Saving Her (Taylor Caniff)

Chapter Twenty Three

* Courtney P.O.V *

I stared out the window and watched as the sky flashed by. The clouds were light grey, they threatened a storm. Typical homecoming weather.

I could feel Taylor's loving gaze. "You're lucky you wore long sleeves, looks like it's gonna rain" I commented.

He shifted uncomfortably. "We're here" the cab driver called. Taylor wheeled me in and waved the cab driver off.

"Are you hungry? Cold? I'll, uh, get you a blanket" he helped me onto the sofa. He paused, his face above mine. This was my chance, I needed to know if we were okay.

"I could use a kiss" I whispered, smiling sweetly.

"Sure" he kissed my cheek.

"Oh" my eyes dropped to the floor.

"I'll... uh... I'm gonna get you a blanket" he sighed, walking away awkwardly. I buried my head in my hands and sobbed quietly.

"Is this the end?" I whispered to myself. I pulled at my sleeves, nervously scratching at my hands. I felt the panic arising. First I start to feel hot and I start scratching at my skin. Then I get tears that burn down my cheeks and I just can't control myself. My mind goes blurry and I need to scream or break something. I felt my nails piercing my soft flesh and tears streaming down my cheeks. It burned.

His hands covered mine, taking them away from me and holding them to his mouth. He kissed my hands gently. "I missed you, princess" he whispered. He smiled and kissed me softly. My chunky cast made it hard for him to hold my hands but I don't mind, i don't think he did either.

"I need a shower" I smiled. "Help?"

"I didn't think you'd ask" he laughed. I sat on the sink while he fiddled with the taps, getting the right temperature.

He put the dumb plastic wrap over my cast and undressed me carefully. He smiled warmly, his eyes glancing up and down my bare body.

Then it was his turn. He started with his shirt, the thin material dropped to the floor, revealing a tan and toned chest. I reached out my good hand and ran my fingers down his torso. He laughed and flexed his muscles. Next he took off his bottoms. I tried to avert my eyes as they dropped but my curiosity got the best of me.

I felt self-conscious standing in front of him in the hot shower. "Come here" he whispered, smiling. I smiled and handed him the soap, turning away from him as he put some in his hands and then on my back. The ice cold was a contrast to the heat of our bodies and the water. I felt a drip escape down my spine. I closed my eyes and tilted my head back as he massaged the soap into my skin. It felt so good to have his hands on my body.

I turned around and took hold of the bottle. "Now you" I smiled. His chest was hard under my palm as I rubbed in the sweet smelling liquid. He tensed as I coated his biceps in soapy bubbles. I ran my fingers down his forearms, his upturned hand in mine as I rubbed his skin with the other. My eyes gazing lovingly into his as my thumb moved up his wrist. My thumb ran over a small bump. I glanced down. He did too. His smile disappeared as he saw what I saw. An unmistakable thick red line. His hands darted behind his back.

"Taylor?" I question "w-what is that?"

He looks at everything in the bathroom besides me, trying his hardest to avoid my stare. "Taylor. What is that?" I push again.

"I... I- I'm sorry. With everything that happened, we were great, you, you were great, th-then he took you a-and he..." his voice dies down into a whisper as tears begin to fall from his eyes "he hurt you. So much. A-and I couldn't bare it, the thought of m-my baby, my princess being in so much pain. I-I'm sorry baby" he cries, more and more tears falling from his eyes.

I turn the water off with my free hand and climb out of the shower. He stares at me as if I am about to walk out and leave him there but his face changes as I grab his hand and drag him out. I don't care that we are both standing in the bathroom, naked, together. I pulled him towards me and hugged him, hoping to comfort him.

"Taylor...it's okay. Its okay. I- I love you" he looks up a me, wiping the tears away. He inches closer to my face, whispering a small "I love you too" before kissing me deeply. I kiss him with everything that i have, attempting to show him that I haven't lost any care or respect for him. I pull away, resting my head against his chest. "why didn't you tell me?"

Love you all, stay amazing ♡