Page 18 of Anyone But Me
“Did I?” Jax laughed then shrugged. “Maybe that just means you’re my type.”
“I don’t think I’manyone’stype,” I said under my breath without meaning to.
“Are you kidding me?” Jax asked loud enough to gain the attention of the people sitting around us. “That’s the craziest thing I’ve ever heard. As far as I’m concerned, you’re the whole package.”
“Let’s see if you still feel that way once I get sucked back into my work.”
“Wewill see.”Jax crossed her arms in front of her chest. “And I’m sure I will. I love hearing you talk about things I don’t understand.”
Okay. Now Iknewshe was teasing. I tapped Jax’s still-blank paper. “Let’s get back to the list. Maybe we should look at the long term. What do you see for yourself as far as a family and things like that go? Is that something you want?”
Jax’s face lit up as she nodded excitedly. “For sure! I can’t wait to settle down, get married, and have my own family. It’s something I’ve always looked forward to. How about you?”
The truth was, I felt the exact same way. Or at least, I used to, before I had given up on the idea of finding love. “This isn’t about me. It’s about you.”
“Speaking of things that are about you, any interest in startingyourlist? It’s okay if you’re not ready. I’m just wondering.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle. Jax was one of a kind. For someone who naturally had the spotlight on her, she sure liked to shine it on others. “I’ll make you a deal. If you focus on your list, I’ll get a tattoo at some point in the next two weeks.”
“You got it.” Jax put her eyes on her piece of paper and didn’t move them until we had a complete list.
“Better get working on those tattoo ideas,” she said as we walked back to the apartment together.
She was definitely right. I needed to think long and hard if I was going to get a tattoo I didn’t regret. There was something I needed to do before I decided on my tattoo though. I needed to get the words written that were buzzing in my head.
Chapter 6
It took me another week and a half to feel comfortable with my decision, but I was finally ready to get my tattoo. It was perfect timing since it was a Wednesday that Jax didn’t work. I wasn’t sure if we would be able to get the tattoo without an appointment, but Jax guaranteed me it wouldn’t be a problem.
Since she knew this tattoo artist well, I believed her. I didn’t let myself fall into my usual pattern of worrying over something that most likely wouldn’t happen.
“Are you ready?” Jax asked after rushing into my room early that morning. “I figured we’ll get there early so she can get us added into her schedule, then we’ll do something in the area until she’s ready.”
“Us? Are you getting a tattoo as well?”
“Hell yeah. I figured why not. I got a new tattoo when your sister got her first and another when your brother got his. I might as well keep the sibling tradition alive, right?”
“Wait. You went with my brother to get his tattoo?” I had no idea. Then again, when he got home for Christmas break that year and showed it off to me, I didn’t ask questions. I made sure to match his excitement level so he wasn’t disappointed in my reaction, but the truth was, I had a pit in my stomach. That was another thing my two siblings had in common that I couldn’t relate to and I was defeated by that knowledge.
“I did. I think it was either sophomore or junior year. I can’t really remember. It was around the time he started dating Mallory because he joked he was going to get her name tattooed on him.”
I threw my hand against my forehead. “Oh god. That would be so cringey.”
“I know. She told him if he did it, she’d dump him, so he dropped that joke really quickly.”
“I knew I liked her.”
“Are you telling me you wouldn’t like it if someone got a tattoo of your name?” Jax shook her head. “That’s a shame since I have your name tattooed on my ass.”
“Ha. Ha,” I answered dryly. “That would’ve been a better joke if you hadn’t already told me about the tattoo.”
“Are you sure you didn’t enjoy it?” Jax poked my cheek. “The smile on your face tells me you did.”
I didn’t realize I had a wide smile on my face until she pointed it out. I tried to stop smiling, but it was no use. I was quickly learning that it was hardnotto smile around Jax. I pushed her hand away from my cheek. “Whatever.”
“Soooo,” Jax drew out the word and stared at me intently. “What did you decide to get? I’m sure it’s good.”
I pulled the piece of paper that I had carefully folded out of my pocket and held it out toward Jax. “It’s a sketch my mom made of my grandparents’ backyard.” I pointed toward the lake in the sketch. “Some of my best memories were swimming in that lake with my family. The day she drew this was actually right after Marcie dumped me. Both Olivia and Ronan came right home to be with me, and our whole family went to my grandparents’ house at my request. We went swimming in the lake that day. I didn’t think it was possible given how heartbroken I was, but I had one of the best days of my life that day. My mom handed me this sketch at the end of the day as if she knew exactly what I was feeling. I've kept it ever since. It’s always served as a reminder to smile through the pain. It also helps me feel better knowing that no matter what happens, I’m surrounded by a group of people who love me so much, they’d do anything to bring that smile to my face.”
