Free Marks on My Skin (Love & Ink #1) by J A Howell

the seat and the dull ache only served as a reminder. Kieran noticed, and I saw him watching me from his side of the car.
    “Shayne?”
    “We’re almost there.” I said, and turned down the long dirt road that led to Rolling Hills Treatment Center. Kieran returned his attention ahead as the car approached the concrete block walls that ran around the perimeter of the hospital. It was very out of the way, but she’d worn out her welcome at any closer treatment facilities.
    “Look I’ll just be a few minutes. Can you wait in the car?”
    Kieran nodded, his blue eyes piercing me with the concern in them. I had to get out of the car, get away from him. The problem was, I didn’t want to be here either. I didn’t want to see her.
     

CHAPTER TEN
    It Was You
    Shayne had been gone almost an hour now, and I was starting to get concerned, but I told her I’d wait in the car. I didn’t mind that she was taking a long time. My bladder however, had other opinions on that matter. With a cursory glance around the property I got out of the car and headed for reception. There was a bathroom to the left of the waiting room that the receptionist said was for visitors.
    I relieved myself with a deep sigh of relief, washed my hands, and hurried back outside hoping Shayne hadn’t returned yet. As soon as I stepped outside though, I saw her standing next to a tree. She was staring my way with a cold, angry look and an apology formed on my lips. Drawing closer to her though, I realized she wasn’t looking at me at all. And she wasn’t angry, she was upset.
    “Shayne, ya okay?” I asked. Her eyes widened on me, panic making her gasp.
    “What are you doing, Kieran? I though you were going to wait in the car?”
    “I’m sorry. I just went ta use the restroom, then I saw ya standing here and I—”
    “Heh, let me guess. This is your latest sugar daddy?” An older woman with straggly black and gray hair glared daggers at me from a face that looked merely skin and bone. I’d never seen the woman before but she bore some strange familiarity. Her mother.
    “It’s not like that. Kieran’s just a friend.”
    “Friend? Aren’t they all?” She sniffed at Shayne, rubbing a bony hand under her reddened nose.
    “I’m just a friend.” I added. She narrowed her eyes at me and let out a snort.
    “So what is it you’re doing for her, then? Coke? Heroin? Or just a fun piece of ass?”
    “I’m just her friend and how dare ya talk about yer own flesh and blood like that?”
    “Wow, Shayne! He must not be that good of a friend. He doesn’t know you at all.” Her mother laughed and patted my arm. I took a step back, not wanting her anywhere near me.
    “Mother, leave him alone.” The muscles at the side of Shayne’s neck strained as she tried to keep her calm.
    “Shayne, I can just go back ta the car—”
    “You know, Kieran , was it?” Her mother tilted her head, eyes narrowed like a lion spotting its prey. “You know Kieran, Shayne thinks she’s better than her dear mother. She sticks me in this God forsaken rehab because I’m the one with the problems, never mind her own! She dresses in her slutty little clothes, covers herself in those disgusting tattoos, and acts like she’s got her shit together, but I know the real her. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Cover up those arms with that ink, Shayne, but I can still see the track marks…and everything else.”
    “I don’t do those things anymore.” Shayne said, her voice defensive but hushed.
    “Well not at the moment, sweetheart. But you’ll go back. Just like me.”
    Shayne balled her hands into fists. Instinctively, I grasped her wrist and her muscles relaxed.
    “Mother, just tell me you’ll behave. They’re giving you one more chance to be compliant, and once they kick you out there isn’t another treatment center for a hundred miles that will take you.”
    Her mother looked over her with a disdainful eye, then to me with a silent scoff.
    “I’ll