The Ink That Haunts Us

Chapter Nine

Today was going to be a slow day.

    I only had one appointment, and that wasn't until after lunch. Maybe I could talk Mack into doing a piece for me. It had been a few months since my last one and I still had a few places that needed covering. I had one particular spot in mind and I knew Mack would have a great idea for the cover-up. Mind made up, I pulled open my door and hurried to Mack's office. The door was closed, so I gave it a quick knock before pushing my way inside.

    Derek was pacing back and forth in front of Mack's desk looking frustrated. Mack sat behind his desk, leaning back in his chair giving Derek a cool look.

    "Oh," I muttered, stumbling to a stop. "I'll just come back." Just as I turned to leave, Derek caught my elbow.

    "Saw, wait."

    "What's up?" I asked, giving him the same cool look Mack had.

    He looked back to Mack and Mack nodded. He rose from his seat, giving my hand a squeeze as he left the room. I stared after him in a panic not really wanting to be left alone with Derek. Not after the dinner date, but I suspected Mack was trying to avoid a scene.

    "What's going on with you, Tink?"

    "Why are we still on this?" I groaned, turning to walk away.

    "Because there is something going on and I can't understand why you're so hellbent on shutting everyone out."

    "I'm not shutting everyone out. It's just personal stuff."

    Derek reached out, taking my hands into his, pulling me closer. "You know you can tell me anything, right?"

    "Thank you, Derek." I smiled, pulling out of his hold. "I really appreciate that."

"You and Mack don't have to hide," Derek said cooly, moving away from me.

My brows furrowed in confusion.

    "What?" Surely, I had misheard him.

    "It's obvious, you know. The time you spend together and the carpooling. When I took you home the other night, and he was waiting right outside for you, it confirmed what I suspected." His hard gaze never left mine.

    "What are you getting at, Derek?" He couldn't be serious right now. 

    "You guys are together. You don't have to lie to me, Saw. As I said, it's obvious. Everyone here can see it."

    "Are you out of your fucking mind?!" I shouted, my temper boiling over.

    Derek didn't seem fazed. "Come on, Saw. Tell me the truth."

    I gaped at him at a loss for words. Everyone knew that Mack was like my father and to think he was anything as to what Derek was saying was... there weren't words.

    "I'm going to go now," I said. "I just... I don't..." I stood there staring at him, completely thrown. Shaking my head, I reached for the door, pulled it open, and headed for my studio. The thought of being with Mack was so ridiculous I couldn't find the words to deny the suspicions.

    The door to my studio wasn't even fully closed before Jensen barged in. It took a great deal of effort to not throw up a white flag in defeat.

Before Jensen could speak, I held up my hand.

    "I'm fine. Just personal stuff. Not a big deal." My voice sounded tired as I waved him away.

    Jensen snorted and leaned against the door.