I Hardly Needed Saving

Ink, Lies, and Casts

Seth opens the car door for me like we're together, grabbing my hand. I pull away, and he notices—but doesn't say anything. Smooth.

As we walk inside, everyone greets him, including a few skanks with their boobs out like it's a contest. Classic.

"Let's go to my office," he says.

"Hey Seth, you've got an appointment right now," someone calls out.

"With who?"

"Me," I say, smirking.

He turns, smiling like I just flipped his world upside down. "What do you mean?"

"I called a couple weeks ago. They set me up with 'the best,' and I sent them my design... This is crazy."

"I'll go easy on you," he winks, already setting up his station.

I lie on the tattoo bed, shirt off, waiting. He walks in, covering his eyes dramatically.

"Whoa, Lyla, I'm sorry!"

"Chill. The tattoo's going on my side. I need you to finish my oak tree."

"Ohhh. Okay, you scared me." He's staring at me like he wants to devour me but holding back.

"You have beautiful skin, Lyla."

"Thanks." I smile, heat rising in my cheeks. He touches my side, fingers brushing my ribs as he examines the old ink. He rubs a little Vaseline on me, wipes it gently, then starts tattooing.

I love the feeling of the needle—the buzz, the pressure—it's relaxing. "Are you okay?" he asks.

"Better than okay."

"Does your boyfriend know you have this tattoo?"

I got it months ago, and I haven't been sexually active with Eddie in a long time. "No, he doesn't."

He nods, keeps working. Time flies. After an hour, he finishes for today, cleaning up the ink. I hop off the bed, checking the mirror.

"Oh my God... this is amazing!" The oak tree looks even better than before—more alive, more ME. I can't stop smiling.

One of Seth's friends peeks in.

"Dude, don't look at her! Get the hell out!!"

I blink. "Uh, he was just looking at the tattoo..."

"He was looking at your breasts."

"And so have you."

"Ha! Very funny." He rolls his eyes, grinning. We walk to the back of his office. He wraps plastic over my ribs—his fingers graze my skin and set me on fire. Why does he have to be so sexy?

"There, all done, Lyla." He steps back, that smile killing me.

I pull my shirt back on. "So, how'd you get this shop?"

"Well, I didn't exactly. My dad and his dad owned it. First kid gets it—I'm the first. It's mine now. I love drawing. Tattooing's my passion. Guess it's in my blood."

I can feel his passion inked into my skin. I smile, stand.

"So, what now? Wanna take me home?"

"I'm not a cab. Find a ride."

My mouth drops. "Wow."

He laughs, standing up. "Kidding. I'll take you anywhere."

He grabs my wrist. "Maybe the hospital?"

"For what?"

I glance down. My wrist is swollen. Bad. I heard it crack earlier but didn't think it was serious.

"Come on, Lyla. Let's get it checked."

I nod. He walks me out front.

"She hasn't paid yet," Margo says.

"I'll pay for it," Seth replies.

He places his hand on the small of my back, gently guiding me to his car. I sit, waiting as he gets in.

"You should stop dating this guy, Lyla."

I stay quiet. "He hasn't done this in months. Guess we pissed him off."

"That doesn't make it right. Has he hit you before?"

I stare out the window, unable to answer. With Seth... I can't lie. I feel too safe. Too seen. It's scary.

⸻

At the hospital, I'm seen immediately. X-rays taken. Seth stands next to me as the doctor walks in.

"Is this your husband or boyfriend?" the doctor asks, shaking Seth's hand.

"I'm her husband," Seth says, cool as hell.

I glare, punching his shoulder. He laughs. I fight the urge to smile.

"Your wrist is cracked. Not broken, but you'll need a cast for about a month," the doctor says.

Seth smirks. "Hahaha, you have to wear a cast!"

"Shut up! You sound like a child!"

The doctor chuckles, stepping out to get casting supplies.

"I can't believe you told him you're my husband!" I smack Seth's arm again. He just laughs.

The door opens. Before I can react, Seth's arms wrap around my waist.

"Oh, sorry," the doctor says. "Am I interrupting something?"

"Nope, just hugging our unborn baby," Seth deadpans.

"Our WHAT?!"

"Shhh, he's a doctor—we don't have to hide it."

I grit my teeth, shaking my head as the doctor begins the cast.

"So how did this happen?" he asks.

I panic. Seth jumps in smoothly.

"She was walking our Great Dane. Leash wrapped around her wrist. Dog took off. She heard a crack. Now we're here."

I yelp as the doctor moves my wrist. Seth stiffens, getting closer protectively. He lies so easily it sounds real.

The doctor asks Seth to wait outside. Once he's gone, he looks at me seriously.

"Does your husband beat you?"

I laugh. "He's not my husband. And no, he doesn't beat me."

The doctor smiles, satisfied, and lets Seth back in.

"Why couldn't I be in here?" Seth asks.

"He was asking me questions, honey."

"Okay, shnoocums."

I gag. "Ew. I just barfed in my mouth."

They stare at me, worried.

"Don't worry," I say. "Just morning sickness."

Seth grins as the doctor shows us out.

⸻

"You owe me," I say, walking to the car. "I can't believe you told him that crap!"

We laugh like idiots. No rings, no nothing, and he still believed us.

Seth drives me home. At my front door, he hugs me goodbye.

"See you tomorrow at school."

"Bye, Seth."

"Later, Lyla."

I watch his Viper roar away, heart racing. Oh, joy. I'm home...

⸻

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—Heather 💜