Scars

“You ready kiddo?” Tonya asked her fourteen year old as she walked into the living room where he was slouched on the sofa, his PSP gripped in his hands.

“Have been for an hour.” He muttered getting up, not taking his eyes off the small screen.

“Hey, less of the cheek you. Come on, your Aunty Estelle is expecting us.” She said grabbing the car keys along with the purple and black gift bags off the small table.

“Yeah, I’m coming.” he muttered, slowly making his way to the front door, still not taking his eyes off the game he was so engrossed in. Tonya sighed and rolled her eyes with a small shake of her head as she followed her son out to the car, picking up his backpack that he’d walked past.

She placed the gift bags and the backpack on the back seat, clearing her throat as she placed the key in the ignition to gain Jake’s attention.

“What?” he asked, pausing his game to finally look up at his mother who was tugging gently at her seat belt with a smile. With a sigh he placed his console in his lap to fasten his belt around him.

“Thank you.” she said with a smile as she backed out of the driveway and he went back to playing his game.

As she drove, she sang along quietly to the song playing on the radio, knowing that it would be useless to try and make conversation with Jake. She glanced at him, smiling at how much he looked like his father. The dark hair, the green eyes, the slightly imperfect nose. And his looks weren’t the only things he shared with his father. He had the same sense of humour, the same caring loving nature, the same appetite and the same love of sport. He reminded her of Luke everyday and she was grateful of that fact.

As she pulled into Estelle’s driveway she smiled as she spotted Jake switch off the game and put it into his pocket.

“Are you sure you’re going to be able to survive without it in your hand for five minutes.” she said dryly as they both got out of the car, Tonya quickly grabbing the gift bags from the back seat.

“You know mom, you’ll get it one of these days that you’re really not that funny.” He replied just as dryly as they walked up to the front door.

“No, I’m firkin hilarious.” She retorted with a smirk, gently nudging his arm before reaching up to press the doorbell.

“Hey Cole, where’s the birthday girl?” she greeted Estelle’s long-term boyfriend as he opened the door.

“Hey, she’s in the kitchen.” He replied taking a step away from the door to allow them both to enter the house.

“Thank you.” she replied as he leaned down to kiss her cheek. “Here, this is yours to give to Stella.” She added passing one of the bags to him as they walked into the kitchen.

“Happy birthday sweetie.” She cheered as she entered the kitchen, her best friend walking over to her and pulling her into a brief hug.

“Thank you, you ready for tonight?” Stella replied with a beaming smile.

“Yep, but first presents.” She cheered passing her the gift bag.

“Happy birthday Aunty Stella.” Jake said stepping forward with his gift bag.

“Aw, thank you sweetie.” She replied kissing his cheek. “Cole got the new GTA game yesterday.”

“Chinatown Wars?” he asked, his eyes widening.

“Yup, go check it out.” she replied nodding towards the living room, laughing as Jake quickly turned on his heals and made his way back into the living room as Stella and Tonya sat down at the breakfast bar with the gift bags.

“That will no doubt keep the both of them quiet while we’re out.” Stella said with a smirk as she pulled a gift bag towards her.

“Just so you know, he was the one who suggested that.” Tonya said as Stella took out Jake’s gift and began to unwrap it.

“Oh my God, your son is awesome!” Stella screeched as she pulled out a Johnny Depp DVD box set.

“I knew you’d like it.” Tonya said with a beaming smile as Stella stared at the box.

“He’s just so pretty.” She murmured, Tonya rolling her eyes.

“Maybe you should have opened mine first.” She said, earning an embarrassed smile off Stella as she put the box set down and reached for the other gift bag.

“Oh my God T, it’s beautiful! You co-ordinated with Cole didn’t you?” she said taking the necklace out of the small black box.

“We may have discussed what we were getting you yes.” Tonya replied with a smug grin.

“I love it, thank you.” she replied leaning over to embrace her friend.

“You’re welcome sweetie. Are you ready for your second part of your present?” she asked.

“T, you know I’m always ready to get pampered.” She replied standing up and gathering the gifts.” Come on, everything’s ready upstairs.”

Stella always loved taking advantage of Tonya’s skills as a beautician, especially when they came in the form of a birthday present. Not that Tonya saw it as being taken advantage of, she enjoyed it too. It was her job after all. It was also part of the fun of getting ready for the two of them to go out. It didn’t happen often, so when it did, a big deal was made. It was their opportunity to do their hair, nails and make up and dress up smart.

~*~

Stella sat down in the booth with a sigh, glad to have the weight taken off her feet, not usually being one to wear heels. She was quickly joined by Tonya who had gone to the bar to get drinks.

“Cocktails? Seriously T? Why can’t I just stick to Jack and coke?” she groaned as Tonya passed her a brightly coloured drink.

“Oh sush! You can drink Jack and coke anytime. It’s your birthday, which means cocktails.” She replied taking a sip of her drink.

Stella rolled her eyes and took a sip of her drink, finding it more pleasant than what she had thought it was going to be. After finishing their drinks they headed over to the dance floor for a few songs before Tonya decided another brightly coloured drink was in order.

“Ladies?”

Both women looked up to find one of the bartenders stood next to their table, a tray in his hand with two cocktails sat on top of it.

“From the two gents at the bar.” He said placing the drinks down in front of them, a nod of his head in the direction of the bar bringing their attention to two men who were stood at the bar, a smile gracing their lips as they made eye contact.

“Oh fuck me!” Tonya muttered as she couldn’t help but smile back.

“Let’s see if we can make that happen.” Stella replied with a smirk, as she waved over to the two guys.

“Stel, what are you doing? What about Cole?” Tonya muttered quickly, her eyes wide as she realised the two guys were making their way over to them.

“Don’t worry, nothings going to happen, not with me anyway.” She replied casually with a smirk.

“Hey guys, thanks for the drinks.” She said with a wide smile, her eyes sparkling as she looked up at the two guys. The one was tall, muscular, heavily tattooed, hazel eyed with cropped hair. The other was a little shorter and not quite as muscular, tattooed, dark brown eyes with dark hair, styled into the perfect mess.

“You’re welcome.” The taller one replied flashing a smile, that showed off dimples that could melt a heart.

“Fancy joining us?” she asked indicating the seats across from them. The two men exchanged a brief glance before taking a seat. “I’m Stella and this is Tonya.”

“Matt.” The taller one said.

“Brian.” the other guy added.

“Nice to meet you.” Tonya said, uncharacteristically shyly.

“So what brings you two beautiful ladies out tonight?” Matt asked, his eyes settling on Stella.

“It’s my birthday.” She stated with a smile.

“Happy birthday.” Both guys said in unison.

“How about you? What brings you two here?” Tonya asked, her eyes finding Brian’s.

“A reunion of sorts. I’ve been away travelling for two years.” Brian explained.

“Cool, did you go anywhere interesting?” Stella asked.

“Hawaii, Thailand, New Zealand. All over really.” Brian said.

“Oh I’ve always wanted to go to New Zealand.” Tonya mused.

“If you ever get the chance to go you should. It’s extremely beautiful.” Brian said with a smile.

That started an easy flowing conversation between them as Brian explained about some of his travels, explaining how he was a tattooist and had embarked on a trip around the world, tattooing as he went, learning new techniques from other cultures.

“Anyway, I feel as if I’ve been the only one talking.” Brian said with a chuckle. “What do you girls do for a living?”

“I’m a beautician.” Tonya stated with a smile.

“And I own a little store in town.” Stella said, as Brian took his ringing cell phone out of his pocket, excusing himself as he took the call.

“What store?” Matt asked as his friend spoke to whoever had called him.

“Paradise.” She stated, watching as Matt’s eyebrows knitted together, trying to think of the store, his eyes suddenly widening as a smirk appeared on his thin lips.

“You mean?” he asked as Stella nodded, returning his smirk as Brian ended the call.

“That was Zack, he and the guys are in Johnny’s.” he said.

“It’s been nice meeting you ladies; maybe we could do it again sometime?” Matt asked his gaze falling once again on Stella.

“Oh, um, I’m sorry no I can’t, sorry if I gave you the wrong impression, but I’m in a relationship.” She said apologetically.

“Oh, okay, fair enough.” He replied, disappointment flashing across his face.

“What about you Tonya?” Brian asked, pulling her gaze back to him.

“Oh, um, well I um, it’s kinda complicated.” She stuttered.

“Okay, well maybe we’ll see each other around sometime.” He said as he and Matt stood from the booth. “But hey, take this, if it ever becomes uncomplicated or even if you want a tattoo sometime.” He added, winking as he passed her a small card, his name and cell number on it.

She smiled back at him, feeling herself blush as she watched him walk away with Matt.

“Are you completely out of your mind?” Stella yelled turning to face her friend who had her face in her hands.

“I know!” she yelled into her palms before raising her head.

“He was unbelievable beautiful, and basically just asked you out and all you could say is “It’s complicated.”” She said.

“I know, I know. What is wrong with me?” Tonya asked.

“I don’t know, but sweetie, you really can’t go on like this. You’ve got to move on sometime.” Stella said.

“I know.” Tonya agreed with a sigh, mentally kicking herself.