Chapter one hundred and eighty-six:

Taylor finished reading off the list of coffees to the barista at Starbucks.

While waiting for their plane to be announced, Taylor had suggested getting some much needed coffee. Luckily there was a Starbucks in the airport.

Zac had gone along to help carry the coffees.

Taylor paid the barista and shoved his wallet back into the back pocket of his jeans.

“So how did your date last night go?” Taylor asked.

Zac shrugged. “Good… it was good. We both had a good time.”

“And… did you?”

Zac sighed and avoided his brother’s gaze. “Well, we made out and…”

“And…”

“We were both kind of tired, so we ended up just going to sleep.”

“Awww… dude.” Taylor chuckled. “I thought you were going to follow my advice.”

“I am… I mean, the right moment will come along… we both want to do it… just last night wasn’t it, you know?”

Taylor laughed and accepted the tray of coffees, smiling smoothly at the barista, who flushed slightly. “Are you sure we’re related?”

Zac laughed. “I don’t know… Look, I’m sure it will happen, I just don’t want to push anything. You know?”

“A wise idea, and of course you have the next couple of weeks together. You know how girls get around weddings…”

“Weepy?” Zac laughed.

“Well, that too.” Taylor laughed.

Zac cleared his throat. “You know what? I really don’t want to talk about it right now. How are things with you and Jen?”

Taylor sighed. “There really wasn’t a future there.”

“But you’re crazy about her. You’ve had a thing for her for almost a year now.”

“I know that… but she loves Luke. And I really don’t think she’ll ever be happy with me, as much as it kills me to say it.”

“But I thought she kissed you-“

“At the concert? No, I kissed her. She kissed me the second time.”

“Okay, but if she kissed you, that means she must like you.”

“Maybe… but I think it’s mostly because she misses Luke. She was lonely and vulnerable and I was there. I just need to be the bigger man here.”

“Wow, that’s odd. I would have thought you would have thrown your morals out the window to get laid.”

“Normally, I probably would have, but this is Jen. She’s a friend first.”

“Right.”

(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)

Jen flopped into her seat on the plane with a heavy sigh. She hadn’t slept all night long, only sneaking into her room well after she was sure everyone had gone to sleep. She closed her eyes tightly, hoping that she could pass herself off as asleep so she wouldn’t have to talk to anyone.

“Hey, Jen.” Becky said cheerily, plopping down next to her friend.

Jen mumbled a response.

“Don’t pretend to be asleep. I know you’re awake.”

Jen sighed and opened her eyes. “Fine.”

“So what did you do last night?”

“Nothing. I don’t want to talk about it. How was your night? You went out with Zac, right?”

“Yeah, I did. We went bowling. We had a great time. But I want to talk about you.”

“I don’t.”

“Aww, honey, I know-“

“Don’t. Don’t infantilize me, alright?”

“Alright. Sorry.” Becky held up her hands defensively.

Jen dropped her forehead into her palm. “No… It’s… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that. I’m just tired. I didn’t sleep.”

“That’s okay.” Becky smiled.

They both sat quietly for a moment.

“I called him.”

Becky sat foreword. “Who?”

“Luke.”

“What did he say? What’s going to happen? Are you getting back together?”

“I don’t know.” Jen paused. “We’re just going to meet and talk, when we get to Tulsa.”

“That’s good. You’re getting somewhere, steps to work things out, right?”

“Yeah.” Jen drew in a deep breath. “I hope so.”

“Girls?”

Becky and Jen looked up to see Christy standing in the aisle. 

“Got room for one more?” She asked.

“Of course.” Becky laughed. Both girls slid over and lifted up the center arm piece, so the three could squeeze in to two seats.

“Want to watch cheesy plane movies?”

“Sure.” Jen forced a smile.

 

 

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