Just Do It (TannerBraungardtxDylanMitchell)

17: Trampolines & A Phone Call

Tanner was living the good life. Fancy houses, fancier cars. Parties every week. Rich people. It was the life he had always fantasized about, but never though was even remotely possible. His friends knew important people, millionaires with connections that spoiled them and helped Tanner fulfill his dreams. Everyday was insane, on the go, move, move, move. Meetings and road trips. Tanner grew to love his new life. The only thing that would have made it better would be Dylan by his side.

He still missed his old life. Kansas, the neighbors, his house. But the west coast was growing on him.

He sat on a marble bench in someone's backyard. There was music playing, a buffet of food in the corner, and men and women of a high social stature standing around, socialising, talking business. He pulled his knees to his chest at stared at the background on his phone. It was a picture of Dylan kissing his cheek at that waterfallwhen they were in Hawaii. Cliche and cheesy, yes, but it was Tanner's favorite picture.

"Boyfriend?" Jack sat down with an awkward half smile.

"Yeah, that's Dylan."

"I didn't know you swing that way. You two look good together."

Tanner nodded. "We were."

Jack patted the blonde's shoulder, unsure of what to say. "Did you break up when you moved?"

"No, things were better than ever. We just fought a lot. We moved really fast and I dunno. Bad timing."

Bailey was unsure of what to say. He was awkward about feelings. "Well, cheer up. Everything will work out."

Tanner turned his phone off, deciding not to call Dylan tonight. The last time they talked, they talked politely like old acquaintances.

"I've been here three weeks and it feels like everything has changed."

He still had mixed feelings about California, but it felt more like home than Kansas ever did. He was building the life he wanted in a place that accepted him. Kansas was never good to him or his family. It was beginning to feel like he didn't have anything to go back to. He had friends that kept him motivated and happy. His therapist was here. The only thing left in Kansas.... was Dylan.

"Have you talked to him about how you feel?"

"No, we just make small talk and if we do try to talk about shit, it turns into a fight. Neither of us know how to fix us, because I don't think either of us know what's wrong. It just isn't working."

Bailey slung an arm across Tanner's shoulders, muttering words of encouragement, though he didn't really know what to say. Tanner appreciated the effort and was slightly comforted.

"Hey, guys," Dylan Hawk walked over, "A bunch of us are heading out to that trampoline park we saw on the way here. You guys in?"

Tanner perked up at the mention of the trampoline park. The idea of jumping around, performing dangerous tricks, risking his life, it felt like the adrenaline rush he had been craving. The perfect way to blow off steam.

"Hells yeah, I'm in!"

The park was only a few minutes away. Before he knew it, Tanner was standing on a ledge, staring down a twelve foot drop onto one of the biggest tramps he had ever seen. The next three seconds of heart-pounding free fall were exhilarating and filled Tanner's veins with some much needed adrenaline.

And the fun didn't stop there. With an obstacle course, other tramps, and various setups, they were occupied for hours. It felt so good to be so free again. Tanner loved it.

They jumped around fit what seemed like hours, even holding a few flip competitions, that naturally the professional flipper Dom won. Tanner met Zero, Dom and Solomon, the of the world's greatest trampoline athletes. They became fast friends and pumped each other up. Tanner was so in love with life.

"Tanner, you're getting a call." Jack handed him the phone.

Tanner looked at the screen and was surprised to see who it was. "Hey, Dyl."

"Hey, I'm sorry to call you so late, but I just miss you and-"

"It's okay, babe. I miss you too."

Dylan sighed. The panic he felt in his chest melted as they feel into silence. Neither of them spoke for the longest time, nor did they hang up. Dylan knew what he wanted, no, needed, to say. It was stuck at the tip of his tongue. Tanner waited, patiently and anticipating the worst.

"It's okay. Say what you have to."

"I miss you. I miss us and the way we used to be. I want to be us again...."

Tanner spoke cautiously. "Even if that means going back to being just friends."

"Look, I love you. As happy as I am here, I'm alone without you. I'm willing to work on us and fight for you if that's what I have to do. Please don't give up now. A few more weeks and I'm all yours."

"I'd never give up. I just don't know what to do anymore. I don't know how to fix this."

Tanner chuckled. "Dyl, we are a couple of stupid kids. Of course we aren't going to be perfect. We'll figure it out."

Dylan smiled for once, then he couldn't stop. They talked more honestly than they had in a very long time. They talked like the best friends they were. They laughed and cried tears of both happiness and sadness. It was liberating. Obviously they hadn't figured it all out, but for once, that was okay with them. They understood each other better and were closer than ever.

"So I'm laying in Quentin's yard, which is actually really uncomfortable because the grass is dead, and I'm looking at the stars. They're the same stars you see and I dunno where I was going with that. I guess it makes it feel like you aren't so far away."

"Well, that was almost really romantic," Tanner smiled brightly, "I'll give you an A for effort. Anyways, I gotta go, babe. I love you. Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

I love you, too.