Chapter eighty:
Taylor led Jenna through an empty park. It was after dark and after midnight and not surprisingly, the place was deserted.

With the cool breeze rushing through the empty park, the place looked slightly eerie, a complete opposite of what it was like when the place was filled with children throughout the day.

It was a cool night for the beginning of summer, but Jen had practically begged him to take her for a walk, she claimed she was desperate to get out of the house.

Taylor had hoped they could use the time to talk, although neither had spoken since they had left the house.

“Jen? Can we talk?” He asked, wiping his sweaty palms on his jeans.

The breeze was cool, and yet he was still sweating profusely.

“Sure.” She smiled sweetly.

Taylor suddenly realized she had no idea of the information he was about to confess to her. He felt almost guilty.

He led her over to a set of swings and sat next to her.

“Tay? What’s wrong?” She kicked her feet in the sand.

He sighed and tightly grasped the chains of her swing, pulling her close so their knees were touching and she had no other option but to look at him. “I haven’t been completely honest with you, or myself.”

“Okay…” She said slowly.

“Do you have anything to say to me?” He needed to hear anything to lighten the mood. Perhaps it was a hope and desperation that she might confess the same feelings for him.

She drew in a deep breath. “I’m sorry, Tay. Yesterday I borrowed your razor to shave my bikini zone. I know it was wrong, but a wax costs thirty dollars and the commercials are right… five blades really are better than one!”

A mixture of disgust and alarm crossed his face.

Jenna finally burst into a fit of laughter. “Oh my god! I was kidding! I would never do something so gross!” She pulled a bottle of rum from the inside pocket of her sweater. “Why are you so serious?”

“Where did you get that?” He questioned.

“The liquor store. It’s amazing what a short skirt and a little cleavage can do.”

Taylor sighed and rolled his eyes. “That’s wonderful.”

“Hey, I’ve got to learn something from Christy.” She laughed.

“And after the last time you got drunk?” Taylor found it quite ironic that the last time she drank she practically threw herself at him, and this time he was about to do the same to her.

She shrugged. “I’m not trying to get drunk; I’m just trying to have a little freedom. You should loosen up.” She passed the bottle to him.

He considered a little liquid courage wouldn’t be so bad. He took a swig and actually enjoyed the burning liquid as it melted into his throat.

“Come on, what were you going to tell me?”

“Well… I…” He paused to consider his words carefully. In the end, he decided to be bold and took another drink from the bottle. “Remember before when I said I liked you? Three years ago, I said I wanted to be with you. And I know we’re great friends, you’re one of my best friends. And now… I think… I think I’m falling in love with…you”

Her eyes widened in complete shock. “Taylor…”

“No, I know. You’re with Luke now, and you’re happy with him… but I… I just don’t know how much longer I can keep hiding these feelings. I wish they weren’t there, but they are and I can’t keep pretending.”
Perhaps it was the rum, but he moved forward and kissed her lips.

After a second of shock, Jenna pushed him away, but he held onto her swing tightly so she couldn’t go anywhere, and so she couldn’t run away. He’d opened a fresh wound, and he was going to do his best to mend it while it was oozing.

She shoved him hard, “How dare you! How dare you kiss me like that, knowing I’m with Luke! I’m happy with Luke!”

“Are you? Are you really happy with Luke?” He challenged.

She paused, perhaps a little too long, then answered in a calmer tone. “Yes. It may not be easy, and it may not be completely perfect, but I care about him a lot.”

Taylor had never actually been hurt in such a way before. It was a million times more painful than being kneed in a particularly tender area.

“Tay, you’re one of my best friends… I don’t understand how this can happen… I mean, I tell you things I don’t tell anyone else, and you still feel this way?”

He nodded.

“Even after that story about borrowing your razor? That didn’t completely repulse you?”

“Well…” He chuckled.

“Ugh, that’s disgusting!” She made a face. “Tay, I can’t… I don’t understand. Why? Why do you feel this way?”

“I… I don’t know… I just do.”

“Why? I’m not pretty, I’m not fun. I’m so bitchy and stubborn! You have a million girls throw themselves at you, and you choose me?”

“I don’t know, Jen. You can’t help it. You love who you love…”

“Tay…” She sighed. “Take me home.”

“Wait, this doesn’t make things weird between us does it?” He asked in alarm.

“I hope not.” She smiled sympathetically.

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