Fireworks

19

Just my luck.

I peek out the front window and see Arlo's white truck and curse. He and a few guys that look around his age, maybe a little older, have just walked in. They all have tattoos and are scarily tall. They honestly look exactly like the type Arlo would hang out with. All of them are buff and equally attractive, though I think Arlo takes first place in that department. I duck down when he starts to turn towards the seat Jeremiah's in.

It's not that I'm avoiding him or anything, but it would be very bad for him to see me here. He obviously knows I'm underage to be getting tattoos without my guardian's consent. I bet he can connect the dots when it comes to Jeremiah. I doubt he'd rat, but I really don't want to take my chances. Plus I've kind of been skirting around him since he gave me his number. Of course he oh so valiantly accompanied Isa on her search for me in the woods a couple of days ago, but it's not like he really even said anything to me. We've mutually and unspokenly agreed that no contact is the best contact.

While I was partaking in illegal activities was not the best time to start breaking that rule.

"What, do you know that guy?" Jeremiah asks, noting my paranoid glancing towards the front of the shop.

"Yes, and he knows how old I am. Try not to draw any attention to yourself and it should be fine." I say quietly, staring at his chest in an effort not to look behind me again.

Suddenly the big tattoo guy comes from whatever back room he disappeared into and starts to walk over to us, although on his way he notices Arlo standing in the front of the shop with all of his buddies. He pauses on his way over and says in his thunder-like voice, "Arlo! Good to see you, man."

They dap each other up and start an easy, good-natured conversation, though I don't dare look behind me.

Jeremiah is tense and says under his breath, "I'm not necessarily regretting this, but I hope you know what to do if he notices you."

I widen my eyes and say, "What do you want me to do? He clearly is friends with the tattoo dude. I don't think he'd nark but if he did there's no way that guy's taking my word over his."

Jeremiah's jaw clenches and he mutters, "Here's the plan. I'm your boyfriend Jeremiah Scott who just got back in state for the summer after finishing his first year of college at USC. I'm getting a tattoo in celebration of completing the first year of my degree like the ass hat frat boy I am, and I'm staying in Phoenix but am in town to visit you. If there are no questions asked, I get the tat and then we're out of here. Try not to act suspicious and stop biting your lip, it's giving us away. If he asks to see my ID again, we should probably book it because Jose made it for me with his own lamination machine and I doubt it'd hold up in a serious inspection. If need be we run to my car and I can bring you back later to get yours. It's too risky to split up."

I blanch. "Do you really think it will come to that? Also, I'm slightly concerned with how fast you came up with that, I really don't want to know what kind of trouble you've been getting into since I last saw you."

He gives a small laugh and his eyes twinkle with this adrenaline. "You probably don't. Let's just say your brother would be proud."

I smile a little at that and take his hand in my own. "Well, boyfriend, what's the tattoo gonna be then?"

We share a small grin and he contemplates. "How about something super vulgar. Might as well be, in the spirit of it all. I like the idea of the lip tattoo since I won't be stuck with it for life."

I nod and say, "You could always just go classic and get 'fuck' in Times New Roman or something."

He barks a laugh and nods. "Very good contender. Or maybe I could be witty and get 'Oral'."

I clap a hand over my mouth and say, "Fitting."

Suddenly his eyes flick over my shoulder and I hear the tattoo dude and Arlo's gang getting closer. I try not to tense up but I can't help it when they stop a few feet away.

"Alright man, what'll it be?" the tattoo man asks, plopping down in his swivel chair with a tray of sterilization tools and snapping on some gloves.

Jeremiah glances over at me and I shrug. "I like both of our ideas."

He laughs a little and turns back to the man and starts explaining that he wants a lip tat. While they're talking size and fonts, I feel someone come up behind me.

"Hadlee?"

I freeze.