Killian sat in the salon chair as he allowed his hairstylist to do his hair. He hated doing his own hair with a passion.
Going to the salon would sometimes make him feel uncomfortable so he was grateful to Karis for having her own suite. He's a handsome young man with tattoos and carries himself well—any woman would fall for that.
"I'm tired of these regular ass twists." Karis said as she applied braiding gel to his roots.
Karis and Killian have been best friends since middle school. Karis went to cosmetology school while Killian went off to the University of Alabama where he played college football. They were still close and always kept in contact.
Killian stopped playing professional football after spending four seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. He returned home to Memphis and is now the head coach for the varsity football team at Melrose High School and one of the tenth grade math teachers. He also tattoos at his father's shop when he's bored and needs something to do.
"This is my signature look. What else am I supposed to get?" Killian asked.
"How about I pick your style next time?" Karis suggested.
Killian scoffed. "Girl, you'll have me looking crazy."
"No I won't." Karis said. "You can trust me—and it'll be on me."
"Shit, say no mo'." Killian said, making Karis laugh.
After Karis was done with his twists, she lined him up and cleaned up his fade and facial hair. Killian looked in the mirror and showed off his charming smile as he examined himself.
"The hoes gon love this." Karis teased.
Killian laughed. "Definitely." He said. "I'm about to stop by the daycare and get my baby."
Karis has a four year old daughter, Zuri. Zuri's father was tragically killed in a car wreck when she was one and Killian stepped up more to the plate and became a father figure to Zuri. He is her favorite person and he is known as Uncle K to her. Karis was also no contact with her father, stepmother, and half siblings so having Killian and his family was a big help.
"I'm about to take you, Amaru, and Micah off the pick up list because y'all love picking her up early." Karis told him.
"Girl, please." Killian said as he shoved money in her pocket. "It's summertime and the kids I teach in summer school get out at noon so she can get out at three."
Karis rolled her eyes. "Whatever, Kill."
"Meet us at Big Mama's, aight?" Killian said with a big smile.
Karis smiled back. "Okay, Killian. I'll meet y'all there."
"I know you will." Killian stood up from the chair and gave her a hug. "See you later."
Killian walked out of the suite and Karis pulled out the money he stuffed in her pocket. She found that he gave her $150 instead of $60, which is how much she charges for natural twists and an extra $25 for the added services he had. Karis shook her head as she placed the money back into her pocket.
-
"Big Zuri—not the little one!" Micah shouted as he picked the little girl up from Big Mama's lap, making her squeal. He gave her a kiss on the cheek then gave Big Mama a kiss as well. "What y'all up to?"
"Watching my stories." Big Mama said. "You better be lucky it's on commercial while you walking in here with all of that commotion. You were much more quiet when you were young."
Micah chuckled. "Where's Yan?"
"He went to go get us some food because I didn't feel like cooking. My arthritis ain't on my side today." Big Mama replied.
