Page 47 of Puck with Karma
“Are you okay?” Xander watches me with worry in his eyes. “What happened?”
“Oh my God!”
I cover my face, forcing myself not to cry. The harder I try, the worse it gets.
“What the fuck is going on?” Xander tries again.
Without looking at him or even uncovering my eyes, I move my hand around until I find what I’m looking for, then lift my arm up to show him. I feel him pushing away a little.
“What the fuck. Your hair fell out? Are you sick?”
Since I’m not ready to meet his eyes just yet, I don’t look at him when I shake my head.
“Extensions,” I remind him.
There’s a moment of awkward silence, then he lets out a long puff of air.
“Jesus fuckin’ Christ. I thought I’d scalped you somehow.”
I drop my arm down, holding the blond extension to my chest. My mouth is set in a straight line as I struggle not to cry.
“Babe.”
Xander sounds amused to no end, and I don’t like it.
“It’s not easy to put back in,” I inform him. I try to sound haughty and like his amusement doesn’t get to me.
“Fuck the extension.” The piece of fake hair is being yanked from out of my grip. “You don’t need it. You’re beautiful just the way you are.”
I finally give him a side eye.
“You just met me, Xander. You have no idea how I actually am.”
My response takes him by surprise, and he starts laughing.
“You’re right about that,” he snorts. “But I’m sure you’d look just as beautiful with your hair shaved off.”
I groan in distress and get up from the bed. Xander is now on his back, in my bed, laughing his head off. When I exit the bedroom, he laughs harder.
“Babe,” he tries to say. “Come back! Abby!”
I cross the hallway and enter the smaller than small bathroom, stopping in front of the sink that has a mirror above it. I turn my head sideways, trying to figure out what the back ofit might look like. I’m not sure yet, but I don’t think I can just not put this back in.
I am supposed to have an appointment at a hair salon close to here, but that’s not for another three weeks. I will need to call and ask if they can see me sooner because, now that I am looking at the piece, the tape doesn’t look like it would stay in the way it’s supposed to.
“Abby.” Xander shows in the doorway of the bathroom, suddenly reminding me that I am naked. “I’m sorry I laughed. I meant no harm. I’ve never pulled a girl’s hair out of her head before.”
My eyes roll at hearing the words. “Glad to be your first in that area.”
He sighs and steps behind me. “I didn’t mean it like that, and you know it. You have to admit it was funny. One day,” he predicts, “you’ll laugh about this with me. I promise.”
His words make me nervous. They speak of a future we do not have. I’m not here long term, and I doubt he’s looking for a long term relationship anyway.
Xander steps in behind me, his hands coming to my hips and chin resting on my shoulder as he meets my eyes in the mirror.
“I would love to wipe that look off your face,” he smiles at me. “But I have to shower and get ready to leave, or I’ll be late. And your shower won’t fit us both.”
“Where are you going?” I frown at him.
