Page 14 of Taste of Surrender
If the casting directors liked what they heard, we would have an interview and need to submit more songs, andthenattend the live auditions in Los Angeles. It was a long process, but like Jesse said, it was our best shot at being recognized.
“I fucking hope so,” Silas stated. “I want to go to Cali and see all the half-naked chicks on the beach.”
I grinned at Silas’s remark, shaking my head. “Man, you and your priorities,” I teased, but deep down, I couldn’t help but share a bit of his excitement. Making it to the sunny shores of California was all part of the dream to hit it big.
Jasper leaned against the doorframe, a smile still on his face. “Well, when you become famous rock stars, don’t forget about us little people.” He chuckled.
“Never,” I replied.
Jesse walked over to the table and snatched his keys. “All right guys. I gotta take the birthday boy for his first tattoo. Be here tomorrow early so we can get some more practice in before our audition.”
“Cool. I gotta meet up with Donnie anyway,” Silas said as he stood from his drum set.
We had all gone to high school with Donnie Pierce. He’d been a known drug dealer when we were in school and still sold Silas weed. I didn’t like the dude. He thought he was badass all because he did illegal shit.
“Yeah, and I promised my mom I’d go grocery shopping with her,” Elliott advised.
Silas and Elliott gave us fist bumps, then headed to their cars to drive away. I hung back, which wasn’t unusual given my house was only a few doors down.
“So, getting a tattoo?” I asked Jasper and went to the table to finish my energy drink.
“Jesse talked me into it,” he stated.
I met Jesse’s gaze and arched a brow.
“He wanted to be lame and not do anything for his eighteenth birthday,” Jesse clarified.
“No.” Jasper pushed off the doorjamb. “I said I wanted to go out to dinner with my friends.”
“Which you did last night. Now it’s time for my present.” Jesse clapped his brother on the back.
“Mind if I tag along?” I asked.
Jasper’s eyes widened. “You want to come with us?”
I showed him the snake wrapping around my left arm. When I’d gotten the tattoo, I thought it was badass looking but then talking with the artist, he said in Chinese culture they were associated with luck and good fortune and that seemed fitting at the time. “Sure. I’m no stranger to ink.”
“Well, let’s go. Appointment is in thirty.” Jesse headed to his car.
Jasper got into the back while I rode shotgun. A few miles down the road, I turned and asked Jasper, “What are you thinking about getting?”
“I don’t know. My brother”—he glared at Jesse—“only told me about the appointment this morning when I opened his card.”
“You mentioned you wanted a tattoo last night and I called in a favor with my guy. You should be thanking me,” Jesse chimed in.
“Yeah, but I haven’t thought of what to get yet,” Jasper continued to protest.
“Just get something small,” I suggested.
“Small?” Jesse gasped. “He’s a man now. He needs something bold.”
I rolled my eyes. “Don’t listen to him. Just pick something you like.”
Once we pulled up to the tattoo parlor, we all piled out and walked inside. The tattoo guns buzzed as we approached the front desk. When I looked over at Jasper, he was pale and beads of sweat dotted his forehead.
“Hey.” I grabbed his forearm. “You don’t have to do this.”
He swallowed and looked up slightly at me. “It’s fine. I’ll get something small like you said.”
