Your Share of Secrets

Chapter 4

I rhythmically tapped my fingers against the circular table seated towards the back of a local cafe. I was about five minutes early but I wanted to have some time to mentally prepare myself. I was a little scatter brained from lack of sleep last night. Every word Dennis said to me in our encounter last night spooked me. My thoughts were interrupted by the chiming of the front door being opened. My head instinctively focused in on the face that arrived. It was Taylor. She scanned the sea of faces and overlooked mine. I stood up and waved in her direction. Her eyes met mine and she smiled with Dennis behind her.

"Hi Hudson," she called out as she got within speaking distance.

I greeted her warmly as I pulled out her chair for her to sit across from me. As soon as she sat down I noticed all eyes on us. We were the center of attention. Dennis stood beside Taylor without even acknowledging me.

"I'll be right over there Miss Swift," he said gruffly while pointing to a nearby table.

As I sat down I noticed a few flashes from cameras directed in our area. I uncomfortably shifted in my seat and tried to ignore the extra attention.

"Sorry about all of the attention. I guess I'm just used to it by now. I sometimes forget not everyone has cameras following their every move."

A moment of sympathy crept into my mind for Taylor. I would hate to live a life in the spotlight. It must be so challenging for her. I shook my head of these sympathetic thoughts before they invaded my heart and messed with my judgement.

"I'm used to insane crowds because of my job. It's really not that big of a deal."

"I'm totally ready for some coffee now. Do you want some?"

"Sure! Let me get it though so you don't have to get back up."

She looked like she was going to argue with me about it but I stood up before she could.

"I promised I'd buy though."

"I know the owner, don't worry about it. This one is on me."

She reluctantly agreed and gave me her order. As I made my way over my thoughts reverted to how fortunate I really was to work under Kurt. He knew everyone in town and this cafe was no exception. All the employees would have to do was look at me and they'd know who I was and who I worked for.

"Are you with Taylor Swift," a young voice asked me in almost a screechy like tone.

"She's a friend of mine, yes."

The young girl beamed from ear to ear and seemed overly excited.

"Oh so you're a friend," she called out, emphasizing the word friend.

"We're just friends," I assured her trying not to laugh.

"What's your name," she asked genuinely interested.

I contemplated on whether or not I was going to give her my name. I didn't want any rumors to get started.

"Hudson," the employee yelled out. I walked towards the counter and the younger girl followed me.

"So your name is Hudson," she beamed.

"My name is Hudson," I stated reluctantly.

"Aw, Tayson!"

I looked at her confused. I had no idea what this girl had for breakfast this morning but it wasn't Cheerios.

"No, my name is Hudson."

She laughed and shook her head. I tried to walk away and she cut me off.

"No, silly! That's your ship name. I just made it up."

Before I could utter out another word, she skipped off. I headed back to the table with our drinks. As I approached it I realized that she had visitors. A couple fans were standing by and taking pictures with her. Dennis ushered them away as I approached and Taylor looked at him irritated. I set our drinks down on the table and sat back down. Taylor shortly followed after me.

"What's a ship name," I asked her with a chuckle.

"Well usually it's a title for your boat. You know, those things that float on the water."

I threw my head back in laughter. It wasn't necessarily what she said but how she said it.

"No I'm serious. One of your fans said she made up a ship name for us."

She looked down turning a light shade of pink.

"Oh. A ship name. It's a name given to a couple. Usually a romantic one."

"Well if we were a couple we'd be Tayson."

She laughed and took a sip of her drink. I took this as an opportunity to sip mine as well.

"Swifties are so cute."

"What is a swifty," I asked her.

"It's just a name my fans gave themselves."

I took another sip of my drink. As I was drinking Taylor spoke up again.

"So how do you know the owner?"

"He's a family friend," I answered smoothly. "I used to come here and play my music every open mic night."

I mentally slapped myself for revealing that personal piece of information to her. Her eyes lit up when I talked about my music.

"What instruments do you play?"

"I play guitar, piano, drums, bass, and a little bit of the banjo. Well, I played them anyways."

I once again wanted to slap myself. I couldn't keep letting my guard down. I needed to learn how to keep my mouth shut. I could she was going to ask me why I changed it to played when we were interrupted by Dennis.

"Miss Swift, you have an interview with Rolling Stones at 11. If we don't leave now you will be late."

Taylor sighed and looked at me apologetically. A part of me was relieved that she didn't get to ask any more questions about the topic at hand. The other part of me was disappointed that she had to go.

"I'm really sorry Hudson. I have a new album coming out so my schedule is a little crazy."

"It's no problem Taylor. I completely understand."

She stands up from the table and picks up her drink.

"I would really like to do this again. Can I give you my number?"

I shook my head almost too enthusiastically. Dennis looked irritated and maybe slightly worried that Taylor was giving out her number to me already. I ignored him as I handed her my phone. I watched as she quickly typed in her name and number. She then handed it back to me with a smile.

"Come quickly, Miss Swift."

Dennis gestured towards the door. I stole a glance at the outside of the cafe to see paparazzi everywhere.

"You should text me tonight," she uttered out almost flirtatiously.

"Will do," I answered with a grin.

She thanked me again before heading outside, blending in with the crowd. An overwhelming feeling creeped up onto me that I haven't felt in a while. It was that feeling you get when you first start to like someone. Everything that person does fascinates you and you realize you want to learn all that you can about them. It is what some may refer to as a "crush." Usually people would be okay with this but with my circumstances it was dangerous. I had to get a firm grip on my emotions before Kurt caught onto it. If Kurt found out, I'd be better off dead.