This Love's Contagious, So Catch It (Josh Franceschi)

Chapter 14

“Laura I think you had a point about Taylor, but it also applies to you” Hayley said after she’d returned with drinks and chocolate muffins, bless her heart. Frowning I peeled away the muffin case and started nibbling on it while looking at her.

“What do you mean Hayley?” Max asked her and she smiled at me.

“You said that you wanted to find a girl for Taylor that would appreciate how special he is?” she questioned and I nodded at her carefully, “-well I think you should go after your guy. After being in this hospital while Taylor was recovering you never had a chance because of all the crap that happened between you. But now that he is single and you both feel the same about each other I think it’s time for you to do something for yourself, other than sleeping that is” she replied and I frowned at her before rolling my eyes.

What made her say that? Sure I knew who she was referring to but still, what a strange thing to say. I opened my mouth to retort about how I’m sure Josh doesn’t return my feelings, but Elissa stopped me.

“Don’t start Laura. I’m his sister and believe me when I say that he does care about you, even if he won’t show it” she said and I looked up to see her watching me with her eyebrow raised. I rolled my eyes at her but shrugged.

“Sure if you say so. Anyway I don’t have time for a relationship. I need to focus on Taylor and help him to get better” I said sighing and heard my friends groan.

“Laura, be logical. Since that asshole of a boyfriend a few years ago, have you ever felt like this for another guy?” Toni asked and I turned to look at her, since she was only sitting on Elissa’s right. I shuck my head slowly. She smiled at me.

“I can tell by the way you look at him when you are in the same room as each other that you love him. From the moment you met him you’ve been attracted to him so why are you trying to push your feelings away? Take it from someone who knows, if you keep pushing your feelings down they come back stronger when you least want and least expect them to” she said looking at me kindly. I sighed and placed my chin on the bed beside Taylor’s hand.

“Laura what if my brother is the guy for you, and you just let him slip by because you’re scared that every guy will be a prick like Scott, because let me tell you there are some good guys out there” Elissa smiled at me.

“Yeah and I know better than anyone that Josh will treat you right” Max said from the end of Taylor’s bed.

I turned to him and he nodded encouragingly at me. I sighed at him before looking at each of my friends in turn. They all had a point. I deeply loved Josh which did scare me because I loved him more than I had Scott. I was afraid that if I became brave enough to give my heart to him that he would stomp on it, and I knew it would hurt more than what it had with Scott. But listening to Elissa asking me what I would do if I let Josh slip by, and if he happened to be the one for me, made me realise that even if he wasn’t my prince, I couldn’t let someone as amazing as him get away from me, without at least trying first.

I’d made my decision. Nodding I pulled my hand carefully out of Taylor’s before pushing back away from the bed and standing up.

“You guys are right. I need to go and get him. Can you stay with Taylor please until I get back? If he happens to wake up tell him I’m sorry I left but I had some things to sort out” I asked no one in particular as I pulled my denim jacket on and flicked my brown hair out of the collar. Everyone nodded.

“Of course, now go and get your guy” Toni nearly squealed and I glared at her afraid she would wake up Taylor. She shut up, before grinning at me.

Shaking my head in amusement I walked to the doorway and waved at everyone before I closed the door behind me and ran out of the hospital. I paused outside the hospital to text Josh.