by A. J. Moran
“Where are we going Taylor?”
“You’ll see.” She grinned over at me as she pulled out of the driveway.
We drove in a comfortable silence; the only sound was her humming along to songs on the radio. I let myself relax back into the seat. I was too keyed up. I needed to bring it back down.
Shortly after coming to a stop in front of a larger plantation style house the door opened and Veronica came bounding out followed by another pretty blonde girl. She opened the back door and slid across the backseat. A cloud of flower perfume followed in her wake.
“Hey Tay! Marcus.” She beamed at them. “This is my girlfriend, Tasha. Tash, this is Marcus Frost.”
“Hey, yeah I think we have a class together.” She smiled at me and buckled up. “It is going to be a great night! I’ve been telling Vee that I wanted to get out and do things. Feels like we are always binge watching a new show or something.”
“That isn’t all we do!” Vee laughed and pulled her over to give her a quick kiss. Straightening back up she looked at me again. “Why are you wearing a light blue shirt? Didn’t Tay tell you what we are doing?”
Taylor shook her head and cracked a smile. “It’s a surprise. Shhh.”
Ten minutes later when we pulled into a parking lot for a laser tag place I was surprised. Laser tag didn’t seem like something that Taylor would be into. She just seemed like the type to sit on the sidelines and watch more than play. I’ve been a few times with my old friends before we moved.
Vee and Tasha slide out of the backseat and we are left in silence as the radio shuts off. I look over and can’t help the smile that spreads across my face. “Unexpected, princess.”
“Don’t pretend you know me.” She teases back before following her friend out of the car. Shaking my head to myself I quickly follow them inside. The noise of the video games filled the room and I could smell the smoke from the smoke machine they used in the laser tag games lingering in the air.
“You ready to be beaten into the ground!” Vee cheers her arm around Tasha. “I may not look like a Laser tag champ but looks are deceiving.”
“Well I’m sure you are going to meet your match with us.” I replied, lacing my fingers with Taylor’s while we headed to the cashier. This was a great idea. Yeah it wasn’t real. I had to keep that in mind but I was going to enjoy it anyways.
“Tay may have a chance if she stays away from the beacon of your glowing blue shirt.” Vee laughed, continuing to talk smack. My shirt was glowing under the little bit of black light that was on and I knew that it was even worse in the game room.
“Well—” I drew the word out, “if someone had told me what we were doing then I would be dressed appropriately.” I hummed as I looked over at Taylor and pulled her closer before pressing my lips to the side of her head affectionately.
A look passed between Taylor and Veronica at my action and it almost felt like she knew it was all an act. But if that were the case we wouldn’t be out on a date with her. Choosing to ignore it I pulled out my wallet and ordered up two games of laser tag for all of us.
Chapter 37
Taylor
“Go for red.” I instructed Marcus as the doors opened to let us into the staging room. His shirt glowed like a moving target. I almost felt guilty but the smile that tugged at my lips knew the truth. It was funny. I pulled the vest over my head and clasped the clips and released the gun from where it was hanging. Vee and I had grown up coming to play laser tag and had done many lock-ins over the years. We haven’t been in a while. Since before my mom died. The realization hit me and I swallowed back the emotion. I had stopped doing so much after she died. I had almost stopped living.
It felt like coming out of a fog. I felt a little raw and emotional. Breaking down emotionally during laser tag wasn’t going to happen though so I put on a smile as I took in Marcus trying to reach one of the clips. It was comical.
“Here, let me.” I leaned forward and reached around him to grab the clip before pulling it forward and clicking it into place. After it clicked I realized how close I had moved and glanced up at him before quickly moving away. His eyes followed me and I swear there was something else shining from them. It was just the black light reflecting on his green eyes, that was all.
This was a dangerous game. Vee had come up with the whole date idea. She suggested laser tag, because she was sure it wasn’t something he would expect. She said it would throw him off and make him look at me in a different light. What she forgot to mention was that it would make me look at him in a different light. He was more carefree here than I had seen him anywhere else. He was playful and teasing with me.
It made me relax more than I had in the past around him. I was more myself in this moment than I had been in months. The act that I showed the world was slowly crumbling around my feet, and I didn’t even mind.
“Are you ready to eat dirt?” Vee let out a crazy laugh, her blonde hair shining under the black light. She pointed her laser at us and acted like she pulled the trigger. Then she blew a kiss at us and turned and said something to Tasha.
“I’m pretty sure that the munchkins in here with us are more dangerous than your friend.” Marcus whispered, his head near my ear. I looked around the room at all of the pre-teen kids and I had to agree with him. We probably would have done better if we had grouped together. The kids in the room would target us just because we were older and it would give them bragging rights.
“You’re right.” I whispered back and turned my head slightly to look at him. “It just adds more of a challenge.”
“Well, you may not know this about me, but I love a challenge.” He replied. His eyes dipping down to my lips before connecting with mine again.
“Yeah?” It suddenly felt like we weren’t talking about the game anymore. With his slight nod and smirk, I responded with one of my own before saying, “prove it.” I wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted him to prove or what he thought the challenge was but he nodded at me again before turning his attention to the guy announcing all of the rules.
I tried to hold back my own smile and hid it by looking at my feet. As the metal door rattled open I lifted my laser and followed all of the overly excited kids into the course. “This way.” I gesture to the back of the course. We can get to the vantage point up high and get some points before people realize it. The smoke billowing from the smoke machine makes the black light glow strangely off of the neon paint splatters and the hard music pulses around us as we make our way to the ramp.
We moved together like it was a dance. A slight seriousness of the game at hand taking over for both of us, I took the front and he had the back. Taking out the little munchkins that were brave enough to engage. Our laughter mixed as we moved through the course and took out bases and opponents. We made a good team.
Adrenaline from the game buzzed through my veins and by time we were done with the game I was on a high from it. Happiness mixed in and it was easy to forget whom I was here with. That was the only explanation I had for myself when once we were out and saw our scores that I threw myself into Marcus’s arms with a whoop of joy. His hands held me up. My arms and legs wrapped securely around him. And his laughter mixed with my own again. Before I sobered and realized what exactly I had done.
When I stiffened in his arms I felt him go ridged as well. “I—“ my words tripped over themselves trying to come out of my mouth as my legs and arms tried to detangle from around him. I stumbled backwards. “Wow, uh, sorry for attacking you like that.” I laughed and pushed a stray hair that had escaped from my ponytail behind my ear.
He leaned forward with half of a grin pulling up one side of his lips. “Taylor you can attack me like that anytime you want.”
My eyes widened in surprise at his words, which really shouldn’t have shocked me so much. He was forever in the gutter. It was one of his charms. Wait a minute. Back up. One of his charms, what in the hell was I even thinking? Holy shit. I really was falling for him.
“Or
not.” He added lamely to my silence. He shifted awkwardly from one foot to the other before Vee and Tasha came out of the room. A knowing look passed over Vee’s face before she smoothed it out into a smile.
“So, did we beat you?” She asked as she looked up at the scoreboard. “Next time.” She pointed at us with a grin.
The rest of the night flew by in laughter and fun. It was probably the most fun I had going out in the past year if I was honest with myself. And it didn’t feel like it was fake at all. So when we pulled into the garage and Marcus asked if I wanted to watch a movie with him before calling it a night I smiled and said yes. No hesitation.
I watched as he grabbed the controllers for the TV and I pulled one of the throw pillows to my lap and hugged it to my chest. A bowl of popcorn sat on the cushion between us. It was all very warm. A perfect way to spend a chilly autumn evening cuddled up on the couch. Marcus pressed play on the action movie that he picked. It was one I hadn’t watched so I was fine with it.
Again a comfortable silence blanketed us as we watched that movie and shared popcorn. My hand lingered on the cushion between us, inching its way over to his side of the couch. It was almost unconscious, although I was aware of my actions. I watched from the corner of my eye as his hand slowly moved towards mine and my breath held in my throat. This was real. This wasn’t happening for any kind of show. My heart sprang to action in my chest and tried to beat its way out.
Moments before our hands brushed Wade came bursting into the room and I sprang away from Marcus and basically hugged the arm of the couch. Wade was oblivious of the movement and grabbed up the popcorn bowl taking its place between us on the couch. He grabbed a handful of the popcorn and pushed it into his mouth. Whatever spell had been over us was effectively broken by his arrival and we both crashed back down to reality.
Through the popcorn currently in his mouth he said, “So what are we watching?” He laughed and I could smell the beer on his breath. With a resigned look at Marcus behind Wade I climbed to my feet.
“Nothing really. I was just heading to bed. Night guys.” I hurriedly told him and waved lamely at Marcus on my way to the door.
“Taylor, wait.” I heard Marcus call before I sprinted up the stairs to the safety of my room. Leaning against my closed door I tried to regain my breath. I heard footsteps on the stairs and as they came to a stop on the other side of my door. A light knock on my door had my heart in my throat. “Taylor?” Marcus asked quietly on the other side of the door.
I couldn’t open it. He would see everything written all over my face. I was falling hard for someone that didn’t exactly want me back. I couldn’t face that humiliation.
“Come on Taylor.” He begged. I turned my head and rested my cheek against the door, my hands resting flat against it. I didn’t answer him. I blinked away the tears of disappointment. Vee was wrong, this was a bad idea, and he wouldn’t get hurt I would.
I listened for him to leave, to walk away. Minutes passed and only silence filled my ears. Then a slight rasp of a hand against the door and a sigh before his footsteps fade away.
Chapter 38
Taylor
Hiding my newly recognized feelings was a priority on Monday morning. I had managed to avoid Marcus the rest of the weekend, some of it thanks to an away game he had to go to, the rest due to pure luck, which was finally in my corner. However it finally ran out as I closed the door to my car and turned towards the school only to run directly into Marcus.
“I have a feeling you are avoiding me.” He replied to my squeak of surprise at him appearing right behind me.
“Why would I be doing that?”
He pushed his hands into his jeans and fell into step next to me. With a shrug he looked down at me. That single movement said so much while not saying anything at all. Had he felt it too?
Swinging my backpack up onto my shoulder I cocked an eyebrow at him, “Did you need me for something?” Act cool. Don’t betray your feelings. I kept telling myself as I forced an inquiring smile to go along with my question.
“I thought—” he trailed off with a shake of his head. “Yeah, never mind.” He shrugged and fell silent.
“Oh, trouble in paradise?” Wade’s arms come around us both pulling us close. Mischief radiated off of him as his eyes lit up with it. “We can’t have any of that. Now kiss and make up.” He pushed us towards each other and Marcus' hand landed on my hip as Wade stepped back from us with a smirk.
He had gained the attention of everyone nearby so I couldn’t simply pull away without causing more talk around the school. My hand rested on Marcus’s chest, his heart beating strongly beneath my palm. Warmth spread into my stomach at the contact and my own heart sped up in response. Looking up at him I let a smile lift one corner of my mouth. One last kiss before I end it. I could do that right?
“So—” Marcus’s fingers flex on my hip. “Kiss and make up?” He cocked his head to the side in question. He leaned towards me and paused waiting for my permission. I nodded slightly before he pressed his lips to mine. He pulled back too soon with a smile. His thumb came up and ran across my bottom lip as his smile reached his eyes. “All better? Truce?”
All better? Were we really fighting? How could one chaste kiss make me feel so lightheaded? Was this all part of the game we were playing with each other? It didn’t matter, it would be done soon.
“Of course.” I replied as I placed a light kiss on the pad of his thumb. His eyes darkened slightly and he pulled away a little only to pull me into his side and continue walking to the school. Wade fell into step next to us, a grin spread across his smug face.
The whispers in the hall about us started to change as we walked past people. Instead of the derisive and mean things that they were saying, girls were now whispering how great we were together. They were gushing over how cute we were. How they wanted to have a relationship just like ours. Believe me they really didn’t.
◆◆◆
He was there waiting for me at the end of the day. Like a real boyfriend would be. I tried to ignore him, I just wasn’t ready to break it off, but he fell into step next to me as I walked to my car.
“Practice was canceled today.” He informed me like I had asked.
I gave a non-answer hum in response and looked towards the empty football field.
“I was thinking, we could grab something to eat together at Joe’s. You know, be seen.” He added.
Be seen. I regretted putting that thought into his head.
“I thought you really didn’t care about that?” I looked over at him.
“I don’t.” He shrugged like this morning and shoved his hands into his pockets. It screamed that he did care. He just didn’t want me to know.
“Mmm-hmm”
“I’m offering you free food here.” He replied and looked away like he didn’t really care what my answer was.
“I think we’ve covered that you’re the one that likes to eat.” I snorted despite myself.
“Indeed.” He smirked as he reached out to stop me from opening my car door. “So, free food?”
With a sigh I looked away again. Damn butterflies. “Okay.” I relented. “I’ll meet you there.”
Chapter 39
Marcus
I felt like I had won the lottery. Getting her to say yes was like pulling teeth. I watched as she backed out of the space. She gave me a little wave and then pulled away. I had it bad.
“Dude, you got it bad.” Wade laughed hitting me on the shoulder.
Looking over at him I could only nod. I did.
“So, what are you gonna do about it?”
“Make it real.” I turned to go back to my truck. Wade was right behind me.
“Make it real?” He echoed. “How?”
“Don’t give me shit about this Wade.” I warned. He was going to, warning or not. That’s what brothers did.
“You are crazy if you think it is going to be just that easy.” He snaps his fingers. “That girl is not that easy.”
>
“No shit.” I climb into the truck and roll down the window. “Are you getting in or walking?” I snap impatiently as Wade tries to get his laughter under control.
He shook with his silent laughter as he climbed into the truck and I wanted to push him back out. I glared at him before starting the truck and following the rest of the student body out of the parking lot.
“Sorry.” He laughed, not sounding sorry at all.
“Look I’m meeting Taylor at Joe’s and if you are tagging along you’re not going to be the annoying little brother. Got it?” I went for stern and I sounded a little like dad used to.
A half smirk pulled at his mouth and I knew he was thinking it too. “I’ll do one better, I’ll be nothing but supportive. If this is what you want I’ll help. Yeah?”
I wasn’t sure if his help was what I wanted. That might be a disaster. But at this point I’d take it. I would probably need it.
“Okay.” I nodded. “But you are walking home if you are even the tiniest bit annoying.”
“Scouts honor.” He held up a peace sign and I sighed. He was the furthest thing from a boy scout.
By time we made it over to Joe’s, Taylor was leaning against the outside of her car waiting for us. The late fall sunlight glinted off of her dark hair and made it look almost ebony. She was beautiful. As she caught sight of my truck she straightened up and I could see the ghost of a smile on her face. Was that for me?
“Hey Wade.” She waved at him with a real smile. It made that stupid little green monster flare up. “You didn’t tell me Wade was coming.” She looked over at me.
“Would it have made the choice easier?” I didn’t want to know the answer. I shouldn’t have asked.
“Maybe.” She shrugged and turned towards the doors. “Maybe not.” She glanced over her shoulder at me with a wicked gleam to her eyes. Was she flirting again?