Guided Love (Prick #1) Read online

  “Wow, this is a beautiful car.”

  “You know cars?”

  “Well, I'm not an expert or anything, but I know a little. Camaron would always want to go to car shows and I learned a lot by going.”

  “I see, well, I love this car more than anything or anyone.”

  “I can understand that. If I owned it, I would love it just as much.”

  When he starts up the engine, I feel her purr and it’s heaven to my ears. I have always wanted a 67 Camaro. That is one of my dreams; a dream that I’ll hopefully fulfill here on the East Coast. The ride wasn’t that bad, quiet. I can tell Axel isn’t really a man of many words. Sure, when he does respond, it’s usually with a grunt or a smart ass comment that has me blushing.

  After a fort-five minute drive, we finally pull up to the tattoo shop that Camaron and Axel own together, Two Pricks. Yep, they named their shop Two Pricks.

  I open the door and stretch my arms above my head. It feels so good to finally be here. As I look around, I see we are right in the heart of Philadelphia, or Philly as everyone else calls it. There are small shops and restaurants up and down the street and the smell makes my stomach rumble. I look over and see Axel standing against his door with his hands clapped on top of the roof just staring at me. Again, he catches me looking like an idiot, smiling ear to ear and smelling the air like a starved cow. I roll my eyes and start to head toward the shop. A high pitched whistle hurts my ears, and I turn and see him shaking his head at me once again. Seriously, I am starting to feel like a freaking dog.

  “The shop is closed, Samantha.”

  “Sam, it’s just Sam, and if the shop is closed why are we here?” I see Axel grab my two bags from the trunk and close it and start heading toward me.

  “Well, you see, this is your new place.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “You’re gonna be living with the prick, right?”

  “That’s the plan.”

  “Follow me.”

  We head off in the direction of the shop but stop at the black door right next to it. He opens it up and motions for me to start to climb a flight of stairs. Axel follows behind until we are at the top. To the right is a white door with a sign that says 2A ‘Stay the FUCK out!’ And to the left is a white door with 2B. I chuckle as I read the sign on the 2A’s apartment door and say, “Yeah, whoever lives there must be a ray of sunshine.”

  “Believe me, he definitely is.”

  He grabs the handle to 2B and opens the door to what will be my new home.

  The apartment is nice. It has an open floor plan so when I walk in, I see the kitchen off to the right. I am currently standing in the living room. To the left, there is a hallway with three doors. I am assuming that they are the bedrooms and the bathroom, but all I can do is stand in place and take in the sounds of high pitch moaning. My stomach instantly turns to knots. Axel makes his way to the third door and bangs on it.

  “Wrap it up, Prick, Samantha’s home.”

  I can hear a muffled voices and Axel laughing as he is walking back toward the kitchen. He opens the fridge and grabs a beer, offering one to me.

  “It’s only one in the afternoon.”

  “True, but it’s Sunday,” he says, like that should mean something.

  “I don’t consume alcohol so early in the afternoon.”

  He chuckles again and shakes his head.

  “I'm glad I amuse you”

  “Oh, Samantha, you definitely amuse me.”

  I am about to question him, but I suddenly see a blonde haired Barbie prance down the hallway with Camaron following behind.

  “Hey, beautiful, you’re finally here!”

  He comes barreling, over pushing aside Barbie to get to me. He grabs me in a huge hug and kisses my cheek. Normally, I would be swooning at this, but I can’t soak it up because he smells like sex and white diamonds. Yeah, I admit I know what white diamonds smells like only because my grandmother wears it. I hug him back and pull away and fake a smile.

  “Hey, Camaron, thanks for picking me up.”

  “I know, I’m sorry, Sam. Something came up and I couldn’t make it on time.”

  “Yeah, his five inch dragon wanted to have a play date so he sent me to get you,” Axel chimes in as he lifts the beer to his lips.

  “Fuck off, prick,” Camaron replies.

  I stand there and watch the banter between them and feel so out of place, as Barbie still hasn’t moved. She is just standing there, staring at me. “So, who are you?” Barbie actually asks me this with what would seem a snarky attitude.

  Before Camaron or I can answer, Axel takes it upon himself to. “Oh, you see, Mindy, this is Camaron’s better half, Samantha Jacobs.”

  “Better half?”

  “Yep. Camaron has a clone to harvest extra organs just in case he ever needs them. With Camaron being a pussy and all he decided a female would better suit his needs.”

  “Oh, I saw a program about that once in school,” Barbie says.

  I can’t hold it in any longer I start to laugh, I am laughing uncontrollably while Barbie is staring.

  “Want a beer, Mindy? Oh wait, you are underage . . . sorry, babe,” Axel chimes over my laughter. When he says that, I laugh even harder and look to see Camaron smiling ear to ear at me. I have tears running down my face and can’t stop.

  “Well, babe, it’s been great but now that Sam is here you need to go.”

  “Oh, okay, I guess you have to get her harvested and all?”

  “Yeah, babe, something like that.” Camaron walks to the door and opens it for Mindy. I am still laughing hard, once she’s gone, I can’t breathe.

  “How the fuck can you fuck something so stupid?” Axel asks.

  Camaron looks at me and back at Axel and finally answers.

  “Dude, I don’t fuck them for their brains, I fuck them because they’re so tight”

  “If that’s what does it for you,” Axels replies.

  I finally have calmed down and chime in on their conversation.

  “Okay, guys, now that I’m here and obviously need to be harvested, I need food.”

  “Sounds good, what are you hungry for?”

  “You know me, I’m up for anything. Take me to get one of those famous cheesesteaks.”

  Before we leave, Camaron shows me my room and puts my bags in the corner. Unfortunately, my stuff won’t be arriving for another week. Axel takes off, saying he needs to get shit done before tonight. And before I can get into the living room to thank him, he is already gone.

  Camaron and I walk down the street to a restaurant called Sal’s. It looks like a hole in the wall, but Camaron says that it’s the best Italian food in the area. We walk in and it’s obvious they know Cam, as everyone greets him. We make our way to the back booth and before our butts hit the seat, we have two beers in front of us.

  “Hi, Cam, would you like the usual?” the waitress asks, “Yes, please, two”.

  She walks off. Finally, it’s just us.

  “So, how was your flight?”

  “It was okay, a bit cramped between two burly men, but other than that it was smooth sailing.”

  “I really am sorry, Sam.”

  “I know, let’s not talk about it. How is everything going with the shop?” I look up and see Camaron smiling once again. “What? Why are you smiling like that?”

  “Because you’re finally here. . . The shop . . It's doing really well. Axel is a great business partner and has some awesome ideas about expanding the business. When we leave here, I want to show you around a little and later tonight, I thought I would take you to meet the guys. Every Sunday, we all meet up at Kester’s and have a few drinks and play some pool.”

  “You play pool? Since when?”

  “Since I moved here. Allen, you’ll meet him tonight, is a complete freak when it comes to pool. If you don’t play, he won’t stop hounding you until you do. I finally gave in after twenty minutes of nonstop humming. Do you know how annoying it is for someone to sit n
ext to you and hum?” I can’t help but laugh, he is so completely serious. I have missed this so much. “You’ll see, just wait. You’ll be playing pool by the end of the night.”

  After devouring my lunch, yes, the cheesesteak was freaking incredible. I don’t know why we don’t have them back home, Camaron showed me around town. Best part of the day was The Rocky Stairs. Yep, totally had to do it. We were singing “Eye of the Tiger” as we raced up the steps. I finally make it to the top and I start jumping up and down with my arms in the air. I look over and see Camaron just standing there smiling at me, shaking his head.

  “You know you’re a crazy mess.”

  “Whatever, you totally love me and I know it.”

  He walks over to me and grabs me around the waist and pulls me up against him and whispers in my ear, “Sam, you know I love you, always will. It’s me and you, you’re my anchor, babe.” I wrap my arms around his neck and squeeze him back.

  My moment is broken when a little old lady asks if we would like her to take a picture. After digging out my phone and handing it to her, Camaron again puts his arm around my waist and we pose.

  “Are you newlyweds?”

  Before I can answer Camaron answers, “Yes, ma'am.”

  “There is nothing better than to see two young people in love. I can see you are soul mates, you make her eyes twinkle with love.”

  I start to correct her but Camaron again cuts me off and says, “She is the love of my life, couldn’t imagine having anyone else.”

  With that, she smiles and hands me my phone and wishes us luck. I shake my head and smile. If he only knew how badly I wish that were real. Camaron grabs my hand and we start making our way back to our place. Our place, just thinking of it makes me settle inside.

  We get back and Camaron immediately jumps into the shower first, as I roam around the apartment taking everything in. The kitchen is completely bare. There is no table, just the counter that he obviously uses for a table and a desk. There are old plates with food that has been permanently fused onto them (note to self—make sure to buy new dishes) and there is also a pile of bills and receipts scattered around the entire counter. I open the refrigerator and all I see is a half a case of beer, a bottle of vodka and an orange. I shut the refrigerator and make my way to the living room. There is a fifty inch television and a black leather couch. Beer cans are scattered on the floor. Truly, this apartment is going to need a complete cleaning. I make a mental note that I need to find the grocery store and the closest Target.

  “What are you doing just standing there?”

  “Just making a note on what I need to go get.”

  “Like I said, make yourself at home. Whatever you want, let me know. This is our place now, babe, not mine.”

  I could tell that he is sincere as he gives me that smirk; the one that melts the panties off of every female around.

  “What, why are you smirking at me?”

  “Just feels right, I never thought I would live with anyone but having you here that just feels right.”

  Oh lord, seriously, this is why he has my heart, he is so freaking sweet. I just smile and try not to show that he is melting me.

  “We’re meeting the guys in the next ten minutes. Let’s get done so we can head out.”

  “Ten minutes! I can’t get ready in TEN MINUTES.”

  He is laughing at me now that I am panicking, I am about to go and meet the gang. Not only are they Camaron’s friends, well family really, these are the guys that I’ll be working with every day.

  “Go grab your stuff so we can head out.”

  “Camaron Willis, I am not going to go and meet your friends in a sweatshirt! Give me a few minutes and I’ll be right out.” I scramble into my room and start to go through my bag. I grab a pair of dark skinny jeans and a nice red cardigan. I look in the mirror and seem nicely put together. I open up my makeup bag and see that there is a white envelope. Confused, I open it up and see that it’s a note from Gabby. My heart sinks as she must have slipped this in before all the drama went down. I sit down on the floor and begin to read it.

  Dear Sam,

  I am sitting here rummaging through your closet and found this stationary in one of your boxes. I am taking the rest but thought I would be a super sweet friend and write you a note wishing you well. First off, let me tell you that I miss you already. Wish you weren't moving across the country but I know that you have to. I want you to find happiness, Sam! You are one person in this world that truly deserves it. You are awesome and I want you to call me once you land. Make sure to snap some pics and send them my way as well. I hope you find yourself, Sam, and have wild, crazy times ;) Okay, well, you are now starting to yell at me again about packing your boxes lol so I have to end this now or else you may turn into Godzilla lol

  Have Fun

  I LOVE YOU

  Gabs

  Wow, thank goodness I don’t wear mascara because tears are streaming down my face. I feel horrible for how I acted toward her. I hear the door creek and Camaron is headed toward me. He takes a seat on the floor next to me and bumps my shoulder.

  “You okay?”

  I brush the tears away and continue to look down at the note.

  “Yeah, just feeling horrible for how I treated Gabby”

  “She is your friend, babe. Just give it some time, everything will work itself out. No more tears.” He grabs my hand and holds it. “I’m so glad you are here with me, Sam. I’ve missed you.”

  After a few moments of sitting in silence, holding Camaron’s hand, he starts to stand. “Come on, babe, let’s go get you a nice drink and you can meet all the guys.” He helps me up and looks me up and down. “You look nice, Sam. Let’s go.”

  Nice . . . that’s good right?

  I should learn by now never to say “I owe you one.” That one little statement always gets me in situations that I despise. Like now, I hate driving to the airport. Truly, the traffic is always a fucking mess, especially in the morning. What people have to understand is that when someone says “I owe you one,” they truly don't mean it. There is no real meaning behind it. Yet, my business partner and friend, Camaron Willis, doesn't grasp this concept.

  Yeah, he did save me one night at the shop from a psycho chick, Glenda, who had been coming in to sit and do a consult every other Friday with new tattoo and placement ideas. She has no ink on her body and I bet she never will. Yet, she always scheduled a consult with me. Finally, after four visits and four declines to take her out, Camaron stepped in and helped. I saw her appointment scheduled for six one night and needed to bail before she arrived. Camaron kept laughing, calling me a pussy prick, but he has never experienced this level of “psycho-ness.” As I was about to give Carrie, our receptionist, the go ahead to call and cancel, Camaron said that he would handle it and she would get the hint. Of course, this is where I looked at him and said, “If you could get rid of this psycho, I’ll owe you one.”

  Well, he did handle it. Sure, he told her that we were gay lovers and that my cock would fall off before it ever came close to her vanilla cooch. The next morning, Carrie told me that she couldn’t stop laughing for thirty minutes after seeing the look on Glenda's face. Camaron was so over the top, she was sobbing and mumbling something about being a vanilla cooch and wanting some sprinkles.

  Nevertheless, the prick called me this morning and said he was redeeming his “I owe you.” So now, I am sitting in traffic, going to pick up Camaron's best friend, Samantha. Hope she isn't a total bitch since I’m already late and just want to find a place to park, get her shit, and go. I am not even sure if he texted her to tell her the change of plans. When I left, he was just consumed with getting laid, his attention wasn't on letting Samantha know that I would be arriving to pick her up. I finally arrive, park my baby, and head off toward baggage claim. I look down at my phone to check to see the text from Camaron with the description of Samantha.

  Camaron: Prick, Sam will be arriving at 11, she has brown hair and probably has her n
ose in a book. She is a plain Jane so just look for a shy brown haired girl and that will be her.

  Seriously, that’s all he sent me. Well, alrighty then. I look around baggage claim and I don’t see any brown haired, “normal, shy” girl reading a book. I see one and approach only to find myself trying to communicate with someone who doesn’t speak English. I walk back outside and notice that there are a few benches. That’s when I see her—well, hopefully it’s her. She is anything but ordinary. What I see is a beautiful girl with brown hair sitting on the bench, staring at her phone.

  “The prick sent me to pick you up, that is if you are Samantha Jacobs.”

  I look down and am met with the most gorgeous green eyes I have ever seen. The look on her face tells me that Camaron didn’t tell her that I would be picking her up.

  “Yeah, I’m Sam Jacobs, how do I know you were sent by the prick?” she questioned cautiously.

  “I guess you don't.”

  “Can I see your driver’s license please?” she demanded with cautious authority.

  “Seriously?” I questioned, slightly amused.

  “Yes, seriously. How do I know that you aren't some hot man coming over to abduct me and sell me to the highest bidder?”

  She can't be serious. I look down——she is and all I can do is laugh. I grab my wallet and hand her my license to ease her mind. “So, you think I'm hot?” Samantha's face turns a bright red. I can see the shyness now and I really should just stop messing with her since she’s Camaron's girl and my new bookkeeper.

  “Excuse me?” she asked, confused.

  “You just said that I could be a hot guy going to abduct you and sell you to the highest bidder.” I watch as her face is turning a darker shade of red and I can't help but to chuckle and shake my head. “Relax, Samantha, I’m just playing. Come with me, let’s get the hell out of here, traffic is gonna suck”.

  The car ride wasn’t that bad, I try to keep to myself, only saying a few things about cars as not only is she fucking hot she knows cars——what’s better than that, I wonder. When we finally arrive at the apartment, I grab her bags and show her to her new home. We start making our way up the stairs and all I can think is, “Damn, she is blessed with the finest ass I have seen in a while.” I need to get away from this chick—Samantha is Camaron’s girl, I keep reminding myself. “I can’t look, I can’t look,” I chant in my head. As I open up the door to her new apartment, we are welcomed with the noise of the prick and the airhead fucking. Yeah, that’s the Welcome Wagon for you right there. After banging on the Prick’s door, I walk around her and make a beeline for the refrigerator. I need a beer. I offer her one, but she is standing there, with perfect posture, looking at me like I just grew two heads.