Chapter 21 Without You
21.
(Taylor)
I had Zac help me get into the shower and I took extra long shaving, putting my best cologne on, and I took care with my clothes, too.
Zac eyed me up and down, “What's going on, Tay? You are way to chipper for a night in at Aunt Mary's.”
I shrugged, “Maybe I feel like my life is turning around.”
Zac's brown eyes narrowed, “Okay, I'll bite, what's going on? Did something happen between you and Lily today? You've both been acting weird ever since.”
I shook my head, “No, why is she acting weird?”
Zac studied me hard, “I don't know, she's acting like she got caught doing something naughty. You're acting like a rooster in a hen house, which leads me to believe there was more than four wheeling going on out on that trail today.”
I blushed and looked away. I didn't want to betray Lily, but I did feel like blurting the story to someone. Only, I didn't think Zac would be the best person for me to do that with.
Instead I shrugged, “I don't know what you're talking about, but I feel good about conquering that ATV today. I have been taking more steady steps on the crutches and everything feels like it's going the way it should be.”
Zac shook his head, obviously not believing me, he stood at the door, “I hope she's not that stupid.” For the first time in a long time he sounded good natured.
I smiled at my brother, “I wish you could just believe me.”
He snorted and pulled the door open, “If she's still a free woman, then maybe I should step up my efforts.”
I watched helplessly as he headed down the hall.
It was hard at dinner, when Lily didn't come down and told Jenny she had a headache. I kept searching for her. I wondered if she really had a headache or if she was avoiding me. I picked through my meal dying to get back to the room so I could check in on her. I chided myself for acting like a lovesick dope.
My Uncle Chris asked us if we would play some music with the family and Isaac piped up, “We'd love to.”
I thought to myself, “Who said?” My good mood was fading, but I couldn't very well act like Lily's absence was the reason or Zac would pounce all over that shit. So, I situated my wheelchair in front of the old piano. Isaac picked up his guitar and Zac grabbed a tambourine. Uncle Chris and his kids took out their instruments and soon we were jamming along and I lost all track of time.
Playing those old rock and roll songs made me feel happy deep in my soul. I looked around to see that Lily had come into the room. She looked so good to me. Her hair was pulled back off her face and I could see the little pink mark I had left by her ear, when we had been on the side of the trail. Remembering her little shiver when I had nibbled my way across the delicate skin made me smile.
She smiled and gave me a little wave as she stopped to say a few words to my aunt. She said a few words to everyone as she slowly made her way to my side.
“I didn't know there was going to be a concert.” She put her hand on my arm and squeezed gently, a gesture I understood to be reassuring.
“You know us Hanson boys. We love to play our music.”
“I wish I would've known, I would have come down to catch it.” She smiled and moved to sit on the piano bench next to my wheelchair.
Zac sauntered up to her, “Hey Lily. Feeling better?”
She blushed and I wondered how she expected to keep things under wraps if she was going to blush every time someone spoke to her.
“Yeah, I feel better.” she mumbled before getting up to go sit outside.
“Was it something I said?” Zac looked at me, his face puzzled.
I shrugged, I had no idea of what the heck was going on. “Dunno.” I followed her out to the porch. “Hey, Lilz, what's going on?”
She shrugged, “Nothing, why?”
“You didn't come down for dinner and you seem really distracted.” I rolled closer to her, “We can go for a walk if you want.”
She shook her head, “I'm fine.” She reached out and took my hand. She looked sad and anxious. I wondered what was going on.
I searched her eyes for some sort of understanding but found nothing, only something that looked the opposite of how I was feeling, and that made no sense to me.
(Lily)
By the time Taylor joined me out on the porch, my insides were a jumble. Here he was, looking and smelling so good, I wanted nothing more than to drag him back to our room and make out with him- at the very least. But my professional responsibilities to him hung heavily in my mind.
“Did you really have a headache?” He brought my fingers up to his lips kissing the knuckles softly, making my resolve melt. “Should we go get you something to eat?”
This was the Taylor that made the girls want to give up their life savings, for one chance to be in his presence. I understood it, had been fighting it almost from the moment we met. I looked around to see if anyone was out by us and I leaned in, “I'm fine.” I kissed him on the cheek, inhaling the scent of his expensive cologne.
He gave me a half smile and asked softly as I sat on the porch swing, “Will you help me get on that with you?”
I grinned, “Promise not to grumble the entire time?”
He smirked, “Fine.”
I got him on the swing and sat next to him. My heart fluttered as he took my hand in his. I chastised myself for acting like such a little school girl. It wasn't like he was the first boy to ever show interest in me, but the simple act of holding my hand sending me into a tizzy.
We swung in silence, holding hands as the lights in the house, one by one, were turned off. Taylor checked his phone, it was well after one in the morning. I sat up and stretched, “I think I'm going to go to bed, want me to help you into your chair?”
He nodded. He put his arm around my neck like he had so many times before, only this time when he was seated he held on longer, pulling me down, “In case you run up and lock your door, goodnight.” He kissed me softly.
I found myself leaning in trying to get as close as I could, I pulled back, my breath shaky, and I couldn't stop the words that tumbled out of my mouth, “The door won't be locked.”