Music, Ink, and Love (14 page)

Nix waited by the door. She heard everything and still looked at me with those beautiful eyes. I had said the truth. For the rest of my life, I would protect her, like this or to a bigger extent.

“Come, Star, let’s get home.” I kissed her forehead. “Hold my hand.” I took her hand in mine. Her fingers shook against my hand. If I could take it all away from her I would, but for now I could only take her away from here.

She followed me out of the door and into my car, and I drove away. I stayed quiet, I wanting her to say something first so I could gauge her emotions better.

I parked the car in front of the apartment. She hadn’t said anything or cried. Nix looked empty of all emotions. My mind ran hundreds of miles an hour trying to think of all the things I had said. Did I unintentionally hurt her? I could have but hoped that I hadn’t.

“Thank you, Levi, for stepping up for me. I didn’t know what to do. Brian had always been in my past or nowhere at all and it’s where I want him to stay.”

“I’ll make sure he stays there this time. Trust me, I was so mad when I saw him. He found us, he found our place, where we hang out.”

“I don’t want him in our life. I can’t be myself around him and my life is full already.”

“I love you. Let’s get inside.”

I got out of the car and ran to her side of the car to open her door. I helped her out and closed the door behind her. She was my diamond to protect, I would never let him see her again.

Once we got inside, I locked the door as if he was following us. Had he been following us to find us like this? Seattle was a big city, we could have been pretty much anywhere. I had no idea and to be honest, I didn’t want to know.

Nix pushed me against the door and fell into my arms. Again, I had a hard time understanding her emotions, but she wasn’t crying. I held her, kissed her, made her feel loved.

“This is not how I thought the night would end.” She said with a touch of humor.

“Me neither. How are you feeling now? Tell me because I don’t know what to do or say to make you feel better.”

“You already do all of that, Levi. You’re here with me, you’re taking care of me.”

“How are you feeling, babe?” I repeated.

“Surprised, mostly. I feel like the world stopped for a minute or two. Seeing him in Tyler’s office seemed like a dream or a nightmare. I couldn’t believe my eyes, but you handled it well. I don’t think he’ll try again.” She said with relief.

“He better not. Tyler was pissed too.”

“I had never seen him like that. He’s normally laid back, relaxed, but tonight he had that vein on his forehead that was about to burst.” She chuckled. “I hope Bekka will be able to handle it.”

“They seem good together, they’ll get through this. Don’t worry about it.” I kissed her hair and breathed her in, so relieved that she was doing okay.

“I just want to change into my sweatpants and eat popcorn. Can you get me a t-shirt, one of yours?”

“You don’t have to ask, Rock Star, take whatever you want.”

I followed her to our bedroom. “I won’t lie to you, I can’t wait for us to get a bigger place. This room is too small for both of us and Bekka is never here anymore.”

“What are you saying, Levi?”

I sighed. Why did I say that? She had enough to deal with tonight. “I want us to get a house, our house.”

“I’m still in school and unemployed.”

“You are employed, you’re just taking a break. Besides, I can afford it, babe. Wouldn’t you like it to have a bigger bedroom, a bigger bed? A dream kitchen with a fireplace and room for kids and stuff.”

“Kids?”

I rolled my eyes. “We both know this will be happening at some point.”

“We’re not even married yet.” God, she’s old-school. Her mother was still engrained into her brain.

“We already live together and we committed sin plenty of times. Don’t you think it’s a little late?”

Her cheeks flushed and she giggled shyly. “I would love that, but I would also love to be part of the project, I don’t want the responsibility to rely on you only.”

“Okay. Fine.” I paused for a short moment. “When are we getting married?” Soon, I begged her in my mind. I didn’t want to wait any longer.

“Spring, maybe.”

Good answer. “Spring break, it is.”

“Hold on, Levi, think about it. We all have responsibilities here, you, Kyle, Tyler, and Bekka. It won’t be as easy as you think to pack and go. You need to plan things.”

I felt a brick wall pushing on my shoulders. Fuck! I hadn’t thought about that. I didn’t mind closing the shop for a weekend but the club? Tyler, what would he do?

“I hate to say this, but you’re right. I’ll talk to them. I still want to get married this spring. As soon as I have this figured out with the boys, we’re fixing the date and you’re staying with me for a week in Los Cabos. You’ll be mine for the whole fucking week.”

“Mmm, a man in charge. I like.”

“Nah, I just want to be with and in you.”

She elbowed me in the ribs. “Such a romantic.”

“I knew I had that in me, somewhere.” We both laughed at my bad taste of romance.

That hit kind of hurt too.

Spring, only a couple of months away. My wedding day would be perfect, no matter what. I only needed her, everything else was extra.

T
he following days flew by. To be honest, I had no idea how the days would be after her father showed up, but she surprised me by not showing any regret or anger. Her mind was set, he represented the past and she absolutely didn't want him in her future.

Both of us dressed up to meet my father at his place, since she wanted to give him the best first impression and I thought she nailed it. She wore a knee-length black skirt paired with a burgundy blouse. She went for something she thought was classic, but she looked like a freaking librarian. A sexy freaking librarian. Hell, I wanted to start reading right fucking now. Her skirt kissed her curves, making her ass look round and downright sexy while her blouse didn't show a hint of a cleavage, only hinting at the curves of her breasts beneath.

“Dad, meet Phoenix. Phoenix, this is my dad, Austin.”

“Nice meeting you, Mr. Munroe.”

“No, no, Nix.” He looked at me for approval and I nodded chuckling. “Please, call me Austin.”

They exchanged kisses on their cheeks and shook hands all at the same time.

“Follow me, we can sit on the veranda while the dinner gets ready.”

I grew up here so to me, it didn't look anything special, but I could tell by the drool dripping from her mouth that Nix was impressed.

The veranda offered a view on the water side and it consisted of a room with windows all around. The view blew me away, no matter how many times I witnessed it, I still loved it. The garden still looked great during the winter. The pool, the spa on the right with a sitting area on the left, both facing the waterfront. If I had chosen to be a lawyer, I would have been able to afford a house like this at some point but now, although I had no financial problems, there was no way I could spend millions on a house like this. Unless I won the lottery but then again, I don't even buy lottery tickets.

“Have you guys figured out a date yet for the wedding?” My dad went straight to the point. The lawyer in him didn’t like to waste time with unimportant conversations.

“Not yet, we need to plan a get together with our guests. The tattoo shop will have to close for the weekend and if I want Tyler to come, he needs to find staff because we’re also taking his barmaids.”

“So, I’ll be the only old man, I assume?”

I laughed and he looked at me with a crooked eyebrow. “Yes, unless you want to bring someone. It’s up to you.” I gave him the option knowing he wouldn’t.

“I might ask Colleen.” He added without saying any more than that. I thought I had just hallucinated.

“Colleen? Dad, can’t you just forget about work for a weekend?”

“I certainly can, son, but Colleen and I, we like to be together.” The way he said it sounded like he didn’t want to say dating or mention a commitment.

Oh, well that changed things. I didn’t think I could hide the surprise on my face. I had known Colleen for many years, but never before I had thought of her as my father’s girlfriend. Was she really his girlfriend? Damn, that’s just awkward.

“She’s a good person, Levi.”

“I never said she wasn’t. I need a minute to, hmm... think.” Nix’s hand immediately covered mine. “Since mom died, I never saw you with anyone else.”

“I know, Levi. I’m not asking you to be okay with this now, just... think about it.”

I nodded.

“Are you happy?”

He smiled at me as if I had asked the funniest question ever. “I am.”

“Mr. Munroe, dinner is ready.” A short woman with dark hair said, standing at the entrance of the veranda. Dad stood up and invited us to follow him.

All three of us sat at the table. The lady brought us our plates. It smelled delicious. The mix of spices was mouth-watering. I was starving.

“Thank you.” I said and Nix repeated my words seconds later.

“So, Nix, what are you studying?” Studies for my dad were very important. I heard him say a couple of time that we could learn a lot about someone from the studies they chose.

“Communication, with a minor in English.”

He nodded his head in approval. “Good choice. When are you going to graduate?”

“I have one more semester before my graduation.” She said with a smile. “Then, I’ll find a job downtown.”

“Let me know if you need help, I could recommend you to a few places.”

“Oh, sure, thank you.” She smiled politely.

“Nix studies really hard. I’m sure she’ll be at the top of her classes.”

“It’s important that you do, Nix. What you are doing now is the base of your future. Levi went on a different path, but what he learned and the experience he got from working in a law firm will never be forgotten. He could have been a great lawyer.”

“Dad.” I said, embarrassed.

“But it’s true, son. Now, I look at his drawings and I also see outstanding talent. While I may not agree with the amount of tattoos he has, I know he has the brain to prepare for his future and to manage a company. Levi’s a smart man.” He talked to Nix as if I wasn’t sitting next to her.

“Thanks, Dad.” My cheeks heated with discomfort.

We ate quietly until Colleen showed up for the dessert. Awkward, that’s what came to mind as soon as I saw her. Even Nix seemed uncomfortable.

Colleen kissed my father on the cheek, and already I had seen enough. I didn’t think I could get used to this. My dad with another woman, I couldn’t erase the image of my mom flashing through my mind. I had to repeat in my mind that he was happy, I couldn’t judge him now. He had accepted a lot of shit for me.

“Hi, Colleen. So, should I call you my step-mom from now on?” Dad choked on his wine while Colleen flushed beet-red. “I’m sorry, that was a dick joke.”

Nix giggled at my side. At least someone thought I was funny. I kissed her cheek and she kissed me back. She had been quiet during the dinner, but I understood why.

“Levi.” She saluted me. “You must be Phoenix?”

“Yes, nice meeting you, Colleen.”

The way my dad looked at Colleen reminded me of the way I looked at Nix. I could see that he loved her and I also knew that he would never stop loving my mother. Their love inspired many; it was real and pure. While my mother had died, my father was still here and alive. Without Colleen he had a lonely life in a big house. He worked a lot and so did she. Maybe their relationship signified a good thing for him and her. Together, they could spend their free time and enjoy their lives. Even awkward, I couldn’t take that from him. He deserved to be happy. Dad had many good qualities and values.

Fuck that, was I having a double date with my dad? I chuckled at the thought and no, I wouldn’t say it out loud this time.

“I’m happy for both of you.”

“Thank you, son.”

Love was all we needed.

A
very thin carpet of snow covered the city of Seattle. A White Christmas, it was kind of beautifully perfect. While we were in the winter season, we never got much snow here compared to some other places up North in Canada or on the East Coast.

I remember in New York City, my plane landed in the middle of a snowstorm. I hated it and tried to get back home that same night, but then I met some guys and Mercedes at the Eccentrix tattoo shop. I blacked out that night, I had never had that much whiskey. These New Yorkers were freaking wild. And Mercedes, those days I missed her friendship because she was a cool gal, but I knew a friendship with her would only cause me trouble.

I shook my thoughts away, I had the most gorgeous woman right next to me, I had everything I needed right here. New York had to stay on the East Coast and not on my mind. I went there to try and get a shop open, but I ended up leaving empty handed with a girl who didn’t want to say goodbye. Mercedes caused my first fight with Nix and hopefully nothing like that would ever happen again. What Nix saw must have equalled a stab in the heart. She saw me saying goodbye for the last time to Mercedes. I asked her to stop pursuing me, I explained that I had found my soul mate and I didn’t want anything to ruin this. I found out minutes later that it was too late already. Nix had seen something and I had broken her heart. I hated myself for hurting her.