Page 128 of Hyde and Seek

Under the gauze and tape was a fresh tattoo. Similar in style to the one on his arm, it looked like the skin on his chest was tearing away to reveal a mechanical heart.

“Check out the center gear.”

“Oh, Jacoby,” I murmured, my eyes filling with tears.

In the middle of the tattoo was a gear that connected the other mechanisms. Interspersed with the regular square ones, were five block letters made to look like gear teeth.

“You’ve got my name on you.”

Cupping my neck, Jake’s thumb pushed my jaw up, though my eyes stayed locked where they are. “Sweets, look at me.”

I dragged my gaze up to meet his. “Why?”

“It’s only you.”

I carefully put my hand on his chest to the side of the ink and felt his heart pounding.

“I want your name on me.”

His brows lifted with surprise. “What?”

“Ray, I want his name,” I declared over my shoulder.

“Already set aside a block of time on Monday afternoon,” Ray said, her voice thick. “I’m gonna go to the bar, knock back some shots, and pretend I’m not crying like a girl.”

“You don’t have to—” Jake started.

“I want to.”

“Think it over, yeah?”

“Yeah,” I agreed, though I didn’t need to.

It was crazy, reckless, and some people might think it was idiotic. It was a risk to ink something that might only be temporary on your body permanently.

Good thing I know risks with Jake are always worth taking.

*******

“What’d you wish for?” Jake’s voice rumbled in my ear after I’d blown out the candles.

“I can’t tell you, that’s against the rules.”

“The rules, huh?”

“Yeah. If I tell you, my wish won’t come true.”

“You’re wasting your breath,” Dad said to Jake. “Every year I’d try to get her to tell me, but she’d keep it to herself like it was a national secret.”

“It’s like the birthdaylaw. Everyone knows that. Are you and Nat having fun?”

“Yeah, but we’re gonna head to the hotel and let you young folks enjoy the night.”

“I’m pretty sure you could out party anyone here.”

He chuckled. “Probably, but we’re still gonna go. Walk me out?” I nodded as my dad turned to Jake. “Good to see you, Jake.”

“You, too, Floyd.”

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