The Hairdresser Diaries (4 page)

When I made it back to my seat I saw that the rest of my friends had shown up, including the birthday boy. I sneaked up behind Nate and gave him a smack on the ass and a big hug and kiss.

“Happy Birthday Nate!” I said.

“Thanks Tay,” Nate said putting his arm on my shoulder and letting it rest there. I was perfect height for an armrest for him, he was over six foot. I liked tall guys. That was a requirement to date me. Sorry, but you must be this tall to ride the ride. I’m five-nine and like to wear heels. I also think it looks funny when the guy is shorter than the girl he’s dating.

Anyway, Nate was tall and yes good-looking, but he was dating my good friend Kelly. I actually met Nate first through a mutual friend. Shortly after, he started dating Kelly. Kelly and I hit it off right away and have been good friends ever since, even when she and Nate broke up for a few months. Being friends with both of them during the breakup got a little awkward sometimes. I was never so pleased as when they decided to get back together.

“So what do you want? I got your first drink,” I said to Nate.

“Thanks I’ll take a beer,” he said.

“Shots!” Peyton yelled.

“A shot is good too,” Nate Laughed.

I walked over to where Peyton and I were sitting to order Nate a shot and a beer. “That guy was totally checking you out when you went to go to the bathroom. Told you he was looking at you,” said Peyton.

Yeah okay, I said to myself. I rolled my eyes and caught a quick glimpse of him staring again. “Well he sure does like to stare,” I said.

“Can you blame him? If I were him I’d stare at me too,” she said striking a pose.

“Oh that’s funny, I thought he was looking at me?” I corrected.

She batted her eyes and fanned herself. “He’s too intimidated by my beauty. It hurts him to look directly at me.”

“Shut up ass!” We looked at each other and started cracking up.

As the night carried on, the club started to get crowded and the drinks kept flowing. I had a nice buzz, enough to be able to handle the night. We decided to walk out to the patio and have a smoke. We slowly made our way through the crowd, saying our hellos to our friends as we passed. Halfway through Peyton stopped, turned to me, and said, “Logan’s here”

“Whatever, I don’t care,” I said quickly.

“Please, don’t act like you don’t care.”

“Whatever, just go!” I pointed the way through the crowd to interrupt her.

We continued our way around to the other side of the bar and out to the patio. A bunch of people were coming in from outside so we had to stop to let them pass. I felt like someone was staring at me. I took a quick glance to the side and noticed the guy from across the bar, looking over his shoulder at me. Seriously it is annoying, not to mention creepy, when a guy stares at you all night and never bothers to talk to you. Seriously guys, the best way to get a girls attention is buy her a drink and introduce yourself.

Simple, easy, honest. Most girls never refuse free booze, I know my friends don’t.

We found Jessie, Kelly, and Nate sitting at a table outside with some of our other friends so we joined them. The shot girl made her way over to our table. She was able to empty her entire tray of shots on my friends. Did I mention my friends like to drink…a lot?

I decided I had enough for the night and left my shots for my friends to finish. For some reason they didn’t argue with me tonight to keep drinking and I was glad. The night seemed to cool off a little bit. It felt nice outside so we decided to sit here for a while, instead of inside the hot club. I loved nights like this. The way the cool summer breeze felt against your skin, the hint of freshness in the air, and the sound of happy people all around you. The more we sat outside the less I wanted to go back in. I knew eventually I would I have to. Our drinks were getting low and it was my turn to get the next round.

Before I got up to go get our drinks, I saw Logan over in the corner. We exchanged subtle glances, as we always did. With a sigh, I was about to get up when, “Ow! Why did you kick me?” I asked Peyton.

Before she could answer I looked up and saw why. There he was. The guy from across the bar was making his way over to our table.

“Hi, I’m Cole,” he said as he extended his hand out to me with a smile that would make anyone melt. I was a sucker for a guy with a great smile.

I hesitated for a second. Debating whether or not I wanted to tell him my real name. Normally, for guys I wasn’t interested in, I would use a fake name, but something about his eyes. They were captivating. They say the eyes are a window to a person’s soul.

Intrigued, I put my guard down just a little. I figured, what the hell, I’d never see him again since I was a regular and never saw him here before.

“Hi, Tatum.” I said to him as he gently took my hand.

“Hi,” he repeated still smiling.

We stared at each other in what seemed like a long awkward silence before Peyton butted in and asked him to join us. I turned and glared at her, but she just smiled and nudged me in the leg.

Before he could answer I said, “Here, you can have my seat, I was about to get next round.”

Everyone started shouting orders at me as I stood up.

“Would you like some help?” Cole asked.

“Uh, no thank you, I’m good.”

“How are you gonna carry all those drinks by yourself?” Peyton said. I knew she meant, ‘don’t be an idiot and let him help’. I shot her a quick ‘butt out’ look and said, “How about one of you help me since you’re all so thirsty.”

One by one they all shouted “Not it!” I rolled my eyes at them and saw Cole try to cover a laugh with a cough.

“Shall we,” Cole gestured turning towards the door with a smirk on his face.

Now that I got a look up close at Cole I could see why Peyton was attracted to him. He had the most intense blue eyes, short, golden-brown messy hair, a nice physique, and a very laid back style. He was wearing jeans and a plain black t-shirt. He was also very tall and had that ‘I’m cool but I don’t care’ look about him.

As we walked through the people I could see Logan staring at us. Good, it would do him some good to get a little jealous. Not that he’d ever admit it, but I could see it in his face and that was enough for me. Maybe I’d use this opportunity to my advantage.

When we reached the door Cole waved his hand out in front of me saying, “Ladies first.”

Knowing Logan was watching I gently touched Cole’s arm, flashed him a sweet, sexy smile, and walked in.

Of course now it was the middle of the night and the bar was packed. We’d have to wait a little before we could even reach the bar. Great I guess I kind of have to talk to him now.

“So, you here by yourself?” I asked even though I didn’t see him with anyone earlier. It was the best thing I could come up with. I wasn’t good at starting conversations.

“No, actually I’m here with my friend Tommy,” he said. I just nodded. “He’s over there, at the bar,” Cole said pointing toward where his friend was sitting. “I can get him to get the drinks for us.”

“How about you get me to where Tommy is and I can take it from there.”

Cole looked at me funny, obviously thinking how I could get them any faster than Tommy. So I explained to him I was a regular here and they’ll serve me quicker. Crap. Never should have told him I was a regular. Let’s hope he’s not a stalker.

He just smiled, grabbed my hand, and pulled us through the crowd to his friend.

He tapped Tommy on the shoulder and when he turned around my jaw dropped. Holy shit was he hot! He looked like an Abercrombie & Fitch model. Damn, if I would have seen him earlier, I definitely would have played the drunken slut for a piece of that.

He stood up to introduce himself. He was like six two, short, dirty-blond hair, blue eyes, ripped body, but not too muscular. Can’t stand those guys whose biceps are so big it looks like they can’t put their arms down. And of course, he had a killer smile. His dress was similar to Cole’s. He had on jeans and t-shirt that hugged his muscles perfectly.

“Hi I’m Tommy,” he said extending his hand to mine.

I just kind of stared at him dumbfounded. Even after Cole introduced me, I still couldn’t figure out how to make my mouth work.

I just stood there still shaking his hand looking like a buffoon.

Tommy just smiled and laughed as if he was use to this reaction. Then Cole obvious to my attraction to Tommy whispered in my ear, “He’s gay.” I looked at Cole gave him an, ‘are you serious look’ and he nodded in agreement.

Damn, always the cute ones, figures.

I finally was able to speak and said, “Nice to meet you Tommy,” and dropped his hand.

“Likewise,” he said and winked at me.

“Tommy, do you mind if we squeeze in here to get some drinks?” Cole asked.

“No man, here.” I slid through as Tommy stepped aside. Within a minute I got everyone’s drinks. Before I even got the chance to get the money out of my wallet, Cole reached over my shoulder and handed money to the bartender.

“You don’t have to do that, here take this.” I tried to hand him the money for the drinks, but he waved it away.

“No it’s fine, really on me,” Cole said.

“Uh thanks,” I mumbled. Great I hope he’s not expecting to get something out of this. Most guys who bought me drinks always acted like I owed them or felt that meant they could touch me inappropriately. Seriously what happened to a kind gesture without expecting something in return?

We grabbed all the drinks and made our way back out onto the patio. I gestured for Tommy to follow us. Of course, who else, but Logan was at the door. He held it open for Cole to go through then stopped me and whispered in my ear, “Can I come over tonight?”

I should say no, but I was weak, and he was a guarantee, at least for tonight. So I said yes and he let me pass with a smile on his face.

I could hear the moans and groans from my friends at the table as I approached. “It’s about time!” they grumbled.

“Oh, I’m sorry were you guys thirsty? If you want something to drink so bad how about I take these back and you can get something yourselves.” They mumbled apologies and shut up quickly.

“Hey, where’s my drink?” Peyton asked impatiently.

“It’s coming,” I said and pointed in the direction of Tommy slowly walking to our table. Every single girl at our table mouth dropped in response to seeing Tommy, as did every girl he walked by. It was like watching him in slow motion, like they did in the movies with bright lights glittering all around him and the song ‘Oh Yeah’ from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off playing in the background.

“Dibs!” They all shouted. Even Kelly, Nate’s girlfriend, who you could tell it hurt his ego a little until she nudges him playfully in the ribs saying “Just kidding honey.” She looked at me with wide eyes and I just cracked up. Too bad Tommy was more into the homies then the hunnies, but I’d let them figure that out on their own.

I was ready to get a bib for Peyton she was drooling so much. “Hey Peyton, you got a little something right here,” I said gesturing to her mouth.

“Shut up,” she muttered, I just laughed. I’ve never seen Peyton so caught off guard before. I don’t think she even knew what to do. After a second she was back to herself. She stole a chair from another table, sticking it right next to her. If she would have put it any closer it would have been right on top of her.

After the introductions we sat down and Nate right away started a conversation with Cole. I was thankful for that, because at the moment I wasn’t in the mood to strike up a conversation. Peyton was trying every dirty move she knew on Tommy. Wow, she really could be a slut sometimes. I wanted to say, “hello, these are ears not trash cans.”

I grabbed a cigarette out of my purse and when I looked up I saw Logan was outside again and staring. As I watched him I could tell he was more or less keeping an eye on Cole than me. Sizing up the competition I guess you could say. Although Cole’s not really competition because I was pretty sure I’d never see him again after tonight.

After a few minutes Tommy looked at me then at Peyton and said, “You know you guys kind of match.”

“She copied,” we both said at the same time.

Cole looked over at me, but Nate drew his attention back to him.

It was soon time for last call so Kelly asked everyone what they wanted. Cole volunteered to get the drinks. Everyone handed Cole money, but he refused and insisted on buying for everyone again. It was nice of him to do that, but it made me feel like he was trying to impress me with the possibility he had money. I actually can’t stand when people flaunt their money.

Peyton volunteered to help Cole. I was surprised she would waste one minute of time trying to get in Tommy’s pants. I guess she started to notice he wasn’t really responding to her come-ons and she had to clear her head to come up with some new material or try her luck on Cole.

After they left, Tommy leaned over to me and said, “Your friend kind of scares me.”

It took everything I had to not bust out laughing, but I kept it cool with a little chuckle. “I’m sorry. She does tend to come on a little strong when she sees something she wants. If you want I can tell her to back off if she’s not your type.”

“Thanks, don’t get me wrong she’s hot, but a little much. I also kind of like my girls a little thicker,” he said gesturing his eyes towards Jessie. Jessie was another one of my really good friends. She had medium length hair, brown with blond highlights. She was only about five four and definitely had curves. She knew she wasn’t skinny according to society’s standards, but she was happy and loved her body. She was also kind of a plain Jane. She didn’t wear a lot of makeup and dressed in what made her feel comfortable.

I was a little taken off guard when Tommy mentioned Jessie. Tommy saw the confusion in my face and asked, “Is there something wrong with her? Did I say something wrong?”

I quickly corrected him. “No, No, she’s great. Perfect actually, but…” I hesitated, “I thought you were gay?”

“What! No!” Tommy yelled shocked and totally offended. “Why would you think that?”