Body, Ink, and Soul (15 page)

''You naughty girl! I’m so glad I was right about you two.'' I heard her whisper the news to Tyler and he congratulated us in the background. ''What about Tristan?''

''I’ve told him it’s over. I've never felt like this before, Bekka, I feel strong, I feel sexy, and I miss him already. I've never been like this over a guy before.''

''You’re falling in love girl, big time.''

''I know. It's crazy, right?''

We both laughed. It was absolutely crazy and I loved it.

I
spent the rest of the day with Levi and we had a great time together. We got back home a little before my shift at the club was due to start, and I only had enough time to change my clothes and get my things ready. Lev had offered to drive me to work and I couldn't refuse him. Any chance to spend more time with him and I would say yes, besides he had a really cool car. A Mustang in mint condition, who wouldn't want to ride in it?

Bekka was already at her station when I sauntered in with Levi. She was wearing a big beautiful smile as she caught sight of us. I went straight across to her and she hugged me tightly, whispering into my ear that I wouldn't regret the decision, that Levi and I were a perfect match. I thanked her, knowing she’d been right about Levi since the beginning. She offered me a shot of Tequila before I started my shift.

Tyler and Levi stood talking together, not far away, but far enough that we couldn't hear them. Tyler was smiling and nodding at whatever Levi was telling him. They both kept glancing over our way while they spoke, so I was pretty certain I was the subject of their discussion. I hoped the constant smiles meant Tyler was happy about the development in our relationship.

''Look at Levi!” Bekka announced. “We don’t even know what he’s saying, but I can tell by the look on his face it's all about you. He’s in love with you, Nix.''

''I think he is... I think I might be with him too.'' I looked at him and saw he was gazing in my direction. Lev winked when he caught my eye and I nearly swooned. My heart was flying so high, I’d never felt anything like this before. It was a different feeling, strange and new, and I loved it. Every single second of it. When I turned back to Bekka, she had a tear rolling down her cheek. ''Don’t cry, Bek, don't cry. We’re happy, right? We really are. How’s everything going with Tyler?''

''He’s my soul mate. He is absolutely perfect, Nix. Of course, we’re still really getting to know one another but so far, it's great, better than great.'' She took a deep breath and wiped away her tears. ''I never thought I’d meet someone like him. Tyler is so very good to me, he takes care of me and it feels wonderful.''

''Levi is like that too. He always seems to be looking out for me. I think we’re in it for a long haul. I'm falling deep for him.''

''Hey, mates,'' I heard from behind us. Tiffany had just arrived. ''Ready for the night?''

''Hell, yeah,'' I said.

She pulled me by the arm and I tripped over my own feet. We were laughing so hard, we could hardly breathe but we managed to get behind the bar in one piece. Tiff definitely had an extrovert’s personality, she was loud and so freaking funny. She also delighted in making fun of me and garnering attention. I think I’d turned scarlet red by the time the guys joined us. Levi came behind the bar for the first time, circling his arms around my waist and holding me close. The soft kisses he pressed against my neck were going to drive me insane. They tickled and worse, everybody was standing around and watching. I couldn’t pull away though, his hands were so gentle. He really was the sweetest person alive.

''Stop now, Levi, I've got to work.''

''No... It’s fine. I’ve had it on good authority, your boss is allowing you another five minutes of blushing and giggling.'' He started kissing me and brushed his nose against the side of my neck. I was sure there must be a law somewhere which forbid this kind of thing, because I was certain I shouldn’t feel like this in a public place.

''Levi... Lev... Please stop,'' I begged, but he ignored me. Why would he stop, anyway? He knew what he was doing, had me exactly where he wanted. I was his prey, he was the predator and he knew I couldn’t, and wouldn’t, escape if he didn’t let me. ''Lev... Stop... I can't take this anymore.''

''What are you saying now, Rock Star?'' He stepped back a little and all I could see in his eyes was pure lust. ''I want this just as much as you do, just not here,'' he whispered against my ear. He smiled and pulled me back against him. ''You’re driving me crazy, you know that, right?''

I knew he was just playing around with me, but I certainly didn't want to replay our kitchen scene here at work.

''You have to work now, Rock Star,” he grinned. “I’ll just sit over there and relax a bit. I'm tired.''

''Go home,” I suggested. “You don't have to stay here tonight, you can go to bed and sleep. I’ll see you in the morning.''

''It’s my first day with you,” he protested firmly. ”I’m not wasting a minute of it, being away from you.''

I was glad he felt that way, because I really didn't want him to go. I wanted him to stay with me while I worked, just like I’d stayed with him most of the day. The connection we were experiencing was intense and the more time I spent with him the more I wanted.

He sat on a stool, not too far away, but there was no time to talk because I was busy dealing with thirsty customers. Between the regulars who chatted about their days, and serving drinks, the best I could do was blow him a few kisses. Lev spent most of his time talking with Tyler or striking up a conversation with bar patrons who came in and sat near him.

It was almost midnight when Levi came over to order a beer. We kissed again, and I decided I’d missed his lips in the few hours I’d been working. I handed him a cold beer and noticed Tristan standing right beside Levi. He didn't look happy, in fact, he was definitely pissed off. I could almost see his blood boiling in his veins and his blue eyes seemed to darken as he stared from me to Levi and back again. I didn't like the fury in his eyes at all.

''Tristan,'' I said in a shaky voice. ''Can I get you anything?''

''You... I can't believe it... not even twenty-four hours ago, we were texting each other! I thought we had something special happening. Then I come in here to try and talk some sense into you, and I see you kissing this piece of shit.'' He nodded towards Levi and I saw Levi smile. I was glad he was finding it amusing, because I certainly didn't.

''Tristan... stop, please,'' I asked him, as gently as I could.

''No, you stop!'' His voice was getting louder as he grew more agitated. ''You can't be serious... I can't believe you picked this asshole over me!''

''I’m sorry you're upset, but he isn't what you think he is.''

''You’ve known him for a few weeks! We’ve worked together for months! Did you know, he’s his father’s biggest failure? The guy is a complete loser!''

''Shut it, now, Tristan.'' My throat was hurting, and I knew I was about to start crying. This was a nightmare playing out right before my eyes. ''You don't know shit about Levi.''

''I think it's best if you leave now, Tristan,'' Levi said smoothly.

''So you get the keep her...'' Tristan obviously wasn't done, but Levi interrupted him.

''Of course I get to keep her, she's my girl.'' Even though the situation wasn’t ideal, his possessive words made me smile.

Tristan laughed hysterically. ''Your girl, huh?''

The angry looks on their faces confirmed there was no way this would end well. It was a clash of the good, versus the bad. A thought randomly crossed my mind, as I watched Levi and Tristan eyeing one another warily. I wished my mom was here, so she could witness this. Then she might see what was happening and realize exactly who was not so good and which one was protecting me. I was sure she would be shocked, to learn the one she would naturally assume was perfect, was no good, and the one she would assume was a loser, because of the way he looked, was the one who was intent on caring for me. I was sure if she could see just how much he cared, she would think differently of Levi. Levi was a good and honourable man, and I had no doubts about him whatsoever, but Tristan was showing me another side and I despised him for it.

''Yeah, my girl. She’s with me.'' Lev stepped closer to Tristan, his chin held high and the expression in his eyes menacing. I knew it was just a facade, Levi was really a gentle soul. ''Come on, man. We don't need any of this shit here. Get out of here.''

''Fuck off,” Tristan snarled. “You should do yourself a favor and start by getting rid of that slut, before she fucks around on you, too. She’s always playing around with other guys, she’s nothing but a fucking whore. Or maybe you knew that, and you’re looking for an easy fuck or something?''

I heard screaming from around us, glasses smashing to the floor as Levi leaped towards Tristan with a growl. Amongst the screams and shouts, I saw the doorman running across the dance floor towards us. Bekka reached my side in seconds but I shrugged out of her grip and jumped over the bar to try and stop the fight. I tried to shove my way in between them, ignoring Tristan but keeping my eyes on Levi. His face was frightening, he gripped Tristan by the collar of his shirt and a little blood was oozing out of Tristan's mouth, from where Levi had punched Tristan in the face.

Tyler appeared and grabbed Levi from behind, immobilizing his arms. ''Hey, brother, you’re better than this.” Ty tried to reason with him. “Let it go.''.

Levi struggled against Tyler’s grip. ''He can call me names as much as he wants and I don't give a fuck, but with her, he fucking crossed a line.''

I turned and glared at Tristan, disgusted with his behaviour. All the names he’d called me were the complete opposite of how he’d spoken to me when we were spending time together. With a shaking hand, I slapped him across the cheek. The slap was so hard, it made every inch of my hand throb. ''We were never officially an item and you know it, so cut the crap and let it go. Stay here if you can behave, but leave if you can't control your anger. And don't
ever
call me a whore or a slut again.'' I had spent months dreaming about him, but any feelings I’d ever thought I had for him had died with what he’d just done. I couldn't ever look at him the same way again.

When the guys had finally been calmed down, I left the bar and slipped into the restrooms. My heart was beating swiftly, adrenaline still pumping even as I began to question what had just happened and my role in it. Tiff followed and slipped up behind me to pat my shoulder. ''Are you okay?'' She handed me a pile of tissues, and I dabbed at the tears which were sliding down my cheeks.

''I'm fine, really, I'm okay,'' I reassured her breathlessly. ''I messed up, Tiff... I’ve really made a mess of things. I used to really like Tristan, and for months, I dreamed that one day we would be together. We finally started going out, every once in a while. We had made out, but I swear, I never slept with him... it really hadn’t gone all that far, but I guess he figured we were definitely an item. And in the meantime, I’d met Levi and I honestly didn’t like him at first. He got on my nerves every single time we met, but over time, things changed and I began to realize he might not be so bad. Then everything really changed this morning and I finally figured out Levi really was the guy I wanted to get involved with. But I hadn’t told Tristan it was over, not until this afternoon. Nothing has really happened between Levi and me, not yet... but...Oh God! I really am a slut,'' I cried.

''Shh, Nix...fuck Tristan. You're definitely not a slut... I know I don't know you very well but I have an inbuilt slut radar and I stay away from them. You are so not a slut. You weren’t exclusive with Tristan, and he’s just being an ass. Things like this happen, you can't control it. Don't let their testosterone-fueled egos get in the way of things, okay?''

Someone knocked on the restroom door. ''Rock Star, can I come in?''

''He calls you Rock Star?'' Tiff whispered against my ear. ''Oh my God, he’s so sweet.'' I nodded, her accent bringing a tiny smile to my lips. I loved how every word had a new twist.

''Come in, '' Tiff hugged me and opened the door for Levi, before leaving us alone.

Levi stepped into the room, looking downcast. ''Nix, I’m so sorry... I... it wasn’t right, what he said to you.''

''Stop, Lev, it wasn’t your fault.” I squirmed uncomfortably. “He was partially right. No, I'm not a whore or a slut, but yes, I did kind of play him a little. Everything changed so fast between you and me, and I didn’t have a chance to think about it before now, but I guess he had a right to be annoyed.''

''Don't blame yourself over this, please.'' He drew me into his arms and kissed my lips once and then again. ''Tristan’s a player, he sleeps around. I know his brothers really well. He’s just playing a game with you, right now, he’s only pissed because he missed out and you dumped his ass. Don’t let this get to you.''

A player?
Was Levi telling me that when Tristan wasn't with me, he was seeing someone else? All those nights when he was telling me he had to study, was he really studying? Or was he out dating some other woman? I remembered the redhead at Karaoke night. How he’d been staring at her right in front of me, and how both of them left the bar not long afterwards. Had they left together? Did he sleep with her, when he was supposed to be interested in me? ''Oh my God.'' I was deeply humiliated, and I began to understand he really did it. He had never been faithful or honest, Levi was right, he had just been playing with me. I’d been so ridiculously naive.

''Phoenix, look at me,'' Levi demanded, trying to lift my chin up with his fingers

''I can't... I can't right now.'' I turned on the faucet and splashed some water on my face. ''I was so naive, Levi, so stupid.''

''I tried to tell you, but it wasn't any of my business,” Levi explained. “And as much as I hated it, you seemed to really like him.''

''Well, now, I really hate him. I can't believe I didn't see his game before tonight.''

''He’s good at what he does,'' Levi said simply. He kissed my forehead. ''Come here. You’re my Rock Star now, and I won't ever hurt you like he did.''