Wow, I’ve known Kade since he was a little boy and he has always been persistent when he really wants something. Now grown, he hasn’t changed much and is still a pain in the ass.

“Kade, stop messing with me.” I can’t help but laugh as I push him away because the look on his face is priceless when he realizes I’m getting serious. “You’re becoming a pain in the ass. Didn’t anyone teach you to keep your hands to yourself?” A slow smile spreads across my face. “Dirt ball.” He quirks his head to the side and spins his keys around his pointer finger.

“Oh, I definitely can be a pain in the ass, a big one, and you of all people know I’ve never been able to keep my hands to myself.”

“Did you really just say that?” I question, still focusing on the first thing that came out of his filthy mouth.

He shrugs his shoulders. “What?” he asks. “I didn’t say I wanted to be. I just said that I could.”

“Sure,” I say trying not to smile, but it’s impossible to stay mad at Kade. “Well keep it to yourself because that, my friend, will never be happening. Especially after seeing that thing.” I give the crotch of his jeans a tap and he looks up with a proud smile.

Before he can respond, I push the door open and jump out of the truck, my feet landing heavily on the cement.

I glance up, my eyes pausing on the sign that’s hanging on the front of the brick building. It reads: Adi’s Attic.

“Adi’s Attic.” The name rolls off my tongue with an intensity that lights a fire in my chest. Pain and excitement flow through my body, making it hard to know whether I should laugh or cry.

Adi was my brother’s nickname as a child and I haven’t heard or spoken that name since the day he died. The nickname started when he met his best friend and partner in crime, Kellan Haze.

Kellan looked at him and said ‘Adi, my man, I just saved your ass’ and it stuck. From that day forward, he was known as Adi Winters and the two became inseparable.

My parents hated the name and Kellan as well, but that didn’t stop him from coming over every single day. Those were the best days of my life. Those boys took care of me, protected me. They were everything to me, my best friends.

Ugh! They’re not supposed to be gone, but here, with me. We were a team. I would give anything to have them both back. Every part of me misses them and a big piece of me is missing without them.

Waiting for Kade, I nervously rub my hands over the front of my tank top to wipe the sweat off, my eyes never moving from the sign.

I hear the slamming of the truck door before hearing his familiar grunt. “Shit. Not good timing.”

I pull my eyes away and turn behind me to see Kade running toward me, holding his phone out in front of him. “I hate to have to do this shit, but do you mind if I make a quick run and come right back? I promise, it won’t take long.”

I take a deep breath while watching him type on his phone. I am nervous as hell, but I’ve been wanting this for years and what better place to get it done than a shop with a name that reminds me of him. I guess it’s the next best thing since he can’t be the one to actually give it to me.

“I’ll be fine, Kade.” I assure him. “I’ll just take a look around and try to find the design I want. No big deal, really. Go, run along,” I tease.

He furrows his brow, looking up from his phone. “Are you sure? You’re not going to make me pay for this later are you?” he questions with a sly grin. “You’re not gonna want to start without me, though.” He winks. “Trust me.”

I laugh as he takes a step back. “Why is that because you think I need you? We’re not kids anymore, I don’t need the big bad Kade around to hold my hand and laugh at me. I’m a big girl, I think I can handle it on my own.” I smile and place my hands on my hips, trying to convince myself and it almost works.

He looks from my lips to my eyes biting his bottom lip, before pointing at his face. He says, “When that needle starts digging into that smooth, sexy flesh of yours, you’ll need a distraction. That beautiful, is why I’m here, not to hold your damn hand; although, I’d gladly hold something else.” He slowly skims down my body, a low growl rumbles through his chest. “Sorry, but gotta run but I’ll be back, ten minutes tops.”

Rolling my eyes, I place my hand on his chest and give him a little shove to get going. “You’re right about one thing, you are a huge distraction. I’m not saying that’s a good thing either. If you’re referring to your dick that you’d be holding, then be my guest,” I tease. “Have to run, there’s a tattoo I should be picking out.”

Before I can turn to walk away, he grabs my wrist and pulls me to him. “I’ll make sure it’s a good thing.” He grins and starts walking backwards until finally he jumps in the truck and drives away, leaving me alone.

Too bad he couldn’t have tripped. That cocky son of a bitch.

Exhaling, I turn around and my eyes land on a guy leaning against the wall of the brick building. He has brown shoulder length hair, tattoos everywhere, including his neck and a lip ring that curls around his bottom lip. Despite the warm weather, he’s also wearing a beanie. He has this sexy, bad boy look about him. Actually, I can see Jen jumping all over him, if she wasn’t with that prick Nathan.

He pulls his foot up against the building he’s leaning on, takes a cigarette from his pocket and places it between his lips before lighting it. Taking a puff from his cigarette, he pushes his hair out of his face and leans his head back catching sight of me. “Are you here for a tattoo?” I nod and he continues. “Do you have an appointment?” He shoves a hand in his pocket, waiting for my response.

I shake my head and give him a nervous smile, just now realizing I didn’t even bother to think of that before showing up. Maybe I won’t be getting that tattoo after all.

“No I don’t, I’m sorry. Do I need one?” My eyes scan the street curb for any parked cars. When I see it’s empty, I turn back around to face him with a smile. “I can make one and come back at a later time if you’re too busy.” I pause as he laughs. “What’s so funny? I’ve never gotten a tattoo before. I really didn’t even bother to think about an appointment.”

His eyes shoot up to meet mine before he takes another drag. He looks amused by my answer. “No shit, you’re a first timer? Damn, my boy will love you then. He’ll love popping your cherry.” My cheeks turn red and he takes notice. Looking me over, he reaches for the door and holds it open with a smirk on his face. “Go ahead sweetie and take a look around. He’ll find you in a few.”