To Love Someone (Baytown Boys #14) - Maryann Jordan Page 0,3

blocks back through town, turning at the corner where he saw Jason’s auto shop. And right next door was the lighted window of a small tattoo shop. Unsure if the door was unlocked, he was surprised when it opened easily. Walking inside, he spotted a familiar face even if Jason’s outward appearance was more like looking into a mirror than a Go Navy advertisement.

The man in front of him was wearing a tight T-shirt, faded jeans, and heavy boots. His long hair was pulled back in a ponytail and his face was covered in a shaggy beard. Jason Boswell. One of the few friends he’d made in the Navy and stayed in contact with. He waited as the uncertainty that crossed Jason’s face morphed into recognition.

Suddenly, Jason jerked and he gasped. “Joseph? Joseph Hernandez?”

2

Hearing his name coming from his friend’s lips, Joseph grinned and barely had time to lock his legs into place as Jason rushed forward to envelop him in a bear hug. They slapped each other’s backs before separating, Jason still shaking his head.

“Fuck, man,” Joseph laughed, his gaze locked on Jason’s long hair. “Look at you.”

“Me? Hell, you’re no fuckin’ Navy regulation, either.”

For a few seconds they simply stared, Jason’s expression still holding disbelief, and Joseph figured his own was much the same.

“The last time Zac tried to get you to move out here, you were hitchhiking somewhere in Texas,” Jason finally said.

Joseph nodded and hefted his shoulders. “I could say I was just in the neighborhood, but hell, while Virginia isn’t remote, the Eastern Shore sure as fuck is.”

“So, are you just passing over or really thinking about staying?”

“Got no plans at all. I was traveling my way east, working a few jobs, when I needed to stop over at the Veterans Hospital in Norfolk.” Joseph shrugged and ran his hand through the scruff of his beard.

“Are you okay?”

Jason’s voice was instantly full of concern, something rare in Joseph’s experience. And, he silently admitted, was nice. “Yeah, yeah. I got sick a few months ago and just never got over it. I figured if I went to a veterans’ hospital, then I could get treated. I looked at a map and realized how close I was to the Eastern Shore, so I figured it was time to check out what you and Zac have been talking about.”

Jason leaned around and flipped the lock on the door, turning off the ‘Open’ sign, and motioned toward several chairs in the corner near the front desk. Taking him up on his silent invitation, he sat while Jason grabbed two bottles of water from a small refrigerator.

Jason settled into a seat nearby and handed one of the bottles to him. “I gotta tell you, man, if you need anything, you only have to ask.”

Taking a sip of cold water, he nodded. “Thanks.” He leaned back and allowed his gaze to drift around the small shop. “I see your garage is next door. How’s business?”

Jason laughed. “When I first came out here, I had the idea that I’d open the garage, get enough people to work in it and run it, and then I’d do nothing but oversee the garage while mostly working in the tattoo shop. But damn, this town was so desperate for a garage that also had a tow truck, and I was constantly working just to keep up with the demand. I’ve got two other mechanics who work for me, and we’re busy all the time. It didn’t take long to discover that there was a lot more mechanic business than tattoo business. I’m only doing tattoos on the weekends. I’m busier during the summer when vacationers are around but definitely not enough for tattooing to be my full-time job.”

He peered closely at Jason considering his words didn’t match up with the smile on his friend’s face. “You okay with that?”

Jason shrugged, and his smile widened. “I love the artistic outlet that this business allows, but I don’t want to run it all by myself anymore. Plus, I’ve met someone and am no longer willing to work all the time. I’ve now got something else to live for.”

His brows lifted in surprise, but from the expression on Jason’s face, it wasn’t hard to see that the man was truly happy. He took another swig of water and thought about the changes that had occurred over the past couple of years. He already knew that Zac was married, and from what Jason was saying, he might not be