Shaded ✔️

CHAPTER 37

I was going to do it. Today was the day. I tried not to think about how I had said that yesterday, and the day before that, and all of last week.

I struggled taking the ridiculously large sign out of my trunk, dropping it on my big toe in the process. I cursed the stupid thing. I stared at the shop in front of me like I had for the past week. I picked it up and started walking towards it, trying to be as confident as I could while holding giant sign. I slowed my steps before stopping altogether. I knew he was in there, just steps away.

"Nope. Not today." I turned around, stumbling and dropping the stupid fucking sign on my other foot.

"Jesus fucking-"

"Scarlett?" I'm pretty sure my eyes popped out of my head at the sound of his voice. I had two options, pretend I didn't hear him and hobble away or stop being a pussy and face him.

I began to hobble away as fast as I could without dropping this godforsaken object, but he caught up with me. Seeing him after so long always used to make me feel like I was coming home. Now it just made me realize that no matter where I went, I didn't have a home anymore. I was on my own and I always would be.

His hair was the same, short at the sides and messy on top. His beard was more full, his tanned skin covered in more tattoos. I don't know why seeing him brought tears to my eyes.

"Hey." I cursed my voice for cracking.

"Hey." His voice didn't give away any emotion, unlike mine. The silence between us was fucking deafening. He cleared his throat.

"Watcha got there?" I looked at him confused before realizing I was still holding onto this giant fucking sign that had probably broken at least 2 of my toes.

"Oh, uh...this. Yeah I just thought I should return it to you because it's been in my trunk for like almost a year since you left and it's kind of like, really fucking big and taking up a lot of space in my car  so if you want to take it..." I was rambling and sweating like a nervous fucking wreck.

"I told them to throw that away." His voice was cold. I don't know why I expected things to be like how they used to, that he would just forget that I fucked his brother and broke his heart.

"I couldn't let you do that. I know how much that place meant to you, and now you have a piece of it." he held my eyes for a second before looking down at the King's Ink sign with a small smile before it quickly turned into a scowl.

"Maybe I don't want a piece of it. I have nothing but bad memories from that town." I was too shocked to say anything, so I just nodded and turned to walk away. He shook his head with a sigh.

"That's what you came all this way for? To give me a sign?"

"Uh, yeah. Well no, I actually live here now. I'm taking a few courses at the college." His eyes lit up in surprise. I didn't tell him that I worked at the little coffee shop down the street and that I had been working up the courage to deliver this thing for almost 2 months. He gave me my favourite Ace smile, the one that made his blue eyes light up and his dimples show.

"Good for you, Scar." I just nodded, not sure of what to say.

"Well, I just wanted to give this to you, but I understand if you don't want it. I'll leave it here if you change your mind." I turned to walk away but paused. "It was really good to see you Ace." My voice cracked again and I cursed myself in my head. I gave him a small smile and began to leave.

"Scar...maybe I'll see you around." I stopped but didn't look back, a stupid smile on my face. I shook my head, looking at him over my shoulder. He gave me a wave, that smile still on his face.

"I guess I'll see you around."  I left the sign at the curb outside the plaza where his shop was, not knowing then that the next time I would see it would be on the wall of his shop.