Page 59 of Ink Me Three Times
Liar. My head’s a wreck. My chest tight. Like there’s a fist pressing right under my ribs.
But I need a distraction, and I think he sees that.
Ezra follows me to the back.
The others don’t say a word.
I don’t look at them.
Don’t want to see whatever’s still hanging in the air. The confusion on Freddie’s face, the fire in Tim’s, or the regret probably bleeding off my own skin.
I just lead the stranger past all the wreckage like he’s a lifeboat.
But even as I prep my station, every nerve in me buzzes like that damn machine in my hand.
My thoughts loop like a skipping record.
You should’ve said something.
You told me it didn’t matter.
I didn’t know either of you were.
The truth is, none of us knew what we were doing.
And that… that can get messy.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Ivy
If I ever write a memoir,the title’s going to beBlown Whistle, Shattered Soul: One Woman’s Descent into Small Town Chaos.
Subtitle:Send Snacks.
Penny has been in full chaos mode since I got here when she jumped on me and whispered, "We have a lot to do today, Coach Ivy," directly into my eyeball.
She’s currently wearing one of Freddie’s flannels like a cape and has turned a paper towel roll into what I assume is a magic staff… or maybe a microphone? Hard to say.
Every five minutes she yells "Ready, set, GOOOOO!" and sprints from one end of the living room to the other, usually tripping over the dog or stopping mid run to sing a made up song about juice.
I, meanwhile, am one emotional fray away from total meltdown.
I’ve barely slept because of the mess in my head. The feelings still buzzing under my skin.
Mitchell.
Freddie.
Timothy.
What am I playing at?
I’ve been with Luca for so long, been neglected, that I’ve jumped on any affection that’s come my way. I’ve got swept up in any desire I’ve felt.
With Mitchell it was anonymous, sexy, fun…
With Freddie, the danger caught me and got me going…
