Secrets And Lies

Chapter 27: Love?

Taylor's POV

I stirred in bed, my face pressing against something cold and hard. My eyes popped open only to be assaulted with a lime green wall. Well, that explains my weird dream of being rolled over by a steamroller. I squeezed my eyes shut and blinked a few times, trying to adjust to the bright color. I'll never get used to Ryan's choice of bedroom decor. She took being a Seahawks fan to a whole new level. I mean, who paints their room that color? 

I blindly reached my hand back to shake Ryan so she'd move. The girl was a bed hog. I touched what I guessed was her butt against my back. Reaching up a little further, I felt a hand, a big hand. That was enough to wake me up completely. I propped up on my elbows and maneuvered myself, so I could see what the hell I touched. The sight before me had me grinning like the Cheshire Cat.  Ryan slept curled in a semi-ball with her head on Axel's chest and his arms holding her to him.

As peaceful as Ryan looked right now, my curious nature wouldn't let her sleep for long. I needed to know everything, and I needed to know it all now. I should feel guilty for wanting to wake her up, but I didn't. Call It payback for all the times she forced me out of bed. I'll do it gently, though. Not all rude like she chooses.

"Ryan..." I whispered.

"Mom, I would never do that. Why won't you believe me?" She said, almost inaudibly. I needed to wake her up before Axel could hear and ask questions. I poked her in the cheek once, twice, three times.

"Taylor, if  you don't stop poking me, I'm going to thump you in the head." Her voice came louder, though still rough with sleep.

"You were talking in your sleep again. Thought I would wake you before lover boy  woke up." I whispered close to her ear, making her scrunch her nose from my morning breath.  She sleepily lifted her head off his chest.

"Shit, I forgot he was here." She whispered, carefully sitting up, trying not to wake him.

"When did this happen?" I asked, raising a brow.

"He climbed through the window early this morning." She smiled down at a peacefully sleeping Axel.

"He did what?" I asked, louder than I wanted.

"Shhh! Ass-hat couldn't sleep, so he came here."

"How cute...but if Mamma Bitch catches him, we're all dead. Unless the warden gets here first, then...well, I don't know what will happen, but it won't be good" I didn't want Ryan to give her mom an excuse to ship her back to her grandparent's house.

"Keep it down. I'm going to use the bathroom. If anyone knocks on the door, say you're naked or something, Okay?" Ryan lightly chuckled, then opened the door. Just enough to squeeze through before shutting it again. I don't know how she can be so calm right now.

"I love you, Ryan..." Axel mumbled, causing me to choke on an inhale. My eyes went wide, nearly popping out of my head.  Axel loves Ryan? The first time confessing it, and it's to me? Sure he was sleeping, but she should be the first to hear it. My surprise was quickly eclipsed with worry. I hope he didn't tell her anytime soon. She was not ready to hear those words. They have been on one date, and he's subconsciously declaring his love? Ryan would freak out and run. I didn't doubt that he meant it, but I highly doubted that his conscious self even realized this. I contemplated waking him before Ryan came back, so he wouldn't express his undying love for her while she's in the room. Deciding it was the best route, I went to poke him.

"Are  you trying to feel him up?" Ryan laughed, slipping through the door; my finger hovered above Axel's chest.

"I was going to wake him up," I whispered.