[Men of Inked 01.0 - 03.0] Volume 1

by Chelle Bliss

  “Look all you want, sweetheart. He’s mine, and this time, I’m not letting him go.” She released the phone with a giant-ass smile on her face.

  Touching the screen, I enlarged the picture. The faces weren’t right. They didn’t match the bodies. I stood there gawking at it until Tammy grabbed it from my fingers.

  “He’s so romantic. He proposed at the beach,” she said, staring at the picture.

  It was creepy, and her mind must be totally twisted. I hadn’t realized until then how entirely off she was, and the depths of her craziness.

  “It’s a fairytale,” I said. This bitch lives in La La Land.

  “More than I could’ve ever dreamed of, really. He’s mine, all mine.” She hugged the phone, moving her body side to side.

  “Yep, all yours.” I smiled. “I really have to go.” I needed to get away from her. “Good luck with your ultrasound,” I called out as I walked away.

  I snuck a glance over my shoulder. She stood in the middle of the hall with her hands on her hips, glaring at me. Her very presence put me on edge, but her delusions told me she was far more dangerous than I had imagined. I was the enemy to her.

  I wondered if Michael knew about the type of over-the-top nutty that was his fiancée. I asked the security guard to walk me to my car. I didn’t explain, but I never needed to. I felt a little more at ease as I drove home, but I looked in my rearview mirror every few seconds to make sure she wasn’t following me.

  Sitting in my driveway, I opened my text messages, my finger hovered over Michael’s name and his last message.

  Michael: Goddamn it, Mia. I need you.

  My resolve wavered until I thought about Tammy. I wanted no part in their crazy bullshit. I would’ve described him as romantic and an amazing lover, but fuck, there wasn’t a cock in the world worth this hassle.

  I wasn’t going to come between them.

  My body felt heavy from a long shift on my feet, my mind was in a fog, and my heart ached. A small part of me wanted to see why he needed me, but I convinced myself it was a ploy.

  The day had been emotionally draining already without opening my heart to him again and rubbing salt in the wound.

  I pulled down the room-darkening shades and closed the drapes. I tossed my clothes to the floor before I grabbed a glass of water and my sleeping pills. I needed for this day to be over.

  I climbed into bed and closed my eyes, wishing the day away. Sleep didn’t come easy. Every time I drifted off, a different nightmare would wake me up. Images of patients and their horrific injuries and the screams of the injured, faceless people startled me awake. The last one dealt with Tammy waiting to slice my throat open in my car after work.

  The sleeping pills were supposed to help knock my ass out, but tonight, they sure as hell weren’t doing the trick.

  I turned on the television, giving up on sleep, and looked through the guide. There had to be something happy to watch to help replace my nightmares. Sleepless in Seattle had an hour left, and I’d seen it a dozen times. I flipped to the channel and watched with stinging eyes. I needed the happily ever after.

  I could recite the lines in the movie verbatim. When they meet on top of the Empire State Building at the end, it always brought me to tears.

  I drifted off to thoughts of Sam and Annie.

  23

  Michael

  “I hope your ass has been working out, man. Countdown is in single digits. What the fuck have you been doing?” Rob said as I landed another blow.

  “I got this, Rob. Shit’s been going on in my personal life that I’ve had to deal with, and I’m still dealing with it.” I stretched my shoulders, cracking my neck, readying myself for the next round. My heart hurt more than my muscles ached, but I couldn’t stop.

  “You need to get everything worked out before the fight. You need your head in the game. An hour here and there will not make you a champion.”

  “Oh ye of little faith. I took down ‘The Mauler’ and I sure as fuck can handle ‘The Heat.’ One problem will be taken care of today, and then I just have to win Mia back,” I said as I grabbed a bottle of water, downing it before crushing the plastic.

  Mia walking away and shutting me out hurt more than any injury I’d ever suffered in the cage. She gave me something good and pure to look forward to each day, but it was ripped from me by the devil.

  His eyebrows shot up in surprise. “You hooked up with Mia, huh? You’re a lucky son of a bitch.” He shook his head but smiled. “She did ask me about you.”

  “When?” I asked, feeling hopeful.

  “Weeks ago. Wanted to know who you were.” He shrugged.

  “Oh. I’d say we more than hooked up. I really like her, man.”

  “Before you grow a pussy, can you at least train while you pour your heart out?”

  “I’m done talking, dick. I’m going to make you pay for the pussy comment.”

  I spent the next hour doing just that. Cocky bastard talked a good game, but he wasn’t as fast as me. Rob knew the moves; his technical skills couldn’t be beat. He used to be part of the circuit, but a nasty injury ended his fighting career.

  I took my anger out on him. My jabs, kicks, and takedowns were aimed at him, but in my mind, Tammy received each piercing blow. The bitch had crossed the line, making me miserable, and today I would call foul.

  “Jesus, that’s the hardest you’ve hit me in a long time, man,” Rob huffed, grabbing his shoulder.

  “I don’t have another outlet for my anger. You’re my personal punching bag,” I said, wiping the sweat from my eyes.

  “Save some of it for the cage. He won’t know what hit ’em. Maybe you shouldn’t straighten the shit out first.” He smirked.

  “Fuck you, Rob.”

  “Kidding, Mike.” He laughed. “Let’s call it a day. Be here tomorrow morning at five. We don’t have a moment to waste.”

  I collapsed on the bench, every muscle screaming as I rubbed my thighs. “I’ll be here. Be ready for another ass kicking.” I smirked. I never hit him hard enough to hurt him. I had more power in me than I ever took out on him. “Today I get everything ironed out and I’ll be back on track. My mind will be focused.”

  “I hope so. If you want to get another big match like New York, you can’t lose the next one.”

  “Shut the fuck up. I got this. I’m not losing. He won’t be an issue.” I pulled the tape off my hands, squeezing them to get the blood to flow to my fingers.

  “That’s the type of thinking that’ll get your ass knocked out.”

  “Aren’t you supposed to be in my corner?” I looked at Rob as he stood in front of me.

  He had a cocky grin on his face; the bastard was trying to get me riled up more than I already was with the Tammy bullshit. “I am. Just reminding you to get your shit straight.”

  “Okay, Mom. I gotta go do just that. Now shut the fuck up and get outta my face.”

  Putting his hands up, Rob said, “I’m out. I expect a full report tomorrow. Bring some of that piss and vinegar with you for training. We’re sparring for real, and I better not be able to take you down or you’re in real trouble.”

  Pointing at him, I smiled. “Keep spouting your shit and I’ll make sure you walk into the match with a limp.”

  He laughed as he walked away and unlocked the doors. I looked through the glass, trying to will Mia to walk through the door.

  “She hasn’t been here in a week. You can stop looking, pussy.”

  I didn’t reply. She was avoiding me, and it stung more than his words.

  ***

  I stared at Tammy as she looked around the exam room. She had a triumphant smile on her face and excitement oozed off her.

  The thought crossed my mind that this could be a huge mistake. What if she really was pregnant? I shook my head, removing the thought, as someone knocked on the door.

  “Come in,” Tammy said, looking at the door with her hands clasped in her lap and moving her dangling feet.

  A heavyset w
oman with gray hair entered the room. “Good morning, Tammy. How are you feeling today?” she asked as she sat down on the stool next to the exam table.

  “I’m doing really great, Dr. Singh.”

  Kicking back, I put my hands behind my head to watch it unravel. I wanted to speak, but I figured that if the doctor had a brain she’d figure out Tammy’s scam quickly.

  “That’s always nice to hear. How far along do you think you are?” The doctor asked, looking down, flipping through the file.

  “I’m not sure. Not too far.” Tammy fidgeted with her hands, looking down.

  “You said the pregnancy was confirmed, though, right?”

  “Yes, my family doctor confirmed it, but Michael”—she looked to me and back to Dr. Singh—“he’s the dad and wanted to get an ultrasound picture as soon as possible.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, Michael.” Dr. Singh nodded at me and smiled.

  “You too, doc. I want to know when the bundle of joy will be entering our lives.” I couldn’t just come right out and say I didn’t believe a word that came out of Tammy’s mouth—at least not in front of her, anyway.

  “Well, let’s see if we can get you a photo and determine a due date for you.”

  “Is it too early for that?” Tammy looked worried, but I honestly thought she was too nuts to really grasp the enormity of what was about to happen.

  “No, I can see the stage of development and can give you an educated guess. Depends how far along you are, sweetie.” Dr. Singh patted Tammy’s leg.

  “I can’t thank you enough for doing this so quickly. I know how busy you are,” Tammy said with a smile.

  “I always try and help out the hospital staff the best I can. You’re lucky I had a cancellation.”

  I was bored with their chitchat to the point where I had started to become annoyed. “Ladies, I don’t mean to be a jerk, but I’m on pins and needles here.” I rubbed my neck and tried to calm myself down.

  “I know you’re both excited. Lean back, Tammy, and lift your shirt,” Dr. Singh said, pulling over the ultrasound equipment. She grabbed a paper cover-up, tucking it in Tammy’s pants, pulling them down to expose her belly. She squirted blue liquid on her stomach as Tammy began to laugh.

  “I know it feels funny, but at least it’s warm. Now, let’s see what we have here.”

  Swallowing hard, I moved to the edge of the seat. My legs began to shake as my stomach felt like someone was inside beating the fuck out of it.

  The wand glided across her stomach as the doctor stared at the screen. She leaned forward and stared before moving the wand a bit.

  I had no idea what the hell I was looking for, but it didn’t stop me from trying.

  “That’s strange,” Dr. Singh said, her face almost pressed against the black-and-white screen.

  “What’s wrong?” Tammy looked panicked as she bit her lip, sitting up on her elbows.

  “I don’t see anything.” Dr. Singh moved the wand again and squinted at the monitor.

  The angels began to sing in my head, and I felt vindicated as relief flooded my body.

  “Wait,” Dr. Singh said.

  Fuck, no way did something magically appear.

  My heart stopped and every ounce of air left my lungs.

  “False alarm,” she said, frowning.

  Jesus fucking Christ, she almost gave me a heart attack. I started to breathe again, almost dizzy, on the verge of a panic attack.

  “Tammy, I don’t see an embryo, sweetie. Are you sure you were pregnant?”

  “What do you mean ‘were’?” Tammy’s mouth hung open.

  “I don’t see anything at all.” The doctor shook her head and looked at me with sad eyes.

  I wanted to fist bump her, not cry.

  “I lost the baby?” Tammy’s lips began to quiver and her eyes glistened.

  The crazy bitch actually was an amazing actress. I’d give her a fucking Oscar.

  “I can’t say that you were ever pregnant, but if you were, then yes, I’m sorry,” Dr. Singh said as she put the wand in the holder.

  Every muscle in my body relaxed, and I felt exhausted as I watched the doctor wipe Tammy’s abdomen.

  “I can’t believe it,” Tammy whispered as she wiped away tears.

  “You can try again. This is common in the first trimester.” Dr. Singh was trying to be supportive, but I’d bet money based on her facial expression that she didn’t think there ever was a baby. “Sometimes tests can be wrong, sweetie.”

  “Stop calling me that!” Tammy yelled, covering her ears.

  Enter psycho Tammy.

  “You’re lying about my baby.” Her hands fell to her stomach as she cradled herself. “He’s in there.” She caressed her stomach.

  Dr. Singh looked stupefied. I was sure she was used to a bit of crazy dealing with hormonal pregnant women all the time, but Tammy was her own special brand.

  “You can always get a second opinion.” The doctor rubbed her head before she started to scribble in the file.

  I sat there, not wanting to cause a scene in the doctor’s office by confronting Tammy with her lie.

  “I will. You obviously don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  The doctor’s eyebrows shot up. She saw the crazy. Recognized Tammy for who she really was—cuckoo.

  “It’s your right as a patient,” the doctor said.

  Tammy jumped off the table, adjusting her pants as tears streamed down her cheeks. “Let’s get the fuck out of here, Michael. I need to find a real doctor.” She glared at Dr. Singh.

  The doctor looked at me, dumbfounded. “I’m sorry,” she said with a halfhearted smile.

  I shrugged and tried to hide my smile. “Don’t worry about it, doctor. It’s not your fault.”

  “What the fuck? Yes, it is. She’s lying to us, Michael.” All the tears on her face had disappeared, replaced by coldblooded hatred.

  “Let’s go, Tammy. Let’s get you out of here.” I held my hand out to her as I bit my lip.

  No one spoke as we walked out of the room. Tammy walked right by the checkout desk before bursting into the waiting room. “She’s a fraud,” she yelled at the room full of women with swollen bellies.

  “Shh,” I said as I clamped my hand around her mouth from behind. “Save it for outside,” I whispered in her ear.

  I kept my hand on her mouth as we left the doctor’s office.

  As soon as we made it outside, she yelled, “I can’t believe her. There’s a baby in my belly.” She rubbed her stomach and stared at her hands.

  “Let’s just get you home.” I wanted to drop her off and immediately file for a restraining order. My suspicions were correct, and it was time to put Tammy in the past.

  “Will you stay and hold me?” She looked at me with wide eyes, clinging to my shirt.

  “I will.” I hated lying, but with Tammy it was easy. I didn’t flinch with my words. “Come on, get in. I’ll stay as long as you need,” I said as I held the door open.

  She gave me a weak smile as I closed the door and fought every instinct I had to run. After I climbed in, she curled up to me. She held my arm as I drove, and I didn’t look at her or return her touch. We drove in silence.

  “You’re coming in, right?” She looked up from my shoulder with a meek smile on her face as I pulled in her driveway.

  “Yes.” I wasn’t going to fucking cuddle, either. This time I wouldn’t leave her house without the scrapbook safely in my possession. “Let’s get you into bed so you can rest.”

  Her smile grew wide as she looked into my eyes. “I can’t think of anything that would make me happier, Michael.” She climbed out of the car and waited for me.

  Holding my arm, she opened the front door.

  “Go get ready and I’ll be right in. I’m going to make us some tea,” I said, wanting her to go away.

  “Oh, okay,” she said as she stood on her tiptoes, kissing my cheek.

  “Take your time, put something comfy on, and I’ll meet you
in bed.”

  She walked away with a giant smile on her face, looking back at me before disappearing inside her bedroom.

  I turned on the water, to hide any noise, before I looked through the living room.

  Where the fuck was the scrapbook? It wasn’t on the coffee table, like it had been the last time I was here. I started to panic, my heart pounded, and sweat beaded on my brow. I needed to find it and get the fuck out of here.

  As I walked by her television, I spotted it. Victory was mine. I grabbed it and tucked it under my arm.

  Turning off the water, I stood in the kitchen, out of her line of sight from the hallway. “You okay in there?” I called out to her.

  “Yeah, I’m going to jump in the shower to freshen up. Okay, baby?” she replied from the bedroom.

  “Go ahead. I’m just finishing up with the tea. I’ll be waiting for you.”

  “I’m hurrying,” she yelled.

  As the shower turned on, I waited, listening for her to climb inside. I left the house as quietly as humanly possible before jumping in my truck and breathing a sigh of relief.

  I could only imagine the scene when she walked out and didn’t see me there. She wasn’t my issue to deal with anymore; it was for the law to handle.

  First stop would be Izzy to put the block back on my phone, and then to George. I needed to sign the restraining order and have it executed.

  Mia was the next thing to resolve.

  I had to get her back.

  She was the one prize I couldn’t lose.

  24

  Mia

  I stared out of the sliding glass doors that led out to my lanai, sipping a cup of coffee. I inhaled the sweet scent as I watched the palm trees sway in the summer breeze. I needed to blow off some steam. Running was the best option, but out of the question in the blazing sun and humid air. Even early in the morning, the humidity outside was enough to make your hair instantly frizz and your skin damp within seconds.