“No way, your mother would hate me forever.” Cara said as she tucked one of her curls behind her ear, revealing the last tattoo Jake had done for her. Right behind her ear there was a Chinese symbol of faith. “I didn’t come here to plan our next prank, although you’re already giving me ideas. I’ve got a couple of hours before I’m due at the bar, and wanted to know if you wanted to take a ride on that new bike of yours.”
Jake wanted nothing more at that moment, to jump on the Harley he had just bought, but then it dawned on him that Luke would be here any minute to pick him up for the airport. “I can’t today. Luke’s coming to get me; we’re going to pick up Nick from the airport.”
“Oh shit I forgot that he would be coming home today. Luke must be thrilled.” Then her eyes widened, “How is Sam taking it?”
“Oh, you know her, she’s parading around like it’s nothing and meanwhile she’s probably tracking his flight as we speak.” He laughed picturing his sister in front of a computer constantly checking to see if his plane landed. God, he couldn’t wait to tease her.
“Should be interesting to see how this all pans out.” She knew just as well as Jake, that the shit would finally hit the fan between Nick and Sam.
A horn honked outside, and they both saw Luke’s truck parked in front of the shop. “He’s here.” He turned to look at Cara. “I’ll catch you later. I’ll come by the bar, save my seat okay?” He shrugged his leather jacket on and leaned forward, pressing a friendly kiss to her cheek.
“You got it.” She looked up at him and smiled at him.
He hesitated for a moment, caught up in those eyes. “Maybe we will figure out where I can tattoo those lips.” He winked and with that turned and strolled out of the tattoo parlor.
Jake felt Luke staring at him as they sat, waiting for Nick’s plane to arrive. He turned and looked at his brother with an innocent smile. “What? Did you want some?” He said crumbling up the empty bag of nuts. Luke laughed to himself. Since they had arrived at the airport, Jake had been raiding the duty free shop, he had already gone through two bags of snacks, three magazines, and as his leg twitched he knew he was ready to go another round. Instead, he pulled out an electric cigarette from one of his plastic bags from the shop.
“How much longer you think we’re going to be in this shit hole? I’m having a Nicotine fit.” He said as he took the e-cigg and started to puff on it, the little blue light came alive and he exhaled some smoke. He immediately began to cough after the first pull. “This shit’s for the birds.”
Luke glanced down at his watch, “It shouldn’t be much longer.”
“Yeah, I’ve heard that six times since we’ve been here. I’m running out of snacks.” Jake said, rummaging through his bag, pulling out a snickers bar. He took another puff of the electric cigarette as he unwrapped, the candy bar.
“You know, Ava has more patience than you.” Luke said, comparing his twenty eight year old brother to his six year old daughter.
“Well, she would, after all she’s your daughter.” He said, biting into the candy bar. “Mr. Cool, Calm and Collected.” He wiggled his eyebrows as he taunted him. “You remind me of Danny Tanner, from Full House. I could completely be an Uncle Jesse type. I should start a band, going to put it on my list of things to do.”
Luke rolled his eyes, “You do that. Let me know how it works out for you.” He silently prayed to God, that the plane wouldn’t have to taxi around the airport, delaying this process any longer.
“We should’ve brought Sam along for shits and giggles.” Jake said as a grin spread across his face.
“You’re one sick puppy, you know that, right?” Luke asked his brother, watching as he rolled his eyes and nudged him with his elbow, the stupid electric cigarette, dangling, from the corner of his mouth.
“Oh come on, it’s all gravy. I can’t wait to see her face when she sees Mr. Fancy Pants. I should send her a video of him coming out of the terminal, get the ball rolling.” He said so enthusiastically, like he had just come up with the greatest idea of his life. Luke looked at his watch again and scowled. “I may have to close the shop down a couple of days this week to make sure I don’t miss anything.” He said, pondering the idea.
It frightened Luke, because his brother wasn’t kidding. “You know, it would just be a headache for both of us if those two got involved.” He brushed a piece of lint off his pants.
“I rather see Sam wind up with someone we know will take good care of her, then some random asshole.” Jake smiled, satisfied with himself. He had shut his brother up real quick with that comment. Sometimes Jake came out with something that made sense, and when it did, it made anyone listening second guess their way of thinking. “Besides, the last guy she dated, Mr. Twitch-A-Lot, really made me crazy. Ever try having a conversation with him? His eye twitched so much, once I begged him to close his eyes when he talked to me, the eyelids twitched still! Imagine that?”