Am I throwing away my career?
Shel
* * *
From: [email protected]
I’m completely serious. I’ve got a rental house here in town, and it’s been vacant for the past three weeks. Do me a favor and use it to take a shower. It's for the good of your neighbors and the community in general.
We’ve got five minutes before the show starts. Say you’ll visit so we can spend a few days talking about art and you can use my shop. Pretty please? I’ve got literally no one in Pink Springs that will understand my obsession with the new Dragonhawk Mast Pen.
The address is below. Don’t make me celebrate alone.
W-
* * *
I get a notification that the exhibit has begun, and I click over to watch the art curator discuss the event tonight and introduce the new pieces. I’m always amazed at how well the gallery represents my art and that of the other artists that it features. It doesn’t take long before the digital room is full and the bidding has begun.
Within the next hour, two pieces of mine sell for over six figures. I’m grateful for how popular my work has become and that this will help me continue providing care for my grandmother while concentrating on my art. Tattooing is my fun hobby that gets me out of the studio, but my art has given me the financial freedom to keep at it.
When I check on Shelly’s pieces I see I’m already too late and they’re sold out. “Damn,” I whisper in awe because she’s absolutely blown it away tonight in record time.
There’s a ping on my inbox, and I see it’s from Shelly.
* * *
From: [email protected]
You’re on! See you tomorrow with a bottle of champs to celebrate.
-Shel
* * *
My smile is so big I can feel my cheeks stretch, and damn if I can remember the last time that happened. Over the past year, Shelly has become an essential part of my daily life, and I can’t wait to hang out and talk in person. It will be good to have her here even if it’s just for a week. I would never admit it to Ophelia, but sometimes it’s lonely out here in Pink Springs. Sure the people here are nice, and I’ve got acquaintances, but no one as close to me as Shelly. I tried dating for a while, but nothing was ever meaningful.
There’s one girl in town named Juno that I like, but even with her it’s only been as a friend. I tease her about going on a date, but that’s mostly because I know for sure she’s not interested in me. Juno has been hung up on Sheriff Cooper Cross since she knew what love was, and he’s finally gotten his head out of his ass to see it. I’m thrilled for her, but if I’m honest a part of me is jealous of what they have.
In my experience women see me as the dark-haired bad boy covered in tattoos. They think I’ll be a thrill, and I guess I look like someone who could shock their strait-laced family. Deep down all I want to do is watch Harry Potter movies and play board games. Maybe that sounds boring to other people, but to me that sounds like the perfect Friday night.
Shelly coming to Pink Springs will be a nice break from thinking about all that dating crap. When she gets here, I plan on kicking back and ignoring that part of my heart that’s looking for love.
Chapter Two
Chapter 2 Wess
The next day I’m about to bubble over with excitement. I got an email from Shelly early this morning, and she should be here any minute. I went over to the rental house to make sure everything was ready, and I even put clean sheets on the bed for her.
When I’m finished I stand in the doorway and look at the space. I always forget how much I love this house until I’m back inside. This was my safe haven as a kid, and the place I called home. As a teenager I couldn’t wait to get the hell out of Pink Springs, but the whole time I was gone, I was trying to find a way back. When I returned to look after my grandmother, I had a vision of raising a family here, but plans don’t always go how we want them to.
So instead of living here with my own family, I’ve got to help out a few young families just starting out in town. I’ve rented to a couple of single moms looking to get back on their feet and even a single dad that needed some help with his three kids. This house has held so much love and given a roof to those in need. I hope it will always be a house that people drive by and remember happy times with the people they love. That’s how I see it, at least.
In the distance, a black truck puts on its turn signal to come down the driveway. I straighten up and can already feel the smile tugging at my lips as I walk across the front porch and down the stairs. I’m so excited to finally meet my friend face to face that I have to remind myself to not run out and grab her in a hug.
The windows are dark so I can’t see inside, but as soon as the truck comes to a stop, the driver's door flings open and then she jumps out.
“Wess!” she calls, and I have only a split second to process that this is Shelly before she’s jumping into my arms.
Holy. Shit.
I wasn’t prepared for this. In my mind Shelly was a sixty-year-old woman who was maybe an ex-biker chick. I pictured her with a pack of cigarettes rolled up in one sleeve and a voice like a long-haul trucker. I thought she’d have grandkids and tell me stories about “Back in my day…”
There was nothing in my mind that’s even remotely like the Shelly O’Neal in front of me.
“I can’t believe we’re finally meeting after all this time.” She leans back to look at me, and I can hardly breathe.
Her jet-black hair is piled high in a messy bun, and she’s got on a ripped white tank top with cut-off jean shorts and combat boots. Her tattoos cover most of her limbs, and she’s got her lip pierced. She’s probably not old enough to drink, and suddenly I’m worried she’s a lot younger than I anticipated.
“How old are you?” My eyebrows pull together, and she bursts out laughing.
“I’m twenty-six.” She shakes her head as she walks over to the truck and grabs her bag. “I know I like to keep a low profile on social media so I forgot you haven’t seen me before. I looked you up after the first time we talked so I knew you looked like Carey Hart.” I open my mouth to say something, but she’s just bubbling with excitement and talks over all my thoughts. “I really can’t thank you enough for the invite to stay with you. Gosh, it’s been so long since I’ve gotten out of the city, and already I can feel my lungs being repaired by the fresh air. Do you guys have a diner around here? I haven’t had a good meat and three in as many years.”
“Um yeah,” I mumble as she grabs her bag and walks past me.
“Oh my god, this place is gorgeous. This is yours, right?”
“Uh, yeah.” Jesus, can I possibly sound dumber?
She looks over her shoulder at me, and the smile she gives me is secretive, like she can read my thoughts. “Come on and show me around.”
“Yeah.” I press my lips together, and when she smiles it’s all teeth and dimples.
Fuck me, I was not prepared for her to knock me on my ass. My manners finally catch up with me, and I grab her bag so I can carry it for her. “Here, let me get that.”