Guided Love (Prick #1)

by Tracie Redmond

  They each take turns coming up with foods, trying to find one that I can actually say I didn't like, but just as I said, I haven’t found one yet. Paul and Allen get up and start a game of pool. Allen spent a few minutes educating me on how to play and how he will teach me all the tricks. It’s almost midnight, my phone dings, and I look down and see Camaron's name.

  Camaron: Beautiful where are you?

  Me: I am at Kester's with everyone. How is your important meeting?

  Camaron: oh I came home early

  Me: Why is everything okay?

  Camaron: Yeah babe just didn’t feel right, guess I wanted to be with you instead.

  “Everything okay, RC?”

  I look up and see Carrie looking at me with concern. I guess, even though we just met, she can see the guilt that is on my face.

  “Yeah, it’s just Camaron. His plans changed and he is already home. Guess I am going to call it a night.”

  “Don't go yet, I haven't started to teach you about calling your shots,” Allen says as he wraps his arm around me.

  “Next time, I just feel bad that he is home already and I wasn't there.”

  I am gathering my things, when Carrie asks which prick will be walking me home.

  “Oh, it’s just a straight walk, thank you though.”

  “You are not walking home alone, not at this hour, RC. You aren't in Kansas anymore.”

  “I've got it.” I look over and see Axel taking the last gulp of his beer. Carrie gives a little nod and then grabs me into a hug.

  “I am so glad you are a part of the group, RC.” I hug her back and tell her I’ll see her in the morning, I have a feeling that we’ll be good friends. I wave to the guys and start heading to the door.

  “I don’t want you to go out of your way to walk me home. I will be alright.”

  “It’s no trouble at all.” The walk was quiet but comfortable. We approach my apartment door and Axel actually opens it. “Well, Samantha, you are home safe and sound.”

  “Thank you, Axel, I do appreciate you walking me home.”

  I turn and start walking up the stairs. “Any time, Samantha, sweet dreams”

  I walk into the apartment and see Camaron on the couch surrounded by a ton of food. He looks up at me with a smile. “Sam, I don't think I could love you any more than I do right now.” I shake my head, kick my shoes off, and take a seat next to him on the couch.

  “I see you found all of the snacks.” He shakes his head as he shoves some chips into his mouth.

  “I forget what it’s like to actually have food in the house.”

  I grab the bag of chips and start to munch as well. “I hit the jackpot with you, not only are you fucking awesome, but you absolutely love to eat! Damn, you eat everything in sight.” Camaron must have sensed my change as he looks me and I refuse to look at him. I am stone cold still, looking directly at the TV. I don’t even know what’s on, but I refuse to let him see that his comment hurt me or the tears I feel starting to pool in my eyes.

  “Sam, look at me.”

  I can’t. I continue to stare at the TV and say, “It’s fine, Cam, let it go, no biggie.”

  That isn't the response he wanted, obviously, as he now is off the couch and on his knees right in front of me. “I'm sorry, beautiful, you know that I didn't mean anything by it. You are awesome just the way you are, okay.”

  I finally look up at his face. He looks sincere and I give a small smile and nod as I put the bag of chips closer to him. I won't allow myself to eat them, not now. I get up, head to my room, and see that there is an air mattress in my room. Where the hell did that come from? I go to my suitcase, pull out my pajamas, and head to the bathroom. Before I get there, I step into the living room.

  “Where did the air mattress come from?” Camaron turns around to face me “Oh yeah, babe, I went and bought that for you until your furniture comes. Do you like it? I bought you the best one. The guy says that it feels like sleeping on a cloud.”

  Wow, another kick to the gut. I should have just stayed with the guys for drinks because this night just keeps getting worse. I smile at him, because, again, I can’t let him see what his words are doing to me. “I do, thank you, you’re very considerate.”

  I turn and head down the hallway to the bathroom and I hear him yell back to me “Anything for you, Sam, you know that!”

  I shake my head and close the door. I stand there looking into the mirror, hearing Gabby's voice in my head, “He doesn’t think you’re beautiful, it’s just a term of endearment.” Maybe she was right—maybe he’ll never see me the way I want him to.

  The next morning I am up and ready by nine. I didn’t know what I was going to do if the shop wasn’t open yet, but to my surprise, Axel had the shop open already and was actually doing a tattoo. I walk in, wave good morning, and head off to my office where, hopefully, I will be able to avoid Camaron for a while. I know I’m pathetic acting this way, I mean he really didn’t do anything wrong. He was just being considerate, but it still stung. I did sleep really well on that damn mattress, it felt like I was sleeping on a cloud, but I would never tell him that. I open up my door and see vase of daisies on my desk. I head over and grab the card. RC~ Welcome to the team

  Carrie . . . she honestly is such a sweetie. I head back out to the front to find her and thank her, but as I look around, I don’t see her. I approach Axels’ station where he has this grown man looking like he is about to cry. The man’s arm is up over his face and he is moaning like he’s being run over by a Mack truck. Axel has his black gloves on, the gun in his hand, and is wearing black glasses that make him look so . . . hot. Axel doesn't notice me standing in the entryway just watching him ink this man’s stomach—he keeps focus on inking and then wiping away the excess.

  “Excuse me, Axel, is Carrie around?” He stops inking and looks back at me.

  “Good Morning, Samantha. No, she doesn't get in until about 11, why are you here so early?” I look at him a little confused wondering if she didn't leave the daisies, but that maybe he did.

  “I just wanted to get a head start on all the paperwork I organized before our meeting this afternoon. Do you know who left the daisies on my desk? I thought it was Carrie, but if she isn’t here then obviously it wasn’t her.” I chuckle a little because, damn, I feel out of place with Axel staring at me and a huge tattooed giant looking up from the table.

  “They’re from all of us. Carrie asked me to pick them up yesterday and I hope you like them.”

  He turns back to the giant on the table and starts to ink again. “I do, thank you, Axel.”

  I only get a grunt as I turn and walk back to my little office.

  Later that morning, I hear the angels singing because I am completely done organizing the sales receipts and purchase orders. I am so excited that I do a little shake in my chair and I may have let out a “YES” as I pump my arms in the air. I take a few minutes to celebrate my pathetic accomplishment and grab a notebook to start my ideas on increasing sales. Just as I am about to start in, I hear Camaron entering my space.

  “Beautiful, what’s wrong? You’re avoiding me.” I look up and see that he has a puppy dog look on his face but he knows that something is bothering me and he cares enough to come back here and find out.

  “What do you mean?” I try my hardest to keep my face blank.

  “I know you’re upset, babe, no one knows you better than me. After your shower, you went right to bed. You left early this morning and haven’t come out of your office all day. I tried giving you time, but you haven’t talked to me. Please tell me why you’re mad, what did I do?” His blue eyes are filled with sincerity and he truly looks disheveled.

  “You didn't do anything. I'm sorry, it’s just me, I was being too sensitive.”

  “Are you sure? We’re okay?” I nod and give him a smile.

  Damn, if he isn’t the sexiest man I have ever laid my eyes on. “Well, good, now that we have that behind us, let’s go! Allen, Axel, and I are grabbi
ng a few slices at Sals and you’re coming with us.”

  Something is off. Sitting here with Allen, Camaron, and Samantha, I know that something is off. I look between all of them and notice that Samantha, the self-proclaimed Queen of Food, is eating a salad. What the hell? She is actually nibbling on it like a rabbit. I know I haven’t known her long, but something isn’t right. I mean, damn, at Kester's she ordered pizza with four extra sides. I look over at Camaron and he is shoveling his slices in his face and staring at the waitress like nothing is wrong. I clear my throat and try to break the tension.

  “So, Samantha, I hear you want to be an author?”

  Before she even opens her mouth to speak, Camaron chimes in, “Dude, it’s Sam, not Samantha. She doesn't like being called Samantha and she will be an author. Once she gets settled, she’ll start writing that bestselling novel she has in her mind.”

  I look at him. “Well, thank you, prick, I didn't realize I was talking to you.” I turn my attention back to the gorgeous woman sitting across from me. “Now, Samantha, and ONLY Samantha, what exactly do you like to write?”

  She looks up at me with the sexiest smirk that I have ever seen on her face. She is trying not to laugh at my comments toward Camaron and she keeps biting her bottom lip. “I mainly write paranormal. I’ve written some short stories, but I haven’t found my WOW idea yet.”

  “So, you write about vampires and shit?” Her face is serious and then she belts out a laugh that has Camaron turning his head and staring at her with amusement.

  “Yeah, Axel, I write about vampires and shit.” I can’t help but join in on her laughter and just shake my head.

  The rest of lunch drastically improved after that, the tension was gone. Every now and then, I could see Samantha staring off into space or looking at the pizza—I don’t think her salad was what she wanted. As the waitress brought our checks, I see Camaron reach for his wallet and say, “Damn, I forgot my wallet. Could you cover it this time, babe?”

  Without hesitation Samantha just reaches for his check and gets up to pay.

  “Dude, seriously, you’re gonna make her pay for your fucking lunch?”

  Camaron just looks at me and shrugs his shoulder. “I have plans this week and don’t have the extra cash. No worries, Sam’s got it I'll pay her back.” I shake my head because, honestly, I have never seen him be such a douche.

  I mean, yes, he’s a womanizer, but, damn, to take from your friend like that, it’s just a douche move. We all pay and head out, but I tell them I’ll meet them back at the shop as I have things to get done. I head back to the counter and buy a slice of pepperoni and a side of bake ziti to go. Walking into the office, I make a beeline down the hall toward the offices and stop in front of Samantha’s door. We’re supposed to be meeting about increasing sales, but we can push that back a little.

  As I open the door, I see her rummaging through her purse mumbling to herself, “Where be that damn candy bar?”

  I can’t help it, this girl has me laughing at every turn. She looks up from her purse and starts to turn red. “I don’t have a candy bar, but I do have a slice of peperoni and a side of baked ziti.”

  She still is red and shakes her head at me. “I can’t eat that, Axel. I just ate a salad.”

  “I highly doubt that lettuce filled you up. Who the hell eats just lettuce for lunch?”

  “Barbie’s. Barbie’s eat lettuce for lunch and they are somehow satisfied. I'll get there, just has to take some dedication.”

  She looks at me and all I see is sadness in her eyes. What the hell is going on with this chick?

  “Well, Samantha, Barbie’s should come in all sizes. They should make a Chef Barbie who likes to eat. I don't see why you would want to change how you look anyway. You’re incredibly sexy, why change that?”

  Unlike the last time I told her she was sexy, I actually see her response. She is blushing so much it’s all around her neck and heading off in directions I wish I could see.

  “Thank you, Axel, I wish I could believe that.”

  With that, I place the food down onto her desk, head to the door, turn back, and see that she is staring at me, watching my every move.

  “I don’t lie, Samantha. You’re incredibly sexy and one day you’ll realize it.”

  Things have been going good, I have been getting all of the websites updated as well as coming up with some great promotional ideas for the shop. One of the things I’ve done is develop a shop shirt that the guys are giving out as well as selling them at the desk that say: Tattooed by Two Pricks. I also have t-shirts specific to the artist. The colors are different: Allen’s are purple, Paul’s are neon orange, Camaron’s are yellow, Jay’s will be blue, once his apprenticeship is over and he is full time, and Axel’s color is Pink. The t-shirt’s logo is the same but on the back it says:

  I was tattooed by a prick named (Axel, Camaron, Paul, Allen or Jay)

  The shirts are huge sellers amongst the female clients and it’s funny seeing my designs along with the guy’s names walking down the street. Things with the shop are going well; not only have I increased sales but I am now helping Carrie with running the front end when she needs coverage as well as helping with closing each night.

  I’ve somehow acquired Camaron’s closing tasks as he seems to leave early every night. Monday and Thursday nights, he always seems to have plans, which is fine by me, as I love spending time with the pricks. They’ve all become great friends to me. Every Monday, Allen teaches me how to play pool I don’t understand why he continues to try since I’m horrible at it, but he doesn’t give up and I love playing. Paul and Carrie have adopted me on Thursday nights when Camaron has important plans. They pick me up and we head to a local bar called Cruisers, for all you can eat wing night. I’m in heaven on Thursdays. I still try to watch what I eat in front of Camaron, but damn, endless wings—I have a smile ear to ear each and every time.

  It’s Sunday and we are off today, I've asked Camaron if it would be okay to paint the kitchen and get some new dishes. The kitchen is the last room to update since I’ve already completed the rest of the house. All of my furniture arrived and I bought some new end tables. I have framed a few pictures of the pricks as well as a few of Camaron and me and hung them on the walls. The apartment is now becoming a home and it looks great. The only downer is the kitchen but Camaron agreed and so now we’re at The Home Depot looking at color samples.

  “Babe, whatever color you like is fine. This is our apartment and if you want the kitchen to be pink, paint it pink.” I chuckle and shake my head at him.

  “I would never paint our kitchen pink, pink is not a kitchen color.” Camaron comes up behind me, places his chin on my shoulder and his arms around me, and looks at the samples that I have narrowed it down to.

  “I think we should paint it Sundance it reminds me of when we were younger and we played in the grass and looked up at the sun.” Wow, I love how he remembers the little things.

  “Yellow it is.” We head off to get the paint mixed and then check out.

  On our way home, we stop at Pier One and pick out our new dishes. They are gorgeous and actually have a similar yellow accent to the paint color—they fit perfectly. So while the dishwasher is cleaning the dishes, we’re preparing to paint the kitchen. I have everything covered and we start to primer the walls. As I reach up to get the corners, I see that Camaron is just staring at me with this look of intrigue on his face.

  “What are you looking at?” I could feel myself starting to blush.

  Damn, this man, he could make me blush over something so small. I probably have a freaking stain on my shirt and that’s what he is staring at and here I am turning red over a freaking stain. I shake my thoughts from my head and look at him for his reply.

  “Just looking at you, Sam, you really are such a great person, you know that right. I absolutely adore you.”

  I don’t know what to say to that; I want to scream, “Camaron, I love you, we belong together so just take me now, throw
me on your bed and fuck my brains out.” Yeah, you can tell that I’m completely sexually frustrated. I haven't had any attention, besides my vibrator, and that’s only when Camaron isn’t home or I am in the shower and I can hear the volume of the TV is on high.

  “Okay, slacker, pick up a brush and help me with our kitchen if you adore me so much.” He shakes his head and picks up his brush. We have two of the three walls primed and are about to start the third when his phone chirps. I see him from the corner of my eye he rubs his head, which means he is worried about something. A few moments after I see him respond, he comes up behind me and again puts his chin on my shoulder.

  “Babe, I have to head out—I forgot I said I would meet up with some of the guys.”

  My gut is telling me he is lying. If the guys were meeting up, I definitely would know of it but I don’t say anything.

  “No problem, Cam, I got the rest of this. Thank you for taking me and helping to pick out the colors.”

  He kisses my head and responds, “Anything for you, beautiful. You are my anchor, my constant.”

  He walks off toward the bathroom and I hear the water turn on, a half hour later he walks into the kitchen looking for his keys. Hot damn, he looks gorgeous in dark wash jeans and a tight black button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up his arms. He even has on his black doc martens and his black belt with the chain connected to his wallet in his back pocket. The back pocket that fits so snug against his perfect ass. There is no way he would dress up like this just to go and grab a beer with the guys, but we don’t have lies between us there is no reason he would lie.

  He comes up behind me and whispers in my ear, “I really want to hug you but you have paint all over you—makes you look adorable, by the way.”

  I turn around and stand on my tiptoes and kiss his cheek. “Have fun with the guys, babe, be safe.”

  I look up and see something change in his eyes for a split second I think I saw . . . guilt. He grabs his keys and heads out. I am still painting and jamming to “Girls Just Want to have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper and I hear a knock at the door. By the time I register it, the door is opening and Axel is walking through.