9. Ash

NINE

"Ash," Indy groans as she and I walk toward the back of the shop.

"You are dead to me, Indiana." I snap, my mood as dark as the gloomy-looking skies above. How dare she? How dare Indy do this to me?

"You're such a massive baby!" She stomps while shoving past me. "I was still drunk!"

"It's bad enough that you had Janie force me to let you work here, but then I find out you told Mom that Sunday was my girlfriend. MY GIRLFRIEND?" Indy gives me her sweetest smile, both her dimples popping, but it has no effect. Dead. She is dead.

"Listen, Mom was crying because she's afraid you were lying about the girlfriend thing and were going to bring a one-night stand or sit there alone. Plus, Shannon is coming, and she didn't want it to be a big thing!" I shift uncomfortably at the mention of Shannon. It had been mentioned that since she was dating my cousin, she would be attending the wedding. I had hoped that she would get hit by a bus or a pack of wild hyenas would rip her apart before the wedding, but no such luck. "Mom doesn't deserve to be sad on her wedding day! Come on, just ask Sunday to go." She opens the shop door, and we walk into the back room of Hel's Ink.

"Yeah, Indiana, as we have been over before, there is one problem with your genius plan. Sunday hates me." Indy rolls her eyes as she walks down the hall and into the tattoo area.

"She doesn't hate you, and this might be a good way to make up for that shit you did. Nice wedding, good food, oh! You could take her and Wade on the flyboard! You know mom's expecting you to do that after rehearsal anyway." I groan before flopping into my chair.

"I'd rather hire an escort."

"Hi, Derek!" Indy sings as Derek walks in. It must startle him because he jumps, dropping his keys.

"Umm… H-hey," he mutters, bending to pick up his keys.

Indy walks right up to the nervous man and stares up into his eyes, her face going serious. "Wow," she breathes while Derek tries to move away.

"Huh?" Wow, Virginia, what an intelligent response. My traitorous sibling giggles, and a flush creeps into Derek's cheeks.

"You have the prettiest eyes I've ever seen before! They're so rich and warm, like being embraced by the warmth of a fireplace on a cold evening." She sighs dreamily.

"I, um, I need to be somewhere else," Derek mutters while turning and walking out of the tattoo area, running into the wall on his way out.

"Stop flirting with Virginia." I scowl at my sister as she stares at Derek's retreating form. "He's not used to that kind of interaction. He might assume you mean to poison him, and then he'll try to murder you." She is unmoved by my words as she keeps looking at where Derek had been.

"I really wish I could, but Ash, the man has an ass on him–"

"Stop!" I interrupt, holding up my hand. "Just stop."

"Who has an ass?" Janie asks as she and Fox walk in.

"No one!" I yell.

"Derek." Indy beams, no shame whatsoever.

"Oh, I know, right?" Janie gushes as she hands Indy a coffee. "That man can fill out a pair of jeans."

Fox clears his throat. "I am right fucking here." Janie whips her head around and looks up at her fiancé.

"You're right. Fox, do you have an opinion on Derek's ass and his ability to fill out a pair of jeans?" Janie blinks, waiting for his response.

"Why are you the way you are?" he growls, causing Janie to giggle and turn her attention back to Indy.

"So, a thing for Derek, huh? Good! The poor guy needs a cute girl in his corner." Janie grins, and I slam my head on my table.

"OUT! The both of you!" I shout, not lifting my head as I listen to them giggle and walk into the back where the piercing area is.

I hear the door open and shut, and then I feel strong, manly arms wrapping around me. "What's wrong, puddin'?" Atlas' voice coos in my ear. I groan, not in the mood for his shit today.

"My sister told my mom Sunday is my girlfriend, so I'm expected to bring her to the wedding. And I'm pretty sure Indy wants to have sex with Derek." Atlas squeezes me tighter and kisses my cheek.

"Want to take me instead? We can make them all jealous of our love."

I snort and shove him off me. "Get away, you weirdo."

Fox shakes his head and then takes off his shirt. "Woah," I hold my hands up. "I don't know what's happening, but I do notconsent."

Fox throws his shirt at my face. "At is tattooing me, you dumbass. But, if you would like to discuss whatever that show you two just put on was, we can definitely do that."

"It's love, Fox. A deep, mystical love that you could never understand." Atlas looks the bearded man up and down and gives him a wink. "Unless you wanna understand."

Fox flips Atlas off before hopping onto the station. "Just shut up and tattoo me. I have an appointment at three, and if I have to hear Torch bitch that you have a tattoo for Ren and I have nothing for her, I'm gonna tattoo a dick on her big ass forehead."

The chimefor the front door rings, and I stand up from the sketch table to greet the customer. I'm momentarily stunned when it's Sunday and not my client. She looks beautiful in her off-the-shoulder, light orange top and ripped skinny jeans. Her long silver hair is in a loose side braid, with strands falling out around her face.

She stares up at me, eyes wide. "Thank god," she whispers and crashes into me. I stand still, in complete shock, as her body melts against mine, her long arms wrapping around my chest.

"Sun–"

"Help me," she whispers, and I notice her body shaking. "Please, he's coming. I'm so sorry. Please just play along. I will owe you."

I'm about to question her when I hear the door chime again, and instantly, her lips are on mine. My eyes widen, and my heart might shoot out of my chest. I have to stifle a moan and close my eyes as her tongue slips past my lips. Fucking great, all the blood's going straight to my cock.

I slide my hand to the back of her neck and deepen this kiss, caressing her sweet tongue with mine, and I feel her knees buckle. My rage rises to the surface when I hear a man clear his throat, and Sunday breaks the kiss. Glancing over, I eye him. He's a little shorter than me, with short dark hair, a long dark beard, and a decent build.

"Sunday." He snaps, and I don't like how her name comes out of his mouth as if he owns it. "We need to talk. Now."

"Josh, I have nothing to say to you. Stop harassing me. We're done." So, this is Josh? He looks familiar, but I can't remember where I've seen him.

I feel Sunday's hand shaking as it grips my shirt at my waist. Glancing down at her, I see the fear she's trying to mask, and my blood heats. This man has hurt her, once that I know of for sure, but I guarantee there's been more than just one time.

"Sunday–"

"Hey!" I bark at him while wrapping my arm protectively around Sunday's waist, tucking her behind me. "My girl told you politely to leave her alone. I'm not going to be as nice when I tell you to fuck off." I warn through gritted teeth. Josh stares at me for a long minute before giving Sunday one last look.

"I'll talk to you later," he promises and gives us both a glare before stomping out. I may not know where she and I stand friends-wise, but I know for certain that he isn't getting close to her as long as I'm around. Sunday and I stand silently for a moment after he leaves before she takes a deep breath and pulls back.

"I'm so sorry." Sunday gives me an uneasy smile as her cheeks pinken. It's fucking adorable, and it's making me want to kiss them.

Kiss them? Goddamn it, Ash, this is against the fucking rules. Though what I just did to her tongue is most definitely against all the rules.

But she initiated it…

"Hey," I give her a suggestive smirk. "My mouth is available to you, any time." I wink and laugh. Her mouth drops, and she slaps me in the chest.

"Pig," she grumbles before walking away.

"You liked it!" I call to her retreating figure as she heads toward the piercing area.

"You have no proof of that!" she scoffs out.

I give her a casual shrug. "Your tongue down my throat would suggest otherwise, sunshine." Fox, Derek, and Atlas all look up and stare from me to her.

She raises a brow and laughs. "Don't flatter yourself, charming. Had Derek been the one out there, my tongue would've been down his throat."

"Does consent mean nothing anymore?" Derek mutters while shaking his head.

"Oh, yeah?" I huff out, slightly indigent. "Well, I"d like to see Derek make your knees buckle. That's right, I felt them! You swooned."

"Can Derek not be part of this discussion?" Derek sighs and looks at Atlas, who's trying to hide his laughter.

Sunday's eyes narrow. "I was tired from the running, and you wouldn't know how to make a girl swoon if your life depended on it."

"Oh!" I let out a laugh. "I'll have you know I'm the swoon master!" I yell. "They have webinars held to teach my swooning practices!" Swooning practices? I shake my head at my idiotic outburst before turning to look at the three men. They all simultaneously burst out laughing at me. Goddamn it, how is it that she always finds a way to make me look like an idiot?

"Hey, Ash," Atlas says between laughs. "So, can I find your practices on YouTube? I mean, maybe I need to brush up for Ren." I give my best friend the finger before plopping down on the chair at my station. This is going to be a long day.

Standingin front of my dresser, I rub my stiff neck and look at myself in the mirror hanging behind it while I pump lotion into my hand and massage it into my inked skin. Proper long-term tattoo care is something I'm a stickler about. Keeping them out of the sun, moisturized and protected, is important to me, mainly because my tattoos would be impossible to get again. I trained with some of the best Traditional Japanese artists. And some of my tattoos were done by artists that have sadly passed away. One is the two koi on my shoulder blade that a master Tebori artist did. Tebori is a method of hand tattooing that uses a bamboo tool and a metal needle. It's a long, intimate process, and I learned a lot during that session, as I have with all my tattoos. So, I take care of them.

After lotion and deodorant, I put on some cologne before removing my towel and slipping on my boxer briefs. I glance at my phone on the dresser and see I have a couple of notifications from the hook-up app for possible matches. I planned on hitting the club scene tonight, but a hook-up might be better. I'm not really into picking out the sober girl in the club. I'm also really tired. I would rather just get a quick fuck in and come back to bed. Actually, I still owe that Melissa girl. I wonder if she would be up for a quickie. I quickly tap out a text to her to see if she's available.

I slip my dark jeans on and cuss when my foot gets caught, and I bump into the wall. As I slip my pants up, there's a soft smack sound on my wall, followed by my phone vibrating. I pick up my phone, and I can't help but chuckle at the text.

Sunshine: You over there swooning another girl?

Running my thumb across my upturned lips, I flop back into bed. Glancing at the time, I see it's just after midnight. I guess I can dick around a little before going out. Propping myself up against the headboard, I type out a response before knocking on my wall.

Me: So you admit you were swooned!

Sunshine: I am adult enough to admit that you have adequate oral abilities.

Me: Oh, I'm more than adequate, I assure you *winky face*

I hear a loud ‘HA' from the other side of the wall and can't help but chuckle. Making Sunday laugh gives me an odd warmth, like pride or something. Sunday isn't one to laugh out of politeness or because it's her neutral mode. Sunday's a sarcastic smart-ass with a dry sense of humor. She's hard to crack, but when you do, there's no better feeling.

Me: Isn't it past your bedtime?

Sunshine: Haha

Sunshine: I can't sleep, so I'm watching this documentary on how aliens have actually been on Earth all along and live under the ocean.

Me: Shut up, you are not

The next message I receive is a photo taken from her bed. Her long, tan legs are bare, but she has on the ugliest orange fluffy socks. At the end of her bed is her TV on her dresser, with the documentary paused and the title showing.

Me: I'm coming over

Sunshine: Uh… why?

Me: You're watching an alien documentary. I'm going to need to watch and discuss this with you at great length.

Sunshine: I am in my underwear

Me: Are you trying to deter or entice me here, sunshine?

I hear another ‘HA,' and I turn on my TV and find the documentary. I look at the time she paused it and fast-forward to that spot.

Me: Okay, fine. I'll stay in my bed, but I'm at your spot. We're debating this because there's NO WAY aliens are living in our ocean.

Sunshine: You're on, charming. When you hear the knock, hit play.

After a second, she knocks, and I start the show. I sit in comfortable silence for about a minute before my phone vibrates. I look at the caller ID and furrow my brows as I answer it.

"Shut up," Sunday says before I can even say hello. "How will we debate this if you and I can't speak?"

I reach over and put my earbuds in before standing up and taking off my jeans so I can get more comfortable. "You feeling a little tug on that red string there, sunshine?" I ask softly, and she scoffs.

"Shut up. You're going to miss important information." I crawl into bed and see that someone sent me a text. I open my phone up and look at the message.

Melissa – ONS: I mean, I can be if you're actually going to deliver this time. Wanna pick out my outfit?

The following message is a photo of her breasts spilling out of her bra.

"See!" Sunday's excited voice fills my ears. "Oh my god, Ash! They could've been here all along!" I chuckle lightly and delete the text thread with Melissa before blocking her.

"Okay, sunshine," I smirk. "Let's get more than eight minutes into the documentary before we make any decisions." I disable the notifications on the hook-up apps before resting my head against my wall, listening to Sunday go on and on about the documentary.

How did this become my preferred evening? I deleted a horny woman to sit in my bed alone, watching an alien documentary.

"Oh my god," Sunday gasps. "They have interviews from the fucking Pentagon."

I chuckle, shaking my head. This is definitely the better choice.