On the way back to Taylor's parent's house Zoe fell asleep in the back seat of the car. I rubbed my cold hands together, the air conditioning was on too high. I looked out the window at the lights that blurred and flashed before me. The radio was on softly, so not to wake Zoe, and Taylor had started to get a little figedity.
"So wha-" I reached over and turned the music up a little louder, one of my favorite love songs was on. Taylor started up again. "Who's this? I know that song."
"Tonic, 'If You Could Only See'. Makes me think of this boy I was into in high school."
"I thought you were with Mac."
"It was when things were rough with him, I fell in love with this Irish boy, exchange student. He was just a friend, but this album had just come out, and I would listen to this song and think about him."
"What happened?"
"For about two weeks I was in love with him, and I thought 'I could be with this boy, I want to be with him'. Then I found out he was with some other girl, I didn't matter to him in that way."
"He never told you? That's weird."
"Yeah, I don't know why. I still can't really enjoy this song like I used to." I smirked, if the boy had not been with whoever that girl was, I would've left Mac in a second.
"So, you tired? I know that it was a lot of flying."
"Yeah, I'm wiped and not nuts about that much flying. How far away is your place?"
"Well it's about a half hour away from my parent's house. I don't know if you're going to want to meet them now?" I shook my head. "You just want to sleep?"
"I'm gonna be out for at least 12 hours, I couldn't believe that you didn't let me go home before coming here." He squirmed a bit. "You owe me big time."
"Okay." His voice was quiet.
We pulled into a large driveway behind huge white gates. I couldn't see their home very well, it wasn't very well lit, but I could make out that it was white, and rather large. They had to be one of the few families that would take up that much space. It was colonial style, the grounds were neatly kept, I noticed the characteristic red lines of security lasers in a few spots. They weren't very close to the city, few houses were by theirs. I had to wonder how different growing up was for Taylor's younger siblings, compared to the regular life that he and his brothers led. My thoughts were broken by Taylor's slam of his car door.
"Were you asleep?"
"Why did you make me come so soon?" My crankiness was shining through.
"I didn't think you'd mind. I didn't think it as that big of a deal."
"Hm."
"How's Miles?" I turned my head to look at him, he was being honest.
"He's better, he took it pretty hard." I didn't volunteer anymore information. "It was kinda good to get away. I had a bunch of interviews over there which helped the hype."
"When does the book come out?"
"Came out last month."
"Wait, so shouldn't you be on tour now?"
"Actually no. I always give myself a month or so to read letters and see what people are saying about it."
"Fan mail you mean?"
"Letters. I'm calling Rachel as soon as I get into your apartment to give her the addie, so they can be forwarded there."
"Sure." I yawned, my jaw cracking. He was a little on the quiet side, just as a comfortable silence had entered his car, my stomach grumbled. I smiled, giggling. "You're still hungry?"
"I suppose so. Can we stop off somewhere?"
"No problem, there's a supermarket five minutes away." I slid up in my seat and moved towards him, lightly kissing him on the cheek.
"Thanks."
I liked the way he leaned on the shopping cart. It wasn't showing boredom, just patience to my everlasting indecisiveness. I could tell that he did his own shopping, he knew where everything was, and what he already had in his fridge. He was patient with me, not the kind where the person is humoring you, he wasn't in a rush for anything. My hands danced over a bushel of rosy peaches, their fuzziness welcomed my fingers. I brought a heavy peach to my nose and breathed in the orchard, ripeness, and sweetness within my hand. I quickly bagged a half dozen and added it to the cart.
"Well you've got your fruit and bagels, ready to go?" I paused, holding in the question like a hard candy in my mouth.
"No." He waited.
"C'mon, what else?"
"Can we get a movie?"
"What?"
"I'm in the mood for 'The Matchmaker'."
"No, you're going to sleep." He smiled, catching my bluff.
"Well, you're not going to watch me the whole time. Get it, it's one of my favorites."
"And why is that?"
"It's so funny, and David O'Hara is great in it. You've never seen it, have you?"
"No, but I'm going to sleep too, it's still," he looked at his wrist, "12:37 am."
"I'm sleeping till at least 11, just get it. I love that movie."
"Fine, whatever. Wait here a second, I'll get it." He sprinted off to the movie section of the store, a minute later came back with the tape in hand. "Okay, lets get you back to get some shut eye."
I fell asleep in the car. I felt lips on my neck that made me shiver with the unexpected kiss. I looked into Taylor's guiless eyes, that smooth, dark aqua. I knew I smelled of alcohol and traveling, not entirely entertaining scents, but he seemed to breathe me in. Completely. The magnetivity between our skin was quick and instinctal. As our lips neared I heard a whisper from his lips.
"I'm sorry."
"Why?"
"I never should have let you go." I felt a salty-sweet tear on my red hot cheek from him. "If you could only see the way I love you, you'd never leave me."
I leaned forward, drinking him in. He drew back slowly. "Promise me."
"Promise you what?"
"That you're not going to leave." I paused, looking into his desperate eyes.
"I promise." I took his hand and held it firmly within my own, holding his gaze and commiting to him for the rest of my life.