Page 63 of Broken

“You do that. Might help with stress relief too.”

He hums and focuses on me. I don’t like the way he is staring at me.

“Talking of getting laid.”

“Not doing this,” I turn and head into the shop before he can say anything else.

It was a mistake chatting with Calli at the Festival the way I did. No one has mentioned it since, but I’ve seen how my staff look at me. Sumner was the only one who said anything, but he’s not brought it up since.

Phoenix hounds after me. He gives Lucky a wave and slaps hands with Shane as he passes the reception desk. I would go in back but that gives Phoenix more chance to ask shit I don’t want to hear. The dick follows me to my station. I don’t have another client for an hour.

“Come on, something happened, right?”

“It’s none of your fucking business,” I growl in a low voice.

“I don’t want details,” he scoffs, settling his ass against the cabinet where I keep my equipment. “I’m not blind, neither is anyone else. We all saw the two of you the other night. How far has it gone?”

“I’d rather dip my dick in candle wax than talk about this,” I push him out of the way so I can check my stock levels.

“Kinky.” Phoenix laughs. “Not saying it’s a bad thing. The girl, not the waxy dick.”

“Go away.”

“She’s hot.”

It takes a lot not to turn around and smack the smirk of his face.

“She’s probably too good for the likes of you.”

I ignore him.

“If you get to interfere with my personal life, vice versa.”

“I’m not interfering. I’m thinking about our business,” I throw over my shoulder.

Phoenix goes quiet, so I straighten up to face him. He smirks. Little prick, making me think that shit upset him. Should have known better.

“Don’t self-sabotage. From what I’ve seen, she’s a cool chick.”

The look on my face must finally register with him. He slaps my shoulder and strolls away. Not toward Lucky. I can’t help but glance at her to find her watching him. Shit, they have got to move on from one another.

Something tells me Phoenix’s decision to hang out with another woman will cause more trouble.

Two days later, I’ve seen out the last of our clients, and am getting ready to call it a night. Everyone besides Sumner, left over an hour ago to head to the pub on the corner. They’ve long since stopped asking me to go, but something really fucking stupid has come over me, because I’m contemplating joining them.

I’ll never hear the end of it, but it’s the only way I’m going to see Calli. Besides stalking her at the coffee shop. Or watching her on her apartment building camera.

Something I’ve found myself doing a lot, because I want to make sure Caleb isn’t fucking with her. As in bothering her. Or trying to fuck her. Jesus, I’m losing my shit over a woman. Big fucking mistake.

I want to see her. Fucking admit it instead of coming up with all this bullshit. The question is, do I want to do it with everyone else watching or do I seek her out elsewhere?

Making a snap decision, I flick off the lights and go out of the front of the shop instead of the rear up to my apartment. It’s Friday night, so the streets are busy with people heading out to enjoy the start of the weekend. There are a few bars along here so it’s never quiet.

Second guessing myself all the way there, I can’t change my mind when I pull back the door. The decision has been made. It’s heaving inside, and the music is loud.

I’ve known the owner for years so when he spots me making my way through the crowds, he waves me over. After getting adrink, and shooting the shit for a few minutes, he points me in the direction of the rest of the motley crew from Blackhawk Ink.

They’re behind one of the partition walls, in the corner by the old fireplace. I can’t see them, but a loud laugh lets me know Shane is there.

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