The Only Living Boy in New York

THIRTY-SIX

Van

I was in the bathroom when I heard the door open downstairs. I relaxed knowing Taylor was back in the same space as me, something about just being in the same place at the same time calmed me down.

I ran a hand through my hair, doing my best to tame it into some sort of style. I'd slept for a few hours after Taylor left this morning, which helped the bags under my eyes. I felt better, apprehensive and still selfish, but overall, better.

I'd sent a long overdue message to Austin Rose. Months ago, I'd promised to hook him up with a studio space to record an EP and I'd failed to do that. I didn't really want to face him tonight without any news, so I called Dave and asked if the studio was available in the next few weeks. He let me know he had a cancellation Monday for the week ahead and it was mine if I wanted it. He pressed me for details, wondering if I had new material. I told him it wasn't for me yet, but rather a local band I knew that needed a fair shot at an EP. He was hesitant, but it didn't take much convincing. I told Austin I was coming to the show and needed a few minutes of his time. His response was immediate and he told me he'd meet me afterwards. He followed it up with a message indicating he saved a table up front for all of us and it was reserved under my name. I smiled to myself at the gesture and remembered doing the same type of things for people who I thought could help me when I was that age.

I needed to do something selfless. I needed to make up for the person I'd been for so long and start putting others before me. Maybe Austin Rose wasn't the first person I should have extended that selflessness to, but it felt like I needed to start somewhere. I'd glanced at myself in the mirror one more time before leaving the bathroom. I'd decided on a simple, black shirt that hugged me tightly and a pair of dark jeans. The only thing left were my boots and they were downstairs by the door.

As I descended the stairs quickly, I paused on the landing when I caught sight of Taylor. Her hair hung in loose waves and fell all around her. She'd done herself up more than usual, eyes smoked out and lips stained a dark red. My throat bobbed.

"I need to change, can you help me with my stuff?"

She pointed to a bag on the floor and her hands were filled with a few hangers full of what looked like her work attire for the next week. I grabbed her bag and followed her up the stairs, catching a whiff of her perfume along the way. I didn't recognize the scent, it was different...new, but I liked it.

Back in my room, she flicked on the lights and took her things to my closet, which was mostly empty save for a few of my nicer shirts and trousers, and some of Taylor's things. She hung her work clothes and motioned for the bag. I handed it to her as she rifled through it, pulled a few tops out of it and folding things into the drawers I'd let her use since the first time she stayed. I glanced at my phone and sighed.

"I don't want to rush you, but we need to leave in five."

"I just need to change, it'll take a second."

I tried to give her privacy, but I'd missed her all week, and despite our fight earlier, my eyes still caught her pulling her shirt over her head and tugging her pants down. She walked toward the dresser and pulled out a top she wanted and a low sound formed in the back of my throat. She was wearing a matching black lace set and it left very little to the imagination. I'd never seen her in anything like it before.

"Tay...what the fuck are you wearing?"

She turned toward me nervously. "Underwear?"

I groaned and stepped toward her. "You're going to kill me, babe...you look...incredible." My eyes traveled up and down her as I bit my lip. "Why have I never seen you in these before?"