You Belong with Me

Chapter 9

"Austin, why don't you and Joe go get some snacks." I tell him. I want to talk to mom by myself. She calms me down. My mom is my best friend. She always has been.

"Okay. I'm hungry." He says and Joe smiles softly at me before they are turns around and leaves the waiting room.

I walk into moms room and see her smiling at me.

"So tell me about this boy." She says. I smile and walk and sit beside her.

"That's Joe." I say.

"Are you two a thing?"

"As of yesterday."

"And you stayed at his house?!?" Her voice goes stern.

"Mom we didn't do anything."
"Taylor, you're gonna do things I don't want you to," she starts, "I know you will, that's okay, just be safe."
"I'm not going to do it, mom, I don't want to." I say.

"You will, and it's okay. Just tell me please. I want to know."
"Okay. Anyways, how do you feel?" I ask my mother trying to change the topic.
"Hungry, but good."
"Okay. Good. You scared me mom." I say and my voice cracks a bit.
"No. No. Don't do that Taylor, I'm okay baby." She says and pulls me into a hug.
"I know. I just- I'm scared."
"Don't be babe, I'm okay." She says and kisses my head.
"Yeah. I know. I know."

"Now, go out there and take that gorgeous boy for a walk so I can talk to Austin." She says. I grin.
"He is pretty isnt he?"
She nods as I stand up.
"I love you forever Mama." I say and kiss her cheek.
"I love you too Taylor."
-

"So, how was she?" Joe asks taking my hand.
"She seemed good. Said she felt okay." I say staring at the sidewalk moving slowly under me.
"How are you?"
"I'm- im fine."
"Respectfully, that's bullshit Taylor." He says with a slight attitude that I found extremely attractive.
"I know. I can't put it into words yet." I say.
"That's okay, T. Take your time, but I need you to talk to me so I know how to approach the situation."
I chuckle.

"What's funny?" He says with a smile.
"I'm a situation?"
"I mean, no, just the situation you're in."
"Yeah, I'm a mess, just say it." I say with a teasing smile.
"You sure are, but you're the mess that I wanted." He says and pulls my head to his lips.
"That's really sweet." I mumble.

We walk in a comfortable silence for a bit, then I speak up so that I don't think too much.

"I think my mom likes you." I say.
"Oh?"
"Yeah, she called you gorgeous." I squeeze his hand tight.
"I mean... is she wrong." He asks with a sexy grin.
"You are one cocky mother fucker."
"You like it."
"A lot." I pull his knuckles up so I can kiss them.

We walk in silence again. We start to walk towards a bench and mutually agree to sit down. I never let go of his hand.

"My dad was in the British Navy." He says. I feel he wants to tell me about it. Maybe he hasn't talked to anyone.
"Yeah? Is that how he died?" I ask. I really do care.
"No. No. He uh- had a heart attack. He," he chuckles, "said it was moms fault. When he was in the hospital he told us that mom was stressing him out with all her worrying."
I don't say anything, hoping that he would tell me more.
"He died 20 minutes after that. Mom was heartbroken. She still isn't the same. But Tom, God, I haven't seen him since. Outside of Christmas."
I lie my head on his shoulder.

"But sometimes, I feel guilty for being okay. Like I'm wrong for being able to live. And I'm jealous of you. Not like an angry hatred jealous. I just wish that I have what you have." He mumbles the last sentence. I don't say anything for a while, but I wrap my arms around his bicep and his hand rests on my thigh.

I get what he's saying. I'm not mad that he's jealous. But, he can have what I have.

"Obviously, it's not the same," I say, "but you're welcome to have what I have."
"What?" Joe asks.
"I just- we all like you okay and you're really important to me and when I have a friend my family really loves them and- and you can be a part of my family. If you want. Not that you family isn't good enough. But I want you to feel comfortable-"
"-thank you taylor. I really really appreciate that." He says and he moves his arm around my shoulders which makes my head lie against his chest.

"You're so pretty." He mumbles and kisses my hair.
"Mmmmm."
"You are."

*ding
I look at my phone.
Selena:
S: WHY WERE YOU AT JOES LAST NIGHT?!?

I face time her immediately and Joe chuckles at me.
She answers. Her face pops up on the screen. Then her jaw drops.

"OH MY GOD TAYLOR ALISON!"
"So, we're dating now." I say.
"Woah. Sorry, I need a minute." She says and she acts out of breath.
"Is it that surprising Gomez?" He asks.
"A little. You are both chickens."
I look and smile at Joe apparently long enough for her to notice.
"AWW! YALL ARE SO CUTE!!"
I roll my eyes.
"Okay, I gotta go. Always remember to use protection. Love you. Bye."
I chuckle. Typical. "Love u babe."
She hangs up.

"Protection huh?" He mumbles.
"Apparently." I chuckle nervously.
"No don't do that. Don't get all uncomfortable with me now."
"I'm not uncomfortable."
"You're acting like it."
"Because."
"Why?"
"I don't want to have sex."
He pauses.
"Not right now or anytime soon."
"I didn't expect you to?" He says more as a question.
"I'm just not ready."
"Hey, neither am I. We will do it on your terms; when you want to, when you're ready, where, how. That is completely about you. Okay?"
"Okay." I mumble. No one has ever told me that. No one has ever gave me free rein. Is this how it's supposed to be?

Yes Tay tay, it is.
Missed y'all btw. I've been struggling a lot lately with school and stuff. So sorry abt the slow updates and this short chapter.

-to tired to say anything else.
Vote please. And comment. I WANT YOUR FEEDBACK!!!! TELL ME WHAT YOU WANT, WHAT YOU HATE, AND WHAT YOU LOVED!

- agj❤️☺️🥰