Love and Lies...

2. Flashing Back

Billy sat out by the pool and flashed back to an evening a little more than five years ago....Everyone was gathered at Zak's...joking around and eating pizza. Jay, Aaron, Billy, Zak, Taylor....even Dakota was there. A few girlfriends of crew members, with crew members. They were celebrating the release of Demon House. The long awaited project Zak had put together. But making that film, well; it came with a hefty price...Zak got extremely ill after filming...major migraines and vision issues. Taylor, was an upcoming film maker and photographer...she was asked to be on the project by Zak. She was recommended by a "friend of a friend" so to speak. Upon her immediate arrival into the group, she was accepted as a crew member...and friend to all.
"Alright! Thanks to everyone that made this possible and impossible. It's done and I cannot wait for you all to see it! Let's roll film." Zak stated in his theater. Taylor was sitting by Billy and Zak walked over to her, as Aaron was setting it up to get it started.
     "Yeah?" Taylor asked as Zak stood in front of her and she stood up too.
    "I just wanted to thank you for everything...you were a huge help in editing and getting this documentary off the ground. I know it's been grueling." He took her hand. Billy rolled his eyes.
     "No problem...even though you were impossible to work under....I mean for." She laughed and Zak got the joke and he grinned, chuckling softly.
     "I offered many times for you to "work under" but you never accepted the offer." Zak was coy and grinned.
    "And I think you know why." She folder her arms.
   "Okay, okay...but the offer still stands Tay." He laughed and took his seat in front of she and Bill. And boy...was Billy's blood boiling. Tay was Zak's nickname for Taylor. He gave it to her...everyone started calling her that except Billy. She didn't mind it...but Billy did. His crush (Billy's) was turning into more than that...and he planned on telling her. Taylor had an idea about Billy's feelings...but never really said much...they were friends. Everyone watched the movie, and as it wrapped up...clapping began. Zak was proud of his work, and of course himself as always. Actually, they were all proud of that film. It was a grueling task...and Zak paid a heavily for it...monetarily, emotionally, and physically. As everyone started to walk out, Billy grabbed Taylor by the hand...
      "Hey, can you uh come outside with me for a sec?" He asked her with a slight nervous grin.
     "Sure...just need a bathroom break and then I'll meet you out by the pool....sound good?" She smiled and Billy was getting even more nervous.
"Yeah great." Billy was nervous.
Zak watched and then hung back in the theater room, trying to catch Taylor coming out of the bathroom. She washed her hands and brushed the hair behind her ears, looking herself over in the mirror. As she walked out, Zak was sitting in his front row seat by himself.
    "Is there an encore presentation I'm not aware of?" Taylor jokingly asked, as Zak sat there.
    "No...I just wanted to talk to you privately." Zak stood up and walked toward her.
    "Seems to be a popular request tonight." Taylor said, thinking she mumbled it...but Zak's hearing had become fine tuned over the years...it had to be...dealing with spirits and such.
    "Huh?" Zak asked.
   "Nothing....what's on your mind?" Taylor asked.
    "I wanted to offer you a permanent position here with the crew. For the show...what do you say?" Zak threw it out there.
    "Oh wow...Zak...I don't know." Taylor was very caught off guard.
    "Come on...we're good together...work wise." He smiled and then grabbed her hand. "And who knows what else we'd be good at." His advances had become a bit more brave these last few months.
     "Okay look, the jokes are fun...but if I were to take a job..." Taylor removed her hand from Zak's.
    "I'm only kidding." He said. "But not about the job. That I'm serious about." He chuckled...was he kidding though?
     "Well...I've got no other prospects right now...it could be good. Can I think about it?"
     "Yes mam...take all the time you need." He smiled and so did she...and they walked out together. Billy hadn't quite made it to the pool yet, he was stopped by a crew member...and they got to talking. As he looked up he saw Zak and Taylor coming out of the room. They were smiling, laughing, and talking. Taylor made her way over to a Billy.
"Hey...you needed to talk to me?" She asked.
"Yeah... can we talk outside." As Billy headed toward the sliding glass doors and opened them for her.
"Sure." She smiled and they headed out toward Zak's pool. It was Zak's turn to watch, uncomfortably.
As they made their way out to the pool, Billy stopped and made sure they were far enough away from the house where no one...not even Zak could hear..
"What is so secretive you had to pull me out here Bill?" Taylor was a bit perplexed.
"I just wanted to..." Bill then switched gears and quickly asked..."Whar's up with you and Zak?"
"Nothing...why?"
"The jokes and innuendos all the time...are you guys...ya know?" Billy wanted to ask...but couldn't.
"Oh hell no...we just like to flirt and be...well...inappropriate. It's actually funny to watch everyone get wierdly uncomfotable." Taylor laughed. "Why the concern now? I guess someone complained? Look, I know we need to stop...it's just too easy to bait Zak too" She laughed.
    "Bait Zak? You know how he is though. I mean he'll get what he wants and then..." Billy ran his fingers through his hair.
    "Then I guess you don't know me very well. I'm...well I used to be the same." Taylor said and Billy looked at her.
     "What does that mean?" He asked.
     "Nothing...look...Zak offered me a job with you guys...and if I take it...and that's a big IF...it will all be different. Signing a network contract, and having to behave will be top priority. This documentary was a side gig...all fun with friends." Taylor blabbed.
    "He offered you a job? When?"
     "Just before I came out here to talk to you...which by the way...what did you want to talk about? Zak's and my behavior?" Taylor crinkled her brow.
     "Yeah...I guess." Billy froze up.
     "Duly noted. It's not what I thought we were going to discuss though. At least Zak is honest...I know what he wants and he doesn't hide that" She snickered, placed her hands in her leather jacket pocket; and walked away from Billy, and back into Zak's house......
        Billy quickly  snapped out of that painful memory...he regretted being a bit jealous and not telling Taylor how he felt that night, years ago.
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Presently...at the coffee house, Taylor and Zak seemed to be having a staring contest...
    "Well...what a surprise." Zak finally broke the weird silence.
      "I guess I'm running into all the ghost boys today. Nice place." Taylor smiled and so did Zak. The awkwardness had been broken....
     "Thanks...how did you know..."
    "I ran into Aaron and Billy today...I don't need to tell you who blabbed it." She laughed.
     "I guess not." Zak laughed too. "Have a seat...unless you have to get going."
     "I can sit for a sec."
"So this is a surprise...why back suddenly and secretly." He asked, taking a sip of his tea.
     "Working...for a bit." She sipped her tea.
     "I'll offer you double to come back." Zak smiled.
     "This time it's a personal project. I made an ass load of cash in Paris, and I'm not taking shit or orders from any one right now. I'm taking time to do my work...something I wanted to do for a long time."  She was a straight shooter...when it came to work.
      "Your book about Vegas..." Zak had an almost eidetic memory when it came to things, places, or people he had an interest in, and did he ever have an interest in this person.
      "How did you ever remember that? It was a pipe dream five, six years ago." She was stunned.
      "What can I say...people and projects that interest me...I remember details." But it was more than that...and he never told anyone, that he had fallen...hard and fast. But when he realized Billy had too, back then; Zak secretly bowed out.
    "You are an interesting dude Zak Bagans."
    "And I admire you for taking charge of your career. Takes balls you know." He sipped his tea, again while complimenting Taylor.
    "Oh I know." Taylor gazed off...something was on her mind. Zak noticed.
     "You alright?"
     "Yeah...just uh...thinking. Look I gotta get going...big day tomorrow. House hunting." She replied.
    "Really? So you are staying." Zak's face changed.
    "Yes...I am." Taylor got serious.
    "Well I'm happy to hook you up with my realtor...Vegas has changed a lot in the last few years...a lot of new subdivisions...I'm also happy to give you a personal tour." He offered.
    "Really?" And Taylor was waiting for a sexual joke to follow.
"Yeah, really. Look, I had to get a new number a couple years ago...give me yours...I'll call you, you'll have mine, and if you decide...I'll pick you up for a tour." Zak said, there was no joke...he was serious and quite different from what Taylor knew years ago. She was a bit bummed out.
  "Okay." She gave the number, but not without her own joke. "Too many ex-playboy bunnies have your old number?" She grinned.
    "Hmm." Zak didn't care for the joke...Taylor couldn't get a rise out of him at all. She waited...but he gave her nothing.
    "I'm sorry that was in poor taste." She said.
    "Think I haven't heard all the playboy bunny jokes before?" Zak looked up...it seemed to upset him....
    "Hey, I guess I'm still in the past five years ago...I'm really sorry. And...baded on this morning...I guess someone else is still in the past" she was referring to Billy of course.
     "It's not a big deal...really. That whole thing for me is just personal. So is Billy still in the past?" Zak asked and seemed concerned....but he guessed it.
"Seems that way. Look I gotta go." Taylor stood with her tea and snatched up her clutch, a bit angrily, and Zak stood as well. She began to walk off...
"Tay..." Zak said and she turned around. She hadn't heard her nickname since she left Vegas. It kinda gave her the warm fuzzy feeling inside...but only for a second.
"Yeah?" She was kinda annoyed.
"There was only one ex-playboy bunny...ya jealous?" He asked and grinned...there it was.
"Hardly." She smiled and walked out. Zak watched her. He always loved her walk, her jokes, her smile, her laugh...her everything. But something they discussed rang out in his mind...Billy. Apparently he wasn't over her...and he was still in the past.
     "Hey Marissa...you guys did good today. I'm gonna take off." Zak stated.
     "Sure thing boss." She said, and Zak returned the tablet to her and walked out...as he got into his car and drove off, he flashed back...to a night he'd never forget as everyone was partying for Jay's birthday....he flashed black suddenly...like he was there in the moment...
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"Do you think you really need another drink." Zak asked.
"Yep...Why not?" Taylor was buzzed and partying. "Dance with me Zak!"
      "No...I don't think so." He laughed...across the bar Bacon and Billy were watching her.
"She's already drunk off her ass...one more shot ain't gonna hurt her." Bacon laughed. "But somebody's gotta take her home." He looked at Billy.
"Geez...I'll drive her." Billy volunteered....they'd all been celebrating Jay's birthday at a club. How did anyone get Zak into a club?  Taylor threw the party and Zak felt the need to go...and not just for Jay...he was there for her too. She was dancing her way across the bar and stopped in front of Billy.
     "Zak won't dance...you're up Billy Boy." She smiled and grabbed his hand...reluctantly he took it, and they made their way onto the crowded little dance floor. Zak watched and laughed....Taylor could dance. Billy...could not. Zak was grinning at her and staring...Bacon noticed.
       "She's something huh...." Bacon threw it out there.
       "Yeah she's..." Zak caught himself and turned to the bartender..."another one of these please."
       "Whoa...two beers...someone may have to drive you home boss." Bacon joked.
        "Ha Ha."Zak rolled his eyes. "I'm good. Someone will need to drive her though." He pointed toward Taylor.
        "I think "Billy Boy" already offered." Bacon laughed and looked at Zak.
        "Oh...yeah well good." Zak said and took a sip of his beer.
    As the song ended Taylor turned to Billy and smiled. "See not so bad huh?" She then started to sway a bit.
       "Whoa whoa...I think you've had enough and it's time to go." Billy stated, grabbing her arm.
       "Yeah...I think you're right." She agreed and they walked back toward the bar where Bacon and Zak were. As they approached, Zak looked concerned.
      "I think, that you think; and Billy thinks I'm done for the night." Taylor smiled looking up at Zak. He smiled back.
    "I think, we think; you are right." He laughed and she did too.
      She dug in her clutch and took out her keys dangling them in Zak's  face. "So take me home." She said with a serious look on her face. Billy was behind her and his face turned...he knew given the chance Zak would take her home. Zak noticed Billy's look.
      "I think Billy is driving you home." Zak answered and turned his head. It was killing him to turn Taylor away...but knowing he'd never take advantage of any drunk female. He truly wanted to drive her home, and take care of her...but he knew about Billy's crush. Zak couldn't and wouldn't play that game with his best friend.
       "Oh...alright. Fine." She reached around Zak to take one last sip of her drink and she grazed him. It was killing him. The music was loud and the room started to spin a little for Taylor. She whispered in Zak's ear... "I know how you feel." She kissed Zak on the cheek. Billy never saw that move, he was saying his goodbyes to Jay. But Bacon saw it...he never said a word.
        "Tay...come on." Zak said.
        "Oh...I'm not as drunk as I've let on...I was hoping you'd take me home." Suddenly her face changed...Zak saw she wasn't that tipsy. She walked away toward Billy...taking his arm and Billy had a huge smile. He wasn't going to take advantage of her either...but just being able to do this...he felt a step ahead in maybe telling Taylor how he really felt.
      "Ouch. Damn...losing to Billy? Or are you just bowing out over friendship?" Bacon said, he had quickly caught on.
       "Shut up." Zak got a bit mad.
"Yeah...I think I know." Bacon took another sip of his beer and he and Zak watched Taylor walk out with Billy.
"You think you know what?" Zak asked irritated.
       "I think I know old Billy has a slight crush. And I know, and you know...he ain't gonna do shit about it. And...I think I know you have more than that. You must really love Billy like a brother to let that one go." Bacon walked away and Zak just stood not realizing his feelings had come to the surface. Who else in the crew knew? He knew then, he had to be very careful.
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     Zak snapped himself out of the flash back.  He had already made it home. He didn't even remember the drive as he wondered back into the present...he pulled into the garage and turned off the engine to his truck. As he got out, his phone alerted him to a text...he read it.
Today was fun, but tonight can be even more fun...call me.
He smiled but ignored it, and did not respond to Heidi, his focus had shifted from his afternoon impromptu romp, to his past crush. Throwing his keys and wallet onto his counter he decided to have a beer. Something he didn't normally do unless stressed or things were weighing on him...he got one out of the fridge...popped the cap and took a sip. Today, memories and old feelings were weighing on him. He enjoyed seeing Taylor, talking with her, and laughing. But...Billy was still in the past according to Taylor...and that really bothered Zak. His phone alerted him once more...he figured it was Heidi, again. But, as he picked up the phone...Zak was a bit surprised.
Buzz me sometime...
Tay
  This one made him light up inside and out. He truly wanted to catch up more with Taylor. But Billy was weighing on his mind. How could he maneuver Taylor...and Billy...and the past?