A Broken Forever(94)

Stefan Harrison: Tell you what. You admit that you're worried about me and I will stop everything the second the clock strikes 12.

Me: Even if you're in the middle of a big entry?

Stefan Harrison: Even then.

Me: Fine! I'm worried about you. You wouldn't have to stay late to make up work if we didn't keep you at the salon.

Admitting my worries felt … strange. Waiting not-so-patiently for a response text was bad enough before but now I was a nervous wreck. It didn't make sense! I didn't just tell him the secret to world destruction or anything, just a simple fact. If I hadn't of been worried I wouldn't have sent a text in the first place.

Finally my phone brightened with a new message. I had purposely set my volume to silent before I started texting tonight. Now, I was extremely grateful for that. If the backlight turning on made me jump, I could only imagine what a sudden buzzing would do. 

Stefan Harrison: You didn't keep me there. If anything, I refused to leave. It's going to take everything in me to wake up in the morning and not just drive there straightaway. But thank you-I promise to shut down everything at midnight. : )

Me: Well, you're always welcome back! I work every week day but Friday.

Wow. Could I come off any more desperate? Why did it matter if he only came when I was there!? He now knew just about every stylist, and there was nothing that said he couldn't drop in if I was off for the day.

Stefan Harrison: I know. ; )

Me: You know what?

Stefan Harrison: That Friday is your day off.

Me: How?! Seriously! How is it that you know all these little details about my life? Where I work, where I live, which car is mine!

It wasn't until right now that I really put all the evidence together. There were coincidences, and then there was this.

Stefan Harrison: Just because we didn't talk for six years didn't mean I was going to just let you completely disappear from my life. I swear to you I never did anything to change or affect your everyday life. I vowed to always protect you. I failed once, and I refuse to let it happen again.

Stefan Harrison: Now you need to get some sleep, pretty girl. I'll be done at midnight, as promised. Sleep well. Xox

I knew this was his clever way of dodging any further questions, and I'd let him win-for now. This was in no way dropped but something about it made a flurry of warmth and security surround me.

Me: Goodnight Creeper. Sweet dreams.

With my final text for the evening sent, I made my way to bed and slept better than I had in months.





Kacie was standing behind the reception desk, ringing out a client's final bill. She waved goodbye to the young woman. Just as I thought I would slip by without notice her hand reached out and snatched my arm. Trying to gulp back my fear of what was to come I turned to her with a smile. I had no doubt that she was able to see the awkward lopsided grin I conjured up for what it was though.

"Grey." her scolding motherly tone softly terrified my senses. "Mind if we chat for a minute?"

"Of course, that's what friends do, they talk. And hang out and chit chat." I forced my awkward rambling to end before I made an even bigger fool of myself.

Kacie's eyebrow rose in confusion. "Yeah, they do. So, let's go do that now."

Before anymore strangely forced words or expressions came out, Kacie walked off, pulling me with her. We made our way into the back break room where Tyler gossiped with another stylist, Amelia. The second we stepped into the room Tyler stopped talking, and watched us closely as if we were the first act of a performance. Kacie stared back at him, and when he didn't get the hint she clarified.

"Can you two please go back to your stations? Or go outside if you're on a break?" Amelia was out of her chair before Kacie finished talking. With a smile and apology she stepped out but Tyler took his sweet ol' time.

"Everything okay, you two?"

"It will be much better when you hurry your glamorous butt up." Kacie crossed her arms over her chest, never letting him leave her sights.

Tyler laughed and winked. "Oh you know me, doll. But don't get those cute panties in a wad, I'm leaving."

"Good, if you see others about to come in, please let them know they need to wait until we're done in here."

"Sounds swell, girl."

Tyler strolled out without pretending to be in any sort of hurry. I waited patiently for Kacie to give him a big swift kick in the rear end to get him moving.



       
         
       
        

"Finally!" She sighed when the door closed behind him. "Let's sit, Grey."

"Oh no, this doesn't sound good. Are you breaking up with me, Kace??" I asked as I took a seat, trying to bring a bit of humor into the growing tension.