Double Crossed

seven

Written by: @shiningjustforyou13  

Travis' POV

"Hey Tiger?" I mumbled as Taylor and I lay tangled in sheets, the early hours of the morning weighing heavy on our eyelids, but they remained open.

"Yeah?" The blonde tucked into the crook of my shoulder whispered back, her face still tilted down towards where she was playing with one of my hands, running her fingers through mine, rubbing her soft skin over the back of my knuckles. She'd been doing it for ages, which I'd found to be quite a pattern for her. It was almost like she was trying to keep me there.

"Are you ever going to tell me why your family packed up and left?"

Taylor's fingers paused. Her entire body paused. She went completely still and I waited, unsure of her reaction. I knew she must have gone through some shit; there'd just been that vibe about her family, there was just something about Taylor that told me some things had happened. I wanted to know her more than just fucking her and mumbling to each other for a few minutes before parting. She was my best friend.

"No." She whispered after what felt like minutes. "No."

"Tiger why?" I touched her chin, tried to lift it, but she didn't let me. "Tiger, please. It's like there's this big twenty year gap that you're not letting me fill in. You know all about me. Tell me about you."

"Travis I can't." Taylor's fingers were suddenly digging into mine, nails piercing my skin. I grabbed her hand, guiding it away so she wouldn't draw blood. "Sorry." She mumbled. "I just...I don't want to talk about it Travis."

"Why not?" I asked gently.

"Because I don't think you'll look at me the same."

"Hey." I cupped her bare waist, stroking my thumbs gently over her skin. "I would never look at you any different. You're my Tiger. Talk to me."

Taylor was silent for another long stretch of time, and I wasn't sure if I'd get anything out of her. I had no idea how bad it could be that she thought I might react badly, but I'd seen so much fucked up shit in my life that nothing could bother me. She seemed scared, and I wanted her to open up. I cared so much about her, like all our time apart had faded away.

"My dad had someone after him." She mumbled eventually. "Someone dangerous. They wanted to be safe, so we moved." Swallowing, Taylor started running her fingers through mine again. "We were homeschooled. We had some run ins with the mafia, and I got the hell out of there as soon as I could. I still see my family every now and again, but I try to do things on my own. I didn't want to be part of that life."

"Oh, Tiger." I squeezed her hand. "Why didn't you tell me before? If you don't want the mafia in any part of your life why are you still letting me come back?"

"Because you're different." Taylor turned over on my chest, her cheeks a little flushed like she didn't like the topic, but she kept talking anyway. "Travis you're my best friend. I know you'd never hurt me or bring anything bad back from your work. You might be the king of Las Vegas, super dangerous and all, but I know the side that wouldn't do anything to hurt me. I trust you."

"Tiger that means a lot." I touched her cheek. "You know I'd trust you with my life. You're my best friend." Taylor smiled timidly.

"Okay." She whispered. "Can we change the subject now please?"

"Yeah, yeah okay." I nodded. "What do you want to talk about?"

"Nothing." Taylor said as she surged forwards and pressed her mouth to mine. "Let's not talk at all." She mumbled against my lips insistently, her warm body shifting higher up on my chest.