He cheated i chose two firefighters novel Chapter 77

My first tattoo. Ever.

***

INK didn’t look like much from the outside, just another storefront, but Milo and Jace walked me in like it was a big damn moment. Milo had my left hand, Jace had my right, and my stomach was doing

backflips.

I blinked at the hours on the door. Open on a Sunday. Closed Monday and Tuesday. Weird, but I wasn’t

about to complain.

“Hale!” Milo shouted as soon as we stepped inside.

Excitement buzzed under my skin so hard it almost drowned out the nerves. Almost. What if it hurt? What if I cried like a baby? Would they laugh? No. I wasn’t going to cry. I was tougher than that.

A voice called back, “Back here–in the supply closet.”

We ducked behind a partition into a spotless work area. Everything looked clinical: a long, black, bed- like chair, shelves lined with tidy boxes, little cups, and rows of colored bottles. The door of a brown closet stood open, and a huge man filled the frame with his back to us.

He turned.

My lungs forgot their job.

“Haldrin!” I squealed.

I dropped Milo and Jace’s hands and practically launched myself at him. He caught me like I weighed

nothing, squeezed me hard, and laughed so loud it vibrated in his chest.

“Scar, my girl,” he boomed. “What in the world are you doing here?”

“Getting a tattoo, duh.”

He lifted his brows, still holding me. “No, I mean here–Florida. Last I heard from your daddy, you married that prideful, no–good punk we warned you about. I’m sorry I missed the wedding. If I’d shown up, I would have stolen you, and I didn’t want you hating me.”

A laugh bubbled out of me and I hugged him tighter. “I divorced that prideful, no–good punk. You and

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Daddy were right. He cheated, Uncle Hale. I should’ve listened. And since when are you in Florida? 1 thought you were in Spain with Papa.”

“I moved here a year after you married that asshat,” he said, deadpan. “Your daddy’s complaining

started getting on my nerves.”

“Sure,” I said, narrowing my eyes. “Or you couldn’t stand being around my mama anymore because you love her just as much as Papa does. And you know she loves you too.”

His smile went crooked. “Not the way she loves your father. I’m just the best friend.”

My chest tightened with the familiar ache of it–how long he’d carried that. He’d been my dad’s other half since they were boys, my godfather, my constant. He’d followed my parents to Spain and stayed, even with all that wanting he never acted on. He loved my father too much to do that to him, and he

knew my mother would never leave.

Apparently, it had finally gotten too heavy to keep holding.

“Ahem.”

I turned. Milo and Jace were watching, amused and patient.

I kissed Hale’s cheek, slid out of his arms, and smiled at my guys.

Hale’s gaze flicked between them. “So what are you doing running around with these two? Wait–don’t

tell me. This is the Scarlett you both fell for?”

Milo and Jace lit up and nodded like proud idiots. My proud idiots.

Hale’s face sharpened. “Does your daddy know?”

“No,” I said quickly. “Please don’t tell him. When did you last talk to them?”

“Six months ago… give or take.”

“I’m shocked they didn’t mention I’m here. I’ve been in Florida two months.”

He shifted, suddenly sheepish. “I didn’t tell them I settled. They think I’m still bouncing around. I didn’t want visitors. It took me a while to get past… everything.”

“Well,” I said, pointing a finger at his chest, “they’re probably coming next week for Thanksgiving. Whi ch means now that I know you’re here, you will be too.”

I looked at Jace. “That’s okay, babe? Lydia won’t care, right?”

Jace only shook his head, indulgent and soft, like he’d already decided my family was his problem too.

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Milo leaned in, curiosity written all over him. “How do you two know each other?”

“He’s my dad’s best friend,” I explained. “Known each other since they were kids. He’s my godfather.” 1 aimed a warning look at Hale. “My very, very naughty godfather. You’re in trouble, big man.

He groaned theatrically. “Give a lovesick fool a break, Sav. I’ve gotten over her. I have been healed for a

year.‘

I rose onto my toes, and he bent down automatically. I kissed his cheek again anyway.

“Mm–hmm,” I said. “So tell me. How did this-“I waved at Milo and Jace, “-happen?”

Milo started, but I answered. “Milo and I live in the same building. We met at the grocery store. We clicked. And he and Jace are boyfriends, and they asked me to be their girlfriend.”

“More than that,” Jace added, voice low and certain. “Our heart.”

Heat rushed into my face.

Hale’s whole expression softened into something almost luminous. “They’re good men, Scar girl. Your parents will adore them.”

“I really hope so,” I said. “They matter to me.”

He nodded once, businesslike now. “So you’re getting the same tattoo as them.”

“Yes, but not on my chest.” I held up my left wrist. “I want to see it. Every day. Can you do it like a brac elet? Infinity symbol, names over it here, and delicate links all the way around?”

Hale’s grin returned, full force. “Absolutely. Hop up on the chair. I’ll give you the best damn bracelet tattoo of your life.”

While Milo and Jace talked with him, Hale laid everything out with practiced calm. I sat back in the chair trying not to fidget, nerves fluttering in my throat.

“Ready?” he asked.

“Yes,” I breathed.