The Ink That Brands Us ✔️

Chapter Thirty-Three

"What are you smiling about?" June chuckled, nudging me in the arm as we walked to our next class.

    "Nothing in particular." I tried to stop smiling but failed. Jensen and I had picked up where we had left off and it was like my world had finally righted itself.

    Jensen refused to let me return to my apartment and a few days later he paid to break my lease early. Within a few days, I was completely moved back into our apartment and we were back in our room together. It was nice to finally sleep through the night.

    I promptly quit the bar. Well, after my two weeks' notice. If it hadn't been for June, I wouldn't have bothered but I didn't want to make her look bad since she had gotten me the job. She understood when I told her I was quitting. She knew how much I loved working at the shop. Mack took me back on with open arms and was happy Jensen and I worked things out.

    Saw walked around smug for weeks, acting like she single-handedly saved the world. And she kind of did, though it was only my world. She was a great friend and I owed her big for this one.

When I looked up at June, I noticed that her smile didn't reach her eyes. This wasn't her normal happy.

"Everything okay?"

    She shrugged.

"I suppose."

    "You suppose?" I arched an eyebrow and pulled her to a stop. "Talk to me."

    She let out a long sigh, then pulled me over to the nearest bench.

    "Have you ever wanted someone you couldn't have?"

    "You have been present like the last year of my life, right?"

    She chuckled and shook her head.

"Right. Well, it's a shitty feeling, friend."

    "Indeed. Are you going to tell me who it is you can't have?"

    She didn't say anything right away and I could tell she wasn't sure if she wanted to say anything at all. Thinking back I tried to remember something I could have missed, but could only come up with my own drama.

Some friend I was.

    "Tyler," she blurted, not meeting my eyes.

    "Tyler?" I asked, confused.

    "We sort of hooked up after the last poker night," she informed me.

    "And by 'hooked up' I'm guessing you mean sex?" I clarified.

    She sighed heavily, finally turning to face me.

"It was supposed to be a one night stand. I was the one who insisted on it. But the typical girl that I am, I kind of really like him."

    I swear to God I almost had a Saw moment but managed to refrain from squealing and bouncing up and down in excitement. Once I was sure my enthusiasm over this news was at a tolerable level, I smiled at her.

"But that's great! He's an awesome guy!"

"No, it's not great. I chickened out and talked to him again. I'm afraid he'll reject me."

"Don't be ridiculous. He wouldn't reject you. Wait, does Saw know about this?"

She leveled me with a look.

"Of course I didn't tell mom! I was too afraid she might overwhelm him with her silly threats and I didn't want her to scare him away." Smart, I thought. Saw would definitely threaten him. "Please don't tell her, either." She said as an afterthought.