Finding The 10

7 - Fast Cars and Hard Punches

Eli's POV

I decided to leave the car at home today and catch the train. It is a 10 minute walk from the train station to the bar but I don't mind. Frankly I enjoy the scenery and the people watching.

It's 4 in the afternoon and some of the early workers have finished their shifts and are making thier way home. Other people are going in and out of establishments that share the same block as our bar.

When Harley's tattoo shop comes into view I smile knowing I'm almost there. I check my watch and figure I have enough time to stick my head in and give Harley a quick hello before I open up the bar for the night.

The door chimes as I enter and the sound of the buzzing needles fills my ears. One of the other tattooist that works here starts to make his way over to me but for the life of me I can't remember his name.

"How can I help?" He asks not recognising me.

"Is Harley around?"

"Come through Eli. I'm just finishing up." Harley yells out and I do as she says.

I make my way around the counter and to Harley as she sits hunched over a tattoo veterans leg. This guy has every inch of his legs and arms tattoos along with most of his neck.

I lean over Harley's shoulder and watch as she finishes the last bit of detail on a Japanese Coi fish.

"All done Russell." Harley says as she cleans up the small amounts of blood and ink from Russell's skin.

Russell stands up and checks his leg in the mirror with a massive smile.

"You are amazing Harley. Just amazing. Remind me again why you don't want to have a drink with me later?"

Harley shakes her head softly and lets out a giggle.

"Come on Russell. I don't date my customers. And besides, I don't think Mikey would be able to cook his own dinner and fend for himself for a whole night."

"Ok, I get it. But if you ever change your mind, you have my number." Russell adds a wink as he walks out and hands over his cash to the guy out front.

When the door chimes again and I know Russell is out of the shop, I turn to face my tattooist friend.

"Well, Miss Harley. Someone has an admirer."

"Yeah, the problem is he isn't my type." She openly admits.

"Fair enough then. Why didn't you just tell him that?" I ask.

"I hate letting people down like that. I'm too nice for my own good. And besides, he is a great customer and tells everyone he meets how much he loves my work." She says with a cheeky smile.

"Oh, so is that how you prioritise customers? The ones that give you free advertising come first, huh?" I joke with her and she laughs.

"You know it's not like that." We both laugh loudly until she brings us back into the now. "So, what can I do you for?"

"Nothing really. Just thought I would stop by on the way to open up and say hello. And thanks again for my latest piece."

"How is it healing up?"

"Really good actually. Can't wait for it to be finished."

"Probably another two sittings and it will be." She adds and I smile widely.

"Is Frankie working tonight?" Harley asks out of the blue.

"Yeah. She should be downstairs pretty soon I think. Why's that? You know I will give you free drinks too." I mock.