“Ooh,” they all said now understanding.
“So how did you get Tatum to agree to marry you?” Jenna asked chuckling.
“It didn’t take too much persuading,” Cole winked at me and I smiled.
“Ha!” Jenna laughed and I shot her a dirty look, but it didn’t seem to faze Cole. “Why don’t you sit and join us and tell us how you managed to attain the unattainable.”
Cole could tell I was ready to leave and said politely, “Maybe another time.”
I mouthed thank you and we left. When we got home, Cole helped me upstairs, and into bed. “Had a good day at work I see.”
“Well not at first, but then Kayla got fired. That’s what we were celebrating,” I yawned.
“You were celebrating someone getting fired?”
“And our engagement,” I smiled. “No one liked Kayla so we were happy she’s finally gone.”
“I see,” Cole said lying down next to me. I started to rub my shoulder. It was sore from all the blow drying I did today. “What’s the matter, your shoulder hurt?”
“Yes, I was busy today. I did a lot of blowouts.”
“Do you want me to rub them for you?”
“Yes, please.” I sat up in front of him and Nala jumped on the bed.
“Nala get down,” Cole scolded her. She whimpered, but obeyed.
“How does that feel?”
“Mmm…Great.” I could have spent hours like this, but it only lasted about fifteen minutes. Cole touching me was turning me on and making it hard not to jump his bones. So I gave in to temptation.
Once Cole fell asleep I let Nala sneak back up on the bed.
All week at the salon all the stylists were buzzing with joy. Kayla being gone gave everyone a brighter outlook. Toward the end of the week I came in, threw my stuff down and immediately went outside to chat before my first client.
“Did you see the new stylist?” Peyton asked when I stepped out back.
“There’s a new stylist already?”
“I’ll take that as a no.”
“Did you?” I asked. Peyton and Jenna looked at each other funny. “What? Don’t tell me she’s another Kayla.”
“I’m not saying anything,” Peyton said.
“That’s a first,” I retorted and Peyton gave me a dirty look.
“Hey guys,” Alex said stepping out back.
“How was your vacation?” I asked her. Alex went to the beach for two weeks missing all the excitement at work, but Peyton caught her up.
“I can’t believe Kayla is finally gone. Anyone see the new girl?” Peyton and Jenna turned away looking in every direction but ours. I just shrugged my shoulders.
The door opened and Teresa walked out with the new stylist. My eyes practically popped out of my head. “Guys, this is Bambi, our new stylist. This is Tatum, Peyton, Jenna and Alex.” I just stared at her. Teresa shot us a, ‘be nice’ look and went back into the salon with Bambi.
“What the fuck was that?” Alex said.
“Okay, Bambi? Is that her stage name or her real one?” I asked.
“You see what we mean. You had to see for yourself.”
And I did understand. She was not something that could really be explained without thinking someone was making it up. She had big ass fake boobs, which were barely covered by her shirt. If she bent over, they would probably fall out and knock someone unconscious. Her skirt was tight and short, she had hoop earrings that fell to her shoulders, white-blond hair with green extensions, and way, way, way too much makeup on. I wanted to ask her if she just came from her ‘other job’.
“Do you think she’s a stripper?” Jenna asked.
“Duh…”
“Guys be nice. She might be a very nice girl, give her a chance.”
“Oh Alex, you’re so naïve,” Peyton sighed.
“Don’t patronize me.”
“Alright, alright, chill guys. Alex is right, let’s try to be nice.” I looked to Peyton. “I know you can.” She put on her best fake smile and we went inside.
I found out I was the one who was going to have to set an example since they stuck her at the station next to mine. I let out a big breath and tried to put my best face forward. Alright Tatum, like Alex said. She’s probably a real nice person. “Don’t judge just because she looks like a prostitute,” I told myself before I went to my station.
“Hi Bambi, I’m Tatum,” I said in my most compelling happy voice.
“Hi, I love your hair. Is it fake?” she asked me.
I was about to answer with a smartass comment, but reminded myself to be nice. “Uh no, it’s all mine,” I said and forced a smile.
“Oh sorry. I just asked cause it’s not too often you see people with hair as long as yours and real.”
“It’s okay. How long have you been doing hair?”
“About two years.”
I just nodded my head not knowing what else to say. Then Peyton walked over and ignored the new girl until I hit her and made her play nice.
“Hi I’m Peyton.”
Bambi said hi and went back to setting up her station. Peyton made a face at me and I just shooed her away.
A few minutes later Cole walked in.
“Hey Cole,” Peyton said. “So when are you and I gonna get to have some fun.” She wiggled her eyebrows at him. I just rolled my eyes.
“Sorry Peyton, but I’m a one woman kind of man and this one right here has already stolen my heart,” Cole said as I wrapped my arms around his waist.
“Good answer,” I said and gave him a kiss. “What you doing here?”
“I need a haircut.”
“Okay, I can do it now, before my next one.”
“Oh, um, I have Nala in the car.”
“You left her in the car!”
“I wasn’t going to bring her in here and I didn’t think you would be able to take me right away, I was going to take her home first.”
“Go get her, she can come in here,” I said pushing him out the door.
Cole came back in with Nala and all the girls rushed over to pet her, including Bambi. When Cole saw Bambi his eyes grew wide with surprise and he quickly turned around and excused himself saying he forgot something in the car. It wasn’t like him.
I gave Nala to Peyton and told her to watch her while I cut Cole’s hair. Cole came back in and tried to stay clear of Bambi, but she saw him.
“Cole? Hey! How are you?” Bambi said.
“Fine and you?” Cole stuttered nervously.
“Haven’t seen you in a while, what you been up to?”
“Not much.”
I watched them. Cole was doing that thing he does when he gets nervous, running his fingers through his hair and rubbing the back of his neck. Bambi had a big smile on her face.
“You two know each other?” I asked trying not to sound jealous.
“Cole used to be one of my regulars,” Bambi said and winked at him.
“You use to cut Cole’s hair?” I asked even though I had a bad feeling that was not the kind of customer she was referring to.
“Uh, no, at my other job,” she smiled slyly.
“I knew it!” Peyton said a little too loud and I shot her a shut up look.
“Your other job?” I asked hesitantly, knowing I really didn’t want to know the answer.
“Yeah, I’m a dancer.”
So that’s what they call themselves now, dancers. Didn’t know stripping was an art. I looked back and forth between Cole and Bambi. She still had that come hither smile on her face and Cole was looking more and more nervous each minute.
I finally turned to Cole and said, “So, regular, huh.” His eyes pleaded with me not to start a fight. “You know what; I don’t think I do have time right now, so I think you should take Nala home,” I said with my lips pressed flat and my arms crossed.
“I can do it,” Bambi volunteered.
My eyes filled with rage and Cole jumped in quickly and told her it was okay he needed to take Nala home. He tried to
give me a kiss, but I turned my head. Sensing my anger, he knew better not to press his luck and he left. I looked at Peyton and went straight out back as she followed.
“I told you she was a…”
“Not now Peyton.” I took my ring off and put it in my pocket. Peyton looked at me with sad eyes, but knew better. She kept her mouth shut. I might be over reacting, but I didn’t care. I needed time to cool off and think.
“It’s not that big of a deal…” I glared at her. “Guys go to strip clubs all the time,” Peyton said.
“She said he was a regular.”
“She also said she hadn’t seen him in a while.”
“Why are you defending him?” I snapped.
“Look, don’t get mad at me because you’re pissed off at Cole. Talk to him and find out the whole story.”
Wanting to end this conversation, I didn’t say anything else. I definitely was going to talk to him, but it would have to wait. Not wanting to get upset about it at work I went back inside to wait for my client.
I guess Bambi felt the need to say something to me. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to cause any trouble. I’m kind of use to it though, this stuff happens all the time,” she said as though it wasn’t a big deal.
“I’m sure it does,” I said snidely.
She wasn’t as dumb as I thought she was. She took the hint I wasn’t looking for an apology and kept her mouth shut. I was no longer in the mood for a warm welcoming and Peyton…well she was Peyton. Alex was the only one who talked to her the rest of the day.
I finished up my day and left without saying a word to anyone. I hadn’t calmed down like I thought I would.
When I got home, I slammed the door, and threw my purse on the table. I wasn’t looking for a fight, but I was prepared for one.
Cole stood there, leaning against the kitchen counter while I paced back and forth. “You know, I don’t care about the fact that you went to a strip club or that you know…Bambi.” It was so hard to say her name and be serious. Really, why would you name your kid that?
I stopped pacing and looked at Cole. “The part that pisses me off is that she called you a regular…a regular. Meaning you’re a frequent flyer at her little club.” Cole moved to say something, but I held my hand up, not ready for his excuses yet. “And her of all people? She’s not even pretty. She’s got more plastic than Barbie.”
“Alright Tatum that’s enough,” he said bitterly.
“You’re going to defend her now? Tell me Cole, what exactly was it you were a regular for? Just to see a show? Lap dances? Private Dances?”
“I’m not going to stand here while you yell at me for something I did a long time ago,” he said angrily.
“You can’t even tell me what it was, why not?” I stared at him.
“You really want to know.”
“Yeah I want to know and the truth, all of it!”
He took a deep breath.“It was when I first got here. Tommy was missing home so I took him out and we went to the club. It wasn’t something I was proud of, but I thought I could do anything and why not I had the money to.”
This was not making me feel better.
“I didn’t care about anything or anyone and yes I was the spoiled little rich kid you first thought I was and I played the part well.”
I was starting to regret wanting to know the truth.
“Our first night there, as soon as I flashed my money, they gave us everything and anything we wanted. Lap dances, private dances.”
I didn’t want to hear anymore, I turned away, but he stood in front of me forcing me to listen and look at him.
“I thought I was the shit and loved the power that money gave me. So I went back. Knowing I could get or do anything I want there. It became an obsession and I was drinking every night. I was lonely and it was the one place I knew no one cared. I had everything in life money could buy…except…love.”
“Apparently you can buy that too,” I spit the words in his face and he grabbed me making me jump. He was angry, very angry. He looked down and when he looked up I saw pain in his eyes.
“I’m not proud of who I was then…I was a different person and no, I knew I couldn’t buy love, but I could buy their pretend affection. Tommy was the one who helped me and suggested we go to the club where I met you.”
A tear spilled down his cheek. “The night I met you changed everything. You changed the person I wanted to be.”
“I’m so glad I was able to stop you from being a pervert,” I said sarcastically.
He looked at me, rage filled his eyes. He turned around and knocked everything off the kitchen table then flipped it over.
I froze, scared, never seeing this side of Cole before. He turned to me, chest heaving, fists clenched. Nala started to growl at him and he turned on her.
“No!” I yelled and grabbed her.
Cole grabbed his car keys and took off.
I fell to the floor looking around in horror. Nala sat by my side and nudged me with her nose. I crawled across the floor, my stuff was scattered everywhere, and I searched for my phone. I found it and called Tommy.
“Tommy?” I said crying.
“Tatum what’s wrong?” I could hear Jessie in the background.
“It’s Cole. We got into a fight and he freaked out. He flipped the table over and left.”
“Don’t worry Tatum I’ll find him and I’m going to send Jessie over okay?”
“Yes, thank you.” I hung up the phone and sat there in the middle of the kitchen floor with my arms wrapped around my knees.
I couldn’t tell you how much time had passed until Jessie got there. I was still sitting in the middle of the floor, staring into space, with Nala at my side.
Jessie touched my shoulder and I jumped. “It’s just me,” she said putting her hands up. “What happened?”
“We were arguing about how Cole knew the new stylist.”
“The stripper?”
I looked at Jessie wondering how she could have known that. Then I realized as we both said, “Peyton.” She helped me up from the floor and I went to the fridge and grabbed a beer and offered one to her. Then we sat outback and talked.
“Why did he get so angry?” she asked.
“I don’t know? I’ve never seen him like that before.”
“Were you a smartass?” I cocked my head to side. “Of course,” she said and I nudged her with my foot and laughed a little.
“It wasn’t that, he’s used to that. It was something else, something set him off.” I pondered what it could be for moment, but came up with nothing. I told Jessie everything that was said and what exactly happened. I think this was the first time she didn’t have any snappy comebacks.
I stepped inside to get us more beer when Jessie’s phone rang. I came back out and she told me it was Tommy and handed me the phone.
“Hey, I found him. I’m going to let him crash at my place and keep an eye on him.”
“Thank you Tommy.” I handed the phone back to Jessie. She continued the conversation with ‘no’s’ and ‘uh-hums’ and I just looked at her. Finally, she hung up the phone and looked at me sincerely. “As soon as Cole passes out, Tommy’s going to come over and talk to you.”
“About what? There’s nothing he can say that’s going to make this okay.”
Jessie didn’t argue with me and we waited patiently until Tommy arrived. When he got here he helped me turn the table upright and then both he and Jessie helped me pick the stuff off the floor.
“What was the reason Cole told you he moved here?” Tommy asked.
“He said because he liked it here and wanted to make sure you were okay.” The look on Tommy’s face told me that wasn’t the real reason. “Okay what’s going on?”
Tommy looked at Jessie and she nodded at him to tell me.
“Cole had a real big drinking issue,” he began. “He would go out and party all the time, blow money left and right, and sometimes bring a different girl home every night. His parents got f
ed up with him wasting his life away and cut him off saying he had to learn some responsibility. They suggested he come visit me. They were hoping I would rub off on him.”
“If they cut him off, where is he getting all this money?”
“Cole’s very smart, he made friends with all the right people whom he knew could help him out, but he ended up getting in over his head. Once he tapped out all his friends he started borrowing money from all the wrong people and couldn’t pay it back. When his parents found out they gave him a choice. They said they would help him out, but he would have to go to rehab and start doing something with his life. They unfroze his accounts so he could pay back what he owed. Cole wouldn’t agree to go to rehab. So they kicked him out and he moved here, but not before he cleaned out his accounts.”
My head was spinning from all this new information. I didn’t know what to do with. “So why the freak out though?”
“When Cole first got here, he was still the partier. I had a bad day and he took me out. At first it was just a one-time thing, but then Cole got bored, like he always does, and kept going back. At first it was just a way for him to pass the time. He had no job, no girlfriend, kids or anything to worry about. Then it became a constant thing. He was drunk every day, slept all the time. He started to fall into a really dark place. Going to the club made him realize the one thing he didn’t have. The one thing he wanted. He wanted someone that loved him, someone that wanted to be with him and take care of him. He went there all the time, because, even though he knew the girls only pretended to love him, it was better than nothing at all.”
“I don’t think I want to hear anymore.” I stood up and walked out back.
Tommy followed me. “Tatum, I’m sorry. I’m only telling you this so you know the truth. Cole’s not that guy anymore.”
“He sure acted like that guy tonight.”
“Look, after I saw Cole slipping, it reminded me of my dad.”
I had forgotten the story Cole had told me about Tommy’s dad and gave him an apologetic look.
“I told Cole I didn’t want to lose him like I did my dad and if he didn’t get it together soon, he’d end up the same way. He didn’t like that so much and attacked me, saying he was nowhere near anything like my dad. I threw him off of me and into a wall. Cole doesn’t get angry often but when he does, he has a bad temper, I’m not going to lie. But Tatum, Cole would never hurt you, and he would never lay a hand on you.”
The Hairdresser Diaries Page 24