believed in me even when we drove each other crazy. You all are the best. I love you more than ever. So very proud of all of you!!!
Grandbabies – You are not really old enough to understand now, but when you get older, know that I love you babies to the end of this earth.
My other kids and family that I have adopted throughout the years –You all have helped make me who I am today. I miss each and every one of you.
To some of my favorite authors – It’s your words and watching what you do that helped me to decide to try this. If I should fail, I know at least I tried. Thank you all. I don’t really want to name everyone. I don’t have a long enough page for that. You all know who you are.
I need to acknowledge a few people that have been there since the first word was typed into this computer.
Vera Quinn – one that I consider a close friend. Thank you so very much for not only your encouragement but your b
elief that I could do this. You never let me give up on myself. You let me rattle on when I had questions. Thank you for blessing my life. You are what true friendship means.
Maggie Kern – that magical day that I got introduced to you through AJ and Ricco. You and Greg are a part of my family and although you are my editor, you and Greg are a part of my family. I love you guys. Just remember all my cute little replies on edits. Hugs.
Michele Thomas – I couldn’t do this without you in my life. You are not only a great friend but a rocking PA… I love you lady!!!
To Michele’s authors – Thank you for any and all help you have passed my way. You all rock.
My crew – AJ and Ricco Bland, Kamilla Miller, Arlyna and Reuben Fischer, Wendi Hunsicker, Edward and Sarah Gillespie, Dyana and Thomas Newton, Hannah Hossler, and last but not least Kimberly Beale and Momma.
My beta team – Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Sara Parr, Wendi Hunsicker, Jenn Allen, Tammie Smith, Melissa Filla, Arlyna Fischer.
Aunt Beckie and Uncle Erwin – You all have no idea of what you mean to me. You, Auntie, stepped up and in when I have needed you. No questions asked, you were there. You don’t know what it means to me to know you are there for me. I love you guys so much. Thank you!!!
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Penny’s Author Page:
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Jax Page 14
