I Don't Want You Like A Best Friend

35

Y/N POV

Despite the fact that I was now cleared for air travel, Taylor (and I eventually agreed) felt that it was best that I stay home another week to finish healing. The team would return on Saturday once they completed two more games, and then in October we'd begin training for Angel City.

The Emmys were this coming Sunday and my birthday was the following Saturday, which at least gave me other things to look forward to besides seeing all of my friends again. And, since I'd passed Taylor's little challenge, I guess I was in store for something "special", whatever that meant. Every time I asked my girlfriend she refused to elaborate, simply telling me, "You'll see". 

After getting the same answer about six times, I've finally given up and decided to bite the bullet and wait, as much as that sucked. 

Since I was feeling a lot better, Taylor's felt more comfortable heading back to the studio, leaving me home alone. At first I just wasted away on the couch watching TV, but by Wednesday I'd taken up an interest in photography. I had an old 35mm film camera that I was given as a Christmas present when I was 12. I hadn't picked it up in years, but now I found myself fascinated by it.

I was glad Taylor was going back to work because I could tell she was getting a little restless, just as I was. Much like my birthday present, she wouldn't tell me much when I asked about what she was working on, though I haven't yet given up asking. 

"So when does the album come out?" I asked her at dinner that night, giving her my best puppy-dog eyes. 

Taylor shook her head with a cute laugh. "Baby, no matter how many times you ask, I'm not gonna tell you. You're just gonna have to wait."

"Whyyyyy." I whined. "I don't wanna wait."

"Well that's too bad, isn't it? I promise you'll find out soon, just be patient." The blond took a sip of her wine. "In the meantime," she continued, "We need to figure out plans for the Emmys. I have a stylist coming on Friday who's bringing a bunch of different options for us to try. Hair and makeup will get here Sunday morning, and then a car will pick us up at 3:30. The red carpet starts at 5, but we want to beat the traffic."

"Sounds like you've already got the plans figured out." I chuckled, taking my last bite of salmon. 

Taylor rolled her eyes playfully before her expression shifted to something more serious...almost nervous. "So...you still want to go with me, then?"

I paused and looked at her, confused. "Yeah, why would I not?"

My girlfriend shrugged, avoiding my eyes. "I don't know...It'll be the first time we actually confirm we're together, and it's not like it's a paparazzi picture. It's the Emmys. It's a big deal."

"Do you think I don't want people to know we're together?" I wondered earnestly, feeling my heart ache at Taylor's tone.

She let out a soft sigh, setting her fork down. "No, it's not that. I guess I'm mostly just worried about you and your safety. After everything that happened with Joe, and with all the stuff going on right now in our country---politicians targeting trans people---I'm scared of the position it'll put you in. I don't want you to feel pressured or like I'm forcing you."

I found her concern incredibly sweet. "Taylor, I don't feel pressured and you're not forcing me. I would tell you if I didn't want to go. And I hear what you're saying about safety and everything, and while I appreciate that, it is also my choice. Believe me, I know the risks of living my life, and even if we didn't go public, we're both still prominent figures. People are going to target me regardless of who I'm dating, so why should I give a fuck? I'm not going to let anyone get in the way of me living my life."

Taylor smiled a small smile. "Okay, but if you feel uncomfortable or change your mind at any point---even if it's halfway through the show---we'll leave."

"What? Taylor--"

She gave me that look she always did. The one that sent a shiver down my spine and caused a twitch in my pants. It silently said, 'try me'. 

"Fine. Yes, I will tell you." I agreed reluctantly, rolling my eyes in exasperation. 

She smirked. "Good boy."

***

Sunday was a total whirlwind, but I spent most of it sitting around on my phone or watching my girlfriend get her hair and makeup done. Her stylists seemed to find humor in me complaining about my boredom and Taylor chastising me, but I seriously couldn't wait for it to be 3:30 so that we could leave.

I always got excited before award shows because duh, who wouldn't, but I've never been to one quite this high profile before. The Espys are one thing, but the Emmys? Everyone watched those. They're like the Oscars but for TV.

It took all of five minutes for me to get dressed in the suit I'd been given, which kicked ass with its  pink velvet double-breasted coat, black bowtie, light pink pocket square, and shiny Oxford dress shoes. I hadn't chosen the color because Taylor had asked me if she could and I didn't care all that much. I wondered if maybe it was one of her 'easter eggs' as the fans liked to call it, but to what, I wasn't sure. Either way, I thought the pink looked really good, especially because it matched the dress she'd be wearing. 

I had been kicked out of the master bathroom a little less than an hour before we were supposed to leave, and the only reasoning I was given was because my girlfriend's stylists, Ria and Deb, wanted to see my reaction once she was finished getting her hair and makeup done.

I elected to watch some trashy TV as I waited, though not before putting some rings on, along with a silver bracelet and a few spritzes of cologne. I was near the end of an episode of The Real Housewives when I heard the bathroom door open, followed by Ria and Deb.

"Y/n! She's done!" Ria squealed excitedly.

I was about to stand from the couch to go see the three women, when they entered the living room, Ria and Deb coming in first, and Taylor following. When Ria and Deb stepped aside, my breath caught in my throat.

Taylor wore red-bottom heels and a baby pink dress that hugged her gorgeous figure in all the right places. The dress flowed well past her feet and pooled on the floor, trailing behind her. It was decorated with a gold patter on the front, and there was a large bow in the back.

Her golden locks were done up with a beautiful flower crown, and her bangs delicately framed her stunning face. Her piercing blue eyes seemed to stand out even more with the slight smokey eye she had, and her lipstick made her plump lips even more kissable. All in all, she looked absolutely fucking beautiful. 

"Wow..." I breathed, almost unable to take her all in. 

Taylor walked over to me, making me realize I was now standing, and smiled. "Hi."

"You look..." I couldn't find the words. 

Behind the blond, Deb nudged Ria. "Seems like we did our jobs well."

"Do you like it?" Taylor asked.

The sentence tumbled from my mouth before I had time to give it a second thought. "I love you."

The room went silent. Taylor stared at me in surprise. For a horrifying moment, I thought I'd said something wrong and she was gearing up to tell me she didn't feel the same. But then, she spoke.

"You love me?" She stepped closer to me.

I nodded my head. "I love you." I said it while looking directly into her eyes, wanting to make sure she knew without a doubt.

"I love you too, Y/n."