The Hairdresser Diaries (12 page)

“Thanks, but I’m here to see Tatum,” Tommy said as he passed right by her. The look on Kayla’s face was priceless; I wish I had a camera.

“Hi Tommy.”

“Hey Tatum,” he said as he spotted me.

“What can I do for you?” I asked.

“I need a haircut, have time?”

“Sure, just give me a minute to set up.”

I set up all my stuff on my station and signaled for Tommy to have a seat in my chair. “So what are we doing?”

“Just shape up the sides and back and trim up the top,” he said.

I caped him, got out my clippers, and went to work.

“Quick question, how’d you know where I worked?” I asked.

“Cole told me.”

That was weird. I didn’t remember telling Cole where I worked. Come to think of it, how’d he know where to send the flowers? I didn’t press the subject and continued cutting Tommy’s hair.

“Somebody must really like you,” Tommy said bumping me out of my daze.

“Huh?”

“The flowers,” he said pointing at the collection on my station.

“Oh, yeah the lilies are from a friend and the daisies are from Cole.”

“I should’ve guessed,” he said referring to the daises.

“I’m to assume this is something he’s does often?”

“No, not really.”

“Uh huh,” I said smiling seeing Tommy now a little uncomfortable and wishing he kept his mouth shut.

“No, I mean daisies are Cole’s trademark.”

“That’s not helping your case.”

“He only sends girls he really likes flowers and he chooses to send daisies. He thinks roses are too much of a cliché.” I’d have to agree on that one.

“Did he send you here to spy and see how I felt?”

“No, he doesn’t know I’m here.”

“Yeah right.”

“I’m serious, he only told me you worked here. I was in the area so I thought I’d stop by and see if you had any openings.” It was hard for me not to believe him. He did look like he was telling the truth.

I walked him back to one of the shampoo bowls to wash his hair. When we were out of sight of the front desk he leaned into me and asked, “What’s up with that girl at the front desk?”

“Who, Kayla? Please don’t tell me you’re interested in her?” I tried not to look too disgusted.

“Eww no! She just won’t stop starring at us.”

“Yeah she does that. We don’t get along and I’m pretty sure it pissed her off that when you came in here, you were looking for me.”

“Hmm…” Tommy said rubbing his chin with a devilish look on his face. “I have an idea to really make her mad if you’re interested.”

“Anything to piss her off,” I said. I was really starting to like Tommy now.

“Just follow my lead when were done,” he said winking at me.

I finished up Tommy’s haircut and walked him over to the front desk to ring him out. Kayla was still there, staring. Tommy started flirting with me shamelessly. I walked around the desk and flirted back touching his arm, giggling, and playfully shoving him. All the while I knew Kayla’s face was turning bright red.

Tommy then reached for my hands and held them saying, “Thank you for the most wonderful evening of my life last night.” Then he turned to Kayla and said, “This girl is the most incredible girl I’ve ever met, you’re so lucky to be friends with her.” I tried hard not to gag.

“She is amazing, I know I’m lucky to be her friend,” Kayla said smiling.

“That’s funny considering you wanted to rip my head off about twenty minutes ago when I told you how much your dad loves me.” I smiled and waited for the smoke to come out of her ears, but she was better than I thought. I could tell she was trying hard not to jump right over the desk and rip me to shreds.

“Oh Tatum, don’t be silly I was just messing around,” she said through gritted teeth.

Tommy turned back to me smiling, as if to signal me to get ready to put the final nail in her coffin. He put his arms around my waist, smiled and winked so only I could see. “Thank you again,” he said as he leaned down to hug me and then he planted a big, fat, kiss on my lips.

That was all Kayla could take and she left the room.

Tommy was still kissing me even after she was gone and I found it hard to stop myself. If Peyton wasn’t standing behind us and clearing her throat I don’t think we would have stopped.

Embarrassed, I pulled myself back feeling my cheeks flush bright pink. “Thanks,” I said timidly.

“You think it worked?” he asked just as we heard a crash. I heard the distinct sound of a roller cart that was slammed into the floor sending perm rods and rollers everywhere.

“Uh, I’d say it worked.” We all laughed.

“If this is how you treat all your clients, I might have to get my haircut more often,” said another voice from behind Tommy.

I looked over to see Cole was now standing behind Tommy. I wasn’t sure how long he had been there, I assume long enough to see Tommy and I kiss.

Tommy turned around to greet Cole. “Hey, thanks for suggesting here. Not only did I get a good haircut, but I got to make out with my stylist too,” Tommy said to Cole joking around. I knew by now my face had to be bright red.

“I can see that. Quite a service you got here,” Cole said leaning casually on the front desk.

I couldn’t find the words to speak.

“If you like that you should see what I can do,” Peyton purred at Cole.

Okay this was going too far. “Is there a reason you’re here?” I asked Cole.

“I wanted to see if you’d like to join me for lunch.”

“I thought you said Friday?”

“Friday is dinner, today is lunch.”

Not wanting to go I tried to think of an excuse to get out of it. “Sorry I can’t, my next client should be here soon.”

“Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you she canceled,” Peyton said.

“What? When?” I ran over to check the book.

“When you had your tongue down Tommy’s throat,” she said and I blushed again. “Now you have two hours free.”

“Good, that should give us plenty of time,” Cole smiled, happy that I was free.

“Well look at that, Peyton’s open too, how about all four of us go to lunch?” I asked figuring with Tommy and Peyton there it would be better than being alone with Cole. Cole didn’t seem to mind me inviting them to come along.

“Where would you like to go?” Cole asked me.

“There’s a pizza shop down the street.” I looked around to see what everyone thought. They all nodded in agreement on the pizza shop and we headed out. It was a nice day and it wasn’t far—only about two blocks or so—we decided to walk there.

Cole and I walked ahead, although I had a feeling Peyton and Tommy lagged behind on purpose.

I didn’t say much at lunch, I wasn’t in the mood to talk. Peyton filled Tommy in on what he missed Saturday night. I sat there silently and nodded every once in a while. After about twenty minutes I stopped paying attention and floated off into my own little world.

Lunch seemed to go on forever and I was not in a sociable mood. Luckily for me Peyton knew how to talk enough for the both of us. Finally we got our check and headed back to the salon.

“Thanks for the haircut Tatum,” Tommy said as he leaned in and gave me a kiss on the cheek.

“No problem, and thank you,” I said winking at him.

“Anytime. See ya at home,” he told Cole as he left.

Peyton waved goodbye and went into the salon leaving Cole and I alone.

“Thanks for lunch,” I said not sure what else to say. “And the flowers.”

Cole didn’t say anything right away. I could tell he was struggling with what to say. “Look we don’t have to do the dinner on Friday, or any of the others, we can just call it even.” He looked upset.

I didn’t want to go to dinner on Friday, but when I looked into his eyes, those beautiful blue eyes, I knew there was something more to Cole. No matter how bad I didn’t want to go I couldn’t tell him no.

“No, its fine, I just… I just need some time.” I wasn’t lying. I needed some time to get my head straight and figure out what the hell I was doing.

“Take all the time you need, I’ll be here when you’re ready,” Cole said giving me a very forced half smile. Then he walked away.

I let out a sigh and walked back into work.

I needed to get away bad and take a break from all this. I wish I could go to Arizona to see my dad and sister, but they were coming here in two weeks for a visit. I thought of the next best thing, Lulu.

Lulu was a good friend of mine who I went to high school with. She moved to Philadelphia a few years later, but we still keep in touch. Whenever I have a problem or need to get away she’s the first person I call.

I checked my schedule for the next two days and I was open. I marked myself out of the book and went to the back to tell my boss I was taking the next two days off. “Hey Teresa, my books clear, so I’m taking off tomorrow and Wednesday,” I told her.

She looked at me and said, “Okay, just mark yourself out and put my initials next to it.”

“Already did,” I said smiling.

“Does this have anything to do with the fact you look like you got into a fight this weekend?” she asked. I did a good job covering up my cheek with makeup, but there was no hiding the cuts and bruises on my arms. I sighed and nodded. “And how’d you know I’d say yes?”

“Cause you can never say no to me,” I replied as I walked out the back door.

Teresa knew she couldn’t say no to me. I was one of the top stylists, always on time, never complained—well not a lot—and I did what I was told. She pretty much let me do what I wanted making her an easy boss to work for. She was tiny and petite, which made it hard for her to be intimidating. Her hair was short and spiky—like a pixie cut—and her color was dark auburn with a few black streaks. She was very laid back and easy going, but wasn’t afraid to put her foot down when the need came for it.

Right away I called Lulu, “Hey I need to get away,” I said not even giving her a chance to say hello as she answered her phone.

“Showboat or Harrah’s?” she asked.

“Hmm well, Showboat has the outside pool and is on the boardwalk.”

“What so I can pay six bucks for a can of Lager?” she complained.

“Okay, well Harrah’s has the indoor pool with Jacuzzis and rooftop deck.”

“Okay Harrah’s it is, when?” she asked.

“Tomorrow.”

“Damn, don’t give me much time. I do have a job you know.”

“Don’t you have off this week?” I said recalling when I talked to her last.

“So, I could have plans, I do have other friends you know.”

“Really?” I said.

“Whatever, I’ll call and make a reservation.”

“Okay good see you tomorrow.”

“Wait are you gonna tell me what this is all about?” she said quickly.

I didn’t want to get into it over the phone. “I’ll tell you tomorrow so we’ll have plenty to talk about.”

“Alright, later.”

“See ya.” I hung up the phone and thought, “Perfect, tomorrow I’ll be on my way to Atlantic City with Lulu for two days of relaxation.”

“Where you going?” Peyton asked joining me outside.

“To A.C. with Lulu.”

“Thanks for inviting me,” she growled.

“You know Teresa wouldn’t let both of us off on such short notice.”

“Whatever,” she said as she lit a cig.

Work went by quickly after that. I put the flowers on the empty station next to mine to avoid any questions. I wanted to not worry about having to explain what happened this weekend or talk about Cole. Most of my clients didn’t notice my bruises and if they did they didn’t ask.

All of the stylists got done early, except of course, Kayla. We always ended up staying late because she could never shut her big, fat mouth long enough to finish her clients on time. Luckily Teresa let the rest of us go and volunteered to stay behind with Kayla.

On my way home I thought about all the stuff I needed to pack for A.C.

When I pulled up to my house I saw someone sitting on my front porch. It was dark so it was hard to see at first. I swear if it’s Cole I’m ending this now. Hello stalker.

When I got out of my car I was finally able to see who it was, Logan. Great, just what I needed. I took the flowers from Landon and Cole out of the front seat and walked up to the porch.

“What the hell are you doing here?” I asked Logan.

“Did you get my flowers?” he asked looking at the flowers I was holding; the roses he sent not being among them.

“Yes I threw them in the trash.” I lied, but he didn’t need to know that.

“Can I come in?”

“Ha!”

“Will you at least talk to me?” he asked.

I put the flowers down and turned to face him.“You want to talk, okay let’s talk. Let’s talk about how you treated me like I was some dirty sock you toss in the corner or the fact I got arrested because of that stupid ass whore of yours, or how you embarrassed me in front of strangers—”

“Embarrassed you?”

“Oh hell no, you don’t get to feel angry or upset,” I said as I poked him in the chest. “In fact you won’t get anything from me ever again. So take your pathetic loser ass and get the fuck off my property!” I turned to open my door and he grabbed my arm. I flung around forcing him to let go.

I glared at him trying to calm myself so I wouldn’t do anything irrational and said, “Do you want one black eye or two?”

He put his hands up as if to surrender.

“One more time, Get. The fuck. Off. My property,” I repeated saying it slower thinking maybe he was too stupid to get it the first time.

He took a step towards me, but then stopped when he saw Tyler walk up.

“Is there a problem?” Tyler asked Logan.

“No, not anymore,” Logan said looking at me.

“Well then, I believe she asked you to leave.” Logan stood there a moment waiting to see if I would say something. “You can leave on your own or I can make you leave, your choice.”

“Ty, it’s fine, he’s leaving,” I said staring at Logan trying to get it through his head I was done with him. Logan took one long look at me and left.

When we got inside Tyler asked, “Who was that douche bag?”

“Nobody important,” I said as I threw my things down on a chair.

“Whatever, I’m hungry, got any food?”

“Yes I have food, why don’t you have any at your house?”