Fifty One Days

Chapter 15 'The day I turned 28!'

It seems like an eternity before anyone speaks. Me and Milo have just been intensely staring each other down for what feels like years. Kyle, who I even forgot was there switches the tattoo gun back on making me jump.

He looks dead at Milo and says "I'm nearly done mate, then you can tell me just, exactly how well you know MY girlfriend"

Milo looks shocked and maybe a little nervous for a minute but lays his upper torso back on the bench. Kyle continues to tattoo him and I still haven't moved from the door.

This shouldn't be awkward. Kyle and I are together and Milo was just a fling. Not even a fling. He was just sex, just a random night of sex. Well two nights. Okay well two random nights of sex. Who am I kidding? The man meant the world to me and I had no idea why and it was making me uncomfortable my two worlds colliding.

As Kyle continues to bend over Milo's body, Milo continues to stare at me and I cant help but stare back. I purposely make a move to the desk where Kyle keeps his laptop. I pretend I'm looking at something online. Yes, pretend like I don't even care he's here. Pretend who isn't here Ali? Kyle or Milo? Get a grip girl. This is too weird. You could cut the tension with a knife!

"Urm..." I rise from the desk " I have to go" i only came to drop your keys off, I'll urm...see you later Kyle"

I make my way towards the door still holding his keys. Kyle doesn't look up and Milo has now tucked his head under his arm, he's obviously giving him a hard time with the needle. As I grab the handle of the front door to take my leave, the machine abruptly stops, I hear the snap of a glove. Kyle must be done with the tattoo.

"Wait there Ali" I turn back around to see Kyle rising from his seat as he heads out of the back of the shop, I take my opportunity to grill Milo to why he's back again and in my boyfriends shop. Did he know Kyle was my boyfriend? Did they meet before? Weird coincidence? The Queen of Hearts was one of several shops down this end of town and Jacob the owner had 3 of them. Granted Kyle was the best artist but is it just a coincidence Milo came to this exact shop?

"What the fuck are you doing here Milo?" Not knowing whether the question meant here in the shop or back in Pembrokeshire. I try to keep my voice as low a whisper as possible but I also want him to know I'm still pissed off at him. I keep my eyes firmly on the door Kyle has just left through but when he doesn't answer me, I'm forced to look down at him. His stunning green eyes are staring into mine.

"I'm back, well for a bit. I had more work given to me this way. I thought the estate agent would have told you guys? I signed for another months rent. Listen Ali, I've finished with my girlfriend and I really thought, me and you could make a go of things this time. I never thought I would choose the one tattoo shop that your boyfriend works at. Who by the way, when I came in for my appointment was...."

We're interrupted by Kyle bursting through the back door, if I didn't know any better I would say he had been listening to our conversation and didn't want it to go any further. I straightened my dress and my eyes fixed onto Kyle who was carrying a large present bag and a bunch of Roses. Oh shit! So he hadn't forgotten my birthday then. I felt awful. Here Kyle is, just having to work because I've been nagging him too, he's bought me presents and flowers and I feel awful for turning up like this.

Kyle walks straight over to me ignoring Milo and hands me the bag and flowers. I try to give him a hug but he turns away from me and turns his attention straight back to Milo. This whole situation was becoming very uncomfortable.

"Right Bud, let's get you cleaned up and wrapped then you're done" Kyle said snapping on a new pair of gloves. I hover by the door, unsure of what to do with myself. Kyle has his back turned to me and as Milo rises from the desk, I could see the brand new tattoo freshly inked onto his ribs. It was beautiful. I didn't get a good enough look but I did see a few daffodils in there. As he squares up next to Kyle, I notice Milo is only slightly taller but a lot more muscular and his emerald eyes never left mine while Kyle cleans and wraps his tattoo. Milo pulls his T-Shirt down and Kyle who is still turned away from me, walks back to the bench to clear the station down.