Chapter 8 Time for Change #2
“Still, pretty scary,” she grimaces, but quickly grins and takes my hand. “Well, George is ready for you along with Lisa. The entire salon will want the tea though.”
I follow her with my bodyguards close behind as I’m sat in my usual spot, away from most clientele. Lisa then appears, practically squealing as she hugs me next.
“Thank god, you’re okay,” she says, while Wanda nods. “It’s been so weird the past week. Is it true employees tried to kidnap you? Who’d do such a thing?”
This is gonna be a repeated question.
“No, no they snuck into the hotel, pretending,” Wanda answers, nodding with wide eyes. “Which explains the new security measures and background checks.”
“Yeah, that has been fun,” Lisa mutters, sweeping back her dark hair. She glances at the men. “Speaking of, Wanda could you find two chairs for Autumn’s bodyguards? Unless you want me to moisturize your beard, handsome.”
“I’m good,” Chesty answers, grinning.
“Something about burly, mountain guys,” Lisa murmurs near my ear, leading me to her chair. I let out a laugh. “As for you Mr. Morton, don’t change a thing.” Isaac remains silent, which gives me pause.
Finally, I hear George’s voice.
“One, did I hear something about bodyguards? Two, please tell me that’s my wonderful Autumn, who desperately needs new nails.” My sunshine filled nail tech comes around the corner, smiling and then playfully pouts. “Oh, not the bodyguard I wanted. I’ll come back when he arrives.”
“Hey!” I yell, starting to laugh.
He grins, coming over to hug me. Chesty chuckles, but nothing from Isaac. A part of me wishes he’d joke or smile, but whatever is wrong is eating at him. Not exactly the time or place to prod for answers.
George takes a seat next to me, lounging back. “Please tell me this horrid affair of being kidnapped, which led to being a polite socialite who disappears, is completely over.” I raise a brow. “It’s what they all do.”
“Mostly,” I answer.
“I’ll take it, now how shall we pamper you for being such an adorable socialite.” I start laughing, holding onto the armchairs. The worries I’ve had before vanish as George smiles at me. “Thought a good distraction would help you.”
I smile, grabbing his hand and squeezing it. He winks with a knowing smile. “It does. And for that, I am finally saying yes to new hair.”
He gapes, and then calls out, “Lisa! Happy early birthday! The boss lady finally wants new hair.”
The next thirty minutes is a blur as we go over what I’m thinking, and they leave to gather materials, chatting away.
Chairs are delivered for Chesty and Isaac, but only Chesty sits down while Isaac remains off to the side.
I focus on the joy of George and Lisa, relishing the fun they provide.
Wanda comes back, asking about refreshments.
I take tea, while Chesty asks for a beer.
Isaac scowls at him as Wanda walks away.
“You’re on the job,” Isaac mutters.
“A beer ain’t gonna change anything,” Chesty responds, then looks at me. “What say you, boss?”
“No beer pong.”
“Darn.” He leans back in his chair smiling. “You think Lisa is single? Haven’t dated in a bit, but she’s pretty. And funny.”
I giggle at him, looking over at Isaac whose face is still a mask of seriousness. Suddenly he says, “I’ve got a call to make.”
He walks away through the luxurious salon, disappearing through the crowd of people getting their hair and nails done. Chesty whistles low, grimacing almost as I give an incredulous look.
“Never thought you two would butt heads.”
“Me neither. Be great if I knew what over,” I say.
He tsks, shaking his head. “Well, whatever it is, keep me out of it. Already trying to keep Sombra and Spartan from throttling each other.”
“Should I be worried?”
“Honestly, not sure. They’ve always been more like brothers, the kind that fight and argue, but make up once one of their ears get yanked. This time’s a bit more serious.”
“I sound like a broken record, but…because of me?”
“Yes and no. Not all about you, ya know?” I chuckle, and he grins as he rolls his chair over to me.
He pats my knee. “Something for you to remember. Sombra’s practically been taking care of the pres for almost two decades on his own.
He’s adjusting to new shit, like my buddies coming back from deployment.
You get used to a cycle out there, and when you come back and ain’t nothin’ the same, it’s hard.
What you left behind changed, people moved on…
but you ain’t the same either. So, then where the fuck do you go? ”
“Like being undercover for almost two years. You can’t go back to the old life,” I whisper, and he nods.
One of the assistants comes back with our drinks. He takes a swig of his beer, making a content sound.
“Is that what’s going on with them? Fighting change?” I ask.
“Maybe. Perhaps, us both should remember what it was like coming home as it were. How hard that shit was.”
“Pretty sure I’m still learning,” I say, picking my tea up. “How’d you do it? Taking on change?”
Chesty strokes his beard again, giving me a half smile.
“Can’t go back to somethin’ that’s not there anymore.
Whether it’s places, people, or even you.
And that change doesn’t mean you’re gonna forget, you just hold onto the memories tighter.
I had to learn how not to be a Marine everyday anymore.
Part of me will always be, but never like it was before. Hard to let go of that.”
I clear my throat as his words sink in.
“And I think Leo and you lying to them…may have been the kind of change that they weren’t ready for.”
I meet Chesty’s pale green gaze. There’s no bitterness, just sympathy. “A price that I’m not sure he or I were ready for,” I whisper.
Chesty pats my knee again, keeping his hand there. “Knew why you did it, sister. Both you and Spartan. Hurts, but that’s reality. And honestly if you hadn’t…we’d all be dead. And maybe that’s what’s pissing them off the most.”
I bring my gaze up to meet his. My face filled with worry. My expression is shaken off when I hear Lisa and George coming back.
“I’m so excited. You’re gonna love it,” Lisa says happily. I put my tea down before she spins my chair around to face the mirror. Chesty scoots back to watch.
For the next couple of hours, I get my hair and nails done. George tries to convince me to get a full spa treatment, but I tell him next time. I still have errands to run.
“Maybe I should get my nails done,” Chesty comments as I write out tips for George and Lisa, smiling down at my dark green nails.
“You’d look great in black polish,” George says, grinning at Chesty. “Although, you could suggest someone else to come get their nails done.”
I start laughing as Lisa rolls her eyes. I say, “You’re insatiable.”
“I am tenacious,” George replies.
“And lovable.”
“Yes, we both are.”
“Hope you love your hair,” Lisa says, winking. “Need to bring your Nan in next.”
“That reminds me, when is she coming back? That woman fascinates me with her stories,” George comments.
“Don’t know, but I’ll ask.” I give them both a hug, waving at Wanda as she takes care of a customer.
“Love ya, darling, and behave yourself with that new hair,” George playfully says.
“I’ll do my best,” I laugh.
I leave the salon with Chesty beside me, Isaac reappearing not far behind.
I go through my head the schedule of the hotel, pausing in the hallway as I catch sight of my new hair.
It’s now a dark red with a much shorter pixie cut.
While running my hand through the soft strands, I start moving and say, “Let’s go check on my hotel. ”