Here & Now // T. Hall Sequel

Chapter 18

Taylor had a minor injury towards the end of the season. It was just sprain, so he played through it. Despite what I said. I guess I didn't really have any say. Especially since it didn't require surgery. If it did, and he would need some sort of cast or brace, he would be benched by his fiancée and frankly, I was more intimidating than the coach. There was apparently something intimidating about the black makeup and black clothing.

Not that I've been doing that a whole lot lately. I've mainly just been lazy, making last minute wedding plans. Having video calls with my uncle and everyone that's helping me get this branch up and running. Or at least started. For now.

I was cooking tortellini  for dinner when I felt his arms wrap around me. He had just gotten out of the shower and smelled like my body wash. "Do you like smelling like apples?"

"The scent reminds me of you."

"Probably because it's my body wash." I moved the pan off of the burner and motioned for Taylor to mix the salad and bring everything to the table.

"So are we going out with the guys tonight or do we want to stay in?" My fiancé asked. It was the last night most of the guys would be in town and the last time I would see them in something other than a white dress.

My hair was a mess and I didn't really want to squeeze into a dress that would surely show my bloated stomach. I started poking at it, laughing to myself.

"Let's just go out. After party is here."

"I hope that means sleeping."

"Of course. We have a lot to do tomorrow." He grabbed our plates and kissed my forehead. I started helping him but he insisted on doing it himself so that I could get ready.

I stood in front of the bathroom mirror and took a deep breath. I didn't really want to go out, but I knew that Taylor wanted to so I reluctantly started putting on my makeup. I did it just like I used to, as I kind of felt like I was losing myself lately.

I don't know why. Maybe it's because I felt myself trying to fit in with the other girlfriends. I didn't need to try, they accepted me with black clothes and dark makeup. Purple hair, too. They were all loving and great, but I still felt like I didn't belong. 

I carefully lined my lips and started filling them in with my almost black lipstick before pulling my hair up into a top knot and going to find something to wear. 

Standing in front of my closet with just a strapless bra and my long, burgundy skirt, Taylor walked in and placed his chin on my shoulder. "No black dress tonight?"

"No, thought I'd wear something different for once." I reached up and grabbed my black crop top with longer sleeves. I still had no idea what shoes I wanted to wear. Part of me said the nude, red bottomed heels, but the other part of me said to just go with a pair of sandals and not over do it.

Taylor pulled on a pair of nice slacks along with a button up, just like he usually did. I had no idea where we were going but I figured it would be one of the roof top bars, reserved for the team and their families.

"Ready?" He looked at me with a smile. I couldn't imagine what he was like before I moved here, or even met him, but I'm not sure I wanted to. The way he was with me, it just, I felt so loved. He's such an amazing man, when he wants to be. 

"Can't we just stay in? I don't want to share you."

"And you think I want to share you tonight? Looking like that?" He pulled on my hips as I wrapped my arms around his neck. "You have me all to yourself for the most part until September. I'm even staying in Edmonton so that I can help you with your business."

"How did I get so lucky as to get the sweet and caring Taylor Hall?"

"You're just worth it."

"Well, handsome. Let's go. Don't want to be late."

"If I'm going to be late to the party, I want to be late with you."

"I am so proud. You're starting to like country music." He gently pressed his lips to mine and led me out to the truck.

It was fun, being out with the team one last time before the wedding. Chances are we wouldn't see a lot of these guys soon. Or very often. Luckily, my best friend would be here with me over the summer.

Taylor wouldn't let me leave his side, which I was weirdly happy about. He answered all the questions about our wedding with a smile on his face. He was just as excited as I was. More so, probably. He didn't have to dress up and not have to worry about being left at the alter or anything like that. Not to mention the hair and makeup and everything else that could go wrong..

"I'm sorry Taylor, but we are going to have a girlfriends only talk over here. Without you." Sadie laughed as she pulled me away. He tried protesting but I just shrugged. There wasn't much that I could do about it.

"Girl, the way he looks at you. I am so jealous. It's like he never wants to leave you alone. I hope my relationship turns into something like that." I didn't know this girl that well, but I could tell she was drunk enough to need to be cut off.

"Oh sweetie. We've known each other for less than a year. Went on one date and then got engaged." We also got married in Vegas, but whatever. "When I first moved here, it was horrible. Life isn't all fairytales and butterflies. You'll fight but damn, everything we have been through together was so worth it."

"But really, the wedding is going to be great. Black and white, everything so classy."

"Definitely something that Annabelle would put on. We are all so excited to see the girl that can finally get Taylor Hall to tie the knot." 

Everyone was being so sweet to me, they were all so happy. I started crying, wishing that my sisters would have been able to meet these wonderful women. "Oh sweetie, don't cry."

"No, no. They're happy tears. I'm just- I'm really glad that I'm surrounded by such a great group of people since my entire life is down in Georgia. All my friends, what's left of my family-"

"Hey, we're your family now. Not to mention Mama Hall loves you. That entire family is amazing. The only problem is they are across the country. So there's us." Sadie wrapped her arm around me and squeezed. That's when my worried fiancé came over.

"You made her cry?"

"Happy tears," I told him, "happy tears."

"I'm ready to go home, if you are."

"Yeah we can go." I carefully wiped my eyes and hugged everyone I wouldn't be seeing in a while. It was bittersweet. It was officially the end of my first season with them. Well, more like half a season. It was pretty much over by the time that Taylor stopped sleeping around.

I fell onto the bed as soon as we got home. I barely was able to kick off my heels before passing out. Taylor threw one of his shirts at me, laughing as he told me to get undressed.

"But my makeup."

"You'll be fine if you wear it to bed one night. I know you're tired. Just get in my shirt and fall asleep." I eventually did as he said and crawled into our big bed. I curled into his side, resting my head on his chest. I shivered, trying to warm up.

"I love you, Annabelle Paisley. Only a few weeks until we get married."