Going Back to Get Away After Everything Has Changed

Ch 4: We Used To Live Like We Were Strangers

Taylor York's POV

Jess and I laid there on the bed. She was snuggling me for comfort in our darkened room. I could tell she was borderline asleep but her hand was carressing my chest to let me know that she was still hanging on for me. I played with her hair as I pondered on how to approach this dilemma.

"This is too much to process." I finally said to break the silence.

"Hm?"' Jess sleepily replied.

"Josh isn't a careless driver. I cannot possibly see how he could of crashed like that. Zac's sure that the other car didn't cause the accident?"

"It appears so. From the tone of his voice, he's taking it pretty hard."

I sighed and focused my gaze to the ceiling.

"Would it be wrong to say that I'm glad Josh is in a coma rather than the family being injured?"

Jess turned her face towards mine.

"Of course not. You're a parent and a family is going to mean so much more to you than an ex friend."

Ex friend. It suddenly dawned on me how distant Josh was. It didn't feel like it because of how close I am with Zac. My kids grew up with his. Farro's was a part of my family, yet Josh never was.

I recalled a moment so long ago it surprised me to remember it. It was an interview, when the anticipation for our first album after the Farros departure. We were asked if we had talked to them since. We were all quiet. Because in truth I was the only one who kept in touch, and it was only with Zac. Not Josh. I assumed it was right for me --somehow my duty-- to speak up. So I answered, "We're letting time do its thing." Something like that.

But it's been --what-- 20-something years? The last time I saw Josh was at my wedding. And I doubt he would of showed up if Zac wasn't my best man. So maybe time wasn't doing its thing. Maybe we were never meant to make up. It just ended. Like that.

"You know the last thing Josh said to me?" I told Jess.

She rested her hand on the side of my face while looking up at me.

"It was at our wedding. We were far into the reception, and I ran into him exiting the bathroom. He was waiting for Jenna. And he exchanged an uncomfortable glance towards me. He sort of forced out a cheerful congratulations. I guess because he felt guilty about not saying it to me before. And his exact words were 'Jess Abbott. I wouldn't have guessed. God bless your marriage.' I told him thanks, and asked where he's been hiding. You know, just playfully. But Jenna came out at that moment. She congratulated me too. I was in a joyful mood and thought it only right to tell. them not to be strangers. And then I left. Even after that, that's what Josh has been: just a stranger."

"He could have been avoiding Hayley." Jess responded after a moment.

"But it was our wedding. Should it not matter about who else was there? It was about me. And you. Not Hayley."

She remained quiet which meant she was thinking. I started softly kissing the top part of her head that rested on my chest.

"Then that's your answer." Jess replied.

"What?"

"Zac called you. This is about Zac and supporting him. Should it not matter that it involves Josh?"

Taken aback, I sat up a little. Jess departed from me and sat up too. We looked at each other for what seemed like a long time. Somehow, I was communicating to her through my eyes that she was right and what my whole plan was for when we reach an appropriate hour in the morning.

"Do it." Jess finally said to break the "telepathic" communication between us. "The kids will be fine. They can stand a little bit more time without their father."

Her saying that relieved me from the current stress. I gently kissed her.

"But first, we're going to sleep." she said as she laid back down onto the bed, tapping her pillow.

I laid back down facing her. "I told you I slept the whole plane ride."

Then I got on top of her catching her off guard. She merrily squealed and I kissed her cheek.

"Unless you want to tire me out." I teased.

She kissed me, then pushed me off of her.

"No, I'm tired." she teased back.

"Fine, fine, fine." I laughed off.

"Can you be more perfect than you are now?" I added.

"No York, that's not working on me."

"I can never get through to you, woman." I chuckled.

She kissed me on the nose then cuddled me, holding me tight.

"I love you too." she yawned.