Free The Hairdresser Diaries by Jessica Miller Page B

hesitantly asked Tyler, “So what’s the damage? How much do I owe you?”
    “Oh, you do owe me, but don’t worry about the money.”
    “Thanks.”
    “Don’t thank me, thank the guy who paid.”
    Tyler didn’t bail me out? “Wait, who did?” I asked.
    “I don’t know, they told me when I got here someone already bailed you out.”
    “Then why did I have to wait for you?”
    “I don’t know. Stop asking questions I don’t know the answers to.”
    “Then what do you know?” I said, but he didn’t answer me.
    I tried to think who else would have bailed me out. Tyler knew all my friends and he would have told me if it was one of them. I tried not to think too hard my head already hurt. I signed the paper work and then realized, “Shit, Peyton has my purse.”
    “I already talked to her. We’re meeting her and everyone else at the diner.” With a sigh of relief I followed Tyler outside.
    As we walked out of the station I stopped at the top of the stairs before going down to the parking lot, and that’s when I saw him.
    He was leaning against his car, casually, with his arms crossed and one ankle over the other. I couldn’t begin to you tell what kind of car it was. Definitely not something I would’ve expected to see him driving. It was an old, classic muscle car, I knew that much. A Mustang? Camaro maybe? I couldn’t tell. The car’s dark paint was accented by highlights from the streetlamps that hinted at it’s crisp, chiseled form. It was the perfect compliment to Cole. But I just thought it was neat looking. I kept that comment to myself though because Tyler would tell me I’m an idiot.

    I paused for a second, just staring at him, not sure what to do. Tyler noticed my hesitation and asked, “What’s wrong?”
    “Nothing, can you get the truck and meet me here,” I said without looking at him. Tyler turned to see who I was looking at.
    “Do you know him?” Tyler asked.
    “Unfortunately yes,” I mumbled.
    Tyler hesitated for moment, but I told him not to worry I’d be fine. Once Tyler took off, I walked down the stairs.
    “What are you doing here?” I asked Cole as I approached him.
    “I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”
    I squinted at him. I had a feeling that wasn’t the real reason. “That’s not it. Why are you really here?”
    “You looked like you were having a bad day, so I thought I’d offer to take you to breakfast.”
    I crossed my arms and stared at him wondering what he was not telling me. Just then Tyler pulled up in his truck. I kept watching Cole, waiting for some kind of reaction, but nothing. I had no idea what to do with him.
    I spoke before I had the chance to realize what I was saying. “We’re all going to the diner down the street from the club if you want to join us.”
    “I’d love to,” Cole said with a smile.
    I walked away without saying anything. What the hell is wrong with me? Why did I just invite him to breakfast? I looked back over my shoulder just as Cole got in his car and I watched him pull away. Still dazed and confused I stood there watching Cole’s taillights fade into the night.
    “You getting in?” Tyler barked. I hopped in the truck, fastened my seat belt, and rolled down the window to let the fresh air hit me face.
    “You good?” Tyler asked.
    “Yeah, yeah, fine, let’s go.”
    We didn’t talk on the way to the diner. I was glad to enjoy a few minutes of silence. I leaned back against the seat and tried to clear my head. It didn’t work, instead the night’s events just replayed over and over in my head.
    When we got to the diner I didn’t get out of the truck right away. “You coming?” Tyler asked.
    “Um, yeah, just give me a minute. I’m going to have a smoke then I’ll be in.” He shrugged and headed towards the diner entrance.
    Crap, I had just realized my cigarettes were in my purse, which was with Peyton. I opened the door and caught Tyler before he went inside. “Hey Ty, where are your cigs?” My