;don't be sad, tomorrow and forever, we'll be together

We sit waiting patiently as the guy finishes tracing Bella's tattoos, but don't get me wrong, the longer his fucking hands linger on her calf, the more he stares, the more rigid my body goes.

The big, built, blond, overly tatted, pierced to high heaven fuck is talking in murmurs and making her laugh. She's smiling, laughing and assumedly joking back.

I don't notice my fists are clenched on my knees until Cammy taps my right one and smirks across at me. Asshole. I loosen my grip, and growl at him.

"Yo, you nearly done? It's a tiny tat, fuck." I snap, calling out to the tattoo artist.

His eyes slowly move from Tori, over to me, a malice smirk plastered across his lips.

Fucker, I'll bury him.

"All done." he announces, then looks back to Tori. "Someone can't wait to get a needle stuck on him."

Bella purses her lips. Holding back a laugh or knowing I'll pop off, either way, I don't like it.

He gives Bella two taps on her leg and she slides off the red leather recliner chair, sauntering her way back over to me. And to my surprise, she doesn't sit beside Cammy, no, she plants her ass firmly on my lap.

Good girl.

Reaching behind her, she wraps her arm around my neck and leans backwards.

"You're so hot when you're jealous." She whispers, a smile in her tone.

I tense under her touch, my jaw flexing. "Don't make a habit it outta it, Bella. Next time I won't be so fucking pleasant."

"Yes, Captain." she snorts.

"Ready for the first one." The tatted guy calls out.

Cammy rises. Shaking out his shoulders before heading over to the seat and flopping his ass down. By the looks he's giving him, he doesn't much like the artist either.

Instead of watching Cammy get his tattoo, my eyes are burning a hole in the side of Bella's face as she watches Cammy intently - not being able to be away from him, she pushes to her feet and walks over to him, he instantly reaches out and takes her hand, squeezing it as the tattoo gun begins to buzz with life.

His head tilted to the side in line with Bella's stomach, his knuckles turning white as he grips tighter onto her hand as the gun makes contact, breaking the skin.

I should drag her ass back over here, but he needs her, and she knew it, she felt it. She's intuitive.

"She loves possession, but don't overstep, bro. She's still a independent woman, y'know." Eli mumbles beside me, eyes down as he flicks through his phone.

I snort. "You saying I'm being possessive?"

It's his turn to snort. "Mhm. I can see the way you look at her, it's nice an all that shit, but she needs a man, not a master."

A man not a master.

"Next one." the tattooist calls out, finishing Cammy up as he rubs something on the side of his neck.

I stand.

Bella remains where she was, ready to hold my hand if I need her.

I deadweight on the seat and drop back, turning my head so it's in line with Bella's stomach - same as Cammy.

Cammy walks away from the mirror and places a silent kiss on Tori's temple before heading over to Jason and Eli.

I can hear the guy clattering around behind me, then the gun hums to life again.

Bella reaches for my hand, but I pull away, wrapping one hand around her waist and pushing it into the back pocket of her jeans, hers rests on my shoulder.

"Ready?" The guy asks.

I nod. "Mhm."

At first contact, I wince, like a god damn pussy, but then the pain subsides. I lay there unnerved and still as I stare at the tight stomach of my girlfriend, her breathing controlled and steady.

"I can't believe you guys are getting my tattoo on ya." she muses.

"Faith, baby." is all I reply.

"Faith, baby." She echoes, a smile in her voice.

Next was Eli, then Jason - he needed more time to pluck some damn courage, the pussy.

About an hour later we walked out the tattoo parlour sporting matching tattoos that are the exact same as Bella's.

Matching if you will.

"I can't be fucked I had the balls to do that." Jason grins as we step through the apartment door.

Eli pushes him further into the room. "Neither can we, cry baby bitch." he taunts.

Yes, Jason cried. Not like full on bawled his eyes out, but the poor guy had tears rolling down his face, so scared he held Bella's hand the entire time. The only one who didn't need her was Eli. Too proud to hold his twins hand, bless.

"Aw, don't be mean, Eli. It was his first time." Bella lightly chides. "It's alright, Jace. We won't tell anyone you booboo'd." She teases, shoulder checking him as she made her way towards the kitchen.

Me and the guys laugh, while he flops on the sofa, turning on the PlayStation.

I felt a hand on my shoulder, looking to my right I see Cammy. "Come talk with me?" he says, nodding his head towards the roof door.

I nod, and we head over and out. Stepping out into the cold winter air of the big apple.

"What's up?"

Cammy shakes his head, looking down. His eyes are closed and his breathing picks up.

"Bro?" I prompt.

Bringing his head back up, he stares at me. "My parents want me to go back home. Finish college off online." he rushes out. Grabbing a hold of the railing and dropping his head between his arms. "Hell, not want me too, they're already signing the transfer papers."

My chest drops. My heartbeat picks up. My palms turn clammy.

I grab the railing to stop my knees giving out.

"Fuckk." I breathe out. "Fuck, fuck, fucking fuck!" I growl, kicking the glass panel.

I swing the air, then fucking grunt. Twisting my body I pull my best friend into my arms and hug the shit outta him.

My best fucking friend.

Ill and afraid. Getting taken away from me. Not alone, but not with me either. Not with us.

His body shudders as he silently cries into my shoulder. "I fucking hate this shit man. Fucking hate it." he sobs.

I can't fight against the burning in my eyes as my own tears stain my cheeks. "I know, man. I fucking know." my voice hoarse.

He exhales a deep fucking sigh and pulls himself away. Quick to reach up and wipes his tears, turning his face away from me.

"I didn't tell you when I first found out because I wanted things to stay as normal as they could. I wanted us to play ball, go to parties, piss each other off and score girls. And we did." he points out. His face now coming back to look at me as I wipe the rest of my tears. "But you have no fucking idea how happy I am you have that girl downstairs."

Bella.

"She's going to be the one who takes my place when I'm no longer here, ya hear me?"

Shaking my head, no. "No one can take your fucking place, Cammy. No one."

"Maybe not, but she's not far off the mark, bro. Look how she is. Girls fucking perfection, and you're gonna need her more than ever when I'm not here. Just don't fuck it up, she's the one giving me more peace of mind at the minute."

I won't. I won't fuck it up.

I groan, tilting my chin upwards. "I can't fucking believe this shit!" I yell into the air, quick to drop my head into my palms.

Faith.

Have faith.

"Faith."

I snap my head up to Cammy. He's looking over at me with a world away look in his eyes. "Have faith, right?"

I blow out air. "Right." I nod. "Faith."

"Jesus Christ, that girls in all our fucking heads. I feel bad for you." He snorts.

I can't help but laugh with him.

She's not even his and he's caught the Bella fever too.

"So when you gotta go back home?" I ask, not really wanting to know the answer because I don't want him to fucking go.

"Soon as we get back, before classes start again." he says, looking over the city.

"Shit, man." I sigh. "Things ain't gonna be the same without ya. Real talk."

Cammy chuckles. "Trust me." he agrees. "But, least I'm only an hour away. Not too far for you and Tee to drive down and visit me."

"Tee too?" I raise a brow. "What, suddenly I'm not good enough for you no more." I joke.

He bumps his shoulder into mine with a smile. "You know we both like her more than we like each other." he shoots back.

"Nah. You're both my favourite people. No competition, you're my brother, she's my wife."

Cammy lightly laughs. "Wife, huh? Wish I could say I was surprised."

"You're not?" I raise a suspicious brow

He shakes his head. "Nah, man. Seen it coming from day one."

"So, no championship game this year - the dyno duo gone." I say, changing the subject.

"Bro, you don't need me to win. You're the god damn captain and the best baller I know. You got this, and you're gonna win it, if not for me, than yourself. I want to watch you get drafted and make into the NBA like we fucking dreamed." he demands. "And if you don't, I'll kick your lanky ass over state lines and back."

I chuckle. "You can't even kick my ass on a good day, don't break your heart like that."

"You're a star, Maddox. Win that championship, take that Heats spot, and marry that fucking girl, knock her up and bring mini Tee's and Mads' in the world because Lord knows we fucking need more of you two around."

I swing my arm over his shoulder and kiss the top of his head, tears rolling down both of our cheeks, again.

"I'll make you proud, brother. I promise."