Camryn Quinn is finally getting what she wants...sort of. Moving into a dorm and away from her not so supportive father is a good first step, but like everything with him-it comes with strings. She must attend the college of his choosing for at leas...
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Taylor opens the door and signals for me to go through first. I obey, but only because I too could use a shower and a change of clothes. I didn't expect it to be cold in Texas, so the only warm things I packed were Taylor's sweatpants and sweatshirt. I never wanted to have to admit I still owned them, let alone to wear them in public for two days straight.
I pull my dufflebag higher onto my shoulder, but its weight disappears seconds later as Taylor pulls it off me. He offers to carry it to the car he's currently driving. He keeps the talk small as we walk—mostly about the hospital staff and the area. When we reach the car, I settle into the passenger seat. I can't control the chill that runs through my body. The cold air has somehow been trapped and multiplied in the small space. Taylor makes a noncommittal comment about the weather, but quickly goes quiet again.
"Now you know why I look like I'm trying out for the Crenshaw Heights cheerleading squad," I say. I bite back a smile. I must look ridiculous with sweatpant material pooling at my ankles and the crotch to the pants resting somewhere around my knees.
"Is this where I pretend I know what that is?" Taylor asks. He tilts his head slightly to glance in my direction. He has one hand on the steering wheel, the other is resting on the gear shift between us.
"This is the part where you tease me for still wearing your clothes," I offer.
Taylor remains silent. The crease in the middle of his forehead grows deeper as he says, "I didn't think you would want me to." His tone makes my heart sink. After everything we've been through, I was hoping that at the very least our friendship would prevail through the wreckage.
"That's all I've ever really wanted from you," I say honestly. My brows scrunch to mimic his. It's just another thing we've gotten too good at. We take on the other's emotions without warning. It's too easy to put the other on your back and attempt to take it all away until nothing but happiness remains. I don't think it's possible to do that now though, not when our moods are equally as tragic. But sitting here with him, I realize that this is what I've missed most of all. Not his smile, or the feeling of his hand in mine. All I want is to slip back into the banter and feel the easygoingness I could count on when I was around him. I know it won't take the pain away for good, but I want to forget our history, even if it's just for a few minutes.
"That is not true, and you know it Capt.," Taylor teases. The corner of his mouth tugs up into a half smile. It's not quite the full faced smile I associate with him, but it's a start.
"Even if I never admitted it to you, I like it when you tease me. I don't feel self conscious when it comes from you because I know you don't mean it. Well, I know you mean it, but only in the best way." I share my truth with him. I can only hope it will be a catalyst between us.
"So you won't mind if I tell you that I thought you were an actual homeless person wandering outside the hospital today?" He brings the car to a stop at a stop light. It's the first time since he climbed behind the wheel that he's turned his head all the way to look at me.
