CHAPTER ELEVEN
Sophie
Saturday evening, I walk into Katelyn’s salon with Kayla, Julia, Grace, and Faith—Kolan and Katelyn’s cousin whom I just met. She seems as nice as all the others.
So why am I still so nervous?
Especially when everyone has been so kind and welcoming. I don’t know if it’s the thought of being around a big crowd tonight that has me so worked up or not knowing what outfit Katelyn has picked for us to wear. Because whatever she has chosen, I will need to wear a scarf with it, which means I’ll probably look ridiculous and stick out like a sore thumb. I’ve been so nervous over it that I’ve been feeling sick for days, a constant knot in my stomach.
“The party is here,” Kayla calls, announcing our arrival.
Katelyn walks out of the back, her hair and makeup looking like she just stepped out of a magazine. “Hey, ladies, good timing. I just finished with myself and Anna.”
Anna walks out at that moment, looking as gorgeous as Katelyn.
“Y’all look beautiful,” Grace compliments them, speaking my thoughts.
“Thanks. We waited until you guys got here to change. I didn’t want to ruin the surprise of our outfits.” Katelyn’s excitement takes my anxiety to another level.
“Thanks for coming tonight, you guys. It means a lot.” Anna moves to each girl, giving them a hug.
“Of course, we wouldn’t miss it for anything,” Julia says, hugging her a little longer than the others.
“Yeah, and it means adult night,” Kayla adds, doing a small dance. “As much as I love my kids, I really like adult night.”
“Don’t we all,” Faith agrees with a smile.
Anna comes to me next, surprising me with a hug, too. “I’m so happy you were able to come, Lia.”
“We didn’t give her much of an option,” Kayla says, making me smile.
“No, you didn’t, but I’m glad. Thank you for inviting me, I’m sure it will be a lot of fun.”
“Have you ever been to the Barnyard?” Faith asks.
I shake my head.
“It’s really fun,” Anna rushes to say. “It’s the second largest honky-tonk in the country. There’s bull riding, live music, line dancing, pool tables. It has everything.”
“It sounds great.”
And really big.
“All right, before we get started.” Kayla pulls a bottle of wine from her bag, a gleeful smile on her face. “Don’t worry, I brought something special for you, too,” she says to Katelyn.
“Perfect. Give me a second, and I’ll grab glasses.” She dashes into the back and returns a second later with plastic cups. “Sorry, it’s all I have.”
“Just as long as I can drink from it, I don’t give a shit. I would drink right from the bottle but don’t want to be rude,” she says, making us chuckle.
Julia passes a glass to Anna but she shakes her head. “Uh no, thank you. I’ll have some of whatever you brought Katelyn if that’s all right.”
Kayla frowns at her. “Since when do you not drink wine?”
Anna bites her lip, trying to hide a smile. “Since I was told I can’t. At least not for nine months…”
There’s only a beat of silence before all the girls start screaming and launch themselves at her. With a smile, I watch their celebratory group hug, feeling envious of their friendship.
How special would it be to have friends like that? I had one really close girlfriend after high school. Or who I thought was my friend…
Don’t think about her, Sophie.
“I can’t believe this,” Julia cries. “Does Jaxson know?”
“No. We only just told our parents this morning. I’m nervous for his reaction.”
“Oh, don’t be.” Julia waves away her worry. “He’ll be growly of course, because that’s Jaxson, but he loves you. He’ll be happy for you.”
A few of them share in another group hug when Katelyn glances at me and breaks it up. “All right, let’s get a move on. The guys will be here in an hour.” She grabs a bunch of individual black tote bags that sit on the floor and begins passing them out to each of us. “Here are your outfits. I think you will love what I picked out. The theme is perfect.”
My heart begins to pound like a drum, echoing in my ears as I take my bag from her. I watch all the other girls open theirs first while I try to think of how I’m going to pull this off without looking completely ridiculous.
Please, let one of the scarves I brought match what she has chosen.
I watch as Grace pulls out a pair of cutoff jean shorts. “These seem awfully short,” she says, holding them up.
“They’ll cover your ass, I promise, but we’re going Daisy Duke style tonight.”
“Cool,” Kayla says, obviously not concerned with the length. “How much do we owe you for all this?”
“Nothing. My client owed me a favor. Just if anyone asks, they came from Rustic Boutique.”
“You got it.”
Julia pulls out a white tank top then reaches back in and holds up a piece of plaid fabric. “What’s this?”
“A scarf.” My eyes snap to Katelyn’s as she answers, but she keeps her gaze on Julia, purposely avoiding mine. “Don’t worry, it’s really light and matches our outfits perfectly. I was going to do plaid tops but figured that would be too hot.”
“Good thinking.”
“Thanks for doing this, Katelyn,” Faith says, while I continue to stare at her, rendered speechless.
“No problem. You girls can use the customer bathroom to change if you want,” she offers before looking at me. “Lia, you can come to the back and use the employee one so you don’t have to wait.”
I finally manage a nod and follow her into the back where there’s a single bathroom.
“After you’re finished, I’d be more than happy to do your hair, if you like?”
“That’d be great,” I say, my words thick with the emotion I’m trying to choke down. Giving me a smile, she’s begins to close the door but I stop her. “How did you know?”
There’s no need to elaborate, because like I already guessed, the scarf isn’t a coincidence. “My brother called me,” she reveals, making my heart stutter to a stop. “He didn’t tell me anything. Just told me to make sure I got you a scarf with your outfit. I thought the plaid was the perfect touch so I got them for all of us to wear.”
Tears spring to my eyes, but I do my damnedest to blink them back. “Thank you.”
She flashes me another smile, this one a little more soft. “No problem. I’m really glad you decided to come.” Closing the door, she leaves me to get dressed.
With my gaze blurry, I take a seat on top of the toilet then reach in the bag and pull out the scarf. Holding it in both my hands, I bring it to my face and use it to muffle my sobs. I cry, hating that I even need to wear one, but most of all I cry for the act of kindness. Not only from Katelyn but Kolan, too. For thinking about me and knowing I needed this.
I only allow myself a minute or two then gather my composure, not wanting to walk around with red, swollen eyes for the night. Sniffling, I grab my phone and type in a text to Kolan.
Me: Thank you.
It doesn’t seem sufficient enough, but I don’t think there are any words that could describe how grateful I am for what he did. Out of everything I was nervous about tonight, this one weighed on me the most. Putting my phone down, I hurry to get dressed.
“Lia, what size are your feet?” Katelyn asks through the door.
“Usually an eight.”
“Faith, we’re going to need the extra pair you brought.”
“No problem. I got them right here.”
I hear her faint response as I finish getting my outfit on—impressed with how well everything fits. Next, I secure the scarf around my neck before looking in the mirror. I try to clear my red eyes as much as possible then grab my phone off the counter and open the door to see Katelyn waiting on the other side of it, dressed in the same outfit.
“Yay, it fits. You look great.” She passes me a pair of dark brown cowgirl boots and ankle socks. “These are for you to borrow.”
“Thank you. I didn’t even think about my footwear, but I should have.”
“No worries. Everyone brought an extra pair with them since we weren’t sure of your size. Come on, I’ll start your hair.”
I follow her out into the salon. Seeing everyone else dressed in their outfits brings me back to my dancing days when we would all be in costume.
“Katelyn, you’re a damn genius,” Kayla says, checking herself out in the mirror. “My ass is on point in these shorts.”
Collective chuckles fill the salon.
“I have to admit, they are very flattering,” Julia agrees.
Katelyn turns her chair for me to sit in. “I’m just glad they’re low enough so I can wear them, too.”
“And you look even more adorable than usual,” Faith says, coming to give her small baby tummy a gentle pat.
“Why thank you.” Her glowing face and radiant smile reveals just how happy she is.
“Hey, where’s Emily?” Grace asks. “I thought she and Ryder were coming, too?”
“They had to cancel last minute. Her morning sickness has been all day sickness,” Katelyn explains.
“Ugh, I remember those days all too well, especially with Ella,” Kayla says, walking over to hand me a glass of wine. “Drink up before it’s all gone. I don’t have much self-control on adult night, especially when it comes to alcohol and my husband.”
I accept the glass with a smile, hoping it will settle the last of my nerves. Though, I’m feeling calmer than when I first got here. “Well, thank you for sharing with me.”
“No problem. Just don’t expect me to share my husband. I’m nice but not that nice.” She gives me a sassy wink then moves back to her station and begins applying her makeup.
Katelyn giggles, shaking her head. “It’s impossible not to love her.”
I have to agree. Kayla is funny and outgoing. She has an energy about her that instantly puts you at ease, but most of all, she’s kind. She’s been so welcoming to me, even when I haven’t made it easy.
“Is there anything specific you want me to do?” she asks, running her fingers through my hair.
“Not really. Whatever you want is fine with me.”
“The most beautiful words a hairdresser can hear.” Smiling, she reaches for her curling wand and gets right to work. It’s been a long time since I’ve had my hair done. I’m excited to see what she comes up with.
“You have a really great salon,” I tell her, taking a sip of my wine.
“Thank you. I love it. This place means everything to me, and I have my brother and Papa to thank for it.”
“Your brother?”
She nods. “He’s the one who put me through cosmetology and gave me the money to start this. Between him and my papa, I didn’t need a business loan.”
It shouldn’t surprise me to hear Kolan helped give this to her, I’ve witnessed firsthand how generous he can be, but it still warms my heart all the same. “It seems like you guys are close. Kolan speaks very highly of you.”
A beautiful yet sad smile curves her lips. “We are. He’s not just my brother; he’s my best friend. He raised me, protected me, and gave me everything I ever needed. I don’t know where I’d be if not for him.”
Her statement has me wondering about their parents again. I recall how Kolan reacted when I asked about them. His tone was clipped and answer short. It was clear it was not a subject he wanted to touch on so I didn’t push, but now, I’m even more curious.
“I know he can seem intimidating and he can be, but he’s not as scary as everyone thinks he is. They’ve seen what he can do in the ring and think he’s always ruthless like that, but it’s far from the truth.”
“I’ve never seen him fight, but I heard he was good.”
She nods, suddenly paying extra close attention to my hair. “He was—very good. But where everyone saw him as a machine who fought to destroy, I saw the little boy who always jumped in front of my father’s fists to protect me.”
I tense at her whisper, pain slicing through me as I think about anyone hurting Kolan, especially his father.
Katelyn’s glossy eyes meet mine in the mirror. “You’re going to hear a lot of things about my brother if you haven’t already, most of them bad, but I promise you they’re not true. He’s the best person I’ve ever known.”
It takes me a moment to find my words, her emotion making my own throat feel tight. “I already know that, because he’s the best person I’ve ever known, too.”
She smiles. “I’m glad. I wish others saw him as easily as you do.”
How can anyone not see that?
My feelings for him are stronger than I’ve ever felt for anyone in my entire life. If things were different, I have no doubt I’d fall madly in love with him. However, knowing the potential consequences of what my love could do to him is not something I’ll ever risk.
Our conversation moves to a lighter topic as she finishes my hair. When she starts my makeup, she turns the chair around so I can’t see what she’s doing.
While she works, I listen to all the other girls laugh as they share funny memories and talk about their children. It’s not long before I realize these women are more than really good friends. They’re family.
When Katelyn finishes, she steps back to assess me, a proud smile taking over her face. “All right, go ahead and take a look.”
I turn my chair around to face the mirror and falter when I get a look at myself. “Whoa.”
Standing, I move in closer. My heart swells as I stare back at a girl I remember so well, even though I’ve tried hard to forget. For the first time in over a year, when I look at myself, I don’t see the scarf. I see beauty. I don’t see Lia.
I see Sophie.
All the other girls come to stand next to Katelyn, appearing in the mirror behind me. Kayla slings an arm around my shoulders, pulling me back to stand with the group. “We look damn good, ladies,” she declares with a smile.
“Agree. And you were right, Katelyn, the scarves are the perfect touch,” Faith adds.
Katelyn’s eyes meet mine in the mirror and she gives me a soft smile. “You’re right. It’s the perfect addition to us.”
Warmth invades my chest, not missing her double meaning. I may not be able to have this forever but for tonight, I will. For tonight, I’m going to embrace who I am. The girl who has friends, enjoys life, and loves to dance.
Tonight, I’m Sophie Parish.