Renegade Revival

Chapter 27: Stay One More Night

Hayley's POV

Taylor and I had stayed out the rest of the day, enjoying each other's company. It felt like old times again: Taylor and I joking around, talking, and occasionally becoming lost in each other's eyes and letting the smile on our lips make it obvious to each other.

The sun had set as we found ourselves Downtown. Taylor and I were sitting at a bench in a local park, sharing a cup of gelato. My legs were rested on his lap as he held the cup that carried both of our spoons.

"What do you see in your future?" Taylor asked before taking another small scoop of the Italian ice cream.

"Sanity," I admitted as I took my bite. Taylor smiled at me, knowing what I meant.

"Anything else that's more specific?" he chuckled.

"I don't know," I sighed. "A house that would fit a family of four or five... happiness..."

"So you want kids?"

"Yeah, I guess," I smirked. "Having little rascals wouldn't be so bad, would it?"

"No, I don't think so," he grinned. "Boys or girls?"

"Two boys would be great. The third wouldn't matter. Either way, I'd still love them."

"Any names in mind?" Taylor quizzed. I shrugged as I threw my spoon away in the trash can next to us.

"Not really, no," I confessed. "I'm sure it'll come to me when it happens, y'know?"

"I get you," he said. Taylor tossed the empty cup and spoon in the trash can as well. "Ready to go?"

"It's getting dark," I reminded him. "I suggest we head back."

We drove back to Taylor's place in the dusk, my car still being parked there. I looked over at Taylor.

"It was nice hanging out with you," he said, giving me a small smile. I could see in his caramel eyes that he didn't want me to go. I didn't want to go, either.

"Come home with me," I said. Taylor tilted his head to the side a little.

"What?" he chuckled.

"Come home with me," I repeated. "I don't want to be alone, tonight."

"Hayles, you're never alone," he said, his voice being reassuring.

"I want to be with you," I said, pleading him with a sad stare. "Please?"

"Alright," he groaned. "Let's go in your car." We got out of Taylor's car and switched to mine, like we had agreed to. I started the car and drove towards my house.

"I can't stay long," he said.

"As long as I get to see you tonight," I said, glancing over at him. "That's all that matters to me."

We finally got to my house after a few minutes, which felt like hours, almost. I left my keys and bag by the door, along with Taylor's things.

"Been a while since I've been here," Taylor said, a hint of sadness and pain in his voice. I held his hand and gave it a small squeeze.

"I'm sure it has been," I said, giving him a soft smile. He returned it.

The atmosphere was awkward after a while. The silence became almost uncomfortable as Taylor and I stood in my living room. I began to second think the idea of having him over.

"Hayley?" Taylor tried. I looked over at him, but quickly tore my gaze from him, to the floor.

"Yeah?" I asked, rubbing my exposed arm, wishing I had my leather jacket on. I felt almost naked without it. Taylor didn't say anything; he removed his jacket and put it around my shoulders. I looked up at him, curious why he was doing this.

"Noticed your goosebumps," he said, answering my unspoken question. I hadn't realized it until then that I was cold. I gave a small smile of gratitude.

"I have... a yearbook from high school," I said. My random statement made me punch myself, mentally. Taylor smiled as a small chuckle escaped him.

"I lost mine, I think," he said, saving me from my own embarrassment.

"Do you... wanna see it?" I asked, still being uncomfortable with my own words. Taylor nodded.

"Yeah," he said. "Yeah, that would be great."

I led him to my bedroom and let him sit on my bed as I searched for the old yearbook. I felt his caramel eyes on me, making shivers go down my spine.

"I know you're checking me out, York," I giggled.

"Can't help it," he said, the smile obvious in his voice. "You're just so beautiful."

I felt myself blush at his words as I failed my fight with concealing a grin.

As I looked through the books in my shelf, I felt a slight tug on my jeans from my belt loop, causing me to stumble back a bit.

"Stop it," I giggled as I looked back at Taylor. He tugged again with a smile.

"Come here," he said.

"Don't you want to see the yearbook?" I chuckled.

"I want to see you," he said. I sighed with a smile as I slipped my arms in the sleeves of his jacket, then turned to him.

"What?" I asked with a smirk. Taylor pulled me closer to him, his arms wrapped around my waist.

"I wanna kiss you," he admitted with that handsome smile of his. I bent down a little and planted a kiss on his soft lips.

"Anything else?" I teased, my lips still against his.

"More," he whispered. His hand moved to my thigh as he pulled me closer, letting me sit on his lap.

"You know where this is going to lead," I giggled.

"I won't let it happen," he assured with a grin. "I just want to kiss you."

"You've got me here, stiff," I said as I played with his curly hair. He took me into another kiss, it lasting forever. That moment of forever felt like the best thing ever. And it was the best thing ever. It is the best thing ever.

I later found myself lying on my back, Taylor hovering over me as we smiled at each other, breathless from our forever.

"I love you," I sighed, pulling him into another kiss.

"I love you too," he whispered between one. Another moment passed where we didn't separate.

Eventually, we grew tired and cuddled under the covers, drifting into a sleep. I curled into myself, taking in the scent of Taylor's jacket. It smelled bittersweet with the mixture of cigarette ash and cologne, like smoke and a foreign, strong spice. I smiled to myself as I drifted back to sleep, surrounded by Taylor's scent. And the last thing I felt before I went into the calming, dark peace was Taylor's arm around me as he planted a kiss on my cheek. That was all I needed, to know that I wasn't alone.... That I'll never be alone.