Though when I was working so close to him, I didn’t entirely trust myself not to see what would happen if I pressed my lips to his skin.
My work complete, I step back to admire the finished product. A breathy little whoosh leaves my chest. The Viking cleans up good. His gaze jumps to mine.
“Not too shabby, if I do say so, and no longer shaggy at all.” Pleased with the way his newly trimmed hair looks and the shape I gave to the beard, I beam a smile.
Grey’s eyebrow crests as if concerned that I’m about to launch into singing a show tune. He looks steadily into the mirror. His eyes go from sparkling, crystalline gems in his face to dark, hard stones.
He pushes up from the chair with a roar. The muscles of his neck cord and his nostrils flare as he throws Shonda’sfootball at the mirror. Thankfully, it doesn’t break, but I’m afraid something broke inside of him or he’s going to break something in the salon as he storms across the room.
I catch our reflections. Even though the glass is still intact, all I see are fragments, slivers of him and countless questions in my eyes.
He Hulks out, whipping off the hair-cutting cape. The momentum causes the styling products on the shelf to topple like a house of cards.
My gasp of shock turns into a tremble in my voice. “Grey, I’m sorry. What did I do? I’m sorry,” I repeat.
He avoids looking at the wreckage, but his eyes land on me, lighting up for a moment before going black. Grey’s body vibrates with rage as he barrels out of the room. I don’t let a tear fall until his footsteps go silent in the hall.
I quickly wipe my eyes, still not sure what went wrong, and set to work cleaning up the mess as I analyze the last few minutes.
Deep in thought, I don’t hear anyone enter until they speak. “What happened?” Cateline’s hand is on her hip.
Another one of the bearded football players appears at her back and surveys the damage. “Grey.” He disappears down the hall, presumably after his teammate.
However, I’d rather Cateline see this than Shonda. Seeing her workspace in ruins would crush her.
“What happened here?” Cateline repeats and her eyes flicker with alarm and accusation. “Did Grey do this? We were warned he has a bit of an anger management problem.”
My ring glints on my finger. “No, it was me. I didn’t tell you that I’m a bit of a klutz.”
“That makes you and Pippa,” Cateline mutters. “Where’s Shonda?”
“She wasn’t feeling well. I, um, did Grey’s makeover.”
Cateline’s right eyebrow rises so steeply it could pierce the sky.
I didn’t want to lie, but I have to protect my secret and if Grey gets in trouble, my job could be at risk. “I was putting everything away, tripped over the hairdryer cord, and bumped into the vase. Everything went flying or spilled. I’m so sorry. I’ll clean up and you can deduct any damages or replacement costs from my salary,” I say in one long breath.
Cateline strides toward the football, picks it up, and studies it like a private investigator. “Where did Mr. Adams go? Why isn’t he helping you?”
“Oh, he sliced his finger on the scissors. His, um, football-throwing finger.”Lies! All lies!
Cateline narrows her eyes. “Do you know what position Greyson Adams plays?”
I should know this vital piece of information, being married to him and all, especially if there is an insurance fraud investigation. Which I wouldn’t doubt because Cateline all but flashes her detective’s badge.
I regret lying about the whole Hulk smash thing, but what other choice do I have? My father won’t speak to me, let alone help me. Heidi did what she could, but I wasn’t even managing to live paycheck to paycheck. I don’t have a backup plan. I can’t lose this job.
After Todd and I got engaged and I relocated to Virginia, I lost most of my other friends—not on purpose, but by default. He slowly and slyly closed my circle until it was just the two of us. By the time I realized what had happened at the hands of my narcissistic ex-fiancé, it was too late.
“Linebacker?” I guess Grey’s position. Ask me about hockey and I can give the entire history and rules for play. Football is completely foreign.
Cateline huffs, but all I hear isDing, ding, ding. Correct answer. Phew!
She says,“I’m going to let this slide, but I advise you to get to know your player and get to know him well so that you’re able to optimize your time together and prevent situations like this.”
She trains her gaze on me. “You were assigned to be Greyson’s personal coach. Your job is to guide him and help overhaul his life. You’re in charge of him and yourself. I expect you to keep him reined in. The school is already on shaky ground financially since fewer and fewer people seek our services, but if we can prove we’ve reformed these men, we’re sure to get a surge of business, keeping us both with jobs. I’ll inform the maintenance staff about the mess.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
