Protecting Taylor

Chapter 28

Taylor looked up at me, shocked by my words.
"What?" She says as if she can't believe it.
"I love you, Taylor. You're the best thing that has ever happened to me."
A fresh wave of tears come from her and she pulls me into her arms.
"I love you too. I want to help you out of all of this. Will you please let me try?"
"I can't. I'm sorry." I said.
"I don't understand."
"They own me. I'm their child legally."
"But what if sexual abuse was reported?"
"They didn't sexually abuse me. You can't rape the willing."
"But you didn't understand."
"I understood."
"It's still sexual abuse. Plus that man was an adult and you're a minor."
"Yes, but it's complicated. No amount of money in the world could pay off my debt."
She hung her head in defeat. She didn't get any where last time this conversation was had either.
"How much longer will you be here?"
"I don't know. I'm assuming all through tour, after that, I'm not sure."
She nodded.
"I'm sorry for yelling at you." She says.
"It's okay. You were upset."
"Let enjoy our last day off. Do you want to bake some cookies and watch Law and Order?"
"Sounds great." I smile.
-------------------------------------------------------
We were back on tour again in Detroit. Things between Taylor and I have been great. After I shared my feelings towards her our bond grew stronger.
We were hanging out back at the arena while the stage was getting checked. I was hanging out on a couch with Shawn who was telling me stories about his childhood and trying to break into the music industry.
"What about you? What was your childhood like?" He asked. He seemed so interested in my reply.
"My mom died when I was little and my dad wasn't a good man. I ran away and NAPA found me when I was nine and it's been the same ever since."
He reaches over and grabs my hand into his bigger one. A shiver runs down my spine.
"I'm sorry to hear that." He says softly.
"I'm not too hung up on it. I was young."
"Yeah, but don't you ever wish you got a shot at a normal life?"
"I don't know. My dad was a bad man, bad times reveal people's true characters they say."
"That's true, how did she die?"
"She was sick. Cancer I think."
"That's terrible."
He bore his big brown eyes into mine, so full of compassion and concern.
"I've managed." I whisper.
"I'm glad all of that brought you hear though."
"I guess everything did work out."
"You're a special girl, Alex."
"You're pretty extraordinary yourself. You've only just started your career."
"I want to do something. Like go somewhere together." He said suddenly.
"I don't know I'm here to work."
"Come on, I'm just asking for dinner or a walk together."
"I don't kn-"
"She's free!" Taylor said suddenly popping out of no where.
"Awesome, when should we do it? I'm going to be in New York tomorrow."
"We are flying home tonight. You guys should go to dinner tomorrow night."
"Is that okay?" He asked me.
"As long as it's okay with-"
"It's okay with me!" Taylor said cheerfully.
"Okay, it's a date. Well-I mean- we're like hanging out so it not-unless-"
"It's a date. I'll be there." I smile.
"Awesome, okay good. I've wanted to do that for a while now."
"I don't bite." I laugh.
He blushed even more red. He released my hand from his after realizing he was still holding my hand. I didn't mind holding his hand though.
"Shawn, we need you for sound check." A guy said.
"I guess that's my cue. I'll see you in a while." He said before following the guy wearing a headset.
Taylor grabbed my arms.
"Oh my god this is happening!" She squealed.
"What's happening?" An accented voice spoke.
Taylor whipped around and faced Adam.
"Alex and Shawn are going on a date!"
"Ah sweet. He's a nice kid." He nodded.
"Taylor, Dan Reynolds is here." A lady informed Taylor.
"Awesome! Come on." She said and we followed her down the halls to a garage.
"How's it going kiddo?" Adam asked.
"It's going." I shrug.
"You got your cast off."
"Yeah, Taylor took me to get it taken off."
"Bet you don't miss wearing that."
"Not at all." I laugh.
A guy steps out of a black car and gives Taylor and Adam a friendly wave.
"Hey, how's it going!" Taylor greets in a friendly tone.
"Good, how are you?" The guy asks.
"Great, I'm so excited to have you here! Shawn Mendes is sound checking then we have the stage. I'm so happy you agreed to do this. The fans are going to love it."
"That's what it's all about right?"
"Certainly. Dan, this is Alex." She says and we shake hands.
"Nice to meet you." He greets.
I give him a polite smile in return.
When we get back to the stage Shawn is already finished sound checking and Taylor and Dan take the stage. They plan out the special performance and I stand at the side of the stage watching. They are performing his band's song "Radioactive."
Suddenly two arms wrap around me and I nearly snap until I whip around to see Gigi and Martha standing in front of me.
"Hey, gorgeous!" Gigi greets me, her being the one who hugged me.
"Hey guys. Are you here to watch the show?"
"Taylor asked us the walk out during style tonight." Martha explained.
"Oh awesome."
"You got your cast off. How's your arm feeling?" Gigi asked.
"Better and less itchy."
Gigi laughs.
"Are you two hungry?"
"I could use something to eat."
I told them how to get to the food station and they were sent on their ways.
"Hey, so how can I get ahold of you?" Shawn asked.
"Um, you can call Taylor."
"Okay, that works."
Our voices were drowned out by Taylor and Dan starting to practice.
"This is so cool." Shawn said.
"What?"
"How she can just call up these people and they come sing with her."
"Yeah that is pretty cool."
"So, um, what type of food do you like?"
"It doesn't really matter to me."
"Okay, I won't let you down though." A smile spread wide across his pink cheeks.
"I believe in you."
He put a hand to his chest.
"That means so much to me." He says playfully.
I roll my eyes with a small laugh.
"I'll see you around I have to go get ready." He said.
"Yeah, see you later. Good luck out there."
"Yeah, same to you. You know, doing body guard stuff."
"Gotcha." I laugh.
I watch Shawn walk off before focusing back on Taylor. A small smile turns my lips up and I feel like a giddy school girl. I've never felt this way before.