Page 5 of Restless Ink

He let out a breath. “It was good to see you.” He paused. “I've missed you, you know. I know Molly said we could still be friends, you and me. But we didn't do that. I showed up a few times to hang out with you, but you always kept me at arm’s-length. I thought we were friends and could be in the same room. I didn’t—still don't—think there was anything wrong with us being friends. You were my friend before, and I'd like to try that again. So, why don't we?”

She was quiet for so long, she was afraid he’d just leave without waiting for an answer.

“Dimitri…”

He held up his hand. “No, don’t say anything. Just think about it. I’ll be in touch. Because, Thea? I miss you.”

And with that, he walked away, but also kept an eye on her as she got into her car. She knew he was keeping her safe, and she was grateful for that, even as it confused her.

Whydidn’tthey try?

The memory of the brush of his lips along her skin filled her mind, and she swallowed hard.

Oh, yeah, that's why.

Chapter 2

Dimitri Carr tugged on his sleeve for the fortieth time that day and held back a sigh. He loved his job, he really did, but ever since he’d moved to this new school district, he’d needed to change a few things about himself that he didn’t particularly want to change.

In the two other school districts he’d worked for over the course of his career as a high school math teacher, he’d been able to show his ink while on school grounds. However, with his new superintendent and this new school, he had to hide his tattoos during the day. Most of his ink was under his clothes anyway but hiding a full lower arm piece wasn’t easy. And, sure, it was winter now, and he’d be wearing long sleeves at any rate, but the inside of Colorado’s schools only had two temperatures.

Blazing hot thanks to the heaters during the winter and part of the early spring.

And freezing cold during the summer and early fall thanks to the air conditioners.

That meant Dimitri sweated during the day since he couldn’t roll up his sleeves, but he’d learned to deal, mostly by grumbling to himself when no one was listening.

“Bye, Mr. Carr,” one of his senior students called out from the doorway as she waved, passing him on her way to the student parking lot.

“Have a good day, Karin.” He waved back and returned to packing up for the day. He had papers to grade at home, but since it was Friday, he had the whole weekend to get it done. He’d probably finish it up tonight, though, honestly, so he could go on a hike and then head to his brother’s house for the game. The idea that he was going to spend a Friday night grading instead of out with friends or having some kind of social life was just sad.

As he was packing up the last of his things, his phone buzzed, and he bent to read the screen. Since it was after school hours, he was allowed to have his phone out. One school he’d been at had forced them to constantly be on their phones for a group chat about their teams and other status reports. It had been extreme to the point of ridiculousness, and he was glad to be rid of it.

Though now that he caught the name on his screen, he kind of wished he didn’t have to answer. But he reminded himself that he’d made a promise to try and be civil and not ignore her, no matter how many times he wanted to just hit end on the phone and forget that part of his past existed.

But there was a major part of his life still at his old house, so he couldn’t do that no matter what he wanted.

He held back his sigh and answered the phone. “Hey, Molly.”

Molly. His ex-wife. The woman he’d thought he would one day grow old with. Only, he’d been wrong. They weren’t meant for each other. He’d thought they loved each other the right way, but in the end, it wasn’t enough. He hadn’t been enough for her, and she hadn’t been what he needed.

He’d failed at marriage, failed at trying, and every time she called, it was a reminder that he hadn’t been able to hack it being the husband she needed.

But he still had to answer the phone every time. Not because of her, but because of who she still had.

“Dimitri, I’m glad you answered. Can you come home?”

It wasn’t his home anymore. She’d gotten the house, the home they’d made together, in the divorce, and he’d been left living in a two-bedroom apartment with too-high rent thanks to the housing boom in Colorado Springs. He’d been lucky to even find the place he had, since renting anything these days in this city was a feat of endurance and luck.

Since he’d apparently been silent for too long, Molly continued.

“It’s Captain. He’s been whining for a walk, but when I go to put him on his lead, he gets all swirly. Can you come and walk him? I have a meeting to prepare for anyway, and it would be better if you just do it. Please? He loves you and misses his Fury.”

“I’m on my way.”

“Oh, thank you. I could use some help with the bathroom faucet, too. I think it needs a new ring thingy, and I’ve never been good at any of that. I can learn, but since you already know...”

“I don’t know if I’ll be able to fix it tonight without the parts, but I’ll take a look and make a list.”

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