Loved by Her Page 3

  “I need to talk to you and mom. It’s about school.”

  This has him moving faster than I’ve ever seen him do anything. My mother is standing next to him, both staring at me expectantly. “Proceed,” he states and I start to tremble, the words I need to tell them now suffocating me. It’s only a matter of time before they find out and it might be better coming from me.

  Star and Clifton setting a hand on each shoulder gives me the strength to blurt, “I’m failing and withdrew from classes yesterday.” Their expressions instantly morph into wrath and dad throws his beloved paper on the floor.

  “You what? Are you fucking insane?” He hollers, cursing at me for the first time in my life, causing me to take a step back in fear, Clifton shields me and Star pulls me into her.

  Clifton steps in front of me. “Don’t yell at her like that, Dad. She was scared to talk to you because she thought you’d be disappointed she doesn’t want to be a doctor.”

  “Disappointed doesn’t begin to explain what I am,” Dad says.

  Mom tries in a somewhat gentler tone, “Our family is full of doctors. You want to break that tradition after all these years?” As one, all gazes turn toward me, awaiting my answer.

  “I’ve already set things in motion to become a tattoo artist.”

  “It’s because of her! You’re ruining your whole life to follow your friend on a path of uncertainty and bad choices. What does Maxwell think of all this? Do you actually believe he’ll want to marry a tattooed nobody?”

  “Enough!” Clifton shouts, trying to stop him, but it’s already too late. There’s nothing that can erase the look in their eyes as they stare at me now.

  “You can treat me like shit and think I’m inferior all you want, but no one speaks to Meridien that way. And whatever Maxwell thinks is none of your business, nor should it matter. If he loves her, he’ll accept whatever choice she makes,” Star tells them, anger vibrating through her as she takes me hand and begins leading me to the door. “Let’s go, Mer. Until they can talk to you with respect, we’re gone.”

  “Oh, I’ll be speaking to Maxwell, that’s for sure. He’s the only part of your life that’s worth anything at this point!” I hear my dad yell as we walk out. What have I done?

  “Hey,” Star says, getting my attention once when we close the door behind us.

  “They’re so mad at me. I should’ve stayed in school and kept trying. There’s so much uncertainty in my life while you’ve always known what you want to be.”

  My stomach starts cramping and I chuck it up to everything that’s happened, and when she wraps me in her arms, I lean into it. Her lips press to my forehead, and I find so much comfort in the act because she’s always had a way of centering me.

  “Mer, you’re afraid, and that’s understandable. Your path has always been planned for you with no possibility of veering from it. Once you realize you deserve to be happy, things will become clear. You love the shop, and spend your free time watching me or Jerri. I’ve never seen you more relaxed. That’s your destiny, you just need to accept it.”

  “You always know what to say.”

  “It’s easy when it comes to you. I know you like the back of my hand. Come on, my mom is making one of your favorites since I told her you were having a bad day.”

  Taking her hand in mine, I feel electricity course through me at the contact and decide to think about it later. “What would I do without you?”

  “You’ll never have to find out, Mer. Now get your butt in this car.”

  Chapter Six

  Meridien

  Two years after that...

  “Meridien!” His voice is like nails on a chalkboard and I’m not sure how much longer I can deal with it or him. I needed to drop his ass years ago, but every time I gather the courage to do so, I remember the way my parents light up when they see us together. Compared to how they are when I visit by myself, the thought of losing that is hard, even when I know my heart belongs to someone else.

  “What?” I snap from the passenger side of his Bugatti, or Precious, as he loves to call his car, ready to get this over with. My gaze wants to return to the Tattooed Vixen, more specifically inside to where Star is talking with Bianca. I became Star’s apprentice at the old shop and we were both happy there for a while, then Jerri and Hansen left as they didn’t mesh well with the new owners, as did we soon after. Felicity’s shop opened a whole new clientele and challenged us to up our game. Despite all the perks, there’s one downfall, Bianca, and I want to throttle her as she’s begun to frequent the shop more. While I try not to get jealous about it, I rarely succeed and visions of demanding she leave Star alone grow continually stronger.

  “There’s a ball for my little sister tonight, so you’ll need to wear something with sleeves. Take my card,” he states, eyeing my jeans and t-shirt unapprovingly. “My parents' associates will be in attendance and not everyone likes…art work,” he adds, not bothering to hide his disdain as he skims my tattoos.

  “I can take care of myself, thank you very much.” He knows damn well my family’s fortune rivals his, but unlike his trust fund loving ass, I became independent when I left college.

  “The mall isn’t exactly the place to find a dress for this event. I know you’ve been slumming it with these people, but you’ll need appropriate attire for this.”

  “Felicity owns one of the best shops in the area if not the state, and runs a great program for cancer survivors. How dare you belittle her!” I yell, getting defensive for my friend and boss. I may not care what he says about me, but I will not let him degrade her accomplishments.

  “If you say so, dear. However, she’s still not…well, I’ll leave it at that because you know how your friends are. I’ll call my Aunt Mary Anne; I know she’ll fit you in and work a miracle.” Before I can respond to that, I’m interrupted by his phone and he dismisses me as if that’s that. And to him, it is. Stepping out, I slam the door shut and smirk at his reaction to it. Fucker. Maxwell has never liked my tattoos or career choice, something he made quite clear when I quit pre-med. Actually, it wasn’t just him that stressed how disappointed they were with me. Everyone did except the one person who’s always been there for me. Star’s loyalty has never faltered, not even during my crazy partying where I was using alcohol to numb the lies that were consuming me.

  Walking in, I watch as Star flinches when Bianca’s hand touches her forearm. I'm prepared to forcefully remove the she-devil’s grip, but my best friend beats me to it. “I’ve already told you if you can’t keep this professional you need to find another artist. As you apparently can’t listen, I’ll finish this piece, but I’m done after that.” And then she turns to me, her eyes pleading, and asks, “Mer, since your next appointment isn’t for a while, why don’t you come assist me?”

  “Of course. I’ll escort Ms. Wallace to the room.” Star thanks me, though the snarky blonde isn’t appreciative and instead scoffs, glaring at me before stomping off on her own. That’s right, bitch, Star isn’t yours. She’s...mine? I try to push the thoughts away, but I know I wish it was true. I’ve fallen in love with her and can never tell her. For one, ruining what we have would destroy me. While I know she’s openly gay and proud of who she is, she’s never mentioned dating aside from what I overheard years ago as she was talking to her cousin. And I don’t see her hopping into a relationship with a straight woman. But you’re not, are you, Mer? Which leads to the second reason I have to keep this to myself, otherwise, I’d have to accept a side of me that I’m not sure I have enough courage to admit to. I assumed my first time had been what it was due to being a virgin, but when Maxwell tried to be intimate, I knew something was off. It just felt wrong.

  It wasn’t until I caught Star undressing in the apartment we now share that I realized why. When her breasts were freed from her tank top, I got wet, even more so as I caught a glimpse of her pussy. I felt like a creeper watching her, yet I couldn’t stop. That night, alone in my room, curiosity took over and I searched
lesbian porn. By the time I laid down, the videos I’d seen replayed in my head on a loop, though Star and I replaced the other women, and I was finally able to get myself off. The fantasies grew from there, as did Maxwell’s insistence we take the next step. I couldn’t do it, not when I wanted to be with Star. I began avoiding his touch, his hand on my skin making me feel as if bugs were crawling on me. Of course, he noticed my new aversion to physical contact which lead to him screaming at me more than once.

  “I really can’t stand her,” Star says once I return, wrapping her arm around my shoulders and causing me to lean against her. To her, I’m just being me, but moments like this get me through the day. I can’t pinpoint exactly when I fell for her, I just know one day I woke up and knew my heart belonged to her.

  “That’s what friends are for,” I reply, trying to remind myself that’s all we are.

  “Yeah, friends,” she says, her tone a bit somber.

  Changing the subject, I tell her, “Will you be okay with me leaving early?”

  “I’ve closed on my own before. What is it tonight?”

  “His sister’s debutante ball. I can’t believe he’s making me go, I almost punched him in the stomach. And his constant harping on this place is pissing me off.”

  “I don’t know why you keep dealing with his shit.”

  “Yes you do. If I don’t, my parents will completely disown me and I already have a horrible relationship with them. It’s the only thing we have left that connects us.”

  “Mer, what they think of you is irrelevant and you know this, and that’s all I’m going to say because I don’t want to fight. However, he’ll eventually want more, then what will you do?”

  “I don’t know, but I don’t want to talk about it right now either.”

  “Fine, let’s get this done. I’m tired of her.”

  “Seriously? That was the best she could do? You look like she threw something together at the last minute. And I specifically mentioned it needing sleeves. I’ll be having a long ass talk with my Aunt.” I roll my eyes and grit my teeth at his diatribe. I’m wearing one of the ball gowns my mother bought me a couple years ago as I didn’t have time to see Mary Anne nor did I want to. She’s even more judgmental than Maxwell, which is saying a lot, and I refused to listen to her talk down to me for two hours.

  “I didn't go. Some of us have to work and I was already cutting out early just to be here.”

  He yanks on my arm, getting in my face. “Had you kept your grades up instead of partying you wouldn’t have to. The least you can do is act like you belong here and stop embarrassing me. I’m fucking done with your attitude.”

  “I will kick you straight in the balls if you don’t fucking let go of me,” I warn him.

  “Keep testing my patience and I’ll tell your parents what you’ve been up to. We both know they’re the only reason you’re still with me. We’re each getting something out of this, you want them to love you and I want their connections.”

  “You repulse me!”

  “The feeling is mutual. Why do you think I gave up trying to fuck you? You’re disgusting with all that “art” on you. Be an obedient woman for once and stop your shit!” He hurls at me, finally dropping my arm. I know there’ll be a mark to remember this by and fury burns through me at that and the audacity of him to treat me like this. As we get to the center of the banquet hall where the event is being held, I lose it.

  “What the fuck is wrong with you?” I snap at him.

  His eyes look ready to pop out of their sockets and his smile, while appearing polite, is far from it as evidenced by the icy daggers his eyes are aiming at me. He’s livid and I truly believe he wouldn’t hesitate to murder me on the spot if he thought he could get away with it.

  “Have you been drinking again?”

  I shake my head, unbelieving that he’s stooping so low as to bring up something I haven't done in three years. I refuse to touch alcohol to this day because it reminds me of the mess I used to be. “There’s not a drop of liquor in my system and you know that. I’m not like you, needing a crutch to carry me through my meaningless life. And the next time you attempt to talk to me or put your hands on me in anger, I’ll make you regret it,” I vow, grabbing a glass of champagne from one of the waiters blatantly listening to our conversation and throwing it in his face.

  “You bitch! Get the fuck out of here!”

  “Gladly!” I shout, feeling lighter than I ever have in my life as I make my exit. It’s raining when I make it outside, not even caring that I can’t see two inches in front of me. I’m maybe five miles from the shop, thankful they chose a centralized location as opposed to the countryside as I begin walking. With each step my mind settles and I’m at peace with the realization I’m done. I’m still afraid of my parents’ reaction when they learn of my decision, but it was eating me alive and I couldn’t stand another second.

  Chapter Seven

  Star

  This has been the day from hell starting this morning when Mer walked out of her room in bottoms so short her ass was peeking out of them and a top that barely concealed her breasts. I wanted to lay her on our table and show her how good I could make her feel, instead I took a cold shower. Add in dealing with the intolerable Bianca who better stop harassing me and the fact the one woman I can’t get out of my head is dating a man who should’ve never been born. Talk about a shitstorm of grand proportions.

  It’s getting harder to be the supportive bestie because this unhealthy need to be everything for her is all consuming, even knowing it’ll never be reciprocated. While I enjoy working for Felicity who is as real as they come, I’ve put my life on hold because I refuse to leave Mer behind. Jerry and Hansen opened a shop in L.A. and invited me to join them, but I couldn’t. When I declined, Jerri wasn’t amused. She thinks my crush has run its course and I should just get laid to get over it. I know she’s right about the fact I’m letting a great opportunity pass me by, but the heart wants what it wants, and mine is too stupid to understand it won’t ever get it. I also know I’ve become the biggest cliché...falling for the straight girl.

  To make matters worse, it’s not as if she and Maxwell have this epic love story. He’s the biggest asshole in the world and she’s only with him because her parents are forcing her. They haven't actually said so, but it’s obvious their “love” for her hinges on it.

  Just as I finish wiping everything down, I hear someone pounding on the front door. Who the fuck is here almost an hour after closing? Making my way to the front, ready to scream at whoever is responsible for the racket, I start running when I can finally see who it is.

  There, on the other side, is Meridien, makeup ruined, soaking wet, red eyes and my soul wants to shatter seeing her this way. She runs into my arms and presses her lips to mine the second I unlock the door. Shocked at the action, and fearing this is all a dream, I take a step back, mouth tingling from the kiss.

  “I shouldn’t have done that, it’s just…I’ve been in love with you for so long, and now that I broke it off with Maxwell, I came here hoping…I’m sorry, Star, please don’t stop being my friend. I…” As soon as her words register, and yank her to me, our faces a mere inch apart, the warmth of her breath a contrast to her cool lips.

  “Shut up, Mer. I’ve fucking loved you for years. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t.” I ravish her, our tongues dancing together, neither of us appearing to want it to end. It’s as if we know once we do, we’ll have to figure this all out. I push that thought away and just savor this moment, gripping her hair and angling her head where I want it. We don’t stop until the need for oxygen demands it. Pressing my forehead to hers, I wait until our breaths are somewhat even.

  “I never knew it was supposed to feel like that,” she tells me and I want to kiss her all over again simply to give her more pleasure. When I hear her sniffle, I look down and see a tear rolling down her cheek.

  “Fuck, don’t cry,” I implore her, kissing it away.

  “I t
hought it was my fault I felt sick whenever he tried to kiss me, but it wasn’t that at all. It’s simply because he wasn’t you.”

  Giving her a quick kiss, still unable to believe this is real, I confess, “I couldn’t date after meeting you, then I finally realized why.”

  “You’ve really loved me for years?” She asks, blinking back the rest of her tears as she recalls what I admitted earlier.

  “It took me a while to accept because you were my best friend. I’ve always thought you were beautiful, but you were also my partner in crime.”

  Staring at me with her emotion-filled eyes, she wants to know, “When did you know you’d fallen for me?”

  “Senior year. Carl stood you up for prom and I thought you’d be heartbroken, but you weren’t, not even a little. We spent the night dancing, and when Wanted by Hunter Hayes came on and we didn’t leave the floor, it clicked. I needed to make you feel like you were wanted. I needed to be the one to make your dreams come true.”

  She gasps at my answer. “You’ve been waiting for me this whole time?”

  “I’d wait forever and a day. You know my tattoo that you love so much? The first one I got that I always keep hidden.” She nods, waiting for me to continue. Gabbing the black light off one of the stations, I turn it on. “See that line in UV ink? It’s the Prime Meridien, and though I knew no one would understand it, I always would. It signifies how much you meant to me then and still do.”