“You don’t love anyone, it’s not possible. Your heart is as cold as ice.”
“Tatum!” I heard Jessie yell as her, Kelly, and Tommy came running up.
Logan turned and looked behind him. While he was distracted I kicked him in the shin. Only to have it backfire. Logan grabbed me in anger and threw me up against the wall almost knocking the wind out of me.
I gasped.
Tommy grabbed Logan by the back of the shirt and in one swift movement threw him to the ground.
Jessie and Kelly ran to my side to see if I was okay.
I couldn’t breathe.
Logan got up and was about to strike Tommy until Landon stepped in. Landon stood his ground, staring Logan in the face, waiting for him to do something. Logan wouldn’t, he knew not to mess with Landon. He knew it would end ugly. Logan backed down and went back into the club.
“Tay, you okay?” Landon asked.
“Where’s Cole?” I said still trying to catch my breath.
Nobody said anything. I looked at each of them and I already knew it was too late. Kayla had sent Cole the picture. I pushed them out of my way and tore through the crowd.
“Tatum wait!” Tommy yelled.
It was too crowded and it gave Tommy time to catch up with me. “Tatum, please.”
“You don’t understand I have to talk to Cole. It’s not what he thinks, Logan forced himself on me. I tried to get away, but I couldn’t.”
“Tatum…” Tommy said looking at me with sad eyes. “I know, but you have to let Cole calm down first or you’re just going to make it worse. I promise I will tell him what really happened tomorrow.”
“No, I have to talk to him now!” There were people pressing all around us, I could hardly breathe.
“He already left. Nate followed him out to try to get him to come back, but he refused.”
I didn’t care, no matter how many times they tried to stop me I didn’t listen. The only thing I thought about was I had to talk to Cole and I had to do it now.
I made my way back out of the suffocating club and found Nate out in the parking lot. “Where’s Cole?” I demanded. He didn’t answer me and I didn’t have time to argue. I walked passed Nate through the parking lot and right to Cole’s car where he was standing next to it.
“Cole?” I looked at him, trying to hold back the tears.
I reached for him, but he jerked away and I cringed. “You have to know Kayla is just doing this to get back at me.”
“If so, don’t you think she would be the one kissing Logan, not you?” he said, jaw clenched.
“He kissed me,’’ I said with an edge of hysteria in my voice. “I tried to push him away.” The tears were now spilling down my face.
“Save it Tatum.” Cole turned and got in his car. I wanted to stop him, find a way to make him believe me, but I couldn’t. When I opened my mouth nothing came out. I fell down on the ground, buried my head in my hands, and cried to the fading sound of Cole’s car.
I felt a hand on my shoulder and I looked up to see Logan kneeling down in front of me. I smacked his hand off and stood up. “I think you’ve done enough for tonight,” I said through my falling tears.
Logan just looked at me, his eyes wild, savage almost. I stood to take a step back, I never saw Logan so angry. He grabbed my arm and started dragging me across the parking lot. I struggled as I kicked up dust and pieces of rock, but he had a strong hold on me and I was scared.
He threw me up against the chain link fence that lined the back of the parking lot where it was empty. I fell to the ground cutting my knee and leg on the sharp edges of the gravel. I tried to get up, but Logan held me down and started to force himself on me. I struggled and screamed, but he was too strong and we were too far away for anyone to hear us.
“Stop fighting it, you know you want this. This is who we are Tatum. We’re from the same breed, meant to be who we are.” I had no idea what he was talking about. I truly believed he had lost his mind.
“No we’re not, I’m different, I’m better, I’m nothing like you!” I spat in his face and kneed him in the groin. I managed to get up, but Logan recovered quickly and grabbed my ankle jerking me back down to the ground. I fell on my side and ripped my shirt. Logan pulled me back over to him by my ankle. Rocks were scraping my back and my arms as I struggled again to get away.
He was on top of me and he pulled at my skirt.
I screamed as loud as I could.
I wasn’t giving up.
I kept fighting him with everything I had.
Suddenly I heard a car and saw lights in the distance. I sucked in a big breath and screamed with everything I had. Logan tried to cover my mouth, but I bit him and managed to get out another scream before Logan head butted me, knocking me semi-unconscious.
My eyes blurred and my head was spinning. I could barely move. I was blinded by the lights of the car. I had a blurred view of black boots walking towards me. Then I heard more people screaming and the rustle of the gravel as they came running up. I felt several different hands grab me and I panicked and pathetically tried to fight them all off until I heard Jessie’s voice.
“Tatum, stop! It’s me, you’re okay now, you’re safe,” Jessie pleaded with me until I stopped fighting her. She pulled me into her arms and cradled me. I looked over to see where Logan was, but there was a heavy cloud of dust being stirred up. I couldn’t see anything. I didn’t know what was happening. I tried to get up, but Jessie wouldn’t let me and I was too weak. I closed my eyes and passed out.
The next thing I remember I was being carried and put into the back of someone’s car. I heard Cole’s voice, he was panicked and upset. I wanted to comfort him, but I couldn’t open my eyes. I couldn’t seem to do anything, but lie there and listen.
“We should take her to the hospital,” I heard Cole plead.
“Don’t worry Kelly’s a nurse and trust me, Tatum will be pissed if you take her to the hospital,” Landon said. And he was right, he knew me all too well. I hated hospitals and avoided them at all costs.
“Cole, don’t worry, she’ll be fine.” I heard Kelly say before a door was shut. Someone was holding me and I knew it was Cole. I could smell and feel him.
“I’m so sorry Tatum, I’m so sorry,” Cole whispered over and over.
I heard Nate tell Tommy to follow them to his house.
I could hear Cole crying and I wanted so badly to comfort him and tell him not to worry and it’s not his fault and that I loved him.
Once we arrived at Nate and Kelly’s I managed to find a way to speak, but it came out a whisper. “Cole,” was all I said. That was enough. Whatever strength I had, I just used it up. I couldn’t hear anyone anymore. I couldn’t feel anything anymore. I think I was holding on for so long out of fear, but once I knew I was safe, I knew I could let go. Let the sleep and exhaustion sweep over me.
When I finally opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was Cole. He was kneeling next to the bed with his head down on top of his arms. The room was dim, but bright enough that I could see. I blinked a few times to adjust my eyes and familiarize myself with my surroundings. I was in Kelly and Nate’s bedroom.
My head was pounding and my throat was dry. I looked over at Cole and touched his arm. His head sprung up, his eyes all bloodshot and wet from crying, his face looked worn and tired.
I tried to sit up, but Cole gently pushed me back down telling me to rest. I looked at him and wiped a tear that had escaped from his eyes. He got up suddenly, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand. “I’m going to go get Kelly,” he said and left the room.
Kelly and Cole came back in the room with Nate, Landon, Jessie, and Tommy following. Kelly walked over to the side of the bed and looked me over. She shined a bright light pen thingy in my eyes and I grabbed it from her and threw it across the room and heard Landon laugh. Kelly on the other hand didn’t. She told one of them to get me some water. Jessie came back in within seconds holding a large glass. She handed it to me and I gulped i
t down.
“How are you feeling?” Kelly asked.
“Fine, now that you’re not shining that damn light in my eyes,” I said my voice a little scratchy. “And would it kill you to put some ice in here.” I held the glass out towards Jessie wiggling it.
She snatched it from my hands and said, “The bitch is fine,” and walked out of the room. I laughed and winced touching my side wondering why it hurt so badly.
Kelly looked at me and said, “You have a few bruises on your ribs, but I don’t think anything’s broken. You’re going to be sore for a while.” She looked calm but serious. I nodded laying back down slowly. Jessie came back in with another glass of water and ice.
She handed it to me and said, “Would it kill you to be nicer next time.”
“It might,” I said trying not to smile.
“Since I know you’re okay, I’m going home,” Jessie said giving me a kiss.
“Thanks,” I told her.
“I’m glad to see you’re alright. I must say, I have never met a girl as tough as you,” Tommy said as he gave me a kiss on the cheek and left with Jessie.
“Alright, she still needs her rest, everyone out.” Kelly started shooing everyone out the door when I started to protest.
“I’m not going to kick you guys out of your room.” I swung my legs over the side of the bed slowly trying to get out. “Besides I want to go home and sleep in my own bed.” I gripped my side as I tried to stand up, it was too painful.
“Tatum. Just lay your stubborn ass back down. You’re staying here tonight, don’t argue. Nate and I will stay in the spare room and you and Cole can stay in here,” Kelly said.
“What about Nala?” I asked and Kelly looked at Nate with pleading eyes.
“Is she house trained?” Nate asked not seeming to be happy with this situation.
“Yes, she’s good,” I said.
I looked at Cole and I knew it would be hard for him to leave even for a short while so I asked Landon if he could pick Nala up and bring her here. Landon said he would and I looked for my purse to hand him the keys, but couldn’t find it.
“It’s in the living room,” Kelly said. “I’ll get it.” She brought me my purse and I got the keys out for Landon. They all stepped out leaving Cole and I alone.
He sat in a chair off in the corner. I watched him as he closed his eyes and rested his head.
“Why don’t you come lay next to me,” I said to Cole.
He let out a sigh, but didn’t move. “Tatum, I’m sorry, I should’ve…if I didn’t…” he struggled.
“Don’t. Cole it’s not your fault. Nothing that happened tonight is your fault.”
“But I…” he leaned forward with his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands. “I’m not good for you.” He looked up at me.
“What are you talking about?” I said trying to sit up, but the pain all over my body was too much.
“I’m talking about this.” He stood up, gesturing toward me. “Ever since I met you, I haven’t been able to do anything except cause you pain.”
“Stop it and come here.” He shifted his weight and started to take a step forward then stopped. “Cole please, just come lie next to me,” I begged him.
He walked over to the other side of the bed and slowly, carefully sat down. I turned to face him, squinting at the pain it caused. Instinctively he reached out to help then pulled back, but I grabbed his arm and made him come closer to me.
I held his hand and looked into his eyes and said, “You are the best thing in my life that has happened to me.” He tried to look away, but I forced him to face me. “This, all this, would have happened with or without you, but because of you, I’m safe. I’m here. I’m right where I should be, with you.”
“How can you say that, I…” I reached up and touched his face and he held his hand against mine closing his eyes and letting out a breath. Then he lay down next to me and I wrapped my arms around him.
“Tatum, I was so scared. When I saw him…and you…I just lost it.”
“It’s okay, everything’s fine.” I comforted him running my fingers through his hair. “What exactly happened?”
“You don’t remember?” He sat up looking at me with worried eyes.
“I remember everything up until you got there. What happened after that?”
“It’s best you don’t know,” he looked down at his hand and I saw his knuckles were bruised and bleeding.
“I will find out one way or another. You can tell me or I’ll have someone else tell me.” I put my hand over his hoping he would be the one to tell me.
“Honestly I don’t know.” He looked up at me and I put his hand to my face holding it there, trying to help him find the courage. His eyes met mine and a tear escaped. I watched it slowly trickle down his cheek and I had to look away. It pained me too much to see him upset.
“I hadn’t actually left, I was sitting at the other end of the parking lot near the entrance in my car texting Tommy…” he started. “He was trying to explain to me what really happened, but I wouldn’t listen,” he looked down and I squeezed his hand. “I started to have a feeling, like something wasn’t right, like I knew something was very wrong, especially since I didn’t see you walk back into the club. I asked Tommy if he saw you and he said no and that the others said you weren’t picking up your phone. I started to get a sick feeling in my stomach and I drove alone back to where I last saw you. When you weren’t where I left you I got really worried so I called the others and they said they’d walk over to meet me. Then…that’s when…I heard it. I heard you scream and I lost it. I didn’t think, I just acted.” He paused like he was reliving it right there with me, and it sickened him. “When I didn’t respond back to Tommy they came running over and found my car and me, punching Logan, over and over again. They had to drag me off of him. I couldn’t stop. If they hadn’t shown up…I don’t know what I would have done.”
I pulled him into me and held him.
“When you weren’t responding, I thought…I don’t know what I would have done.” He could hardly get the words out and he shook his head from side to side as his voice trailed off.
I pulled back and held his face in my hands and said, “Cole, it’s okay. It’s over. You did nothing wrong, I’m okay and you’re okay. That’s all that matters.” He smiled slightly and I kissed him. Reminding him what really mattered.
There was a knock at the door.
“Come in,” I called. It was Landon and he was carrying Nala. “Nala!” I put my arms out for her and Landon carried her over to the bed and laid her next to me. She wagged her tail and licked my face and lay down between Cole and me. I scratched her ears and rubbed her belly.
“Thanks Landon,” I said.
“Need anything else before I go?”
“No, I’m good.” I looked at Cole and he said he’d walk Landon out. Kelly peeked in to see how I was doing and if I needed anything for Nala. I told her we were both fine.
“Just don’t let Nate know Nala was sleeping on the bed,” Kelly warned me. I smiled and she said goodnight. Cole came back in the room, lay down on the bed and began to pet Nala.
“I think she should sleep on the floor tonight,” he advised. I gave him a pouty lip but he just kissed me.
“Why didn’t you let Kelly look at your hand?”
“It’s fine.”
“No it’s not, hand me that first aid kit,” I said motioning to the one I could see on the dresser.
“Tatum…”
“Shush…hand it to me now.” He was starting to learn to know better than to argue with me. He handed me the first aid kit. I opened it up and took out some antiseptic and gauze. I cleaned all the dirt and blood from his hand, bandaged it up, and kissed it.
“Thank you,” he said smiling and he kissed my forehead. We lay down with Nala in between us and fell asleep.
The next morning I was still sore and Kelly made breakfast for us. I thanked her for everything before we headed home. Cole to
ld me he didn’t want me doing anything until I was fully healed and that I should call off work for the next few days. The way I was feeling, I agreed.
For days we just lay in bed watching movies and reluctantly I went back to work the next week. But I went back feeling as good as new. I switched my schedule around so I could avoid working with Kayla as much as possible. Over the next two weeks Cole moved his stuff in and things were becoming a routine. I got up and went to work while Cole stayed home with Nala. He kept the house clean and always had dinner ready for me when I got home. Things couldn’t have been any better.
We avoided going out for a while, for fear of running into Logan, but from what I heard, he hadn’t been seen in a while. Cole wanted me to press charges, but after what he did to Logan, I was afraid it would come back to bite us in the ass and I just wanted to forget about it.
The following Saturday I got together with Kristi and Savannah to plan out her bachelorette party that we were going to have at the end of the month. I know normally the bride isn’t supposed to really know about it, but Kristi was picky and we needed some insight on what she wanted. She told us a night out with the girls would be fine. Being the known partier they put me in charge of the planning.
“How was lunch with Kristi and Savannah?” Cole asked when I got home.
“Good. They put me in charge of the bachelorette party.”
“Should I be worried?” he looked at me concerned.
I laughed. “No.”
“Have any ideas about what to do?”
“Well…I know she would like maybe a trip to the spa and she said she wanted a night out with the girls, but I want to take her somewhere different.”
“Where did you have in mind?”
“Somewhere besides here.”
“Hmm…” Cole said as he wrapped his arms around my waist. “How about Vegas?”
“Yeah…okay. Half of them can’t afford that. Nice try though.”
“Why not? It’s really not that expensive. Probably not any more than what you would pay for a spa trip and a night out here.”
“How do you figure?” I said pulling back to look at him.
The Hairdresser Diaries Page 20