The Hairdresser Diaries (22 page)

Happiness comes to those who seek it…

- Unknown

I woke up to Trina’s knees in my back and her hand over my face. Note to self: no more scary movies with Trina. I was the first one up. Even my dad was still sleeping. Since I was up I thought I’d make breakfast for everyone.

Today we planned on spending the entire day together, just my dad, Trina, Tyler, and me. We did everything we used to do as kids. My dad took us go kart racing, to the batting cages, and even got us ice cream. I don’t care how old you are everyone is still a kid at heart.

I took pictures of everything. I got a good one of Tyler getting hit in the butt with a ball, a bunch of Trina and me making funny faces and wearing the silly bright color sunglasses we bought. Mine were red heart shaped and hers were yellow stars. We also had some real 80’s looking hot pink and neon green ones too. I had so much fun I didn’t want it to end.

The rest of the week flew by so fast but I was only able to take off the weekend and a couple of days while my dad and sister were here. While Tyler and I were working, my dad would visit family or hang out at Landon’s and go swimming. Trina begged my dad to hang out at Landon‘s while he visited with his brother. She didn’t like our cousins any more than I did and they were the same age. He told her he didn’t want her to be a nuisance, but Landon told him he didn’t mind. He said Trina reminded him of a mini-me. That’s why he called her ‘little T’. I seriously don’t see the resemblance, but whatever.

After work we would get together and have dinner. Since we couldn’t spend the whole day together, we’d do stuff like go see a movie or go miniature golfing. The last night we stayed in and had a family game night. I know we kind of sound like the Brady Bunch and a little unrealistic, but this is what we did, no joke, and I loved every minute of it.

Tyler was the one to take my dad and Trina to the airport, I had to work. I said goodbye to them before I left. I gave them each a big hug, told them I loved them and would email the pictures as soon as I uploaded them.

I was a little sad when I got to work. I didn’t want to see them go.

“Hey girl, why so glum?” Peyton asked.

“I just wish my dad and Trina didn’t have to go back so soon.”

“Well it’s Friday, so cheer up.” I tried to smile, but only half succeeded.

On one of my breaks, I drove to Wal-Mart to upload the pictures from my camera and print them out. There were so many of them they wouldn’t be ready until I was done working.

It was just like any other Friday at work. I had Janelle like I always did, a few other regulars, and a few new clients. And like any other work day Kayla was annoying me as usual. This time she was telling everyone she had a hot date tonight, which I found hard to believe.

I finished work and went back to Wal-Mart to pick up the pictures. They came out great, better than I expected.

Peyton told me Landon offered to drive tonight so her and I could drink, which was okay by me.

Landon picked us up and we went to the peg spot first, had a couple beers, and then hit the club. It was pretty dead when we got there especially for a Friday night. We asked a bartender what was up and he said some band was playing down the street. We decided to go check it out.

The place was pretty big and open and had pool tables in the back. I wasn’t too into the band so I told Peyton and Landon I was going to play pool.

“You’re gonna play by yourself?” Peyton asked.

“No, I was hoping you guys would join me.” She made a funny face, but agreed to play anyway.

It was a little more quiet in the pool room and there were fewer people.

I put my quarters in the table and grabbed a pool stick off the wall. I started to rack the pool balls until someone’s ugly man hand tried to stop me.

“Excuse me, but we have this table.” I closed my eyes and put my head down. I didn’t have to look to know who it was. I’d recognize that big mouth anywhere. “Hello did you hear me?” I looked up and stared at Kayla. “Oh, it’s you.”

“Why hello to you to Kayla.”

“We’re not at work so I don’t have to pretend to be nice to you,” she sneered.

“That’s what you call nice?” I mocked. “I thought you had a hot date tonight? What happened, he saw what a beast you are and ran screaming.”

“No, he’s getting drinks. And like I said this is our table.”

I stared her down. “What the hell makes you think this is your table?”

“I put my quarter’s right here,” she pointed to an empty spot. “You took them.”

“Yes Kayla, I took your quarters just to piss you off.” She took a step towards me just as Peyton walked in.

“Who invited Big Bird?” Peyton said and scoffed at Kayla.

“This was my table and Tatum took my quarters,” Kayla complained.

“Seriously?” Peyton asked annoyed.

“She claims there were quarters on the table, but there was nothing when I got here.”

“Yes there were,” she started to debate.

Peyton walked right up to her and dropped quarters on the ground in front of her. “Here, take the damn quarters and play at the other table.” Kayla didn’t try to argue with Peyton. She picked the quarters off the ground like a beggar and left to play at the other table.

“What happened to her hot date?” Peyton asked laughing.

“She said he’s getting the drinks.”

“Oh I can’t wait to see this.”

I finished setting up the game and Landon and I played while Peyton watched and looked at the pictures from the cookout and the week with my dad and sister.

“This is a really cute one of you and Trina.” I looked up and started laughing. It was one of the ones where we wearing the funny glasses and making silly faces. “Mm…I really like this one of your brother,” Peyton said while she tried to stuff the picture in her purse.

“Put it back and stop it,” I said giving her an ‘ill, gross, look’. She started cracking up and put the picture back.

“This one is a really good one of all four of you. You should frame it.”

When I looked up to see which one she was talking about, that’s when I saw Cole. He was back to wearing his hair in his normal messy style and he had shaved off his stubble. He walked in with two drinks in his hand and walked over to Kayla.

I froze, stunned and shocked.

Peyton started to ask, “What’s the…” but stopped when she saw him too.

I stood up and put my stick back up on the wall. “Tatum don’t,” Peyton said. I took my purse and started to walk out when Cole saw me. Kayla just smiled. “Tatum!” Peyton called, but I kept walking. I walked straight out of the bar. I had no idea where I was going. I didn’t drive so I had no way to get home.

“Tatum!” I heard Cole call my name, but I ignored him and kept going.

“Tatum please stop!” He had caught up to me and grabbed my arm.

I spun around. “You saw what happened to the last guy who grabbed me,” I threatened him.

“I don’t care. You want to hit me then go ahead.” He knew I wouldn’t or at least he hoped I wouldn’t.

“What do you want?”

He let me go. “Nothing,” he bowed his head and started to walk away.

“Have fun on your date with Kayla,” I said and he stopped and turned around.

“You can’t get mad at me, you didn’t want me, remember,” he threw the words in my face.

“I never said that,” I spat back.

“No, you just didn’t say anything.”

“I’m glad I didn’t, I see you’ll go out with any trash.”

“Who, Kayla? I don’t even know her, it was a blind date.” I didn’t care to hear anymore, I turned, and started walking away again. I felt a few drops on my shoulder, then a few more, and then it started pouring down rain.

Great, I thought. I was stranded, didn’t know where I was, and now it’s raining. Good thing I wasn’t wearing white.

The rain didn’t let up at all, and quickly it was pouring.

Cole had reached me again. He took my arm and spun me around pulling me into him for a kiss. He was gripping my arms so tight I’d thought they would break. There was so much heat, anger, and passion put into that kiss, when I pulled away, I was breathless.

It was easier this time to slip out of his arms because of the rain.

“Tell me you didn’t feel anything!” he yelled through the downpour around us.

I still couldn’t catch my breath.

“Tell me you felt nothing and I’ll leave you alone forever.”

“What do you want me say?” I pleaded trying to catch my breath. “That yes, I felt something. That I did the moment we met but was too afraid to admit it. That I’m scared, because every time I’m around you I feel safe and don’t ever want to let you go. Is that it?

Is that what you want to hear?” I clenched my fist over my heart trying to steady my breathing.

“Tatum,” he said solemnly. “What do you have to be afraid of?” he reached up and touched my face. I closed my eyes. Then I took a step back.

“Why do you fight something, you know is true,” he demanded.

“Because it’s too hard.”

“Life is hard! Are you going to give up on that too?”

The rain was pelting my face, I looked up at Cole. I was crying, but my tears just mixed with the rain. “I’m sorry, I just can’t.” I turned to walk away one last time.

“I Love You!” Cole shouted after me. “And I know you love me too. So don’t walk away, not when you know in your heart it’s true.”

I stopped.

My clothes now were totally soaked through. I didn’t turn around and Cole didn’t speak. I stood, frozen, knowing there was only one thing I could say to make it right. My heart hurt and so did everything else. I knew if I didn’t do it now, I never would and probably never feel this way again.

I heard Cole’s footsteps start to walk away. I swallowed. “I love you,” I said, but it came out barely a whisper.

I tried again.

“I love you.”

He was too far away to hear me.

“I love you…I love you…I Love you…” I said over and over, getting louder each time, but he was so far off in the distance, I couldn’t even see him when I turned around.

I ran.

I ran as fast as I could to find him.

I called out his name “Cole!”

Nothing.

I ran a little further and I could see him about to get in his car.

“Cole!” I screamed with every last breath left in my lungs. “I love you!”

I bent over panting, with my hands on my knees. I looked up and I couldn’t see him anymore through the rain.

I was too late.

I was alone.

“TATUM!” I heard Cole yell. I looked up and he was running towards me.

I jumped into his arms and kissed him with everything I had. My legs wrapped around him tight, my hands holding his face.

I pulled away and pressed my forehead to his. “I love you Cole,” I said tears streaming down my face.

He choked a laugh. “I love you Tatum.”

We stayed like that, in the rain, for a moment.

Once we got to Cole’s place, Cole and I were taking off each other’s wet clothes on the way to his bedroom. He threw me on the bed and started kissing me wildly. His mouth traveled down my body. His lips felt like feathers against my skin, causing me to tremble with each kiss. Our bodies intertwined together. The pressure of his hips on mine, the way he moved was like we were one.

My whole body exploded with ecstasy. It felt like we had made love for hours.

I lay on my side and Cole wrapped his arm around me, pulling me closer to him. I was in a state of pure bliss and being in Cole’s arms just intensified the feeling and I wanted to stay like this forever. Cole kissed the back of my neck and shoulders while his fingers trailed lightly down my arm giving me chills.

I turned to face him and he had a smile on his face, the smile that I loved. The one that made me fall in love with him. He gently brushed the hair off my face and tucked it behind my ear. He ran his fingers over my cheek and down my jaw line, under my chin.

He pushed softly with his fingers so our lips would meet. I closed my eyes and let Cole hold me until we fell asleep.

In the morning, I rolled over to reach for Cole, but he wasn’t there. Confused, I sat up, and looked around the room. My clothes were still wet from last night. Thinking Cole wouldn’t mind, I searched for a t-shirt and shorts to throw on. I walked out into the hallway and into the kitchen. Cole lived in a two bedroom apartment with Tommy. He could probably afford to live anywhere he wanted, but he liked to live modestly. The apartment was a decent size, but not overly done up. They just had the basics they needed to make it look homely.

I found Cole in the kitchen. He was cooking.

“Good morning,” I said putting my arms around his waist. “What you making?”

“French toast.”

“Smells delicious,” I said taking in a big whiff. He smiled and gave me a kiss. “I hope you don’t mind, I raided your drawers for dry clothes,” I told him as I sat down at the table.

“I don’t mind. They look better on you anyway.”

After breakfast we went back to bed. I lay across Cole’s chest while he played with my hair.

“I changed my mind,” Cole said. I looked up at him questioningly. “I think those clothes would look better on the floor.” I laughed and jumped on top of him. And about five minutes later, that’s exactly where the clothes ended up, the floor.

“You know, you’re going to have to take me home eventually. I, unlike some of us, have a job,” I said jokingly.

“Ouch, that hurt.” I laughed and he leapt on top of me pinning my arms above my head.

“Ooh, I kinda like it when you play rough,” I said wiggling my eyebrows.

“I knew you were a dirty girl,” Cole said as he started to nibble on my neck.

“Hey!” I smacked him and he pulled away. With a huff, he laid his head on my chest and I began to run my fingers through his hair. “I really do have to go to work.”

“Can’t you call off?”

“I wish, but I can’t.”

“If it’s the money, you know you don’t have to worry,” he said picking his head up to look at me.

“It’s not the money. I just can’t cancel on my clients at the last minute.”

“Alright,” he sighed and started to get out of bed.