Snockered.....
Caitlyn looked up as the shop bell jangled. “Janice, what the hell is wrong? You’re blowin’ up my phone like fuckin’ Call of Duty!”
“Alc!”
Alcide looked around his sister’s beauty parlour at the shocked ladies faces. “Sorry ladies,” he apologized. That’s all it took for most of the women in the shop to forgive the 6’6” hunk of muscle who had stormed into their domain. Alcide Herveaux was brother to the shop owner Janice, and incredibly easy on the eyes. His customary flannel was untucked, but it did nothing to hide his muscular physique or tight jeans.
“Can I talk to you in the back?” Janice whispered, before turning on her heel and marching towards the cramped office at the rear of her shop. Alcide sighed and made to follow her, heavy steps indicating that this was anything but a social call.
Caitlyn didn’t say a word, but she watched the entire exchange in her station mirror, her pace slowing on the roller set she was working on. She could just hear the conversation and after a conspiratorial look in the mirror with her client, they both were silent, straining to hear the conversation in the back.
“I just need a little to tide me over. I can’t put him off much longer.”
“I can barely make my own rent, Jan. Business ain’t exactly boomin’ right now. If I don’t find something soon, I’m going to lose my shirt.”
“But the shop…if I start charging more, I’ll lose more customers to that JC Penney in Northpark Mall. Alcide I just…what do I do?”
There was quiet shuffling here, hugs were Caitlyn’s best guess. “Come on, something will turn up. You got a new hair dresser out there, maybe she can help take on more clients.”
“Caitlyn? Yeah…thank god she’s on a student salary right now.” There was a quiet moment and Caitlyn merely rolled more hair waiting to hear what would happen next. “What about you? Is business really that bad?”
A heavy sigh answered her. “The building and equipment are paid for. But I’m going to have to start letting people go soon. And if I do that, then when a job does come along, I have no crew. Better to give up the apartment, and sleep in my truck…”
“Alc-“
“Look don’t worry about me. What’s your landlord’s name? I’ll talk to him. Get him to give you an extension.”
“Don’t you dare bully anyone.”
Caitlyn smiled at Janice’s tone. She was the over protective type, which was funny considering that she was the younger of the two siblings.
“Fine.” A half growl, half sigh came from the office and Caitlyn stifled her grin. “Just let me know if you need anything. Besides money I don’t have.”
“Oh shut up.” But Janice’s tone was more teasing now and Caitlyn made her face blank as the two stepped out of the office and back into the salon. She tapped Mrs. Sinclair on the shoulder and motioned towards the dryers, which had them walking right in front of Alcide and Janice.
After fixing the bonnet over the woman’s head so that she could barely hear, Caitly asked, “Everything alright?”
“Yeah we’re fine. Alcide this is Caitlyn. She finishing her student hours for cosmetology. Caitlyn this is my brother Alcide.” Janice made the introductions, gesturing between the two of them.
Caitlyn reached out her hand, “How’d you do?” her Irish lilt sounding out of place in the Mississippi hair salon.
Alcide took her in. She was petite and fair, with large green eyes that filled her face and masses of red hair. He briefly wondered if it was her natural hair color, then decided it was - pairing it with the dusting of freckles across her nose and pink flush in her cheeks. “Hi there,” he shook her hand gently.
Caitlyn let her eyes wander as well. He was tall and handsome, with dark hair curling at his collar and a light beard that she wanted to drag her nails through along his jaw line. His dark eyes were fixed on her, as if he waited for her to say something, but she couldn’t figure out what for the life of her.
“Alcide was just leaving,” Janice interjected, nuding her brother.
“Huh? Oh right. Well nice to meet you,” he dropped her hand and headed towards the door, and Caitlyn, like most of the women in the salon, turned to watch him leave.