“Okay?”
“Never get on anyone’s bike unless it’s Ryder’s.”
“What are you talking about?” Then I remember the debacle of yesterday. Great, I guess they did see us. “Oh, is that what this is all about?” I wave my hand and smile. “Rip’s a good friend…” My voice drifts as he shoots me another death glare.
“Ryder says it’s fine to go to Dolly’s. I’ll get the truck.” And before I can respond, he’s walking past me. What the heck? I have no words. Did he just imply that if Ryder said no, I can’t leave? I refuse to let this bother me. It’s a bit caveman, but maybe that’s the way this guy is.
I rub my hand down my jeans, which are like a second skin, so it looks like I’m nervous. Stopping, I strum my fingers on the marble island top, ignoring the few guys who are still in the kitchen.
“Julianna?” Ox yells from another room. “Let’s go.”
JULIANNA
Present
Burbank, CA
This might be the most uncomfortable car ride I’ve ever experienced. I’ve tried my best to make pleasant small talk with Ox, but it’s hard when all you get are one-word answers, frowns, and grunts.
I look out the window, fighting my need to pick my nail polish off. It’s a nervous tic I’ve had forever. Usually I’m fine, but this uncomfortable vibe is making me sit on my hands to avoid doing it.
“So, how long have you known Ryder?” I smile as I try one last time, only to have him turn right into a parking lot. The car’s abrupt turn and sudden stop makes my whole body sway.
“I’ll wait,” he grumbles.
Nodding, I grab my purse from the floor. “Thank you.” I sound absurd, but whatever. The man stares straight ahead as if he can’t hear me. I’m starting to feel bad for him. Maybe English isn’t his first language? He certainly doesn’t speak in complete sentences.
The parking lot is full. Seems like there are a bunch of trendy shops on this street. A door opens and a woman with purple hair and white tips on the ends steps out and lights a cigarette. I walk over.
“Hi.”
She arches a plucked brow and inhales deeply, blowing the smoke up into the sky. “Hi.” She waves her other hand at me.
“I don’t have an appointment, but I know Dolly and Dou—”
“Inside, my love,” she says in a rush, nodding at Ox over my shoulder. Good grief, what is up with everyone? I mean, they’re giving New Yorkers a good name.
“Thank you.” I swing the pretty pink-wired door open. Patsy Cline’s “I Fall To Pieces” greets me as I walk down the white hallway and into the bright main salon, which has turquoise-and-gold sofas, and large windows facing the street.
Three chairs on one side with ornate mirrors, and two chairs on the other side—it’s pretty full. I search for Dolly or Doug yet see neither, only a tall guy covered in tattoos and piercings and a woman with large boobs and platinum hair. They look me up and down. The guy smiles.
“You got an appointment, beautiful?”
“Is Dolly or Doug around?” The guy reaches for a blow dryer and motions with his head to another area. I start to head in that direction when both of them walk out. Doug’s carrying a bowl of hair dye and Dolly, well, Dolly is pregnant.
“Oh shit.” Dolly grabs Doug’s arm. He promptly shushes her.
“Sorry.” She shakes her head and comes over to me. “I’m surprised is all. Is Gia here?” She smiles, revealing red, glossy lips.
“No. Just me. I’m sorry. This was a spur-of-the-moment decision.” My face floods with heat. What was I thinking? The last time Dolly saw me, Ryder was fucking me against the wall. And the scene with Cindy afterward was mortifying. I… we ruined Axel and Antoinette’s wedding.
Jesus. I’ve been so preoccupied with Ryder and all my drama, I forgot about Cindy.
Cindy.
This has to be why everyone is acting so weird.
“Stop it, we’re thrilled to see you.” Doug stops me from bolting, which I couldn’t do even if I wanted to. And I do because Dolly is blocking my escape with her hands on her hips and cute belly.
“Congratulations. I didn’t know you were pregnant,” I croak. Of course, I didn’t know she was pregnant—I’m an outsider.
“Yeah, six months.” She waves a hand. “Are you okay?” She looks up at me with big brown eyes—Dolly looks like a perfect porcelain doll. I don’t know her that well, but at the wedding she was the first one to hold Cindy back when she tried to attack me and Ryder.
I sigh and start to laugh. “No, probably not. Look…” My eyes go to her face, then Doug’s.
“I want a change. I need to change. My life’s a train wreck. I left New York yesterday and told my dad off, so I’m sure he’s disowning me.” After vomiting all this out in the middle of the shop, I take a breath. “To be honest,” I finally say, “I don’t care if he does. My ex-husband, who technically won’t sign the final divorce papers, is gay, and now he says he’s not—”