Building Faith (Long Beach Series Book 2)

by Dani Matthews

  “I want to cover my scars,” I tell Ben as I put the phone back to my ear.

  “With tattoos? Faith...” He sighs audibly into the phone, and I can imagine him rubbing his face with frustration.

  I love the design on my back, and I am not going to start doubting it. It feels good to be putting my own happiness before anyone else's for once. “Yes, with tattoos,” I say firmly. “The tattooist knows what he's doing, and I absolutely love it. Ben, I don't want to hide my back forever with shirts. I want to be able to wear a racer back tank or even a halter top. I want to control what I wear, not the other way around and allow the scars to control me.”

  “When you put it like that, I guess I can understand.”

  “I swear, it's beautiful, Ben. He's not even finished, and I love it already.”

  “As long as you're happy, that's all I care about,” he says with resignation. “Do Mom and Dad know?”

  “Not yet.” I quickly step out of the way as a girl on a bicycle flies down the sidewalk towards me. “I'll tell them eventually, but I think it can wait a while. How's Della and the baby?” I ask, switching the topic as I resume walking.

  “Della's having a hard time sleeping at night. She's actually begun to sleep while sitting up in bed, because she's so uncomfortable lying down.”

  “Aw. Other than that, is she doing okay?”

  “Yeah, the pregnancy is coming along just as it should. The baby's very active, which is a great sign. Oh, and it hiccups all the time. It's amazing,” Ben says with pride in his voice.

  I smile as I think of my big brother becoming a daddy. He'll be great, and I can't wait to see my little niece or nephew. “Have you guys picked out any names yet?”

  Ben makes a sound that tells me he and Della are still arguing over names. Last I knew, they both couldn't agree on a single one. “We're working on it,” he grumbles.

  “You guys better hurry up and pick something. He or she will be there before you know it,” I warn.

  “Don't we know it. Della's pushing for me to get the nursery finished up. I swear, she finds a way to nag me several times throughout the day.”

  “Number one, she's pregnant, and her hormones are out of whack. Number two, she's only got a few months to go until the baby is due. Time will go fast, and Della will kick your butt if it's not ready in time,” I say knowingly.

  “It'll be done, I'll make sure of it. I just have a lot going on at school, and I swear some of my students are sleeping during class. Don't they know their GPA and knowledge will get them farther in this world than skipping class and partying?”

  I burst out laughing. “Seriously, Ben? I remember you skipping class plenty of times. And what about that party you had while mom and dad were out of town your senior year. I don't think mom has ever forgiven you for Great Grandma Inez's tea set getting broken that night. Didn't she ground you for an entire month?”

  “How was I supposed to know that someone would set off firecrackers inside and that it would cause mass panic,” he says dryly, then he laughs. “God, I feel old remembering those days. Now I'm a high school teacher. Go figure.”

  I'm disappointed when I reach the café, and I slip inside causing the bell above the door to jingle with my arrival. It's not too busy, and I see Bruce, the man that owns the café, is in today. 'Hey, Ben. I just got to work, and I have to go,” I tell him, trying to hide my disappointment.

  “Okay. Check in at the end of the week,” he insists.

  “I will. Love you.”

  “Love you too, Kiddo.”

  I disconnect the call and quickly pocket my phone. It's time to get to work. I need to be able to make up the difference that I took out of my parents’ money for my tattoos.

  * * *

  On Thursday, I take the city bus downtown to the tattoo shop. I have an appointment with Logan at eight, and I'm excited about it. He should be able to finish up the rest of the design tonight, and I can't wait to show it off to Zoey the next time I see her.

  As I hop off the bus, my thoughts shift to Ace as I walk down the block. I haven't seen him since last weekend. I know that during the week everyone's busy since they all have classes at the university, so I try not to be too disappointed. Maybe I'll see him this weekend. I'd like to tell him that I'd gotten some tattoos—which is one more thing that can get marked off my bucket list. I'd also moved it. It's now taped to my closet door in my bedroom.

  All thoughts of Ace fade as I enter the tattoo shop. I'm more confident than I was last time around. I spy Logan up front behind the counter, and when he sees me, he crooks his finger and motions me to follow him into the back.

  “Any issues with the tats?” he asks as we enter the private room that is his.

  “No. They kind of itch slightly.”

  “Don't scratch them or pull on the scabs. They'll fall off when they're ready to.” He scans his equipment and nods before turning his attention to me. “I'm ready to go. I'll be back in five.”

  When he leaves, I carefully slide off my shirt and bra. I use the towel to shield my breasts from the cool vinyl of the reclined chair and lie down as I wait for Logan to come back. When he knocks, I tell him I'm ready.

  This time I keep my head turned so I can watch him. He settles in his chair and studies my back. He reaches out and runs the pad of his finger over my bare skin. “They're healing nicely.”

  I try to hide my shiver at the feel of his touch. Logan is hot, and it's kind of exciting to have someone like him working on me. “I know it's not done yet, but I love it already,” I tell him.

  His brown eyes connect with mine, and he smiles. Then, he turns and pulls on rubber gloves. “Ready?”

  “Yes.”

  For a while, the only sound in the room is a low buzz as Logan works on filling in the tattoos with color. It hurts, but like last time, I grow accustomed to the pain to the point where it's simply annoying rather than painful. I'm much more aware of Logan's warm hand pressed flat on my back while he works.

  My eyes drift shut, and I relax. It's amazing how much has changed in such a short amount of time. I realize now that I needed to leave Harrison. There were just too many memories torturing me wherever I went. I'm also aware that I have no urge to go back unless it's for a visit. I'm beginning to fall in love with Long Beach, and I think I'm here to stay. What pleases me the most is that I am growing and evolving as a person. I'm growing more confident as the days pass, and I'm making decisions without hesitating. It helps that Zoey's in my life. She pushes me to be upfront with her, and I like that. I'm comfortable now telling her what I like and what I don't like.

  I can thank Ace for getting me to this point, though. His suggestion of the bucket list has really helped. I've begun to add to the list, even if it's small or minor stuff, like getting up and singing karaoke the next time I go out with Caleb and Zoey. I want to live life and have fun. Caleb and his friends have really opened up my eyes to what life is all about.

  “Faith?”

  “Hmm?” I ask as Logan continues working on my back, occasionally wiping off access ink from the tattoo he's working on.

  “Are you busy tomorrow night?”

  At first, I think I didn't hear him correctly. “I'm sorry, what did you say?” I ask, opening my eyes.

  Logan stops what he's doing and cranes his neck, peering at me so he can see my face. He's smiling slightly. “I asked if you're busy tomorrow night.”

  I stare at him with a hint of disbelief. “Are you asking me out on a date?”

  “Yes, I am.”

  “Me?”

  His grin widens. “Yes, you.”

  I stare at him mutely for a second, my thoughts racing. I can't believe Logan wants to take me out. Suddenly it clicks, and I eye him warily. “Did Zoey put you up to this?”

  Genuine puzzlement flashes across his face. “Zoey? What does she have to do with me wanting to spend time with you?”

  Oh my. He's serious. I bite my lip and wonder if he thinks I'm going to hop in bed with
him. Zoey told me he only does casual. “I'm not going to have sex with you!” I blurt.

  Logan stares at me, and I watch as his lip lifts up in the corner. “Well, I am extremely disappointed to hear that, but I figure you're worth spending time with—even if it won't end with you in my bed. So, what'll it be?”

  “Okay.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Ace

  As I dry myself off in the bathroom, I can hear voices coming from the living room. The whole gang is going out tonight except for Caleb—who has to work at the crisis center. Hopefully, Faith is out there. I haven't seen her all week thanks to classes and my clinical training at Long Beach City College. Everyone in my field has to put their time in with football, and since Long Beach State doesn't have a football team, I have to put in my hours at a different college. When I'm not in classes, I'm usually at training. Sometimes I don't get back until seven in the evening, and if I don't have a lot of school work, I hit the gym or go to bed early. It's a real bitch attending evening practices and sometimes early morning practice, but it won't be like this forever.

  I wrap the towel around my hips and exit the bathroom, heading straight to my bedroom. I shut the door and quickly begin to yank on some clothes. After I'm dressed, I run my hands through my short hair, spiking it up slightly. I slip on shoes, grab my wallet and amble out of the room.

  Everyone has congregated in the living room, and I see that Jeremy and Dillon have already started in on some beer. I scan the crowded room and see Nina sitting on AJ's lap, Bev is sprawled in the recliner, and Zoey is sitting cross-legged on the floor text messaging on her phone. Jake and Charlie are focused on playing video games on the big, flat-screen TV on the wall. Where's Faith?

  “Who are you looking for?” Bev asks with interest when she notices me scanning the room.

  “No one. We leaving or what?” I ask, not wanting to ask where Faith is tonight. Caleb grudgingly agreed he'd lay off me and let me continue my friendship with Faith. The last thing I need to do is make a big deal about her not being here.

  Everyone quits what they are doing and begins standing up. Zoey glances up from her phone. “Can I ride with you?”

  “Yeah.”

  We all exit the apartment and head down to the parking lot. I see Jeremy hitching a ride with AJ and Nina, and I'm relieved. That one's been doing a lot of hard-core drinking this past year. I'd like to see him slow down, but it's not my place to push. All I can do is watch out for his ass and make sure he doesn't get himself in trouble.

  Zoey's in high heels and a short skirt tonight, and I take time out to help lift her up in the Hummer before rounding the vehicle to climb in the driver's side. As I pull out of the parking lot, I turn on some music.

  “You're kind of quiet tonight,” Zoey comments as she peers at me.

  I shrug. “It's been a long week.”

  “Yeah, I got shit to do this weekend for some of my classes.”

  “Me too.” I turn on the left turn signal and merge into the other lane. “I thought Faith only worked until nine. She meeting us there?” I mentally curse myself for bringing up Faith when I'd warned myself not to.

  “She has a date tonight,” Zoey says in a triumphant sing-song voice.

  My head swings around, and I stare at her. “She does?”

  “Watch the road,” she orders, her expression deadly serious. “I've been in one accident in the past year, let's not make it two.”

  I quickly turn my attention to the road. She's overreacting since I stared at her for a millisecond, but I don't tell her that. She'd been in a bad accident last year when some asshole ran a red-light. She totaled her car and ended up in the hospital for a few days. It was the worst fucking day of my life sitting in the waiting room with Caleb and the others, praying that she'd be okay.

  Zoey and I have the kind of connection that will never be severed. I got to know her while she was still spiraling out of control, completely broken from her brother's death. She found her way out of her depression thanks to Caleb, but I can relate to what she's gone through. When bad shit happens, it's hard to get over. I have my days as well, and we'd both recognized a little of that in one another when we'd first met.

  “Who's she out with?” I ask calmly as I battle my emotions. I'm annoyed she's out with someone else. She should be out with us tonight, not out with some douche bag.

  “Logan asked her out.”

  “Logan from Red Gannon's?” I ask through gritted teeth as my hands tighten on the steering wheel.

  “Yeah.”

  “How the fuck did she meet him?” I turn my head and glance at her briefly before my attention shifts back to the road. I glance in my rearview mirror and see Jake's riding my tail. I'm going to beat the motherfucker's ass if he don't cut that shit out. I don't need him rear-ending me while I've got Zoey in the car. She's ridiculously skittish when she's not the one driving.

  “Faith got some tattoos to cover her scars. I was with and signed her up for Logan to do them. She told me today that he asked her out during her last appointment,” Zoey says as she frowns at her side mirror.

  Jake becomes non-existent to me as I focus on the conversation we're having. First off, I wonder what Faith had done, cuz I got a thing for tats. Love them on women. Second, why the hell did Zoey introduce Faith to someone like Logan? He thinks with his dick. I should know, I've partied with him and his friends before. He's always got pussy-in-waiting. He'll have Faith out of her clothes before she even realizes it.

  “You know he's only after a good fuck, right?” I ask tightly as I slow down and come to a stop at a set of traffic lights.

  “So is she,” Zoey muses.

  I look at her sharply. “She tell you that?”

  “It's on her bucket list. Remember? She said she made it while she was with you,” she points out.

  Shit, I forgot about that. I just can't imagine Faith screwing someone she doesn't know. She's not the type. Then again, if she put it on the list, she's clearly wanting to experience what she's been missing. Jealousy has my gut tightening as I think of her experiencing her first orgasm with Logan. He'd do right by her, I know he would. Logan's always balls deep in pussy for a reason, and it's because he knows what he's doing. But damn, I could make her come in so many fucking ways and positions. I could make it real good for her, I know I could.

  I fight back a curse and clench my jaw as I wait for the light to change. Great. I'm jealous. I feel it in my bones, and it pisses me off.

  This kind of jealousy is new to me and definitely unwanted. If this is even part of what Jeremy feels over Zoey being with Caleb, I can see why he's drowning himself in liquor and pussy. Hell, he's had Zoey a number of times, because they'd had a 'friends with benefits' thing going before she met Caleb. I can't imagine how he feels to have fallen so hard for her only to have her snatched away in the blink of an eye.

  I have a feeling that if I ever got my dick in Faith, I wouldn't be walking away like I usually do after sex. She's already got me thinking of her more than I should be. To actually taste her, to experience her delectable little body—I'd want more. I know I would.

  How the fuck did I end up in this predicament? I should be backing the hell off where she's concerned, but I know I won't.

  One tiny, little slip of a woman has literally got me by the balls.

  What. The. Fuck.

  Chapter Twelve

  Faith

  I figure it's high time to do some laundry when I realize I'm nearly out of clean panties. As I begin to gather all my dirty laundry in a basket, I let my mind wander back to last night. I'd gone out with Logan, and I'd actually had a good time. He'd taken me out to eat and then to a club. I'd been a little uncomfortable, but Logan's the type of guy that's good at getting you to relax. I danced with him a couple times, and we talked about random stuff but nothing too deep. When he brought me home, I let him kiss me at my door, and I'd enjoyed it. He's a good kisser, and I could tell that he'd been hoping for more.

 
My brows furrow as I grab the basket and detour to the bathroom to grab detergent before leaving the apartment. Logan's sexy, and I could have easily had sex last night, no-strings-attached. It just hadn't felt right to take things further, so I'd said goodnight at the door. He didn't ask for my number or for another date, so I'm assuming we won't be going out again. I'm okay with that. It was fun, but I know he's not relationship material, and eventually I'll probably want to try one again. That is if I can find a guy that I trust.

  I make my way down to the basement where the washing machines are located, and I'm pleasantly surprised to find Ace down there. The large room is empty but for him, looking bored to death while sitting on one of the hard, plastic chairs that are lining a wall.

  He looks up and spies me, his lips immediately curving in a welcoming smile. “Angel.”

  His smile makes my heart thud faster, and I return it. “Hi.” Not wanting to seem overly excited to see him, I turn and focus on putting my clothes in the nearest washing machine and getting them started. When I'm finished, I walk over and sit down near him. “How's it going?”

  “Better now that you're here,” he says easily.

  “I haven't seen you around much.” I fight back a blush at how forward that sounded. Ace makes me nervous sometimes but in a good way.

  He shifts in the chair, broad shoulders shrugging. “Between classes and my clinical training, my schedule's pretty tight during the week.”