AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Alright, playboy. Give my brother his phone back.” Tyson stops dead in his tracks, allowing me to yank my phone out of his grip once again.
“Is there a reason you called?” I ask in a huff. I love talking to my sister, and I’m thankful we’re so close, but this is not a great time. There’s a ton to do around the salon and I don’t want Tyson staring at my sister’s more than half naked body any longer than he already has.
“For one, that’s rude. For two, that’s the roommate you tried to hide me from?”
Fuck my life.
“She was here?” Tyson questions from behind the phone in an octave I didn't know he could reach. “What kind of friend are you?” I ignore his ridiculous questions.
“I was just checking in and seeing how things are going. How’s married life?” Savannah asks.
“She met my sister?” Tyson is nearly yelling and I want nothing more than for this conversation to be over.
“Listen Sav, I appreciate you calling—”
“Me too,” Tyson blurts out from across the room and I shoot my most intimidating death glare.
“But I’m working right now and don’t have a lot of time.”
“I see where I stand.” Something gets her attention, and she cuts the conversation short. “Gotta go big bro. Talk to you soon.” And the call ends.
Tyson opens his mouth, but I point a finger at him. “Say one word and I will end you.” He puts his hands up, but the cocky look on his face shows everything he’s thinking.
The door chimes and in walks Blake, a middle-aged woman, and my sexy little redhead. I can’t stop the smile that spreads across my face anymore than the fluttering happening in my chest. Last time I saw Libby, she was kicking me out. I don’t know if she still doesn’t want to see me, but god knows I want to see her.
“Oh my,” the older woman says, her hands covering her mouth and eyes wide, but Libby is quick to comfort her.
“It’ll be okay, Sarah. We’ll get it all fixed as fast as we can,” she soothes, putting an arm around her.
“Sarah?” I walk over to the girls and hold my hand out to her. “I’m Colt. We talked on the phone.”
“Yes,” she stammers and grabs my hand, shaking it wildly. “You are such a godsend. What you did for me with boarding everything up… tell me how I can repay you.”
“No need for that. I’m happy to help.” Boarding up windows was a given. No matter whose shop it was.
Tears fill her eyes and Libby squeezes her tighter. “Well, thank you. Truly.” She finally looks beyond me, making her way around the salon.
I take the time to turn my attention to Libby. She’s not looking at me, but I can still see that she isn’t doing well. The darkness under her eyes and the slouch in her posture are barely noticeable, but it’s there. She’s exhausted. I wonder how much sleep she’s got over the last couple of nights. Blake’s been doing the best friend things and not replying to my texts, checking in on my wife. She’s team Libby and I don’t blame her. I just wish she knew that I’m team Libby too.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Tyson takes a step towards Blake while he whisper-yells at her. He may as well speak normally. Everyone in this building can hear him.
“Well, you see,” Blake motions her arms around the room. “This just so happens to be my place of work. I kind of belong here. What are you doing here?”
“Stop with the attitude. I’m helping Colt so you can get back to work.” Whatever hostility Blake has towards Tyson fades when the words leave his mouth.
“You’re going to fix everything?” Libby’s gaze is finally on me and I want to soak up the warmth.
“I am,” I confirm. I want to reach out to her. To be close enough to take in her scent and feel her softness. To wrap her in my arms and demand she never push me away again.
“No, you’re not,” Sarah calls from the other end of the room. “I have my insurance agent coming by tomorrow. They’ll get it taken care of.”
I hate insurance agents. “No offense, Sarah, but do you know how long it will be before you’re up and running if you use an insurance agent?”
“Honey, I pay them every month. May as well use them when I need to.”
“I understand. But if you make a claim for your salon being vandalized, then your deductible is going to go up too. Why don’t you let me help you this time and rely on your insurance if something comes up that can’t be helped?” I ask.
Insurance companies like to give you pennies on the dollar for what the damage is worth, and most contractors will see that you’re using a claim and overcharge you. It’s one of the reasons I got into the business. I hate people taking advantage of others. Like I said, I hate them.
