Page 22 of Jake's Angel

“Yeah, Skyler’s coming along with me and we're headed to get you. Now, where the hell are you? Are you safe?” She tosses back. There’s an edge to her voice.

“I told you, I'm at Just Off the Top getting my hair done. I should be finished in a few minutes.” The laughter inside me finally breaks loose when Sadie yells into the phone loud enoughthe person in the chair next to me gives me a look. I can't tell if she's annoyed or intrigued. Maybe a little of both.

Sadie squeals, “What did you do? You know what, don't tell me. I thought you would chicken out. Oh my God, I can’t wait to see what you did. I’m on my way.” She barely gets the last word out before she hangs up.

Everly returns to finish blow drying my hair, then suffocates me with a cloud of strong-smelling hair spray. It's a pungent mix of citrus and alcohol. I'm almost tempted to ask which cocktail she used to come up with it but decide upsetting the woman with sharp tools and hot instruments this close to my head is not in my best interest. Besides, I'm too excited about the new look she's given me and how amazing I feel in my own skin right now to be rude. I owe her a debt of gratitude, or at least a good tip.

“It smells stronger than it is. It’s not heavy at all don’t worry,” she says as if reading my mind.

She turns me to face the mirror, and my emotions well up in my throat. My long, almost to my ass, blonde hair, is now cut to my shoulders and woven with caramel and dark brown low lights. It's amazing how different I look. She cut the edges to shape my face and gave me layers to give it more body. My natural waves bounce freely now without all the extra weight from the length I once I had.

Don't cry.

I have to remind myself I'm in public. If I cry, Everly might think I hate it. When nothing could be further from the truth.

Not long after being hung up on, I'm assaulted by an overly excited, squealing woman. “Oh my God, look at you! Damn, you look gorgeous,” Sadie gushes while simultaneously attacking me with a hug and running her fingers through my newly colored and cut hair.

“Hey. Hey. Hey. Don’t touch,” Everly scolds. “Sadie Jay, I’m not playing with you!”

“I needed a makeover, right? You were busy with your uncle, and I thought, you know, I’m here.” I shrug, feeling self-conscious as I notice everyone is staring at me.

I’m feeling a bit nervous. I’ve never done anything like this for myself before. I’ve always accepted whatever was pre-planned for my appearance. My grandmother never let me have any say. Now, making the choice for myself seems like ahugedecision.

Sadie is still stunned speechless, so I fill the silence with more explanations. “I was walking around in a few of the shops and happened upon this place. I figured why not get this out of the way. So, I did.” I can't help the smile creeping up my cheeks. I feel beautiful and not because someone caked my face with make-up or made sure every strand was curled and lacquered to perfection. I feel beautiful just beingme.No gimmicks. No fake persona. Just Avery.

“Well, I say we need to get her to the mall and find the perfect wardrobe to match this beautiful new look. Sadie?” Skyler says sweetly.

“I couldn’t agree more,” Everly adds. She’s a little timid, but she lights up when she hears Skyler gushing over her work.

I quickly pay Everly with cash, tipping her double the price of her services. She blinks at me, shaking her head, offering to give it back, but I refuse. “You earned every penny for making me feel the way I do right how. Please, take it. It’s my gift to you.” She nods, then gives me a hug. Now she's the one with tears in her eyes.

“Everly, you truly did an amazing job. Take the tip. Go buy Kaylie something fun to play with,” Skyler urges. “Kaylie is the cutest little girl you'll ever see.”

“Oh, the little girl in the pictures on your station. Yes, please, take it and go buy your daughter something nice.” Sadie andSkyler share a look. When my brow creases, they look at Everly, who's smiling sadly at me.

“It's okay. She doesn’t know. Kaylie is my sister. I’ve been taking care of her since my mama died.” She says, taking a deep breath. “We’re all each other has.”

“Oh, I see.” I stumble to find the right words. “My mother passed when I was young. I-I was adopted by family too. So, I understand.”

“Um,” Sadie says, grabbing my arm and ushering me swiftly toward the door. “We should really get going. We've got a big night planned and still need to get to the mall to pick our outfits.”

“Bye! Thank you!” I shout as I'm thrust into Sadie’s car.

“What were you thinking?” She shouts.

“What?”

“Your mom passed away? You were adopted by family too? What are you doing, Avery? You can’t say shit about yourself to people. Especially not the truth!” Sadie's shouting over the music, driving the car like she fucking stole it. “Ave's, no one can know anything about you.Nothing.It will only take one slip up for Mack to figure out you're here. People talk. They don’t think about who’s listening and I can't promise he won't try to take you back if he finds you here.” She stops talking, groaning while rubbing her temples.

“I’mnotgoing back.” I drop back against the seat, crossing my arms over my chest as I stare out the window. Yes, I'm acting like a petulant child but so what, I'm not leaving. I'm an adult. Eighteen. No one can tell me what to do.Very adult of you.

“Whoa! Hold on a minute.” Skyler pipes up from her spot in the backseat. “First of all, Sadie, slow your ass down before I throw up all over Loretta’s back seat.” The car slows down gradually. “Second, who are you? And why are you hiding from Mack?” Skyler swings her head back to Sadie, giving Sadie’sponytail a tug. “And what kind of trouble have you gotten yourself, and now me, into because I got in the damn car to help you when the guys were being hypocritical assholes to you at the clubhouse?”

Sadie is scanning her mirrors, her gaze locking on Skyler’s pissed off one in the rearview. I twist in my seat and wait for a sign from Sadie to know what I should say. What’s safe to say?

“Shit.” Sadie mumbles. “This is Avery. She’s from Baron’s Edge. She was in an abusive situation and I helped get her out.”

Skyler waits patiently for Sadie to explain further. When she doesn’t, Skyler looks to me for answers. I don’t want to lie to her after she’s been so nice to me, but I also don’t know what’s safe for her to know. Anyone who’s found helping me could find themselves in danger if my grandmother catches me.

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