Once I got over the initial shock of having a brother and sister, Dane and I bonded over our love of tattoos. He taught me everything I know, and about a year ago, turned me loose to my own chair.
Which gets me thinking. “Where is Zoey tonight?” I ask Maddox. I know she should be here because the band played tonight.
Zoey was my very first canvas. I added to another beautifully intricate tattoo on her back. She’s been back to see me a few times since then.
Zoey is special. You can see it in her pale blue eyes and her smile, as sad as that smile may be. I’ve watched as people seem to naturally gravitate to her without her trying. In fact, she tries hard to push people away.
I’ve tried a lot over the last year to get to know her better. I ask her to come out with me all the time. I’ve even offered to set her up with a couple of guys I know. She always has a reason not to join. I’ve tried to get Maddox to spill some deets on her, but he keeps quiet. Unusually so.
But I persist anyway because I can see the girl needs a friend. I know she’s been through something. It’s obvious in her haunted eyes and sad smile. I don’t like to see people hurting.
And the way Maddox just turn a whiter shade of pale, I know something is wrong. Something else I know. Whether Maddox admits it or not, his feelings for Zoey go beyond friendly. I’m not sure what their history is exactly, but I can’t help but wonder if maybe it’s why he has never been in any kind of relationship. Not even short term.
“Did she quit?” I ask casually like I don’t notice his discomfort.
“She tried to,” he mumbles with a sarcastic tone so low I nearly miss it.
“Maddox, what’s going on? Don’t think I didn’t notice you up there looking like the world is ending. And every single song you sang tonight was heavy as fuck. Not to mention you all of sudden look like you’re going to be sick.”
His bright blue eyes rake me over. He’s having an internal debate about what he should and shouldn’t tell me. He runs a tattooed hand through his sun kissed hair. “Come with me,” he tells me as he gestures to the back of the bar.
What the fuck? What the hell happened that he has to take me away from the crowd? Whatever it is, it can’t be good.
We make our way through the kitchen out the back door. We are standing in the alleyway that has absolutely no one around, but that doesn’t stop him from looking around like he excepts someone to be lurking around.
He finally turns to face me, and his face is tight with tension and worry. He roughs his hand through his hair again before stopping at the back of his neck with both hands. “I probably shouldn’t be telling you this, but I have seen how you have really tried to reach out to Zoey. I know how fiercely you care about people and that’s exactly what she needs right now.”
I watch him with a heavy heart. I can see so clearly how much he cares for Zoey. “I have tried to get to know her,” I agree, “but she hasn’t been very receptive.”
He blows out a breath. “Zoey hasn’t been receptive of anyone in a while. She was so full of life. Always happy and optimistic about everything until a year ago.”
Whatever happened and whatever is happening is tearing him apart. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Maddox look so defeated. I reach for his hand hoping it’s enough to bring him some sort of comfort, but knowing it probably isn’t. “You don’t have to tell me, Maddox.”
He shifts his six-foot frame from foot to foot. He is in a battle with himself. “No, I need somebody to talk to about this shit. I haven’t been able to talk to anyone in a long time, and Zoey needs all the friends she can get. At least, I hope you keep trying after she’s gone.”
“Gone?” My confusion is evident in my voice. “Where is she going?”
“I’m sure her brother and her boyfriend will be taking her back to River City.” His tourmaline eyes shadow with darkness. He drops his gaze to the ground and his jaw tenses more. He practically reeks with worry, guilt, and sadness. “Fuck, why can’t I ever do anything right with her?” he bellows into the night. “Twice. Twice she’s nearly died because of me. Three if you want to count last year.”
“Mads, for the love of God what are you talking about?” I ask a little high pitched because he is seriously worrying me right now.
He looks at me. His eyes glistening with tears, and a cold chill runs through my entire body. When he begins to talk, I begin to feel ill. When he finishes his story, tears also fill my eyes.
“Can we go see her?” I ask softly.
He shakes his head. “I don’t know. Maybe. I’ll have to see what Jax or Zane think.” He waves a hand around like he’s brushing away the last fifteen minutes. “I’ve got to get to work.”
“Yeah, me too,” I agree although I don’t really feel like going back now. I’d much rather go some other place.
He goes back inside while I walk to the tattoo shop. I have an itch I need to scratch, and I plan on doing just that as soon as I get the next guy out of my chair.
Zane
I don’t know how much more the fucking universe expects me to handle. I think I have dealt with more than my fair of bullshit. I really don’t think I can handle anymore. If my sister doesn’t wake up, I think I will lose it.
Another text from Maddox comes through my phone. The guy has texted every day since we got here. It makes me wonder what has gone on in the last year between him and my sister. For his sake, I hope nothing because his face can’t take much more. Jax really would have killed him the other night had we not gotten him off of Maddox.
I wanted a piece of the asshole too, but I was more worried about Jax at that moment. We’re both barely hanging on by a thread, but he has been unraveling faster and faster. I can’t lose my best friend on top of everything else, so I have been trying to keep it together. If we both lose it, then somebody will get hurt.
