LA Dreams and Other Things

Permanent

It only takes about five minutes for us to reach the little tattoo studio. Once we're inside, the guy across from me looks back and forth from Bryan to me, like there's just something he can't quite figure out. He looks gruff initially, but the more I look at him, the more I notice that he has a baby face. Bryan is just as silent, and now they're both staring at me.

Their gazes are starting to get to me, and I nervously shift from my left foot to my right. "Is something wrong?"

Bryan runs his hand through his hair and his hand rests at the back of his head. "Are you sure about this? I don't want you to regret it and hate me later."

"I promise I won't regret it and hate you later." I turn my body back to the artist in front of me. "So, I want a small, black swallow a couple of inches from the nape of my neck."

I've honestly thought about getting a small tattoo for a while. I just didn't know anyone reputable. If this guy can do the beautifully detailed art on Bryan's arm, then my simple one should turn out fine.

Suddenly, papers are signed, everything is cleaned, and the outline is set. Silence takes over as I sit in the chair, and Bryan is now sitting in front of me. He hasn't lost the look of concern, but now he won't even make eye contact with me.

"Hey, Williams." His head shoots up in my direction. "Are you going to come sit over here and make sure it looks okay?"

Bryan moves closer just as I feel a gloved hand touch my neck. When I hear the machine kick on, I lose a little bit of my mojo. I'm not quite as confident anymore. I try to control my expression, but I'm afraid that Bryan has already seen it.

I feel a painful vibration just as Bryan says, "So, tell me something you've never told anyone."

I roll my eyes and laugh, but I'm thankful that he's willing to be a distraction. "Nice try. Pick a different question."

He ponders for a half second before saying, "What would you be doing today if I hadn't drug you out."

"I definitely wouldn't be here. Probably chill and watch a movie or read at home all day." My shoulders impulsively relax a little. "If you could have any super power, what would it be?"

"Easy. Speed," he spits a little quicker than expected.

"Figures. You know, some women actually prefer stamina over speed, though. Just saying. If you picked telepathy, you might know that."

He crosses his arms and slightly raises his chin at me, "You would pick reading peoples' minds." He then does the thing. His famous tongue rolling around his front teeth in some extensive figure eight. "I bet I could change your mind, princess."

"Bryan Williams. Put that damn thing back in your mouth."

I don't think I've ever been so turned on and disgusted all at the same time. The audacity of this man is absolutely incredible.

When he sees me flinch, he grabs my hand and spits, "Greatest fear?

"Oof. Falling from up way high, snakes, or the L word."

His nose scrunches in bewilderment. "What the hell is the L word? Isn't that like a show about lesbians or something?"

"No, you dumbass! The L word in relationships, genius. It was just a joke." I roll my eyes. "Don't worry about it."

When realization crosses his face, he just shakes his head. "I never pictured you as one with commitment issues."

This man must have hit a nerve or something in my neck because for a split second I want to jerk away from him. I thought it was weird at first, but now I'm happy that Bryan grabbed my hand.

I just hope his fingers don't turn purple.

"Hmm... Okay, so who's the first person you fell in love with?" He's wiggling his eyebrows like a child, but the joke is on him because he asked the last question.

"I believe it's my turn to ask the question. Have you ever been caught having sex with someone?"

"Fuck, why are these so personal now? No, but almost."

"Almost? What's that mean?"

"Well, there was this girl who was like two years older than me, and I was going to let her take my virginity, okay. I was a fucking baby, but who cares. So, we're making out on my couch, and she's fucking going at it. I mean tongue down my throat and hickeys every fucking where. Then, I chicken out. I don't want to lose it to someone I don't have feelings for, right? Well, right as I'm about to back out, my mom comes home early from work. She sees us and she's fucking pissed. She kicks the girl out and is yelling at me for like twenty minutes."

"You're supposed to know hickeys are trashy, Williams."

Using words is impossible to describe how animated he is when he's telling a story for entertainment. It's easier to laugh because he's laughing than at what he actually says. It's easy to imagine falling for him just like this. His hand still tightly gripping mine. His messy curls peeking from underneath his hat. His blue eyes sparking just a tiny bit more when he looks directly into mine.

My imagination is shut down when the voice behind me says, "Okay, you're all done."

Bryan gives me a cursory side glance. "Can I ask you something?"

"What?" I question innocently. "Why in the world did I just get a tattoo or how am I such a badass for not being a baby?"

"Both, I guess. I can't believe you didn't cry or anything. Like that was on your fucking neck. It had to hurt. I'm even more surprised you actually went through with it."

I put on my best feigned confidence persona. "Bryan Williams, when I say I'm a bad bitch, I mean it."

"Hey, I believe you now. For someone with commitment issues, tattoos are pretty permanent."

"Life is too unpredictable for there not to be a couple of permanent things."

When I begin to turn, he blurts, "Hey," and I turn to face him again. He's genuinely smiling at me, and he continues when I raise my eyebrows. "Thanks for hanging out with me today."

"Who else is going to put up with your shenanigans?"

I wouldn't mind days like today being permanent.