Holding On

Chapter 23

Taylor's P.O.V.

Martin Luther King Jr. Once said darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that

"Taylor?"

I heard the door open "In here" I called out. I heard the door close and footsteps approach the couch I was sitting on

He opened his mouth but then noticed something "Wine? In the morning?"

I sighed and gave a weak look "I need it"

He sighed and walked over to sit next to me "Okay, I'll buy it. What's going on?" He let out a sigh while he sat down

I took a sip of my wine "Antonio found out about me going to visit Derek and he got so upset he didn't even let me explain" I turned to look at him while he did the same "Wait, do you?"

He nodded "Yea, I know. And I'm not mad about it"

I scoffed and took yet another sip of my wine "Yea well at least your not upset. But Antonio no, he just had to hear it from someone" I said taking a bigger sip of my wine "And he didn't even give me a chance to explain like what the hell" I brought the glass up to my lips about to take another sip but Will snatched it from my hand

"Okay, I think you've had enough wine"

I let out a small grunt "Fine"

"Look I think you and Antonio should talk about it"

I turned my body to Will "How am I suppose to talk to him if he won't let me. I tried explaining already"

He looked sort of baffled "Once, you tried explaining once"

I laid my head back and let out a frustrated grunt. I picked up my head and checked my phone "Shouldn't you be at work?"

"My shift starts in about half an hour" He said looking at his watch "What about you?"

"I'm off today, oh can I go with you to work?" I asked excitedly

He sighed "No, you can't hide from Antonio. Go to his house and confront him"

"Uh no, I think I'm good" I stood up from the couch "I'm just gonna go out for a jog"

He stood up from the couch "Okay, wait it's winter"

I chuckled "It's the best time. But it's not winter, it's September Will"

"Alright" He gave me a kiss on the cheek "I'll see you later" He said walking to the door "And talk to Antonio" He yelled from the front door

"Love you too Will" I shouted

I walked to my room and changed to my work out clothes. I left my house and went to the park. I loved this, it was a beautiful day and the park was so big and spacious. I plugged in my earphones into my ears and played my music as I began to jog, then run. It was pretty much rock music and it motivated me. I pulled to a stop and huffed and puffed with the icy breath coming out of my mouth because it was nice and cool.

I stayed at the park pretty much all day. Until I got home I showered then my phone went off. I opened the text and took a deep breath. I got dressed and headed over to another park that was close by. I stuffed my hands on my jacket as I approached the side of the ice skating rink

"Thanks for meeting me" Antonio said. I gotta say, he looked very attractive wearing his jacket and beanie

I nodded my head and stood across from him as we leaned again the rink

"What I did, was wrong. I walked out without letting you explain"

I cleared my throat "Yea, you did"

"Okay" He pressed his lips together for half a second "Start explaining"

I sighed "I've been going to see Derek for the past week because I want to know. He wanted me dead, gone. And I wanted an answer, I didn't do anything to him ever"

"And did you get your answers?"

"No, I didn't. That's why I kept going everyday. But it's like he wants to play games" I sighed "I'm sorry I didn't tell you, I wanted you but I didn't want to worry you"

He stepped closer to me "Well next time you do tell me. Because I'm the one who suppose to be looking out for you" He stepped even closer to me and wrapped his arms around my waist "Plus I'm your boyfriend, you shouldn't keep things from me"

"Right" I said pressing my lips into a line "Next time I'll tell you"

He smiled "You better" He kissed me and I kissed back. After pulling away I could feel my heart was warm, and it made me smile. I loved it, being here with him. My ears opened to the sound of kids giggling and the ice skates piercing the hard frozen ice. The cold felt good, and the warmth from Antonio hugging me. I pulled away and glanced at rink

"Come on, let's go skate" I said

He raised his eyebrows for a second "Uh, no I'm good"

I pouted "Oh come on please. Then why did you bring me here?"

"Because I like the scenery and I always bring my kids here. I just watch"

"Well, it's just me and you here. So please, for me" I made a pouty face

He sighed "Fine" He said caving in

I laughed and we both walked to get some skates

-

Jay and Will sat down at Jay's apartment after work while they drank a beer together

"You know Taylor has been through so much" Will said

Jay nodded his head in agreement "Yea, I mean last year we didn't know her. But now" He huffed to himself "We'd do anything for her"

"I just can't really believe what she went through you know, if maybe we would've got to her sooner then maybe we could've prevented this from happening everything"

Jay exhaled and sipped his beer "I don't think so, Derek would've done this either way"

"Antonio will take care of her too. He really cares for her, I see it"

"Yea but it doesn't really bother you? That their 10 years apart?"

Will sighed "Your still bothered by that?"

"I don't know. I mean I've seen Laura around lately. What if he's getting back together with her"

After sipping more of his beer and swallowing Will scoffed "He isn't going to get back with Laura, he cares about Taylor. And she deserves to be happy"

Jay nodded his head pretty slowly and brought his beer up. He wasn't so sure about that. I mean he's happy for Taylor but if he knows anything about Antonio and Laura. Laura just won't leave now that she's back