GETAWAY CAR

10. Better Man

(I know I only updated yesterday but here's the second part to this encounter.)

January 3rd 2017

Taylor's POV

"What do you mean, he knows? He can't know!" I'm panicking now, very clearly panicking. "I was going to wait and tell you tomorrow, but you're here now. I don't know how he knows but he does, I'm so sorry." I look over to Karlie who is just as shocked as I am. "What if he tries to take my baby." My voice cracks and tears start forming in my eyes again, but I hold tight Maisie in my arms as if my life depends on it.

"I'm not going to let that happen." Karlie rests her hand on Maisie's head and I bury my face in the crook of her neck as a few stray tears make their way down my cheeks. "I've got you both and I'm not going to let him take her, okay?" She rubs my back and I nod into her shoulder.

"I need to talk to him, I need to know what he wants." I pull away from her and look between the two people in front of me. I can't risk him doing anything to harm Maisie or take her away from me, I just can't. "I need to call him." I state boldly as I stand up and Karlie follows me, I hand her Maisie as I search through the diaper bag for my phone. There are missed calls from my mom and dad but I'll answer them when I get a chance. "Are you sure this is a good idea, Tay?" Karlie tries to reason with me but I can't back down, I can't. "I need to do this, Karlie, for her." I stroke Maisie's little cheek as she squirms around in Karlie's arms and she sighs but agrees with me.

I scroll through my blocked numbers until I find his, unblocking it, pressing call and holding it to my ear. "Hello?" His voice makes my stomach turn. "Adam, it's Taylor. We need to talk." My tone stays dry and neutral as I wait for him to answer. "Scott told you?" He asks and he sounds almost genuine. "He did, and I need to know what you want from me." I'm almost on the verge of tears but I'm trying to sound strong. He sighs, "Taylor, I don't want anything. Meet me and we can talk, anywhere you want." He sounds remorseful but I still hesitate, "bring Karlie with you, you don't have to be alone- I don't want to make you uncomfortable."

I go through my options but I need to get this over with. "Okay, come over to my house, do you still remember where it is?" I ask, "yea." He answers and the call ends shortly after.

I turn back to Karlie and take Maisie from her, wanting to have my baby close to me. "He said he doesn't want anything, he just wants to talk." I'm slightly confused, "So he's coming to the house? Where Maisie will be?" She asks and I look down at the little girl as she lies against my chest.

I don't want to leave her with my parents since my mom still isn't in the best health and she doesn't need the stress, and Austin is out of town. "I don't think we have much choice, I mean he already knows about her so what harm could it really do?" I look between Maisie and Karlie and the woman nods. I kiss Maisie's head as I try to slow my erratic heart, breathing deeply.

"Taylor, be careful and we'll see you tomorrow- there's still some things we need to discuss." Scott walks over and I sigh as I nod. I lay Maisie in the stroller and pull the man into a hug, as much as I hate him for all of this I know it's not his fault. "He kept asking about you and then the other day he brought this up, and you know what I always say- the first rule of Taylor club is that we don't talk about Taylor, but when he mentioned the baby I knew you had to know." He's trying to explain it to me but I just shake my head, "if he knew then it was bound to happen, it just so happened to be today."

He nods and I hug him again before pulling away. "We should get home, I need to speak to my parents and get her upstairs before he gets there." I look down at Maisie and I feel a shiver run down my spine at the thought of what he wants to say.