Here & Now // T. Hall Sequel

Chapter 13

The NHL: Where you can go to camp during an investigation of sexual assault, but you can't be late.

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I had a few days with Taylor before he left on the east coast trip. Or, I guess I left before him. But before I went to the eastern part of the country I had a lot to do. I made a list, just like my mother would have done. I didn't have the best relationship with my parents, mainly because they wanted a daughter that was somewhat presentable. Not one that was the mastermind behind the senior prank. They loved me anyways, Dad was more than happy to let me on the board of the company when he knew I would be graduating with honors. Between the two of us, we knew that my sisters were going to end up with charity work as trophy wives.

And that would have fit them very well. I mean, they took care of me in high school and college. They were great with kids. What I'm trying to get at is, basically they were everything I'm not. I'm okay with that. Ever since the night in Vegas, I was okay with who I was. I mean, if I could get someone to fall for me after a day of bitching, I must not be that bad. Me being a mother, that's going to be a shitstorm.

"I'm going to get my hair done." I kissed Taylor on the cheek before grabbing my coat.

"No more purple?" He looked kind of sad when I told him that.

"The night you found out my hair was purple, you were pissed and called me a whore."

"I think those days are pretty far gone." He leaned in for another kiss, not planning to part for air any time soon.

"I'm going to be late, I love you Taylor."

"I'll see you when you get home."

I slowly peeled off my layers as I walked into the salon. Kari greeted me with a hug, taking me back to her booth.

"No more purple?"

"Well I kind of want to get back to my natural color for the wedding.." I held up my ring to show her. I honestly didn't expect her to start screaming.

"Oh my! That ring is gorgeous!"

"I'm surprised you didn't already know, honestly. I feel like it's been the hot topic lately."

"Taylor Hall settling down? Never though the day would come so early."

"What? You got Hallsy to put a ring on it?" One of the other stylists came over to talk about my ring. "This is gorgeous. He picked out the right one. You two are so cute together."

I blushed, looking down at the floor. This was never going to be normal for me. I mean, I was used to my family trying to get me to date the senator's son and the trust fund babies but I was okay with just sleeping with them and going home alone.

I don't know when and I don't know how, but Taylor changed that.

"Are you really having it this summer? That is really soon." The other woman asked me as Kari applied the bleach to my hair.

"Yeah, that's when he wanted it. We have engagement pictures tomorrow after his practice, I fly to Toronto tomorrow night and I'll go dress shopping with his mom and some of my friends. Oh, and I'll find a location there or maybe Kingston."

"What are your colors? Black and white?" She joked.

"You know me so well."

"Getting this girl into any sort of color is unreal. She rarely wears orange and blue." Okay I couldn't really argue with that one. Mainly because I hate those colors. I'd just do anything for Taylor.