Page 4 of Shattered Hate

“None taken, dude. You’ll be his first booking. I’m sure he’ll be stoked.”

I aimlessly nod and grab my bag. “Speak to you soon?” I say to the guy behind the counter. He nods.

“As soon as I know what dates he can do, I’ll call you, and you can come in. He’ll want to go over some designs with you first, so don’t expect to have this done quickly.” A part of me is gutted. I really thought today was going to be the start of it, and once I get something in my head, it’s like an itch I can’t get rid of until I do it. I take one last look at the art on the wall and take a deep breath. It has to be him who does it. I can’t pinpoint why, but it just has to be.

Bounding through my dorm door, I slump on my bed, huffing. I know it was my decision to wait, but now my mind is on overdrive, wishing I could find the kid so I could at least offerhim double the amount to start on my design now. I stand up, pacing up and down beside my bed, scowling at the floor like it personally insulted me.

“Trayton.” Kal’s deep voice makes me jump as I spin on the balls of my feet and see him lying on top of his covers. He has one arm bent behind his head, with his phone in his hand, balancing it on his chest. One of his eyebrows is raised at me, obviously wondering why I’m pacing. As usual, I was so in my own head that I didn’t even notice Kal lying there.

“I’m back to square one with my tattoo.” I huff, slumping down on my bed again, this time throwing my hands up, feeling fed up.

“What did you do?” Kal stretches as he sits up and throws his phone beside him on the bed, resting his elbows on his knees, eyes pinned on me.

“Hey.” I frown. “I didn’t do anything.” I stand again and begin to pace. It helps when my mind races. It’s as if when I move my body, my body races with it.

“Well, I did, but nothing bad.” I stop and turn to Kal. “I don’t think.” I move my eyes to the wall behind him and stare at it, thinking for a moment, and shake my head. “No, nothing bad,” I confirm.

“Then what’s wrong, Tray.” Kal huffs.

“I canceled my booking.”

“Why?” He rears his head back, confusion marring his face instantly.

“Well, I went in there, and Kal, man, you should have seen this piece of art on the wall. I’ve honestly never seen anything like—”

“Trayton,” Kal grumbles. “You didn’t get sidetracked by a different piece of art, did you? I know what you’re like.”

“No, hear me out.” I stop pacing and face him, coming close and dropping to my knees in front of him. “It was beautiful, Kal. Like, so beautiful. I don’t think I will ever forget it.” Myshoulders drop as I take a deep breath, images of the art floating through my mind and somehow calming the chaos inside. “The whole piece told a story, a real fucking story. And the words…” I trail off as goose bumps litter my skin. I shake my head, bringing myself back as I stare up at Kal. He stares down at me, looking somewhat intrigued but also concerned. The brother I never had. Well, I have a brother, same dad, different mom. We’re not close. But Kal has always been the one constantly protecting me and ensuring I make the right decisions. Honestly, I think if it wasn’t for him and Bray, I would have lost my head completely by now and probably have my eyelids pierced or something. If that’s something you can get done. I make a mental note to search that up later. That’s got to be some mad shit, surely?

“Come back into the room, Tray.” Kal slaps my face lightly.

“Shit, yeah, sorry.” I laugh. “So, I canceled with Dom. He was the guy I was going to get the tattoo from, and I booked in with the new guy who’s just started, and who created the art on the wall. I’ll be his first booking.” I grin.

“So, let me get this right.” Kal leans forward, keeping his eyes on me the whole time. “You booked in with someone whose art you have seen once and who hasn’t tattooed before. Is that correct?”

“Yes.” I grin wider.

“Jesus Christ,” Kal mumbles. “Just because he has one good piece of art, Tray, that doesn’t mean everything will be good. Did you not think to look at a portfolio? I’m sure they would have had one of his drawings and stuff.” Kal rubs a hand down his face like he’s over me, which he does most days, but the guy will never be over me. I add more excitement to Kal’s life than he probably wants. Let’s be real. I’m basically a nineties girl band on steroids.

So add some spice to your life and get ready to have your mind blown, Kal.

“Calm down, Dad. He’s it. I’m telling you. Just you wait. This whole fucking college will be jealous as fuck when they see my sleeve—you included—mark my words, Kal.

He’s. The. One.”

Chapter two

Daxton

For the first time in years, I finally feel the chains loosening around my neck. I stare at the letter the dean handed me. I have a dorm. I don’t have to stay in this prison anymore. I let out a deep breath, feeling a mix of relief and excitement as a weight lifts off my shoulders.

I take one last look around the dingy room, the stained walls, with the smell of stale smoke and despair. This place has been my prison, a drug den where hope came to die. But now, with this letter in hand, I can leave it all behind. The thought of a clean, safe dorm room feels like a dream come true.

My dad doesn’t know yet, and I can’t bring myself to tell him. I cling to the false hope that once I’m in the dorm, he won’t be able to do anything about it. Not in his state.

Marley might still cause trouble, but I’ll deal with that when the time comes.

I can’t live this life anymore. I refuse to be the kid from a drug-dealing, addiction-ridden family. The kid trapped by his patheticdad. The kid who gets beaten for his dad’s entertainment. The kid exploited daily to sell drugs and make money, seeing hardly a penny. I knew I needed to get out.

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