Burn End

Three Years Later...

The air was perfect as I stood outside, people bustling past me on the sidewalk. I lifted hte heavy wooden sign in my hands above my head and handed it to the man on the ladder next to me. The breeze rustled his dark hair and the sun set an angelic glow on his gorgeous features.
"Got it, babe?" I asked, keeping my hands under it in case he lost his grip.
"Yep," Jacoby replied, hefting the panel up. He steadied it carefully and hung it on the metal hangars jutting out from the side of the building. It hung perfectly, the letters blazing in the sun: Vengeance Ink.
I grinned widely as Jacoby decended the ladder. He looped an arm around my waist, pulling me close.
"Look good?" he asked. I nodded vigorously, staring up proudly at the sign. My tattoo shop, finally open. My own personal business. I finally had everything I needed; a career and the man of my dreams.
Jacoby kissed  my cheek and opened the door for me. I waljktez inside, looking around at all the hard work we had pdone over the past few weeks. Everything was flawless.
I turned ot face the window, where a small black cord was hanging. I rolled hte switch located halfway down and my brand new OPEN sign flickered to life. I giggled and flung myself into Jacoby's arms. He had such an adorable look on his face.
"What?" I asked. He just smiled.
"It's just so good ot see you this happy," he stated, htaking my hand and swinging it playfuly. But I could see the nerves start to trickle into his expression and i came closer.
"What's wrong?" I asked, confused.
"Nothing. I just want to tell you how much I love you." he reached his hand in his pocket and withdrew a medium sized black box. My heart began to race at the sight of it.
"Jacoby..."
He grinned and released my hand, holding a finger over my lips to quiet me.
"Now, I know it's not much, but I hope it expresses how much I care about you." He opened the box and my eyes nearly popped out of my skull.
A shiny brand new tattoo gun sat inside on a velvet pillow. It was sleek black titanium, I could tell, with a gorgeous etched design in the side. Upon closer inspection I saw that there was an inscription there.
'Vengeance Ink'.
My jaw dropped as I reached out slowly and took the gun from its spot, staring at it with admiration. But something else caught my eye. I looked back in the box and saw something small and silver sitting there. No...
Jacoby removed the ring and smiled, kneeling down and taking my hand. My eyes were wide, my mouth still ajar. He laughed at the look on my face then kissed the top of my hand.
"Zack, I love you more than anything. The past three years have been the best of my life. I can't wait to spend the rest of it with you, if you want me to. Will you marry me?"
For a moment I was stunned, just staring down at him. His lips were twisted into his adorable half smile and my heart melted.
"Duh, of course!" he slipped the ring on my finger without hesitation and stood. I flung myself into his arms and hugged him, tears dropping from the corners of my eyes. He sighed and hugged me back.
We sat like that for a long moment, the tears trickling over the edges of my eyes. I seriously had to be the luckeist person alive. All I ever wanted was to spend the rest of my life with someone perfect and I got it.
But Jacoby pulled away and smiled at me, hands cupping my cheeks. Always the master of interrupting the moment. "Babe, I'd love to sit here like this forever, but we have a shop to open."
I pulled back from him and smiled. He grabbed the big OPEN flag from the corner and handed it to me. He held the door as I pranced outside and stuck it in its rightful spot.
We stood and admired it until I felt a tap on my shoulder. I spun and was face to face with someone I had't seen in a very, very long time.
Brian smiled at me, his skin tan as ever. He removed his sunglasses and held out his hand. "Hey, Zack. Long time, no see."
I shook his hand and smiled. He hadn't changed much, his hair was longer. But he was still the same dark eyes and crooked smile. "Oh my God, hey!" I pulled him into a hug and squeezed him.
When we pulled apart Jacoby stepped in, taking my hand quickly. Brian nodded at Jacoby, who returned the gesture warily.
"I see you've got your own shop." Brian noted, nodding towards the front door of my studio. "Congratualtions!"
"Thanks! I've been so excited to open it, hopefully my clients will be okay with the change of scenery."
Brian smiled and took a good look at the parlor window before he was distracted.
"Hey babe, I just found the perfect... Well, look who it is!"
A slender figure emerged from the crowded sidewalk and laced his arm through Brian''s. Ronnie smiled at each of us, lingering for a moment on Jacoby.
"It's been a while guys, how the hell are you?"
"We've been great, actually. Just opened shop today." Jacoby said, gesturing to the door behind him.
Ronnie's eyes grew wide and he grinned. "Awesome! Maybe I'll stop by sometime for some ink."
I nodded, excited that everyone was getting along. I hadn't see either of them since the incident three years ago. I have no idea how they met but something inside me told me they were a perfect match.
As if reading my mind, Jacoby spoke. "So, how did you guys meet? I didn't know you knew each other very well."
Brian's cheeks grew red and he smiled at his partner. "Facebook, actually. I was surfing your page because I was pissed and he was right there bitching on your wall. So I guess I have you to thank for it, Jacoby."
I laughed then, the irony of the situation all too hilarious. The man that stole his first love was the catalyst for his new one. Jacoby chuckled too, Ronnie joining in and finally Brian, his cheeks still a deep shade of pink.
"Well, I'm glad I could help, bro." Jacoby said, clapping Brian on the shoulder. "You guys wanna come in and see the place?"
"We would love to, but were actually on our way home to pack. We're headed to Las Vegas to visit my family for a few weeks."
"Oh! Well, have a great time!" I opened my arms and Brian stepped into hug me, followed by Ronnie. Jacoby gave Ronnie a squeeze and stared at Brian for a moment before pulling him in, too.
"Have a safe trip, you guys. Stop by whenever you want, we'll be here."
Ronnie nodded and waved as they made their way down the street, Brian's eyes lingereing for a moment before turning back to his partner, who was flouncing down the street ahead of him.
Jacoby and I stood for a moment before heading back in the shop, hand in hand. We sat on the couch in the waiting room together, watching the door expectantly. I turned to look at my boyfr - fiancee - and smiled.
"What?" he asked, leaning in to give me a kiss.
"Just happy shit could finally work out."
"Me too, babe."