This is a request (x's two)
"I'd like to meet him, see what he's all about."
"I think sometimes you forget you're the youngest."
"Doesn't mean I don't still look out for you," Austin replies smartly. "What's this guy's deal, Teffy?"
Even across the miles, he's a pain in the ass, albeit one who cares, and she leans on her elbows across the breakfast bar, holding out the phone in front of her.
"You sound like Dad."
"Did he say the same thing?"
"No, actually. The last time I talked to him, he told me I sounded happy."
Austin pauses. "Are you?"
Taylor can answer without really stopping to think about it. "I am, actually. Crazy, right? To think I was completely miserable for months, pushing myself through it and now, yeah, everything is good now."
"I'm glad to hear that."
She recognizes his tone, what he's not saying and she raises an eyebrow. "Go ahead. Might as well."
"You said you're happy. All I need to know."
"But you're wary, a little. Because of who he is. Pro sports players get a bad rep. No worse than me, Aus. I won't even get started on the shit people have said. Probably things he'd seen or read. He doesn't put any stock in it and I don't listen to what people say about him. You can't, you know? Not if you want to have anything healthy."
"Yeah, well, I'm not going to lie, Taylor...I don't want to stereotype, but you're right; football players, any pro athlete, they aren't always known for being the most faithful guys."
"Okay, I'm going to have to stop you right there. I know all of this is coming from a genuine place and I really appreciate that, I really do. But that's kind of a narrow-minded judgement on your part, don't you think? You don't know him."
"Exactly. That's why I want to meet him. Get to know him a little. I'm not being an asshole for the sake of being an asshole, Tay."
The last thing she wants to do is get into an argument, so she takes a deep breath. No one else can push her buttons as much as Austin can, but she can safely assume he feels the same way about her.
"He actually invited you to come to the Jets game next Sunday. Told me he'd love to meet you, if you're free. He's planning on stopping by here early Sunday morning for brunch once curfew is over, so it's the perfect time to check up on him, make sure he's treating your big sister right."
She's being sarcastic, but the open invite is totally legit and she watches closely as her brother considers.
"Next weekend?"
"Mmm, yeah, on the 1st. You down?"
"Depends on who else is going," he jokes and her annoyance at his overprotectiveness fades.
"Probably Blake and Ryan, maybe Robin, too. Sabrina...Travis said to invite friends who happen to be in New York. It'll be fun."
"In that case, yeah, why not? Tell me what time brunch is and I'll be there."
"Great. Amazing. That way, you can report back to Dad and Mom since they haven't met him yet. We've all FaceTimed, though. But you can drop all the details."
"You're such a brat."
"You know it," she laughs. "Alright, love you, booger. See you soon."
"Not before I see you."
