I stepped into Taylor’s room and wasn’t even fazed by the fact that there was only one small double bed. I set my stuff down and looked around. This room was nicer than mine, but then again, the girls had already trashed the place by the time I got in there.
“At least I wouldn’t be crowded and unable to see from a cloud of smoke,” I said.
“I’m sorry there’s only one bed. I’ll sleep on the floor if it makes you uncomfortable. Just until we get to the next hotel and I can get a room with two.”
“No, it’s alright,” I said. “You can stay in the bed with me. I don’t mind, just no funny stuff.” Taylor smiled.
“I’ll try to contain myself. You’re just so Goddamn sexy, Nic.”
“I know I am.” We both laughed.
“How are you holding out with Lauryn? I know you’re not quite over Zac yet.”
“No, I’m not over him. I don’t like Lauryn. I personally think she’s a Prima Donna stuck up bitch and she can just go to hell for all I care.”
“She’s still pretty.”
“Yeah. But she’s your kind of pretty. She looks like a person you would date, not the type of person Zac would.”
“God knows I want to. I want them to break up so I can have her.” A thought crossed my mind.
“We can do it,” I said, knowing how cheesy I sounded. “I can get all buddy-buddy with Zac again, you can get to be friends with Lauryn, and we can split them apart.”
“Nic, that’s evil.”
“I’m willing to do anything, Taylor! I just want him back. He doesn’t deserve to be with her. She’s not right for him.”
“I didn’t say I didn’t want to do it.”
“So you’re in? You get Lauryn, I get Zac.” I stuck out my hand and he shook it.
“Deal. And to make it more in interesting, you need to pose as my girlfriend. If they think we’re together, it’ll be less obvious that we’re trying to break them up.”
“Alright,” I said, grinning. “Honey.”
“Honey.” It felt weird. But, I’d do just about anything to get Zac back. As I looked over at Taylor, I thought about what I just did. I am a terrible person.
Climbing onto the bed, that that just continued its course through my brain, enjoying its cruise on my train of thought. I couldn’t just back out now, I mean I made a deal and everything. Taylor had a made crush on Lauryn. I could tell already. And I was still in love with Zac, but this wasn’t the way to go. I’m so bad.
I wondered if Zac still did the ropes with the new girls. Were there even any ropes to show? Would he still sleep with them as they came, or were there just not any new girls? I did notice that there wasn’t that much sex anymore. They did calm down a lot. The only ones who still were addicted were the girls. Everyone else either quit or were slowing. I’m sure both Isaac and Darling completely quit (if they were married, I’m sure they’d want to have kids and drugs weren’t good for that). The element was still there, just not as bright as it had been before.
“I’m going to take a shower,” I told Taylor and walked into the bathroom, grabbing my bag along the way.
“Okay, don’t take all the hot water,” he told me, smiling.
“I will, don’t worry.”
I started the shower and looked at myself in the mirror. This was going to work. I’ll get my back, Taylor will get Lauryn, and we’ll all be happy. No one will know it’s on purpose; it’ll just be wonderful. Perfectly wonderful. But, why do I feel so bad? As I hopped into the shower, I heard Zac’s voice in the main room.
“Hey Taylor, who’s in the shower?” I could barely make it out the shower was so loud. Dammit! And I wanted to hear!
“Oh, it’s just Nic.”
“Nic? Isn’t she staying with the girls? Why is she here?” Zac asked. I could hear a twinge of jealousy in his voice. It made me smile.
“No, she’s staying with me. Why wouldn’t she?”
“Cause she’s staying with the girls.”
“She's my girlfriend, why would she stay with the girls?” I bit my lip in excitement. I wanted to know what he was going to think about this.
“What? Why? For how long?”
“It’s been a while now.” Yeah, five minutes at the most. I was happy he sounded upset, but I was guilty at the same time.
“And she had the nerve to bitch to me about Lauryn when she had you. I cannot believe this!”
“Zac, quiet down! She could hear you.” No! Don’t quiet down. I want to hear. “Dude, I know she’s still in love with you, but look at Lauryn! She’s an airhead!”
“I can understand because you don’t tend to go for girls like that. I personally don’t mind that she’s still in love with you.” Taylor paused. “Are you still in love with Nic?”
Zac mumbled something I couldn’t hear. Dammit! He told me before, but I didn’t know if he would tell Taylor or not. “I need to talk to her.” Suddenly the door opened and Zac walked in.
“Zac!” I yelled, seeing him through the mirror. “Get out!”
“I need to talk to you. Don’t worry I can’t see you and it’s not like I haven’t seen it before anyway.”
“What?” I asked, feeling really uncomfortable. I was almost done; I just had to wash my hair.
“You made this big fucking deal over me dating Lauryn when you’re dating Taylor! What the hell is up with that?”
“Lauryn’s not your type.”
“Hello? Taylor! Nicole, he is the farthest away from your type! I would never guess you to date him. Nic, God!”
“No, I’m not God.” I rinsed the shampoo out of my hair and shut off the water. “How do you know my type anyway?”
“How do you know mine?”
I stuck my hand out of the shower. “Towel.” He gave me a towel and I dried myself off before I wrapped it around myself and stepped out of the shower. “I’m sorry, Zac. I know you a little bit more than you know me.”
“Yeah, a year ago. I’ve changed.”
“So have I.”
“Obviously, if you could revert to something Amber did.”
“What me and Amber did are two very different things. I’m just dating him; I didn’t sleep with him when I was going out with you! We are very much broken up, Zac, if you haven’t noticed.”
“Then will you stop it?”
“Stop what? I’m not doing anything! I told you I’d leave you and Lauryn alone a half an hour ago and I will. I haven’t bugged you about her. I’m not doing it now.”
I could tell he didn’t know what to say, so he moved on. “Why Taylor? Of everyone in the world you are capable of dating, why did you pick my brother?”
“Because he was the only one. There are not a zillion guys running after me, Zac. At Darling and Isaac’s wedding, he and I got to talking and I realized what a great guy he is.”
“We’re talking about the same guy here, right? My brother? Jordan Taylor Hanson?”
“Why are you so skeptical?”
“Because it doesn’t seem like you. You’re not the same Nic anymore. I loved you, Nic. I never wanted anything to change.”
“Well it did. My last year has been hell for me. I got kicked out of school and took forever to go back and find another one. Plus I had to go to rehab…”
“You got kicked out of school?”
“Yes! I was on drugs all the time. They caught me and kicked me out. My mother kicked me out of the house. I stayed with Darling for a month and a half in her apartment. She got me to clean up my act and I went into rehab. After that I was allowed to go back to school.”
“My God.”
“And all that time I was thinking about you and how much you hurt me. Then I went to the wedding and you wouldn’t even look at me! Goddammit Zac, you were everything to me then you go and crush me! That’s why I went to Taylor. He would actually pay attention to me. He was the only one who went after me when I ran out of there crying because of you.”
I looked at Zac’s face. He was really hurt. I had been too, even if half of that story was a lie. Taylor didn’t have anything to do with me then. He and I never really did talk, but I needed a story.
“I’m sorry.”
“Go. I need to get changed.” He left the bathroom and I got changed. I walked out of the bathroom with my bag and set it down. I climbed onto the bed.
“What’d you say?” Taylor asked. “He just stormed out of here with an upset look on his face.”
“Upset how?”
“Like really sad.”
“Alright! I laid this guilt trip on him. It was classic. I mentioned that we’ve been dating since Darling and Isaac’s wedding.”
“That’s cool.”
“Yeah I said that he really hurt me then and that you were the only one who really paid attention to me. What were you doing then?” He smiled.
“All the bridesmaids.” I rolled my eyes. “Well, not all of them. Most of them. Some of them at the same time.”
“You’re horrible.”
“I know. But I was on a roll, I couldn’t help myself.”
“You’re just an everyday charmer, now aren’t you?” I asked.
“Of course. I could get just about anybody in bed.”
“Really?”
“Well you’re in a bed right now. So technically, I got you in bed.”
“Oh, alright. But you’re not about to do anything to me in here. You can be my fake boyfriend all you like, but there’s no sex here—fake or real.” Taylor plopped on the bed next to me.
“Oh, come on.”
“Sorry, babe.”
“You’re no fun. I’m stuck with a girlfriend and I can’t even do anything with her.”
“Sorry. You’ve got a prude for a girlfriend. Don’t worry; you can always cheat on me. Just don’t let me find out when there’s other people around.”
“Okay.”
“I don’t know how I can respond to that if there’s somebody with me.” He shrugged.
“You’ve got to be surprised at first, then you’ve got to be really angry. If it’s too early for us to break up, then you’ll have to forgive me.”
“Alright, just be careful, okay?” He nodded. “Great. I’m going to sleep. See you in the morning.”
“Goodnight.”
“And if I wake up and any part of your body is touching any part of mine that it shouldn’t, I’ll beat your ass. Goodnight.”
“Oh my God!”
I opened my eyes wide. Darling’s voice penetrated the room and I knew it couldn’t be good. “Nicole Lynn King, get your ass out of that bed right this instant!”
I groaned and crawled out of the bed. Taylor was still asleep next to me, not fazed by Darling’s yell. I looked up and took a step back. Darling and Isaac, had accumulated by the door.
“What a greeting. Hi,” I said, waving. “Show’s over. Everyone can leave now. Except Darling, I need to talk to you.”
They left after much begging on my part. Darling stayed behind, waiting for an explanation. “Mind telling me what this is about? Zac told Isaac that you and Taylor are dating now?” I glanced back at Taylor.
“Yes we are.”
“Since when?”
“Since your wedding.”
“Bullshit. Taylor’s slept with every other girl in the country since my wedding. He has not been with you all that time.”
“But Zac doesn’t know that.”
“No, he doesn’t.” Darling paused. “Are you really dating Taylor? I mean, for real?”
“No! Why would I? Taylor’s the last person I’d date. We’re pulling a ploy so Taylor can get Lauryn and I can get Zac.”
“Nicole!”
“What?”
“That’s horrible! Now that Zac has a new girlfriend you pull dating Taylor and try to break them up!” Darling yelled. She realized something and put her hands over her mouth. “That’s exactly how Amber did it.” I shook my head.
“No, I’m nothing like her.”
“You’re exactly like her! You are doing the same exact thing she did! You are Amber in every way, shape and form.”
“No! No I’m not!” I yelled. “I’m not like her! I’m not being her, I hate her!”
“Nicole, you have to stop this. You’re doing what Amber did and look where she is now.”
“Where is she?” I asked. “I know she’s not here, so where is she?”
“She’s in rehab right now. She had a heroin overdose and she nearly died. Her heart stopped, just like I said it would.”
“Really? A heroin overdose? I guess that was what it took to get her off drugs. But Darling, I’ve been in rehab before. I’ve overdosed before. I’m not like that anymore.”
“You’re just like her. Now you know how she felt when you came along. She was insanely jealous, calling you a bitch and wanting to kill you, just because you were the new girl in Zac’s life. So she broke you two up and it didn’t get her anywhere. Nic, Zac will find out one way or another.”
“He’s not going to find out. And anyway, Zac said he still loves me. He didn’t still love her when he was dating me.”
“He did have feelings for her. I do remember you coming to me about that.” I sat down on the edge of the bed, thinking. It was true. “Nic, you should have come to me about this before you made any deals with Taylor. You’re in a predicament now, and you can’t just ease you way out of it. Zac thinks you and Taylor are dating. You can’t call if off now. You can’t take anything back. Now you have to have a durable relationship with Taylor in front of Zac and Lauryn. He’s been through this before. He’ll know what you’re doing.”
I sighed. “Okay.”
“Just think about what you did.” Darling left, leaving me to only think. But I couldn’t just sit there and think, not when I could be doing something. I checked Taylor; he was still asleep. I quickly changed into my rather new style. My pants weren't baggy anymore, except for a flare below the knee. I put on my midriff and as I grabbed my flannel to put it on, I looked at it. I sighed and put it back in my bag.
I walked over to Taylor. “Tay,” I said, smirking at my new pet name for him. I don’t care if everyone else in the world thought it was his nickname; no one actually called him that besides his family. “Tay, wake up.” I shook him, rather violently, until he woke up.
“What? What? What do you want?” he asked, turning over and looking up at me. “Someone’s looking pretty today.” I blushed.
“Thank you. I’m going out for some breakfast. You want anything?” I asked.
“Where are you going?”
“Just to McDonald’s or something. I’m itching for an Egg McMuffin.” To prove my point, I itched my stomach. He didn’t notice because he was still half asleep. He nodded and turned around.
“Sure. Just get me one of those and some coffee.”
“Anything else?”
“No, that’s fine.”
“I’m half expecting you to want ten or something.”
“I’m not Zac. I don’t eat as much as him.”
“Okay. I’ll be back.” I grabbed his keys off the table. He couldn’t complain about me taking his car, as long as I was his ‘girlfriend.’ (And we were supposed to be serious anyway) As I walked out in the hall, I saw Zac leave his room and start walking to the elevators.
“Hey,” he said. “Where are you going?”
“I was going to McDonald’s for some breakfast. How about you?”
“I was actually just heading there myself. Do you know where one is?” he asked. I shook my head. “Alright, I’m taking you there.”
“No, I’ll find it.” He shook his head. “Give me more credit than that, Zac. I can find a McDonald’s and get back here.”
“You’ll find it, I’m sure. You just won’t find your way back. I live here. I know what I’m doing. You’re coming with me.”
“Well, I guess I’m coming with you.” I followed him to the elevators.
“How were you planning on getting there anyway?” he asked. “It’s too far to walk.” I jingled Taylor’s keys.
“I was going to take Tay’s car.”
“Tay? He actually lets you call him that?” I nodded. “Damn, he didn’t even let Amber call him that, and he loved her to no end.” I only shrugged. He only let me call him that because he didn’t really know yet. He was too tired to comprehend. “And he actually lets you take his car?”
“Yes.”
“Damn,” Zac said again. “No one even touches his car, let alone drive it anywhere. He must really take a shine to you.”
“I guess so.” He pressed the button for the elevator. It was already at our floor, so we stepped inside.
“Then again, it’s not very hard to do that. There’s something about you that’s irresistible.”
“It’s all part of my charm.” He looked at me and then over my clothes. Normally an once-over would offend me, but I knew he was just wondering what was different.
“You’re not wearing your flannel.”
“No, I’m not.” He smiled. This was already starting off well. The tour just started and we were becoming friends again. Maybe, in my greatest hopes, we’d get back together again. But, then again, that was in my greatest hopes.
The doors opened and we walked through the lobby to the parking lot. He led me to a car—Louie’s car. I remembered it. I got in the passenger’s side and instantly recognized the smell of weed. I didn’t want to say anything, but the smell was intoxicating. It better be a quick ride, or I’d be upset.
It’d been a while since I’d been with Zac this long. Sure, we weren’t going very far, but my alone time with him was rather nonexistent. "I’m sorry if I’m being redundant," he said, interrupting my thought process, "but I could never picture you and Taylor as a couple."
“Now you know how I feel.”
“What’s so wrong with Lauryn?”
“What’s so wrong with Taylor? If you can date her, I can date him.”
“I—I just don’t get it,” Zac said. I looked over at him. He had been looking at me, and our eyes met. I quickly tore away, his innocence and my guilt overwhelming me. And I haven’t even done anything yet. “But nevermind. I shouldn’t say anything. It’s your life, and I have no part in it anymore.” That just made me feel worse. He was openly admitting that he had no part in what I did with my life, yet I was ready to take complete control in his.
“I found out there’s a symphony in Salt Lake City when we have a night off. I asked Lauryn already, but she’s not interested. I know you are, so do you want to go?”
I had to admit he shocked my by asking me to go with him. I’m sure he meant it as friends, but I couldn’t help but wonder what would come of it. “Sure. I’d love to.”
“Alright. It’s a date then.” I saw as his involuntarily flinched, realizing what he said. “I mean, great.”
“When is it?”
“In about three days.”
“Okay. I’m looking forward to it.”
“I don’t understand why Lauryn didn’t want to go. It’s a symphony. It’s just about as romantic as a date can get. She doesn’t do those sort of things. She likes movies and dinner at a restaurant.”
“That’s so boring. At least we used to go to fun places.”
“Yeah, but there’s no ‘we’ anymore.”
He pulled up to a McDonald’s and I told him what Taylor and I wanted. He paid for everything, much to my disapproval.
“If you don’t let me pay, we just won’t get the food,” he told me.
“But…”
“No. I’m paying. I can’t let you pay knowing I have enough.”
“Fine.” I took the bag from him and sorted out what was mine and what was his.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Sure,” I said, resisting the urge to make a crack about it like we always used to.
“Are you happy with Taylor?”
“As happy as I can be.” As happy as I can be when it’s not you… He didn’t get the hidden meaning in that. Or maybe he did and he didn’t let me know. Either way, I regretted saying it.
“Alright.”