Tattoos & Unicorns

by Kayla Carson

  He chuckled. “I'd be happy too.”

  I stood there for a minute, watching as he seemingly forgot all about me. Two seconds ago, he was complimenting my sunglasses, and now he was holding Morgan's purse while she tried clothes on. How did she do it? Every. Single. Time. It's not that I was interested in the man, quite the opposite actually. The point was that she had this way of sucking all of the attention out of a room, and absorbing it into herself.

  When she came out wearing a pink mini dress that barely covered her ass, the man whistled, and she giggled. I rolled my eyes.

  “I'm heading to the record store!” I called over to her. “It's just up the road a bit. I'll meet you back here when I'm finished.”

  “Are you sure?” She pouted.

  I took the sunglasses off, and gently set them on the table I'd grabbed them from.

  “Absolutely.” I waved, and before she could stop me, I left.

  I didn't bother getting into the truck. The fresh air would do me some good anyway. I walked past a chocolate shop, a diner, and two cell phone stores before finally reaching the record store. Speakertree Records was exactly what I was hoping for. When I stepped inside the smell of vinyl instantly filled my senses.

  There was a yellowed velvet couch in the center of the room, and a rug with a mandala design beneath it. In the front of the building was a small stage with a drum kit, guitar, bass, and a mic stand. My eyes lit up as I made my way towards the vast array of records. They were all displayed beautifully, and organized alphabetically, by genre. I ran my fingers over a few, and a smile formed on my lips of it's own accord. This was my happy place.

  “Can I help you find something?” An attractive looking man asked, as he approached me.

  “I'm just browsing.”

  “Who's your favorite?” He asked, the excitement in his eyes evident.

  “Bonnie Raitt.”

  “Luck of the draw or Streetlights?”

  “Streetlights.” I answered, with a smirk. “It isn't as well known, but that's what makes it so special. There are songs on that record that people may have never heard.”

  “Angel from Montgomery.”

  I shook my head. “See. That's the only well known song on the album.”

  “But it's not your favorite?” He asked, arching a brow.

  “Ain't nobody home.”

  “I have a feeling there's a story there.” He said arching a brow. “I'm Owen Foster, by the way.”

  “Veronica. Ronnie, Locke.” I corrected.

  I blushed, as I began to really take in his features. He had black hair, and it was styled almost effortlessly. His left eyebrow was pierced, as was the left side of his lip. He wore a pair of fitted jeans, and a black tee shirt with black, and white converse on his feet. The five O'clock shadow he was sporting made him look a little rough around the edges, but still approachable. I noticed that both of his arms were covered in tattoos as well. I tried to take a closer look at them, but when he cleared his throat I suddenly jumped back.

  “I'm sorry.” I said. “I uh. I was just admiring your tattoos.”

  He laughed. “Do you have any?”

  “Me?” I scoffed. “No. I've always wanted one, but I guess it just didn't fit in with my image.”

  “And what kind of image is that, Ronnie?”

  The way he said my name sent a shiver down my spine, and I had to literally shake it off.

  “I uh, I work in marketing.”

  He scratched the bottom of his chin with his thumb. “Huh, you don't seem the type.”

  I crossed my arms over my chest defensively. “What's that supposed to mean?”

  “Calm down, killer.” He teased. “It's just women like you, are like unicorns.”

  I shot my eyebrow up in question, and he held his hand up.

  “Just hear me out. When a beautiful woman walks into a record store, and actually knows what she's talking about it's rare enough. But when that woman has the brains to back up her beauty... unicorn.”

  I laughed then, and another man came around the corner to greet us.

  “Can I help you two find anything?” He asked, expectantly.

  “Oh, I've already been helped. Thank you.” I answered, and Owen bit back a smirk.

  It was then that I realized, that Owen didn't work here. I could feel the flush on my face, as the embarrassment washed over me. He couldn't hold back his laughter anymore, and soon I was laughing right along with him.

  “I honestly thought you worked here.” I said, swatting his arm playfully.

  He shrugged. “It worked, didn't it?”

  “What exactly?”

  “I got you to talk to me. What are the chances of getting your number?”

  I had no idea how to react. Things like this didn't happen to me. Besides, I was only in Virginia for a week. What was I going to do? Lead him on, and then disappear?

  “Have I pushed my luck?” He asked, when I wasn't answering.

  “No. It's just... I'm not from around here. I'm only visiting, and I-”

  “Relax, Ronnie. It's only a date. One date.”

  I thought about it for a second. He had a point. And why shouldn't I go out and have some fun? Lord knows that Morgan was probably bringing her new sexy stranger back to her hotel room tonight. There was nothing wrong with making new friends, and besides Owen and I had a lot in common. What's the worst that could happen?

  “OK.” I answered, pulling my phone from my bag. “Let's exchange numbers.”

  WHEN I FOUND MY WAY back to Gladiola Girls, Morgan was still shamelessly flirting. I entered the store, and the bell above the door rung announcing my entrance. I spotted the glasses I'd tried on earlier, and picked them up before bringing them to the register.

  “There you are!” Morgan said. “How was it?”

  “Better than I expected.” I said, as I pulled my wallet out to pay for the sunglasses.

  “Why do I feel like you're being vague? What am I missing?”

  I put the sunglasses on, before turning to face her. “I met someone.”

  “What? How? I want all the details!”

  The man laughed beside her, and she brought her palm to her forehead.

  “I'm sorry! Ronnie, this is Alex. Alex... Ronnie. Oh, I know! We should have a double date. What do you say, Alex?”

  “I'm in.” He winked.

  “Ronnie?”

  “I uh- I guess I can talk to-”

  “Perfect! It's settled then. Alex, I'll text you the details later tonight.”

  “Sounds good, Sugar.” He said, leaning down to kiss Morgan's cheek. “Nice to meet you, Ronnie.”

  I nodded slightly, and then he was on his way. Morgan had a pile of clothing in her arms, and as carefully as she could she brought her haul towards the register.

  “I can't believe we both have dates tonight!” She gushed, as the cashier began to ring up her purchases.

  “Do you ever feel bad?” I asked, moving my sunglasses to the top of my head.

  “For what?”

  “Leading them on? Letting them think that there's more?”

  She laughed. “Honey, men have been using women for sex since the dawn of time. It's about time we take back our own sexual needs. Why is it OK for a man to offer up a one night stand, but when a woman does it she's a whore?”

  “That's a valid question.”

  “Your total comes to four hundred twenty six dollars, and forty seven cents.” The cashier said, effectively stopping our conversation.

  I watched as Morgan pulled out the black card once again, and swiped it on the key pad. I'd never know what it was like to be able to buy things without thinking about the price. She probably didn't even look at the tags. It reminded me of an Ariana Grande song.

  I helped carry her bags out to the truck, and then we climbed inside. We spent most of the day here, and since we had plans to go out tonight we decided to head back to the hotel. I made a mental note to myself not to drink tonight. Especially if Morgan wound u
p bringing the party back to the hotel. I know that I'm technically single now, but that didn't mean I was ready to jump into bed with anyone.

  Walking back into the air conditioned hotel after being out in the heat all afternoon felt like heaven. I heard the water turn on in Morgan's bathroom, and assumed she'd already started getting ready for her date. Her pre-date ritual was drastically different than mine. While she checked to make sure everything was shaved, and plucked, the only thing I worried about was my breath smelling.

  Don't get me wrong, I'm not Chewbaca or anything. I just prefer to spend less time worrying about what to wear, and more time with my actual date. I packed a few different options as far as clothing went, but most of my wardrobe was on it's way to New York. I pulled three dresses from my bag. One was the classic LBD. Every girl needed one, even me. It had thin spaghetti straps, and hit just above my knee with slits on either side.

  The other two were a little more casual. The navy dress had buttons down the front, with a belt that tied at the waist. I'd worn it a few times for client meetings, but if I left more buttons undone I could easily make it work for tonight. My last choice was a floral print maxi dress. With the heat, and no idea where we'd be going tonight I was leaning more towards the LBD.

  My phone pinged then, and I quickly picked it up off the bed to check the message. It was from Owen.

  O: What time should I pick you up?

  R: About that...

  O: Don't tell me you've changed your mind?

  R: No. It's just my friend was hoping to join us.

  O: Three's a crowd, Ronnie.

  R: She has a date too...

  O: In that case, the more the merrier ;)

  R: Thank you. I'm sorry.

  O: No need to apologize, Unicorn.

  I blushed. Did he really just call me Unicorn? Again? I smiled while reading the word across my screen, but then I went to a dark place. What happens when he meets Morgan? Will he forget all about me? Will it be a repeat from the club back in Raleigh? Or will he walk right past me like Morgan's new guy did today? Suddenly the thought of this double date was making me feel anything but excited.

  O: Ronnie? He sent, when I didn't reply.

  R: Send me the address, we'll meet you there.

  O: 610 Commerce Street.

  R: 7:00?

  O: See you then.

  Going with my gut, I chose the black dress. I found my favorite pair of sensible black pumps to go with it, and then I got to work on my hair. It was always a wavy mess, and since I've had it up all day there was no taming it. I used the spray bottle I'd packed, wetting it down completely before adding four different products to fight the inevitable frizz.

  After thirty minutes of combing, and scrunching I was finally happy with the end result. Until Morgan came sauntering through our shared door looking like Heidi freaking Klum. Her dress was red, and form fitting with a v neck that left nothing to the imagination. She wore a pair of red strappy heels, and matching lipstick with a sparkling gloss on top. Her hair was straightened, and it looked like her eyelashes had grown an entire inch.

  When I saw my own reflection beside hers in the bathroom mirror I already knew how this night was going to end. Just like all the others had. With her bringing some man back to her room, and me spending the night with two of my favorite men... Ben, and Jerry.

  SIX

  I THOUGHT ABOUT DRIVING to the address Owen had sent me, but quickly thought better of it. If I was going to survive this night, then I was going to need to drink. And, if I was drinking I sure as hell wasn't driving. I called for an Uber, and when our driver arrived Morgan and I made our way out to the front entrance of the hotel.

  We both climbed into the backseat of a black sedan, and I gave the driver the address. Owen didn't tell me where we were meeting, but I didn't want to ruin the surprise by googling it. I was all about living in the moment now, or at least I was trying too. The driver informed us that it was only about a twenty minute drive, and Morgan asked him if he'd pick us up as well.

  Thanks to her promise of a hefty tip, and double his usual rate he agreed, and gave her his personal cell number. It seemed that money really did buy everything. Morgan scrolled through her social media, and took selfies along the way, while I wrung my hands together. To say that I was nervous would be an understatement.

  I hadn't been on an actual date since high school. Derek, and I went out to eat on occasion, but I couldn't tell you the last time I dressed up for a man. Our relationship grew into a kind of easy comfort. The more that I thought about it, the more I realized that we'd been living our lives as friends more than anything else.

  We lived together, ate meals together, and shared small talk but it began to feel more like he was my room mate than my lover. Maybe that's why I did what I did that night. I wouldn't normally strip off all of my clothes and try to seduce him. I would have laid down beside him, and waited for him to initiate things. It wasn't that I didn't enjoy having sex with him, I just didn't seek it out either.

  I pulled my phone from my small clutch checking the time. It was nearly seven, and I hoped that we'd make it on time. I turned to look out the window then, watching the buildings blur by in an attempt to distract myself from the negative thoughts swirling in my mind.

  “What's wrong?” Morgan asked.

  “Nothing.” I said, giving her a small smile.

  “Ronnie.” She pressed.

  “I'm nervous.” I admitted.

  “You must really like this guy.” She said, nudging my arm with her elbow.

  “He's... different.”

  “Different how?”

  I laughed. “For starters he is nothing like Derek. He has the darkest hair, and the deepest green eyes I have ever seen. And his arms-”

  “Is he ripped?” She asked excitedly.

  “No.” I laughed. “I mean, he has a nice build... but his arms are completely covered in tattoos.”

  Morgan clapped her hands excitedly. “Oooh a bad boy!”

  “He's not though.” I said, rolling my eyes. “He was funny, and actually kind of sweet.”

  She shook her head. “Of course he was, he's trying to get in your pants.”

  “It wasn't like that.” I said, suddenly feeling defensive.

  “I'm not judging.” She said, putting her hands up. “I just have a little more experience when it comes to this sort of thing. Men are pigs, Ronnie. Even Derek couldn't keep it in his pants, and he was damn near perfect.”

  I had to fight back the tears. I could feel the moisture behind my eyes, and it took every bit of strength that I had to keep them at bay. Her words hurt. The last thing that I needed right now was to be reminded of Derek's betrayal. I was beating myself up enough already, and all I was hoping for from this trip was a little support.

  “We're here.” The driver said, when he pulled into a fairly crowded parking lot.

  “Jimmy's on the James?” Morgan asked, crinkling her nose.

  “You mean you didn't come across it while you were playing trip planner?” I asked, with a little more snark than I intended.

  “I only looked for places that we'd enjoy Ronnie, and from the looks of this place... it won't be very enjoyable.”

  I sighed, before reaching for my door handle, and climbing out of the car. I carefully adjusted my dress, making sure that my backside was covered. I fixed my cleavage, and gave my hair a little fluff before securing the small chain on my clutch so that I could wear it as a cross body. Morgan got out a few seconds later, and after handing our driver her card, she slipped him some cash as well.

  As the car pulled away, the two of us started towards the entrance. That's when I spotted him. Owen was wearing a pair of black skinny jeans much like the ones he'd worn earlier. His shirt was an olive green button down with a collar, and the top two buttons were left undone revealing bits, and pieces of more tattoos. He smiled when he spotted us, and I waved shyly.

  “Is that him?” Morgan whispered as we got closer to where h
e stood.

  “Yes.” I whispered back.

  “Can we trade?” She joked.

  “Unicorn.” Owen said reaching for my hand, and bringing it to his lips before turning towards Morgan. “Unicorn's friend.”

  I giggled. “Owen, this is Morgan. Morgan... Owen.”

  Morgan bit her bottom lip, before extending her hand towards his. “The pleasure is all mine.” She practically purred.

  I felt sick. My stomach was literally twisting into knots. I watched as her hand lingered a bit too long, and she giggled when he pulled away. I was on auto pilot as the two of them spoke. I may have been standing beside him, but she was batting her lashes, and twirling her hair. Her attention was solely on Owen, and I found myself scanning the parking lot for her sexy stranger.

  “Ronnie?” Owen asked, bringing my attention back to where it should have been all along. “Are you ready to go inside?”

  “Sure.” I smiled politely, as he placed his hand on the small of my back.

  This didn't mean anything. Once we got inside he'd probably take Morgan out onto the dance floor, and forget all about me. He'd wind up making out with her, and she'd convince him to come back to the hotel, and there would be nothing I could do about it.

  Owen found us a table for four near the back of the room, and pulled our chairs out for us. Morgan sat across from me, and he was in between us.

  “Maybe you should sit beside me, Morgan?” I suggested, looking around the room. “You can see the band better from over here.”

  “I like the view just fine from here.” She winked.

  “I'm gonna go grab a drink.” I said, as I made to stand.

  “I'll get it for you.” Owen said. “What's your poison?”

  “She's a wine girl.” Morgan chimed in. “But don't let her drink too much, it goes straight to her head.”

  Ignoring her, he placed his hand over mine. “This place has speakeasy cocktails.”

  “Bee's Knees?”

  He nodded. “Mary Pickford, Gin Rickey, Sidecar-”

  “Yes!” I said, interrupting him excitedly.

  “A sidecar it is.”

  Just as he was about to stand, Morgan's sexy stranger found our little group and sat down beside her at the table. He leaned over to press a kiss to her cheek and she smiled, before pushing him away.