Devin looked over the appointment log making sure they were all good for the next few days. Cross checking them with the artist and making sure their deposit was on file as well. Though walk-ins were also a big intake for them when the time allowed for it. Most of them were booked up for weeks in advance.
Smith's phone rang causing him to step out back to take it, which meant it must have been personal. If it was a client he would have stayed inside. Devin looked up as he heard the front door open, eyes catching a tall male as he took the shades off his face placing them on the top of his head, pushing back his black wavy curls out of his face.
"Welcome to Tainted Flesh." Greeted Devin standing up leaning against the counter top in front of him.
"Can I help you?"
The man didn't say anything for a moment just looked around before he approached the front desk leaning against it himself. His silver grey eyes caught Devin with a bit of shock, loving the look of how the black liner he wore caused them to look like smoke to a burning flame.
Hunter gave Devin a quick once over tilting his head to the side as he noticed that his eyes were being stared at. A smile forming on his face for a moment.
"I'm looking for the owner. Is he in today?" He asked.
"Yeah, Smith's here today just had to take a call he'd be back in soon. Is there anything I can help you with in the meantime?"
"No, I'll just wait for him if that's fine."
Devin nodded motioning to the sofa's if he was interested in taking a seat for now. His mind still in a trance from the man's eyes thinking that color couldn't be real, had to be some type of contact to give them that intense pigment.
His mind also tried to place his accent, it sounded Germanic to him. It wasn't long before Smith returned walking through the front door versus the back.
"If it ain't Black Souls himself." Spoke Smith clearly happy and taken back by the man.
The name didn't ring a bell with Devin but it got Davey's attention for sure.
"The fucking Hunter Black?" He questioned standing up from his chair.
"Yes! Man, it's been too fucking long."
Smith pulled Hunter into a hug, his fist pounding the man on the back. Hunter does the same, having missed his longtime friend.
"You're telling me, I just heard you got your own shop thought I'd come and tell you I told you so." Laughed Hunter.
Hunter knew Smith since they were in diapers together, just their choice in life's work and family when they were younger sent them different ways after a while. Hunter spent the last decade in England working on making a name for Black Souls.
"I doubt you came all this way just to say that."
"It only feels good if you say it in person. I told you if you kept working at it, it would happen and the place is pretty sick if you ask me."
"Well it's done Black Souls stamp of approval on Tainted Flesh that's a wrap time to go home guys." Smith spoke clearly joking with Hunter.
"I'm lost." Stated Devin moving from behind the counter.
"Alright fuck face," Spoke Davey, taking a break from his guy so he could have a smoke.
Devin guessed fuck face was now him.
"Black Souls is the god of all underground goth metal in England. This here man is the voice of that god sent."
Davey sounded as if he was buttering up to Hunter, shaking his hand. Devin still hasn't heard of this band ever, ringing no bells to him.
"Come on, Devin my own brother hasn't heard of Black Souls." Spoke Smith gripping Devin on the shoulder shaking him.
"You know I don't listen to goth metal."
"It's cool we're not meant for everyone." Spoke Hunter eyeing Devin again.
Hunter knew metal wasn't everyone's taste and that was okay. However in his mind it was something he was missing out on and personally he wouldn't mind introducing Devin to the world for Black Souls.
At that moment the phone rang again, Devin stepped away to answer it while the three of them made buddies catching up. He wondered why in all the time he's known Smith that there hasn't been a single mention of this Hunter guy or his band.
Not trying to be obvious about where he was looking, Devin found himself staring at Hunter for the longest time. Turning his back every now and again like he was busy with something behind the desk trying to throw off any suspension that he was staring at him.
"So you're going to come tonight right?" Asked Hunter, leaning against the counter top behind Devin again causing him to turn around.
"To what?" He asked.
"Of course he's coming." Chimed Smith.
"Good." Whispered Hunter so only Devin could hear him.
This caused Devin's eyes to narrow at him wondering what the meaning behind that 'good' was. Hunter smiled he was confusing the man but that was what he wanted. Smiling as he pushed off the counter top turning to walk away but leaned back in closer this time.
"They're real by the way." Hunter winked, returning the shades to his face telling the guys bye and was out the door.
"What am I going too?" Asked Devin again.
"Drinks fucker." Spoke Davey back to work on the man's calf.
Devin sunk back into his chair, both of them knew he didn't care to drink. Then it hit him. He was going to be the DD for the night. Davey laughed when Devin shot him a look not pleased with this volunteer position then again why should he be surprised.
Devin went onto making sure everything on the list of things needed was ordered for the shop and would arrive on time, checking to make sure he didn't need to make any last minute stops for things before they locked up for the night.
Hunter's wink stayed on his mind while he worked thinking what man winked at another man, maybe it was just something Hunter did. The shop closed every night at ten Devin usually the last one out however tonight they all left together, hopping into Smiths all black F150. Smith, a creature of habit arriving at the best sports bar in town just as Hunter pulled up. His Charger drawing a bit of attention his way.
"Who's ready to get shit faced?" He yelled walking over to them, throwing his arms around Devin's and Smith's shoulders.
Davey let out a howl in agreement. He was always down for anything that dealt with drinking and women, this place had both.
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