Lucas' P.O.V.
My sweet Rose arrived in her hometown a little while ago. She had been sending me texts all day about what she was up to. I snapped a picture of the hot chocolate I was drinking beside the fire with Lisa, sending it to her with a smile.
Rose: You have hot chocolate, but I have joe.
She replied with a picture of a cup of coffee and a big burly tattooed man that looked like he could butcher people for a living.
Rose has some interesting company.
Lucas: Should I be worried?
Rose: Ha! No way. Joe's my mom's ex, my tattoo artist and my therapist all in one. You'll meet him when we come here together.
I smiled, knowing she wanted me to come with her next time. I liked that she wanted to introduce me to others. She's not afraid to show me off.
Lucas: And when will that be? I'm not a very patient man, you know.
Rose: How about the week after championship?
Lucas: Sounds perfect. I miss you. I'll let you focus on Joe now.
Rose: I love you
Lucas: I love you too.
Rose: In case you're wondering, I miss you too.
I can't wait to have her back in my arms.
I am going to devour her when I see her again. I won't let her out of my sight. She is going to be kept in bed with me all day.
"What's Liv up to?" Lisa asked with a knowing smirk.
"She's catching up with an old friend."
"That's good. I'm glad you guys are getting some time to yourself. You are so attached at the hip. That can't be healthy." Lisa gave me her unwanted opinion. I rolled my eyes at her, making her do the same to me.
"Who asked you?" I bit back.
"Don't get snappy with me. I'm just saying you guys need to remember that you're two separate people. You can't be with each other all of the time."
"You two stop it. This is supposed to be my gift, so no bickering," Mom scolded us.
"Sorry, Mom," we said in unison.
"Jinx!" Lisa pointed with a laugh. I rolled my eyes again at her.
"We're not 5, Lisa."
"Oof tell that to the laws of superstition when they come for you with bad luck for breaking my jinx." I watched her shake her head like she was so disappointed in me.
I was glad to see she was still being herself after what had happened. The guy hadn't bothered her since Rose beat the ever living shit out of him. I am sure Viking Man and Mr. Clean sealed the deal. I would have shit myself if I were left alone with those two after a small girl beat me up.
"Lucas, why did you bring so many journals?" Mom asked, picking one up. I ran quickly towards her, taking the journal from her hand before she peered inside it.
"They're Rose's old journals. The ones she's letting me read."
"Hmm, that's quite a lot of them. Why is she making you do that?" Mom's brow pinched in the middle, seeming upset a bit.
"She isn't making me. I wanted to and she allowed me to," I corrected her.
"I don't think I would ever want my boyfriend reading my journals. Especially not my high school ones. She's either very brave or very naive." Mom gave me her unnecessary commentary.
"Weren't you and Lisa about to go shopping?" I reminded her, ready for her to stop talking about Rose.
"Yes, we're going now. Call if you need anything, and stay out of trouble while we're gone." She pinched my cheek for a moment before heading towards the door with Lisa.
"No problem. I'll keep myself busy." I held up the journals to let her know I'd be reading.
I heard the car we rented back out of the driveway and onto the narrow road that lead to the cabin. I know they'll make it and that they're fine, but I hate thinking about them driving in the snow. I tried to push the thought out, replacing it with Rose's journal.
Dear future me,
Ian still has not written back. It's almost the end of June. Should I have gotten something by now?
To distract myself and to try to get out of the house I used the bike Ian left to try and find a job. Guess what? We did it! It was super random and very weird, but we have a job at the Iron Work Tattoo Parlor starting tomorrow. I was inquiring in different restaurants and fast food places when I heard a strong male voice from across the street.
"Hey, kid!" A large intimidating man called to me. I didn't know what to say, but I didn't shy away. "Come here redhead." He called me over.
I crossed the street a bit wearily of the large man. I figured I could probably take him if I needed to. When I got to him though he folded his arms in front of his chest and looked down at me.
"Are you looking for a job?" He had asked me.
"Yes, I am," I answered cautiously.
"Perfect, you start here tomorrow." He told me, going back into the tattoo shop that I'm almost certain I'm not even allowed inside of. I didn't say anything though, allowing myself to have the small victory of finding a job. I guess we'll just have to see how it goes.
A hopeful,
Past you.
I smiled just imagining the same large man from her picture randomly telling her she got a job she didn't even apply for. This must be around the time she starts to get tattoos. I wonder which one she got first?
Dear future me,
Joe is the man's name that gave us the job yesterday. He said we look too nice to be greeting people, so he placed me in the back, helping clean and sanitize everything.
Joe is a big guy with many tattoos himself. He does nice work on everyone, but they complain because it isn't exactly what they asked for. Joe makes it better though, so much better. He gives them what they want in a better way and they should honestly be grateful. I watched him work on people a lot today. There were some crazy tattoo ideas and some very emotional ones as well. Joe did both jobs with the same seriousness.
I like the place. They play good music, the people all look intimidating, but are all really nice. Besides, I like getting to see how tattoos are done. I liked watching someone's skin come to life with ink. I wonder if I could get one too. It would be nice. I'd let Joe do mine. I like his work the best, even if it isn't exactly what you asked for.
Joe seemed annoyed with me a lot of the time though. He scolded me when I did something wrong, taking it and doing it for me. I will learn though, and I'll get better. I don't like doing a bad job on anything. I'll impress Joe.
A determined past you.
P.S. Still no word from Ian. Hopefully, soon.
I loved that I had that picture of Joe now. It was nice to have an image to go along with the man she wrote about. I found myself almost laughing, picturing Rose in there working. I think I like this Joe already. I think I see what happened with Ian now too. He ghosted my sweet Rose. That fucking asshole. How dare he worm his way into her heart and then rip it out when he moved?
He could volunteer in all the non profit organizations and be the nicest guy on the planet, I still wouldn't like him for hurting my Rose. I just hope Rose feels the same way. Would she give him the time of day if he popped up in her life again? I would hope not, but I wouldn't stop her if she did. It's her life and if she wants to reconnect with him as a friend then I'll bite my tongue.
Lucas: I think you forgot to say ex-boss in your description of Joe.
I texted her, sending her a picture of her journal entry.
Rose: Oh God, you're already there?
Lucas: I'm determined to read my journals before you graduate. Trying to get through your high school years by the end of this semester.
Rose: Don't judge me too much. I'm over here blushing.
She sent me a picture of herself, with her cheeks prominently tinted a rosy red. She so beautiful, especially when she blushes.
Lucas: I don't judge, babe. I only tease ;)
Rose: That you do. I'm still sore from your teasing :p
The thought of what we'd done before I left, rushed all the blood straight to my dick.
Lucas: You'll be sore again when I see you, Rose. There's no getting away from it.
Rose: I can't wait.
I can't wait either.