Emery got back from touring with the guys a couple of months ago, but we’ve both been so busy with work and everything, we haven’t had a chance to catch up until now. I already have the tattoo chair and all my stuff ready for when she walks into the room.
“Hey, hey!” She says with excitement as she walks through the door. I spin on my heels and scurry over to her, hugging the life out of my best friend.
“It’s so good to see you!” We hug for a few more minutes until we release each other. “How was the tour?”
She plops down in the chair. “It was amazing. The fans love the new album.” She smiles proudly, then her nose turns up. “I love watching those guys do what they love, but I hate the groupie bitches that wanna throw their dirty underwear at Dawson.” She shakes her head and shivers. “What’s been going on with you?” Emery changes the subject.
I get the stencil laid onto her thigh, have her look down, and she nods her approval. “Devon and I worked everything out. We’ve been dating for the last couple of months.” I dip the needle into the ink and hit my foot pedal.
“Oh, my God! Really?”
I laugh and nod at her enthusiasm. “Yeah. Zane loves having his dad in his life, and it’s the way it always should have been. He packed his stuff up at the clubhouse and moved in with us.”
“Aww, I’m so happy for you guys,” She gushes.
I smile while concentrating on the fine lines of her Rainbow Brite tattoo. “Thanks.”
“Did he give you answers for why he left?”
“Yeah, it had to do with his dad. It’s a long story, but let’s just say I know that he never forgot about me or stopped loving me. It’s sad really that we had to spend so many years apart, but I love getting to know him now. The man he is today instead of the boy he was then. It’s kind of like getting the best of both worlds. Ya’ know?”
“Makes sense. I mean Trax left on his own free will, so I don’t think I would’ve taken him back even if I hadn’t fallen in love with Dawson, but the way he is with Sicily, I know he’ll be great for someone else.”
My eyes meet hers before I dip the needle in more black ink. “It’s awesome how well you guys co-parent.”
“Yeah, we have to for her. I’d never want to keep her from her dad, and we never want to be ones that fought all the time. I just want us to get along for Sicily.”
Four hours later, Emery now has the brightly colored cartoon character tattooed on her leg. She goes to look in the mirror. “Daphne, it’s so cute and those colors!” She praises. There’s an array of bright colors popping off her leg. It almost looks like Rainbow Bright could walk right off her thigh.
Emery, Audrey, and I lock up my shop and head out together. We each go our separate ways. I get into my car, buckle up, and head for my apartment. Devon and Zane are at Connie’s house spending time with her. It makes me happy that she and Devon have really started to mend their relationship. Connie filed for divorce, but she’s still waiting for John to sign the papers. I don’t know if he’s holding off out of spite, hope, or just to be an asshole, but hopefully, he will sign them soon so she can truly be free from him.
Fifteen minutes later, I pull into the parking lot. I step out of the car and Brad runs over. Jesus, what does he want now? I haven’t seen the likes of him or heard from him since he broke out my shop window. “What the hell do you want?”
“How’ve you been?” He sticks his hands in his pockets and lowers his head. How is he going to act like nothing happened? Like he wasn’t the biggest twatnozzle on the face of the earth?
“I would have been a lot better if someone didn’t break my God damn shop window,” I huff and wish he would get to the point.
“Yeah, about that…” His eyes drift up to mine. “I’m sorry.”
I shake my head. Why does he think every time he does stupid shit, he can come to apologize and everything should be fine? I don’t even want his apology. I want nothing to do with his ass. “Listen, Devon gave you a warning, so you better get out of here before he gets home.”
“Home?” He cackles. “I wasn’t even allowed over here, but you moved that asshole in? What’s he got that I don’t?”
My eyes narrow and my face heats with anger. “A big dick for starters. Get out of here, Brad. There would’ve never been a competition between you two because you, and any other man, would have lost every single time when it comes to Devon.” I start to walk away, but he grabs my arm, pulls me back, and slams me into my car. I hear the rumble of a motorcycle and I’m hoping like hell it’s Devon. “Let me go!” I scream.
Brad leans in, his mouth tries to find mine, but I move just in time. His lips land sloppily on my cheek. He pulls back. “Oh, come on, Daphne. You never had a problem giving up your pussy before. Baby Daddy ain’t here now.” He ignores every word I said and pins me against the car while he tries to get his pants undone. I flail against his hold and suddenly he’s thrown off me.
Zane runs over. “Mom, are you okay?”
“Yeah, Z, I’m okay.” My eyes are fixated on Devon throwing punch after punch into Brad’s face. “Devon!” I yell trying to get his attention, but he ignores me. “Zane, get my keys and go inside.”
He listens without being told twice. I run over to Devon and scream, “Stop, Devon!” I’m afraid he’s going to kill Brad. Not for Brad’s sake, but for what it would do to Devon. Would it cause a setback?
Finally, he stops and stands, gaining his composure. His knuckles are bloody, as is Brad’s almost unrecognizable face. He lays unconscious. Devon’s chest lifts and falls, his breaths are labored as he looks down at the damage he has inflicted. I begin to carefully step closer, but the intensity in his stare stops me. “Let’s go inside,” He instructs and I have no qualms to disagree.
I walk him to the bathroom, have him sit on the toilet while I start to clean his bloody knuckles. I don’t bother calling the ambulance for Brad. Someone else can do it.
“Are you okay?” I ask while wiping his hand.
Devon pulls me in closer to where I’m standing between his legs. I wrap my arms around his shoulders. “If I wouldn’t have gotten here in time…” He trails off.
“Shh.” I hold him tighter. “You did and that’s all that matters.
Devon gazes up at me. “Are you okay? Did he hurt you?”
I shake my head. “No.” I finish cleaning his hands. “I need to check on Zane.”
Devon nods. “I’ll go with you.”
We walk out of the bathroom and to Zane’s bedroom door. I lightly knock, open it quietly, and look inside. He’s sitting on the side of his bed with his head down.
“Hey, Z.” I tread over to him and sit down next to him. “Are you okay?” Devon sits in front of us on the floor.
His tear-filled eyes look up at me. “Who was that?”
I sigh. I don’t want to lie to him, but I don’t want to give him full details. “He used to be my friend, but he did some bad things.”
“He was going to hurt you.” I reach over and wipe a tear that has trickled down his cheek.
“I know, but your dad saved me. I’m okay,” I try to reassure him.
Devon takes Zane’s hand in his. “I will always be here to keep you two safe.”
Zane’s eyes cut to Devon’s. “You promise?”
Devon nods and grins. “I promise.”
Sirens blare outside. I guess someone found Brad. We stay in Zane’s room until he falls asleep, and then we trek to our room, both of us are exhausted from the earlier events. We lazily undress, crawl under the covers, and Devon holds me close until I’m in a deep sleep.