Chapter 103 INK AND CARS
CORMAC.
AGE 16
Sitting on a leather chair with my arm stretched out on the tattoo artist’s bench, I couldn’t help but admire all the design posters on the wall of the studio.
Just then,Valtor leaned against the counter and crossed his arms with his brow furrowed like he was trying to bore a hole in my skull with his stare.
“You know this is a bad idea, right?” he asked, trying to raise an eyebrow. “You’re sixteen, Cormac. Sixteen. You sure you thought this through?”
I didn’t look at him, but kept my eyes on the tattoo artist who was setting up his gear. “I don’t need a lecture right now,” I said flatly. “I’m doing it.”
“Yeah, but why?” he asked. “You know this isn’t some random decision, right? This sticks. You’re…”
“It’s not like I can’t get it removed later if I change my mind,” I cut him off. “I’m planning a full sleeve anyway. One more piece doesn’t change anything.”
Valtor shook his head and murmured, “You’re being reckless, you oaf.”
“Reckless is kind of my thing,” I smiled as the artist approached. “Relax. It’s not the end of the world.”
The man nodded at me. “Ready?”
“Yeah,” I said as I braced myself.
The artist worked quietly and I gritted my teeth till the pain started to feel familiar again. This wasn’t my first tattoo, and it wouldn’t be my last. Each one hurt like crazy, but it was a pain I was getting used to.
“You’re insane,” Valtor muttered, breaking the silence.
“I know,” I said with a small grin.
He huffed, looking away like he didn’t want to watch anymore. “Fine, but don’t come crying to me when you regret it.”
“I won’t,” I said, wincing as the needle hit a particularly sensitive spot. “I dont do regrets”
Valtor didn’t answer, but I could feel his disapproval like a second shadow. It didn’t matter. This was my choice. Pain or no pain, I was already in too deep to back out now.
The buzz of the tattoo gun stopped abruptly, leaving an odd silence in its place. The artist set the machine down and stood up. “I’ll be right back. Gotta refill the ink.” He said, nodding toward the backroom before disappearing.
I rolled my shoulder, trying to shake off the dull burn from the needle.Valtor hadn’t moved from his spot against the counter, and he hadn’t stopped judging me since we walked in.
“You’re falling in love with her, aren’t you?” he suddenly asked.
My body tensed at the question.
I opened my mouth to respond, but nothing came out.
What was I supposed to say?
Deny it? Admit it? Either way, it would give him more to pick apart.
So, I didn’t say anything.
Back at home, I stood in front of the mirror in my room, twisting my arm to get a better look at the tattoo. The fresh ink stood out starkly against my skin,the edges were red. I flexed my bicep, turning to see how it looked from different angles. It wasn’t perfect yet, but I liked it.
Valtor leaned against the wall, smirking as he watched me. “You know, maybe you should actually hit the gym if you’re gonna get tattoos like that,” he said, grinning.
I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, okay. Like I need it.”
It was true, anyway. Thanks to my genes, I was already bigger than most of the guys at school. Working out wasn’t exactly at the top of my priority list.
I still did when the urge hit though.
The door opened, andLorelai walked in. Her eyes immediately went to my arm and they widened in shock. “Wait,” she practically yelled, pointing at the tattoo. “Is that her name?”
“Lor!” I hissed, giving her a sharp look. Before I could even try to say more, Merrielynn walked in, her curious gaze darting between the three of us. “Whose name?” she asked.
Valtor shook his head, clearly trying not to laugh, whileLorelai’s face turned red. “No one’s,” she said quickly. “Just...nothing important.”
Merrielynn tilted her head, clearly not buying it, but thankfully, she didn’t ask any more questions.Lorelai gave me a look that screamed, 'We’re going to talk about this, and I will murder you later.'
“Anyway,” she said, breaking the silence, “I came to see if you guys are down to beg Mom to let me take the new car Dad got her for a spin.”
Valtor raised an eyebrow. “The new car?”
“Yeah,” Lorelai said with a grin. “I figured we could take it down to the lake, get drunk, maybe go skinny-dipping. You know, live a little.”
I shot her a look, already knowing she didn’t say any of that to Mom. “And you actually think she’ll say yes?”
“Probably not,” she admitted with a shrug, “but it’s worth a shot. What’s the worst that could happen?”
I didn’t answer, my mood already souring at the thought of that car. It wasn’t just a new car. It was another shiny present from my dad. Another attempt to cover up whatever mess he’d made this time.
Lorelai kept talking, but I wasn’t paying attention anymore.
My mind went to Mom. She’d been falling sick lately, the kind of sick everyone noticed but didn’t want to talk about.
People whispered about how much weight she’d lost, how tired she always looked.
And now Dad was giving her a car?
A gift like that could only mean one thing: He screwed up. Again.
Probably cheated. Again.
The thought burned in my chest.
She was sick. Sick! And the bastard still couldn’t keep it in his pants.
“Hey.”
I turned at the sound of Merrielynn’s voice as I was trying to put on a shirt. Her blue eyes had the kind of look that always made me forget whatever was bothering me.
“You coming?” she asked.
I stared at her for a moment, my gaze dropping to the way her fingers fiddled with the necklace around her neck. My chest felt lighter without me even trying, and I couldn’t help but smile.
“Of course.” I said.