Hannah comes back, and once Tasha has Sadie’s head in the bowl, washing her hair, I’m surprised when Nash comes over too. He takes a seat farther away from us, keeping his distance and not saying a word. He’s got earbuds in, gaze shooting from Sadie to James, and sometimes to me and Hannah, like he’s trying to figure out why we would do this. He doesn’t trust us, doesn’t trust anyone who does nice things for them, I imagine, which is why he’s struggling with James. He’s used to doing everything alone, which breaks my fucking heart.
A few minutes later, Tasha makes her way over. “It’sgoing to be a bit. You guys did a good job keeping it detangled, but I’ll put a good moisturizing treatment on and let her sit for a while. I’ll show her some styles, but I figured we could start with something simple and protective. And then if you don’t mind continuing to bring her in, I can start showing her more styles, teaching her how to care for her specific curl pattern. A girl should always have options.” Tasha grins.
“Yes. Absolutely. I’ll do whatever I need to do. I can’t thank you enough for this. It really means the world to me,” James tells Tasha, Nash watching him, and I could be wrong, but I’m fairly certain he doesn’t have music playing. The earbuds are still in, but is he pretending to listen to music while listening to us instead?
“You’re doing a good job,” Tasha says, and I swear I could kiss her.
“I don’t know about that, but I’m trying.”
“I do. You’re here, and that says a lot. I’ve seen a lot of parents of biracial children not take the time to learn about their hair. It’s important that you learn and teach her to love her hair.”
“Yes. I definitely want to do that,” James says.
She offers another smile before returning to Sadie. My gaze catches with Nash’s, and he immediately looks away.
“I heard you like basketball,” I say, and feel James stiffen beside me.
“Yeah. So?” Nash replies. Okay, so he’s definitely angry. James had that right, but I figure he has a reason to be.
“I brought my ball. There’s a court right up the road. Want to go play?”
His excitement slips through, Nash sitting up and his eyes going wide before he tries to cover it.
“Colton played in high school,” Hannah says. “He wasgood, though not as good as me.”
“Oh, fuck off. I mean, that’s not true. Sorry.” I’m not used to being around kids.
“You can say fuck around us,” Nash says.
Okay, then, so Nash curses too. I’ll remember that.
“I think you can take him,” Hannah tells Nash.
“And I think my best friend is an asshole,” I counter, and…is he biting back a smile? He’s curious. I turn to James. “You wanna come play with us?”
“I didn’t say I was going.” Nash crosses his arms. “But one of us has to stay with Sadie.”
“She’s in good hands. It’ll be fun,” I add, hoping to get James and Nash spending time together.
“It’s fine,” Nash says, already back on his phone. “I’ll stay.”
But then James tells us, “You two go play. I’ll stay with Sadie.”
I wish like hell it was the two of them, or all three of us at least, but though this is the first time I’ve met Nash, I know he’s not leaving this salon unless James is here for Sadie. And they might not see it, but that means he trusts James.
I cock a brow, asking if he’s sure, and James nods, the appreciation clear on his face. I don’t doubt James wants to connect with Nash, but I think he’s nervous about trying.
“Okay.” I nod to Nash. “Let’s go.”
He gets up, putting his earbuds into his pocket.
I grab the ball, throwing a glance back over my shoulder at James, again trying to make sure he’s okay. James waves me off, and Nash and I head out the door.
On the short walk to the court, Nash asks, “You really like basketball, or is this just you trying to fucking bond with me or some shit?”
I laugh. “You’ve got quite the mouth on you.”
“So do you,” he counters, and I can’t say he’s wrong.
