Eye of the Hurricane

Chapter 17 - Sage

Chase, finally broke me down and got to me. He had been so caring last night and I almost told him everything. I wish I could do that, but he doesn't deserve to be pulled into this. If I could keep it hidden in the depths of my memories forever, I would be happy. Some how, I don't think that will be the case. 

I ended our talk and took off towards the bedroom and locked myself in there for the rest of the day. I just wanted to be alone. I didn't want any more questions. I knew that I was giving away too much and I can't afford that. Chase left me alone which for that, I was grateful. I think he knew that he was pushing me to my breaking point and I couldn't take it anymore. 

In my free time, I researched some of the lawyers that Kelsey had found for me. I'm not sure where to go with this or even how much they charge but as I look into them, I have it narrowed down between a few. I'm going to call them this week and try to get in to see them.

Looking in the mirror at the tattoo shop, I keep examining my face and my nose ring. I'm wanting something different. I know I was supposed to wait a few months before I changed it, and it's about that time.

"What are you doing?" Paul startles me as he comes up behind me.

He is always making my day better. He swoops in right when I need him further confirming that he's the mom of this little family at the shop. We get along so great and I'm starting to consider him a close friend of mine.

"Well, I've been thinking of changing this. I think I want a hoop instead of a stud. Do you know anything about them?"

"Actually, I used to do piercings when we first got started but I'm way better at my art. We used to have a piercer at our old shop but we haven't had one in a little while." He flinches at the memory. There must be a story there.

"Really? That's awesome though. I got this done a few months ago and I just want a change. Can I switch to a hoop?"

Paul takes my face in my hands and examines me. "How long ago exactly."

"Four months. It seems like it's healed."

He keeps examining me. "Yeah you should be good. Make sure it's a good quality piece and not something cheap since it's newer. When you do, let me know and I could help put it in. It's always difficult in the beginning."

I've always wondered how to get this out. I think it's screwed together and I could never figure out how it works. "Yeah, I will."

I look back at Chase's empty station. He's been gone for a little bit. He took off out of here and didn't say a word to anyone. A while later, he texted asking for everyone's lunch orders from our favorite take out. 

He's been quit today. On our ride in, he didn't mention last night and only made small talk. It was a relief.

Paul follows my stare and when he meets my eyes, I smirk at him. "Want to rile Chase up? It would be fun." I singsong. 

He brings his fingers together under his chin scheming with me. "What do you have in mind?"

And that's how I ended up on Paul's tattoo bench with a huge stencil from my lip to my ankle. It's perfect. Chase is totally going to freak out. I'm not actually going to get the tattoo. I would be crazy to start with a piece like that but I can't wait to see his reaction. Paul had been working on a piece that I love. It has roses and branches all over. It's gorgeous and I can't wait to see what it looks like when he finishes it. Paul was basically foaming at the mouth when I mentioned which piece I wanted.. 

"You're diabolical. He's going to lose it." I met his high five. "You said he was five minutes out?"

Giggling I say, "Yeah, That's what he said. I told him I was hangry. He needed to hurry up."