Read That Girl is Mine - Part One for Free Online Page B

years.”
    “Probably,” I agree, heading into the office but pausing in the doorway when she calls out to me.
    “Just don’t be too much of a jerk – we still have to gain her trust, or that lily white skin of hers will remain a blank canvas for the rest of her life.”
    Looking back at her, I nod then head into the office, sitting behind the desk before I power on the iMac. As I open the receipt folder Roxy appears in the doorway, leaning against the doorframe with both hands supporting her as she leans forward. “I forgot to ask – which one of us gets to tattoo her?”
    Frowning, I look up at her. “I don’t know. She might prefer Evan.”
    Roxy bursts out laughing as if I just said the most hysterical thing, not realizing that Evan, our other full-time artist, is now standing directly behind her. “Hey, I’m good at what I do,” he says, looking a little hurt. His thick blond beard seems to move when he speaks. He’s big and burly looking, but he’s one of the nicest guys I know. However, he rarely tattoos any of our female clientele because his specialty is pin ups girls with giant tits and round asses. The guys love his work, but I could never see Avery asking for a busty pin up girl on her skin.
    “I’m sorry, honey, it’s not you, it’s the client,” Roxy explains, and he shrugs and moves further into the shop, out of my view. Roxy turns back to me. “And I’m serious – I think the winner should get to tattoo her as well.”
    “I think she should get to choose – it’s her body don’t forget. The artwork and artist for her aren’t a part of this bet.”
    She shrugs and pushes herself off the doorframe, heading in the same direction Evan went. I get up and shut the door, giving myself some quiet to concentrate. Although I don’t get much work done. I’m too busy wondering if I should just call this bet off. It was made in fun before I met her, but now, things are different, and I’m not sure it’s a good idea anymore… Shit , I need to apologize to her for this morning. I shouldn’t have said what I did…
    ***

Avery
    I know I shouldn’t be obsessing over what Dylan said about Josh. After all, I knew he was a lot more experienced than me when we got together – he’s a good looking, confident guy. Of course he bedded plenty of women before me (it’s why he’s so damn good at it what he does) and to be truthful, I never asked because I had a feeling the number would be high, and I didn’t want to feel inadequate...
    But damn, if that comment didn’t get to me. Because he probably doesn’t remember exactly how many. Ugh. Who says shit like that to someone’s girlfriend?
    I tilt my head from side to side, cracking my stiff neck before I roll my shoulders. I’ve just spent hours pouring over real estate listings to see if Josh and I can afford to live somewhere on our own. I know that living here isn’t permanent. Josh always said that it’s just until we can find our feet. But there are some affordable places with one bed, one bath, and they’re closer to the hospital. I might make things easier, and I wouldn’t have to endure any more taunts from Dylan.
    On top of an accommodation search, I’ve also been looking into transferring to Santa Monica College in the Fall – it’s all so overwhelming and it hurts my head to think about filling out all that paperwork. Although, in the mean time, I also might try and get a job somewhere – maybe at a dance studio, or, since we’re so close to LA, maybe I could go to a couple of auditions and see if I can manage to dance for a living…I don’t know. It’s a crazy amount of things to think about, and I contemplate calling my mom to unload, but then I remember that she’s probably at work right now and won’t be able to listen.
    Instead, I set my iPod up and put on my cordless beats that cancel out all sound. Then I move some of the furniture so I can dance without tripping over anything. I limber up a little, and then I