Guided Love (Prick #1) (32 page)

Samantha: Goodnight

Damn, I was exhausted last night after opening the shop for a few hours to get the slack of Camaron’s absence in and inked that I fell asleep hard after sending her a message just making sure that she landed safe. I grab my phone and reply.

Me: Sorry Samantha just saw the message I hope you have an awesome day
.

I jump in the shower and hear my alarm going off. I need to get shit together now and get Camaron back in the saddle. This shit of him hiding out is taking its toll on me and the rest of the pricks. I get it, he fucked up, but just checking out is not an option anymore. I grab breakfast and my phone and bang on his door.

Bang . . . Bang . . . Bang . . .

“Open up, you prick. Let’s go. Move your ass and open the fucking door.”

I can hear him turn the lock and I push my way in. Looking around, it honestly looks like one of those homes that hoarders live in. It’s gross. Camaron stands next to the door with death on his face, then he walks back to the kitchen and is looking into the fridge—for what, I have no clue because I look over his shoulder and all that is in there is two bottles of beer. He grabs one, but I am quicker and take the shit from his hand.

“Dude, its eight in the morning, I need you at work today. You are not drinking and you need to get your ass in the shower.”

“Yeah, Axel, I can't make today.”

He shakes his head at me and just looks away.

“What the fuck, Camaron? Snap the fuck out of it. You fucked up, we all get that but, man, you need to grow the fuck up. You and I have a business and we have to get shit done. You can’t sit in this shit apartment and think that your life is going to change. You need to get off your ass and change it. You think you’re a fuck up? Change that, man. Stop fucking up.”

“You think it’s that easy, Axel? You think I can just magically change the fact that I fucked up?”

“Never said it was easy, dick, but the things worth having are never easy. Samantha is gone, Cam, she’s gone and she’s trying to find herself, trying to find her way, her happiness. You have to do the same thing. You have a business and employees that have been pulling the slack for you and your ass. Not only have you fucked up with Samantha, you are fucking up with all of us here. Seriously, man, you need to wake the fuck up and get back to life.”

I push away from the wall and head down to the shop. The dude seriously pisses me off. I already know that the day is gone to shit. I am working on my third tat today, a mother adding her kid’s names to her back piece she had done a few years ago, when I feel my phone buzzing in my pocket. After finishing and cleaning everything up, I pull my phone out and see that Samantha replied. Damn, I feel like I’m in middle school, getting excited to see she replied. Shaking my head, I open the message.

Samantha: Hi Axel hope you are having a great day! What, did you go find another damsel in distress already? Lol

Me: Damsel in distress?

Samantha: Yeah lol as you always were there saving me when I needed it. Now that I am gone who you going to save?

Me: oh Samantha, you are not replaceable. I am just going to have to save you all the way from here.

Samantha: oh look at you being a charmer lol that’s a deal

Me: Me a charmer? Nope just speaking the truth beautiful

Samantha: see lol beautiful such a charmer

Me: Again just being honest ;)

Samantha: lol whatever! thank you for your kindness

Me: lol whatever you know it’s true

Samantha: I wish I did :/

Me: well let me tell you that you are

Samantha: thanks Axel you are too nice

Me: Well I am off I have four more tats to complete before I can head out of here. Hope you have a great day and good luck with your book

Samantha: Wow you all are really busy, that’s good, pretty soon your second shop will be opened. Thank you so much I guess I’ll message you later?

Me: sounds good

I walk out front and hear Paul and Carrie chatting about piercings and the pro and cons during sex. What lovely conversations we have here in Two Pricks.

“Hey, prick, your next appointment is here.”

“Thanks, Carrie, I am just gonna grab a drink. Can you take them back to my station, I’ll be there in just a minute.”

“Sure thing, handsome. What has you so happy?”

“What?”

“You are happy. Well, maybe not all shits and giggles, but you are not stressing out like the other pricks here. Our waiting room is packed to the max and the schedule is overwhelming, but you are all cool and collected. Why?”

I start to laugh at her and give her my smirk.

“See, right there, that smirk so . . . who is it?”

I walk away and head to my office so that I can grab a can of Monster. I walk into the office and, out of habit, I look across the hallway to an empty office.

“Okay, Axel, your next client is at your station.”

I take one last gulp and head out to the front to my station with Carrie, as she approaches the front desk.

“Oh, by the way tell, RC that I said Hi.”

“Will do.”

“I KNEW IT!”

Carrie yells it at the highest pitch possible. I look over my shoulder and she is smiling from ear to ear. I smile at her, shake my head, and enter my station to start the first of four, before I can leave.

It’s another rough day and I finally finish, I clean everything up and head to my car. I want to head over to Ma's to make sure she is doing okay. I tried to call, just to check on her, but she isn't answering.

I pull into the driveway and head on up to the house. The door is locked; I grab my key and unlock it. Something is off and I can sense it.

“Ma, you here?”

“Axel? Is that you, son?”

She walks down the stairs with two large bags in her arms.

“Help me here, Axel, I am a little old lady carrying two large bags, son.”

I go help her with the bags and she heads into the living room. I put the bags down and start to open one when I am swatted away.

“What is all this stuff?”

“Oh, this is just some old junk that I am going through. There is so much that needs to be done I thought I would clean out some of the closets and make sure all is organized. This is a nice surprise. What brings you by? You do know Samantha isn't here, right?”

Laughing again, what is with all of these people?

“Yeah, Ma, I know Samantha isn't here. I came to check on you. I tried calling, but you never answered any of my calls.”

“You called? Huh, I didn't hear the phone ring.”

“I called your cell, Ma. I left a few messages and you never called me back.”

“My cell?”

I look at her, she looks seriously confused.

“Ma, you okay?”

“Oh yes, Axel, I am sorry I didn’t get the messages. Would you like me to make you some dinner? Have you eaten?”

“No, I’m good, Ma. I’m meeting the guys for some wings later."

I sit with her for a little over an hour and help her go through the bags that she brought down. They had old pictures and an old jewelry box that her mother given her when she was a child. I watch as she just takes it in. I don’t know what to do as I really have never seen Ma this vulnerable before, well, only once, and that was when pop passed but never before or after that. I take out the trash for her and make sure everything is locked up and she is off to bed before I leave. I am backing out of the driveway when I get a message from Paul saying all of them are at Kester's. I steer my baby towards the bar to grab a bite to eat.

The last six months have been insane. Looking back, when I left Pennsylvania, I never would have thought that I could actually do this. I was out to find myself, I had the lessons Ellie instilled and I was determined to write what my heart was feeling. I became a hermit, rarely doing anything. All I would do was sit in front of my computer and type.
Anchored Love
was created and three months after self-publishing, I am sitting in front of my computer shaking and sobbing. I was awoken to my assistant—
yes, I actually had an assistant—
Jessica, screaming to wake up and look at my email. I open up my account and see an email with an attachment of The New York Times Best Sellers List and listed at #5 was
Anchored Love
by Samantha Jacobs. I am sobbing and screaming and obviously, I woke Gabby up because I can hear her behind me.

“Holy shit! That’s great news, I am so proud of you!”

Gabby is jumping up and down as we stare at my name on the New York Times Best Sellers list. I sit in front of my computer in complete shock, my hands shake and I am weeping. I actually did it, I published my book and I made The New York Times. My phone rings and I try to say hello, but I am complete mess.

“OMG, Rice Cake!” Carrie is squealing in the phone. “You did it! We are so proud of you. I have it cut out already and we’ll be hanging that up.”

I am sobbing and laughing and can’t really catch my breath. I love the fact that, even though I left six months ago, I have not lost touch with any of the pricks. I talk to Carrie at least once or twice a week and Allen, Paul and Jay at least once a month via messenger or text.

Axel was a complete surprise as I talk to him at least two to three times a day. He and I actually became closer since I moved. We talk about everything. Through this entire journey, he was my biggest cheerleader. When I would be down and irritable Axel, he has a way to pull me out of it. He still is the sweetest man I know as he has not only been there for me, but is also trying to help Camaron get his shit together.

Camaron and I, we finally talked and are friends. Are we friends like we once were? No, absolutely not. My blinders have been removed and I see Camaron for who he really is; right now, he is lost. He can't seem to get his life straight. One day he will be the Camaron I knew, my best friend, and then he gets back together with Roni and he changes again. When he is with Roni, I don't hear from him; he shuts everyone out and becomes a major asshole to everyone around him.

I am pulled out of all of my thoughts when I hear all of the pricks yelling and clapping. I can't help the smile that spreads across my face, they truly are a family and I am so proud that I am still a part of that.

“Thanks so much, guys, I am so freaking excited! Who would have thought that people would like my heartbreak?”

I am laughing and crying and I can’t seem to stop.

“Well, RC, you have pure talent! That book was freaking hot!” Carrie chimes in.

“Thanks so much, Care Bear.”

“No problem, I’ll call soon I have to head off since this place is hopping and the pricks are being impatient.”

I picture her rolling her eyes at all the clients waiting and I just let out a big laugh.

“Okay, chica, I’ll talk to you soon. Thanks again.”

We hang up and I feel my phone vibrate. I have ten messages, all from family and friends sending congratulations. I send them all a thank you, get up, and grab a coffee. I am looking around for something to eat when I hear a knock on the door. I make my way to the door in my flannel duck pajamas and my hair in a messy bun on top of my head. I open the door to a delivery man standing there with a gigantic vase of pink and yellow roses.

“Delivery for Samantha Jacobs.”

“That’s me.”

I sign and take the vase and set them on the kitchen counter. I look, find the card, open it, and become a complete and utter mess again.

Samantha,

Congrats, Babe! I am so happy that you made the list. I knew you would, never had one doubt in my mind that you were anything but amazing. I hope you have a great day and stop a minute and enjoy this! You can check off another one of your buckets! Just know that I think you are awesome!