Back To You

Unspoken truths (4)

The next morning, I woke up to an unusual silence. Everyone else must've already left for work without bothering to wake me. I grabbed my phone from the bedside table—there was a message from Olivia.

Hey, it's just you and Tayler today. Everyone else's at work. Try not to murder each other, lol.

I sighed, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. Just me and Tayler. Great.

Dragging myself out of bed, I shuffled downstairs, hoping for a quick coffee before running into him. I was halfway to the kitchen when I heard footsteps behind me.

I froze.

Tayler appeared in the doorway, hair messy, eyes still heavy with sleep, and no shirt on. Of course.

He caught my gaze and, without missing a beat, gave me that lazy, half-smile of his. "Well, look who's up early."

I rolled my eyes but kept my voice steady. "Morning."

He leaned casually against the doorframe, eyeing me like he was waiting for some kind of reaction. "Need help with anything? I could use some company while I get my day started."

I fought the urge to blush and shook my head. "No thanks. But if you're looking for your shirt, it might still be upstairs."

He smirked. "Ouch. Fair."

I didn't stick around to see if he had more to say. I poured my coffee and tried to ignore how close he was standing—too close, like old habits dying hard.

After a moment, he disappeared upstairs. I took a sip, savoring the bitter warmth, when suddenly the doorbell rang.

Tayler came back down, now dressed. A woman's voice followed him in—bright, light, and unfamiliar. My stomach tightened.

She was tall and blonde, with perfect waves in her hair. Casual but polished.

Before I could process it, Tayler turned to me quickly, almost too quickly.

"Mads, this is Charly," he said, like he was ticking off a checklist.

Charly smiled politely but her eyes sharpened as she looked me over, like she was trying to figure me out.

"Hi," she said, voice warm but guarded.

I managed a tight smile. "Hey."

Without missing a beat, Tayler wrapped an arm around Charly's shoulders and headed upstairs with her. "We'll catch you later."

I just stood there, my mind spinning. Tayler had a girlfriend now? Didn't know that. Didn't know how I felt about it.

Maybe I cared more than I wanted to admit.

I shook it off and went back to my coffee.

⸻

Later, I was on the couch, scrolling through my phone when I noticed Charly enter. She didn't sit immediately—just stood there, arms crossed, watching me like I was an annoying stain.

I ignored her.

She clearly didn't like that.

"Wow," she finally said, sitting down beside me. "You're really comfortable here, huh?"

I raised an eyebrow, eyes on my screen. "Excuse me?"

She laughed, low and sharp. "It's cute. You just hanging around like you belong."

I set my phone down, looking at her directly. "Is there something you want?"

Her smile didn't reach her eyes. "Just clarity. You and Tayler—what's going on?"

I sighed, steady. "Nothing."

She hummed, unconvinced. "Funny, because I've seen the way you look at him."

I clenched my jaw. "And how's that?"

"Like you want him back."

I rolled my eyes. "Not true."

Charly's smirk grew. "You sure? Because honestly, it's kind of pathetic."

"Right. Pathetic. Got it."

She leaned in, voice dropping. "Let's be real—you're just the ex who doesn't know when to quit. They tolerate you because they feel sorry."

That hit harder than I wanted to admit.

Her grin widened. "But I get it. Tayler was probably the only one who actually wanted you. Must hurt losing that."

I kept my voice steady. "You don't know me."

She shrugged. "I know enough."

The room fell quiet.

Then she leaned closer, cruel. "No wonder you're still holding on. Who else would want you?"

Before I could respond, a voice cut through.

"Get out."

Charly froze.

I turned slowly.

Tayler was in the doorway, jaw tight, fists clenched. His whole body was tense, but it was his eyes that made the room go cold—dark and furious.

Charly faltered. "Tayler—"

"Get. Out."

His voice was low but there was no arguing. The air thickened.

She didn't protest. Just grabbed her bag and left, the door slamming behind her.

I exhaled, realizing I'd been holding my breath.

Tayler stayed frozen for a moment, then finally looked at me. His expression softened, just a little.

"You okay?"

I nodded, quieter than I wanted. "Yeah."

He ran a hand through his hair, sighing. Then he looked at me again, longer this time. His voice dropped.

"Don't listen to her. She doesn't know you."

Something in my chest tightened.

He hesitated, like deciding whether to say more.

Then, before I could think twice, he stepped forward and pulled me into a hug.

I stiffened at first—caught off guard by how warm and steady he was. But I relaxed, leaning into him.

His arms wrapped around me like more than comfort—like protection.

I gripped his hoodie, letting myself sink in.

And when he murmured, so soft I almost missed it, "I got you"—

My heart fluttered.