Beating the Odds [Ch. 10, Pt. 1]

“Taryn, Jess…this is Jack Wright,” Shane says, pointing to the short, suited man next to him, “he’s our new PR manager.”1

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Wright,” I say to him, shaking his rather petite hand.2

“Call me Jack,” he replies, winking at me and shaking his bangs out of his eyes.3

He’s a small man, about five foot nine or so, with thick straw colored hair and a million freckles across his narrow nose. Myself being tall for a woman, have to look down at him when speaking, making normal conversation awkward. His pinstriped suit looks a little roomy on his slight figure and he seems to be watching me from Shane’s side, causing my stomach to knot uncomfortably.4

Tonight is Impure’s New Year’s Eve show here at Skoonerz, and the we’ve all come early to meet up with Simon Jet and this new man, Mr. Wright, before the show. They’ll be handing out demo CD’s tonight while the band plays, for a fee of course. 5

Mr. Jet has reserved a limousine for the entire band, including us girlfriends, just for the event. This, apparently, was Jack’s idea. He said that showing the band arriving in a limo, and charging a cover fee to get in to door, would create an illusion of prestige, which in turn will have people rushing to get in.6

Shane kisses me on the cheek before Jessica and I turn towards the bar. It’s noon, so we’re ordering a quick lunch before Shane and I head to the park. It’s been a week since we’ve been there, and we’re both missing it dearly. 7

“So, what do you think of Jack?” Jessica asks me, taking a seat on one of the barstools.8

“I’m not sure really,” I reply, as Matt turns to us, martini shaker in hand, “there’s something about him that I don’t trust. I mean, I’m sure if Mr. Jet recommends him as a great PR rep, then he must be good at his job. But…as far as character’s concerned, there’s definitely something sketchy there.”9

“I know what you mean, Tar,” Matt says, dropping a skewered olive into a stemmed glass, “I got the same feeling when we met with him the first time in Simon’s office. The dude’s squirrely for sure.”10

“He seems nice enough,” Jessica says with a shrug.11

Pouring the contents of the shaker into the glass, Matt replies with, “in the music industry, nice gets you nowhere.12

” 13

My feet are killing me from the jumping around I did on the dance floor in these four inch destroyers. Jessica, Brittany and I are seated at our VIP table, sipping sodas while the guys are signing CD’s on the far side of the bar. 14

“I’m having a proud moment,” I say with a grin, reaching under the table to remove the strappy pink heels from my now swollen feet.15

“You’re so lucky, Taryn,” Brittany states, stirring her drink with a neon green cocktail straw, “you and Shane are so much in love. You can just see it in your faces. When you two look at each other, it’s like you glow. I know it sounds cliché, but it’s true,” she finishes, smiling across the table at me.16

“He’s amazing. Everyday I fall more and more in love with him. Just seeing him now, fulfilling his dreams, doing everything that he’s always wanted, but never been able to…it makes me so damn proud of him,” I reply, staring over at him and smiling, watching him signing a large blonde man’s CD.17

“They did so well tonight. I can’t believe how many people turned up for the show,” Jess says, sipping her soda.18

“Well, I must say, although I don’t fully trust Jack, he seems to be good at this public relations shit. He must’ve really advertised well for it, hyped people up and all that,” I reply.19

It’s eleven o’clock now, and the guys have played their final set of the night. The giant screen TV is muted, upon which is the countdown till midnight live from Times Square in New York 20

“FIVE…FOUR…THREE,” screams the entire bar in unison, as the ball in Time’s Square drops on the giant screen TV, “TWO…ONE! HAPPY NEW YEAR!”21

Shane spins me around to face him, cupping my chin in his hand and leans his face to mine whispering, “happy New Year, baby,” kissing me passionately as confetti rains down on everyone. 22

“Happy New Year, Shane.”23

A few hours later, Shane and I are once again curled up beneath the covers in our bed, chatting tiredly about the night‘s events. We got home around two-thirty, me slightly drunk and Shane stoned out of his mind. After a quick romp in the sheets (I was quite liking this new found sexuality of mine), we showered and dressed for sleep.24

He kisses me softly and smiles at me with beautiful, yet bloodshot eyes and pulls me tight against his bare chest. 25

“I love you, Tar. Goodnight baby.”26

“I love you too, Shane. Night.”27

*********28

“Are you sure you don’t want to come with us, baby? Bill will be there. We’re going to try to find Matt a bike and Caleb and David are tagging along in case they find anything they like too,” Shane says, throwing his leather jacket on and kissing my cheek.29

“No, it’s ok baby. You have your guy time. I think I’ll stay in this afternoon and read a book, or paint my toenails. Jess invited me to go shopping, but I think a little R & R sounds great right now. Everything’s been so chaotic lately that some downtime is just what I need,” I reply, smiling up at him as he wraps his arms around me.30

“Ok, babe. Have fun relaxing and we’ll be back tonight. Are you okay for dinner? We’ll probably grab a bite to eat while we’re out. I can bring you back something if you want, love,” he offers, resting his chin on the top of my head.31

“I’ll be fine, babe. I might order a pizza and pig out while y’all are being macho and whatnot,” I joke, leaning my head back to look at him and smiling playfully.32

“You could use a little junk in your trunk,” Caleb says, slapping me on the ass as he walks by.33

“Dude, back off my woman,” Shane laughs, “she’s perfect. And her…trunk, is sexy,” Shane replies, thumping him on the back of the head. 34

“Dude, you can grab Jess’s tit next time, to even the score,” Caleb says, with a wry grin.35

“No thanks, man. Don’t get me wrong, Jess is hot…but I have eyes for Taryn only,” Shane replies, with a wink.36

After a long kiss goodbye, Shane and Caleb leave to meet up with Matt and David at Bill’s Harley shop uptown. 37

I order a pizza from Lou’s (who now offers a delivery service), pop in a chick flick and get my pedicure supplies from the bathroom. 38

I’ve come to think of this house as home. Upon entering any room, or turning any corner, there is a friend or loved one there. And Shane of course. This house feels like so much more than just a house. It’s a place to be loved, a place to be optimistic and place to make our dreams come true. I…we, owe a lot to Caleb and Jess. 39

After painting my toenails a glossy hot pink, and my fingernails to match, my pizza arrives. While scarfing down a few slices, I finish watching my girly, tearjerker DVD and retreat to the bathroom to draw myself a hot bubble bath. 40

One of the many gifts I received for my birthday and Christmas was an expensive boutique bath set. I haven’t used it yet, but I figured since I have the house all to myself for a few hours, why not treat myself? 41

I dump a liberal amount of the thick, pearl white liquid into the steaming water and undress myself as a dense fog settles over the mirror. After turning on the small silver boom box, which is situated on top of a standing towel rack, I tune it to a classical music station and settle myself in the hot, scented water.42

Vivaldi’s Four Seasons plays softly in the background as I lean my head back and close my eyes, daydreaming about the future. Smiling to myself, I can visualize me in a white dress and Shane in a tux (as if he’d ever wear one) as I make my way down the aisle towards him. 43

It’s a good thing he can’t read minds, I wouldn’t want to scare him away. What little girl doesn’t dream about her wedding day though? Ok, so I’m not “little” anymore…but I can dream right? Every woman fantasizes about her Prince Charming, and Shane is like my badass, rockstar version of Prince Charming. 44

After my thirty minute soak, I dry off and change into my pajamas, towel drying my hair and stuffing my feet into my slippers. I settle myself on the bed and pick up my book, propping myself up on pillows and opening it to the page I last read. 45

I’ve been reading for about a half hour when I hear footsteps in the hallway, assuming that it’s Jessica, back from shopping, I once again lean back against my pillow and begin to read.46

“Shane? Are you back here, man?” I hear Jack’s voice coming from the hallway.47

I sigh and get to my feet as he enters the bedroom without knocking.48

“Shane’s not here, Mr. Wright. Everyone’s out tonight,” I say to him, putting my book on the bedside table as he shoots me a perverse grin.49

“I can see that. Any idea when they’ll be back?” he asks, crossing the room and sitting in the armchair next to the dresser.50

“He said they’d be back later this evening, he didn’t specify. I can take a message if you’d like,” I suggest, as that familiar knotting occurs in my stomach.51

“That’s fine, just tell him I stopped by,” he replies, getting to his feet, “and I told you to call me Jack. We’re passed being formal, I think, Taryn,” he finishes, grinning.52

He takes a step towards me and before I know it his mouth is to mine, his tongue forcibly pushing against my unwilling lips as I try to push him off of me.53

He doesn’t move an inch, even in his slight stature with me pushing against his chest and struggling to catch a breath. He crushes his mouth against mine even harder as I try to force him away. His mouth is to mine for what seems like an eternity with me pinned against the dresser, trying my hardest to break free of his hold.54

“Get OFF of me!” I scream in his face as I’m finally able to pull away from him.55

I shove him with every ounce of energy I possess, causing him to stumble backwards as I wipe his disgusting saliva from my mouth.56

“What the FUCK do you think you’re doing?!” I shout at him as he scrambles to his feet.57

“C’mon baby, don’t act like you don’t want it. I saw you staring at me tonight,” he says to me, advancing at me once more.58

“Stay away from me!” I shout, picking up the lamp on the bedside table, ready to strike if the situation calls for it, “I don’t know what the fuck would EVER make you think I would want you, but you are deluded! GET OUT!”59

“Fine, I’m leaving, you can kiss your dreams for your little boyfriend and his band goodbye, you slut,” he hisses, spitting in my face before turning and leaving the room.60

After the front door clicks shut, I take a seat on the edge of the bed, breathing heavy as tears gather in my eyes. I can hear a motorcycle in the distance a few minutes later, and with all of my heart, I hope that it’s Shane, returning home to me.61

Instead, I can hear Caleb’s voice sounding from the living room as him and David laugh at some unknown joke. I hurry to meet them in the living room, wiping my eyes hastily and pulling myself together.62

“Caleb! Where’s Shane? You’re not going to believe what happened,” I say to him in a rush.63

“Whoa, Taryn, calm down. What’s wrong?” he asks, gripping my shoulders as my knees weaken.64

“Jack. He came over here, looking for Shane. He kissed me and wouldn’t stop, he said that we can kiss the band goodbye because I wouldn’t let him. Where’s Shane? I have to tell him,” I say in one single breath.65

“What?! That weasely fucker came into MY house and attacked you? Oh, HELL no,” Caleb says, furiously. 66

“I have to find Shane. Isn’t he with you?” I ask, throwing my coat on over my pajamas.67

“He should’ve been here by now. He left before we did. Said he wanted to get back home and spend some time with you,” David says, stuffing his arms back into the winter coat he just removed.68

“Let’s go look for him. Dude the road’s are icy tonight and he’s on the Harley. Matt, you take the North end, David and I will take the South end, I’ll call Jess and have her look on the Westside, Tar, you comb over the Eastside. Y’all used to live over there, you know it better than we do,” Caleb orders.69

I just nod and kick my slippers off, replacing them with my thick, suede winter boots before grabbing my keys and heading out the door.70

******71

I’ve been driving around town for close to two hours now, and there’s still no sign of him anywhere. Stopping twice at a payphone to call Caleb, only to be informed that no one else has seen him either. Worry clouds my every thought as I turn corner after corner, searching for any sign of him or the bike.72

Inadvertently and without thinking twice about it, I drive towards our park, parking on the street adjacent from Lou’s and killing the engine.73

I pull my coat around myself tight and stuff my keys into my pocket as the bitter wind bites at my exposed face. Making my way through the park, a feeling of foreboding steals over me as I approach our bench.74

He’s there.75

“Shane! Oh thank God I found you! Are you ok?” I exclaim, rushing up to him.76

I stop dead in my tracks as he looks up at me, his eyes bloodshot and a mixture of fury and pain on his face.77

“How could you, Taryn?” he asks me, standing up and shoving his hands in his pockets.78

“How could I what, Shane?” I ask him, puzzled.79

“I can’t believe you! Don’t play stupid with me!” he shouts, breathing heavily and glaring at me.80

Tears once again fill my eyes as I stand there completely baffled as to what I’ve done. 81

He’s never yelled at me before. 82

“Shane, I don’t k-…”83

“STOP! Don’t do this, Taryn. Don’t lie to my face! I SAW YOU!” he screams, “I can’t believe you’d do this to me,” he finishes, running his fingers roughly through his hair.84

Then it clicked. He must’ve seen Jack kissing me before I could throw him off.85

“Are you talking about Jack, Shane?” I ask in a small voice as the tears roll down my cheeks and freeze in the icy breeze.86

“Don’t even say his name to me! I would have never thought you would do something like this! I’m leaving, I hope it was worth it, Taryn,” Shane says, before mounting his motorcycle and kicking it to life.87

I try to scream for him, but the noise from the engine drowns out my pleading yells.88

I immediately extract my keys from my pocket and run as fast as my legs will carry me back to my car. Without a second thought I make a swift U-turn and step on the gas, heading straight for Caleb’s house. 89

“DAMN IT!” I shout, slamming on the breaks four blocks from the house as I pull up to a screeching halt at a red light.90

Matt’s truck pulls up beside me on the opposite side of the street and stops abruptly. He rolls the window down quickly and I hit the automatic button on the door panel. 91

The freezing air floods my face, and Matt says to me, “did you find him?”92

“Yes, and he thinks…never mind. Listen, call Caleb’s cell and tell him to get back to the house right now! Follow me!” I command, rolling the window up and slamming my foot on the gas pedal as the back end of the Charger peels out on the ice covered road. Matt follows my lead an I can see his old green truck making a quick circle on the deserted street, racing along behind me.93

A few short minutes later, I pull up to the curb and shove the gear shift into park, yanking my keys from the ignition and slamming my door shut. Matt pulls up behind me a second later and before giving him a second glance I bolt up the path, past Caleb’s Mustang and into the front door.94

I can hear shouting before I even reach for the door knob.95

“DUDE! Listen to me! It’s not what you think, man! Give her a chance to explain shit before you fly off the handle!” Caleb shouts at him as I wrench the door open.96

“Explain what?! There is NOTHING to explain, Caleb! I saw them!” Shane shouts back as their voices carry from the kitchen.97

I quickly make my way across the living room after hurriedly kicking my sodden boots off by the door, Matt on my heels. David is leaning against the kitchen counter, apparently at a loss for any words. Shane is sitting at the little kitchen table, his face full of anger as Caleb towers over him.98

“Shane,” I say softly as my voice cracks. 99

Tears once again stream down my face as he tilts his head up to look at me, painful tears sitting in the corners of his sad eyes.100

“Shane, please. You didn’t see what you thought you saw,” I plead to him.101

“What I saw, was you and that bastard kissing, Taryn. In OUR bedroom. That’s what I saw,” he replies, slamming his fist on the table. 102

“He came here looking for you, Shane. I told him you were out and he stood up to leave. I didn’t even see it coming, he just kissed me out of nowhere and I tried, Shane, I tried to push him away. Please believe me, Shane. I wouldn’t do that to you. I love you!” I exclaim to him as my knees once again grow weak.103

He’s silent for a moment as I sob into my hands, clenching my eyes shut tight as my breath hitches in my lungs.104

Suddenly his arms are around me, forcing my hands away from my face and pulling me to his chest tightly as he breathes heavily against my cheek.105

“Are you ok? Did he hurt you?” he asks, gripping me even closer.106

“I’m fine,” I whisper, crying silently on his chest.107

He loosens his hold on me a little, cupping my chin, tilting my face up and gazing down at me. He wipes my tears away with his thumb and kisses my forehead, running his fingers through my windblown hair.108

“I’m sorry I accused you, baby. I walked in and saw that, and my whole world crashed around me. It just looked like…from where I was standing I thought…”109

“It’s not your fault, Shane. It’s ok,” I interrupt. 110

“No, it’s not. I screamed at you and I made you cry. That isn’t ok. And it’s not ok that he did that to you, or that he threatened you. Can you forgive me?” he asks, meeting my stare as a tear rolls down his cheek.111

“Of course I forgive you. I love you. It was just a misunderstanding,” I reply as he pulls me against him again, kissing the top of my head over and over.112

“We’ll be back,” Caleb says, reminding us of our surroundings as Matt, David and Caleb himself head for the front door.113

“Dude, where are you going?” Shane asks curiously.114

“Don’t worry dude, that fucker’s about to get his,” Caleb replies, opening the broom closet and extracting a thick wooden baseball bat from inside of it.115

“Just be careful, man. We don’t need trouble, he’s already threatening us with the band,” Shane says as Caleb hands Matt a crowbar.116

“No worries, we got this bro,” David assures him as the three of them head out the door and pile into Matt’s truck.117

The door swings shut behind them and Shane takes my hand, leading me to the couch. He sits down and pulls me down next to him, then releases my hand and drops his head into his own hands. 118

“Shane? Are you alright?” I question him, placing a hand on his knee.119

“No. I feel horrible. I assumed and accused you, and I was a complete dick to you. I made you cry, Taryn,” he says, propping his elbows on his knees and staring down at the thick carpet.120

“Shane, it’s ok, really. I mean…you misunderstood. No hard, no foul,” I reply, leaning my head down and gazing at his torn profile.121

He sighs deeply and turns to me, bringing his hand to my face and placing it on my cheek as he stares into my eyes.122

“I love you, Taryn.”123

“I know, Shane. I love you too.” I say to him as he wraps one arm around my hips and pulls me to him. 124

“Tell me exactly what happened today. Start from the point when I left with Caleb, so I can fully understand. Please, baby?” he asks, almost pleadingly.125

I just nod and lean against him and he holds me while I explain every detail I can to him.126

***[Meanwhile]***127

“Dude, when are you going to get a new fuckin’ truck. This thing smells like stale beer and old pussy,” Caleb says as the old rusty pickup trundles it’s way down Lincoln Avenue.128

“Shut up, man. I love this truck. I’ll get a new one when I feel like it,” Matt replies, rolling down his window and killing the lights.129

By now it’s well past midnight and the lights from the expansive house are off for the evening. The glossy black Lexus is parked on the curb next to a pretentious looking mailbox, whose address is written in fancy calligraphy on the side. 130

“This is his house, dude,” David says, gripping the handle of his shovel tightly.131

The three men step out of the green truck, each holding a weapon of their choosing: Caleb with a Louisville Slugger, David with a small shovel, and Matt carrying an old crowbar. They each pull on a pair of old construction gloves from behind the seat of the truck and shut the doors quietly.132

“This is for Shane and Taryn,” Caleb says, raising the ballbat and bashing out the windshield as the other two take their positions around the expensive vehicle.133

Ten minutes later and they have successfully managed to destroy every visible part of the exterior. Every window and headlight, taillight, and mirror, along with every inch of the once gleaming black surface is now dented, scratched, smashed or broken.134

Adding the final touch, Matt pulls out a can of white spray paint from underneath his driver’s seat, writing “payback’s a bitch” across the mangled hood.135

********136

“He spit in your face?!” Shane yells angrily, pacing the living room floor as the front door bursts open.137

It’s Caleb, Matt and David, returning from their revenge mission and looking all-too pleased about it.138

“Looks like he’ll be taking the bus to work tomorrow,” Caleb says to Shane with a smug grin.139

Shane breathes deep, still looking worried, but I can see a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.140

“First thing tomorrow morning, one of us should call Simon and tell him what happened. Especially about him threatening us with the band,” Matt says, stowing the crowbar back in Caleb’s broom closet.141

“I’ll do it,” Shane says firmly, pulling me to him again.142

“Is Jess back yet?” Caleb asks, noticing her boots next to the door.143

“Yeah, she got back awhile ago. I told her what happened and then she went to bed, she said she was exhausted,” Shane answers.144

“No doubt spending all my cash is extremely tiring. She better had bought some more sexy lingerie,” Caleb says, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively as we all laugh.145

I stifle a yawn behind my hand, but Shane notices and immediately takes my hand, removing his leather jacket and throwing it over the couch before leading me to the bedroom.146

We’re asleep within minutes after our heads hit the pillows, holding onto one another and drifting off into a dreamless slumber.147

*********148

“Simon, it’s Shane. Listen, I know you don’t like being called on your cell, but there’s something I have to tell you about Jack Wright,” Shane says into the phone.149

We’re all sitting at the table as Shane explains to Mr. Jet what happened the night before.150

“Yeah, man. He came over here and attacked Taryn…no no no, Taryn’s alright. I just wanted to let you know…he uh…threatened us with the band. Here, I’ll let her tell you,” Shane says, handing me the phone.151

“Mr. Jet? Yes, his exact words were, ‘you can kiss your dreams for your little boyfriend and his band goodbye, you slut’. Yes, he kissed me and pushed me against the dresser. Yes, I’m fine. Thank you, Simon. Do you want to speak with Shane? I’ll tell him…you too, goodbye.”152

I hang up the phone and place it on the table and Shane looks up at me as I take a seat next to him at the table.153

“Mr. Jet says he’ll take care of it. He said, and I quote, ‘Jack Wright will never work in the PR business again, that’s a guarantee’. He also said to tell you, Shane, that the band needs to be in his office first thing tomorrow morning, to set you guys up with a new PR agent,” I finish, taking his hand in mine and placing our locked fingers in his lap.154

He leans over and kisses me, stroking my cheek with his free hand. 155

“My cast comes off tomorrow morning, so I won’t be able to go to Simon’s office with you. Jess, would you mind riding with me to the hospital?” I ask her as she pours herself a cup of coffee and brings a plate of muffins to the table.156

“Of course! We can go to lunch afterwards and then go shopping or something.”157

“Sounds good. Shane…do you think I could have some money for a new pair of jeans or something?” I ask him timidly, looking down at my slippered feet.158

“Baby, you don’t have to ask. What’s mine is yours, how does a two hundred sound? More?” he asks me, taking his wallet out of his back pocket and peeling back a few bills, and handing them to me with a kiss.159

“You don’t have to give me that much!” I say with a giggle.160

“Take it, that cheap fucker never gives out money,” Caleb says with a grin, punching Shane on the shoulder as he strides to the fridge.161

“Shut up, asshole. Hey, Tar? How about we go down to the park today, and maybe over to Lou’s? We never got to go the other day when we left Skoonerz, I miss it,” he says to me, kissing me again and smiling.162

I just nod and smile in approval.163

******164

We’ve just finished our lunch at Lou’s and are now on our way through the park, to our bench. The snow is thick underfoot, but our boots protect our feet from the cold as we take our usual route past the giant willow tree. 165

Shane brushes the snow off the old bench and sits himself down, pulling me onto his lap.166

“Can’t let you get wet, now can I?” he says with a smirk.167

“You never seemed to mind before,” I reply, nipping his neck playfully.168

He just grins and laces our fingers, resting them on my lap and says to me, “you know…I was thinking of…uh…maybe getting a tattoo today. What do you think?” he finishes, looking up at me sheepishly, like a kid who got caught with his hand in the cookie jar.169

“Really? I think that’s a great idea, babe. Any ideas of what you want?” I ask him, snuggling against his chest for warmth as the bright winter sun reflects off the frozen lake adjacent to us.170

“I was thinking a tribal armband on my bicep. Not sure of any in particular yet. I’ll probably just pick one from a book. Do you want one too?” he asks, grinning up at me.171

He knows I’ve always wanted a tattoo, but that I’ve always been a little nervous about getting one.172

“Well…I think if you’re there with me, I could probably do it. I would like one, and I already know what design I want,” I finish, smiling over at him.173

He gets to his feet abruptly, startling me for a moment.174

“Let’s do it then. Forever Ink is two doors down from Lou’s. I can see it from here,” he says, pointing through a small grove of baby elms where the bright neon sign of the tattoo parlor is illuminated even in the bright sunlight.175

“R-right now?” I stutter, taken aback.176

He just grins and takes my hand, leading me at a jog away from the park and towards the street beyond.177

We leave the parlor an hour and a half later and Shane’s right bicep is now emblazoned with a spiky black tribal print that wraps around his entire muscle. I, on the other hand, opted for a tattoo design that I’ve wanted for some time. A pink stargazer lily on my lower back, also with a little tribal art done in black on either side of the colorful flower. 178

We make our way to my car, which is parked in front of Lou’s, shocking pink against the pure white of the fresh snow that has fallen. 179

After we settle into the car, letting it warm up a few minutes, Shane pulls his arm out of his jacket sleeve, exposing his freshly inked arm (which is wrapped in plastic wrap) and turns to me.180

“Look baby,” he says, pointing to the new design and lifting the plastic cover back a little.181

Woven into the intricate black detailing is one word, standing out bolder because of it’s red ink.182

Taryn.183

“You got my name on your arm?” I ask him, my mouth gaping.184

He smiles up at me and kisses my lips softly and quietly says, “of course I did. I love you baby. You’re already in my mind and in my heart for eternity, and now you’re on my skin too.”185

“I love you too, Shane,” I say to him, leaning across the seat and wrapping my arms around him as a tear escapes my eye.186

“You do know what this means, right?” he asks.187

“No. What?”188

“You have to get my name tattooed to your ass now.”