The Heimlich maneuver was nearly necessary when Thatch's bracelet slid back slightly revealing a tattoo that he'd never made public.
Wings. Angel wings.
Not just any wings. My wings. The ones I wrote on his mirror in his hotel room are staring at me, permanently inked on his skin.
He places his hand on my shoulder gingerly as my coughs subside. I assure him that I'm fine but I'm shaken after seeing his tattoo. It's tiny. Most people won't notice it. Almost as if it's there for him alone. Thatch rubs the area gently with his thumb. The action is absent-minded, like he does it out of habit for comfort.
"You got a last name?" I ask.
He pauses before responding, "Thatcher..." and after he speaks the word he glances up at me, not breathing, waiting. Likely, he's waiting for a reaction, an indication that I recognize him for his social media superfame. Not even a shadow of recognition crosses my face. I'm careful to remain aloof.
Instead, I respond, "So, does anyone call you 'Thatch'?"
His brows knit together and he says, "Not really. Someone did...once. But no one else."
"Well, that will make me the second. So, Thatch, what were you doing in Australia?"
"Just visiting friends. I went to secondary school here and haven't been back in a while to visit."
"That all?"
He grins and shakes his head. I sense that there's more to the story when he answers, "Searching...I guess."
"For?" I prod.
"Something. Something I'll probably never find."
I nod. "Love?"
"How'd you know?" He cocks his head.
With raised I brows, I respond, "Isn't that what everyone is searching for, Thatch?"
He shrugs. "I guess."
"Were you successful in your quest?"
"Not in the slightest. I honestly don't think love is in the cards for me at this point."
"Hm...What makes you say that?"
"I think I'm searching for...a ghost. No one fits the bill."
"Well, Thatch, love is messy. It's not really something you can seek and find. At least not from another human. Sure, you should put yourself out there but not with the intention of finding love. Love has to grow. And even then, sometimes you have to put up with a lot from people you love. Forgive a lot, I mean."
He chuckles knowingly. "It is messy, isn't it?"
"The messiest." I smile back. "You hungry? I'm hungry. I think I saw a Thai place a few gates down."
I hop up and walk out, leaving him with the bill. He chases. Just like I wanted. Because hooking a man like Thatch is all about the chase.
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SORRY THESE CHAPTERS ARE TERRIBLY SHORT! I DON'T LIKE DOING MULTIPLE POVs IN A SINGLE CHAPTER SO I HAD TO BREAK THEM UP
YOU ARE READING
Tik Tok Stalker
Mystery / ThrillerMalia has one mission. To get Cole Thatcher, the Tik Tok star of her dreams, to marry her. Her obsession with Cole is the only thing that keeps her going as she endures abuse at the hands of her spouse. After she is free from her abuser, She changes...
