Dylan and Taylor (Soul Mates 101 Series)

by Scarlet Wolfe

  “Vincent didn’t give me a choice.”

  Dylan comes out to give everyone an update. “I don’t see any change with Taylor, but the doctor hasn’t been in this morning.” He sits next to me and takes his coffee.

  “Your brother got to drive the Lamborghini,” Brett says, looking at Dylan.

  “Yeah, I heard already. He was given every kind of temptation last night.” My brother smiles at me. Assholes.

  Band Together

  Dylan

  I’m sitting next to Nate and talking with the guys when I stop mid-sentence. The rest of the band members in Strip It Off are walking toward us.

  “Are any of you here for Taylor Page?” the drummer, Ricky, asks.

  I feel the eyes of our whole group looking at me.

  “Yes, we all are. I’ll go get Vincent for you,” I say nervously. I feel my body shaking as I walk to Taylor’s room. “Vincent, your whole band is out in the waiting room.”

  “I wondered if those shits would fly in. I guess I better go talk to them.”

  Tory jumps up from her chair. “I want to see them, Daddy.”

  The pulmonologist, a woman who looked to be in her forties, comes into the room to speak to Brenda and me not long after they leave. “Taylor has developed pneumonia from the vomit she aspirated, so we’ve started her on heavy antibiotics. We knew this was a possibility. It’s common with her condition, but it’s a bit of a setback. I’ll be back in later today to check on her.” She gives us a sympathetic look before she leaves.

  I don’t want to cry in front of Brenda, but I can’t help it. I’m terrified I’m going to lose her, and I’ll have to live with that the rest of my life, but most importantly, I’ll have to live without Taylor. I won’t be able to take it.

  I decide to go out to the waiting room to give everyone an update. I need my friends and brother right now. I walk up to Vincent with what I’m sure are swollen, red eyes.

  “Guys this is Dylan, Taylor’s boyfriend. He saved her life about a month ago when they were stranded in a snow storm.”

  He’s trying to be nice and take some of my guilt away, but it isn’t going to happen. “Vincent, the doctor came in and said that Taylor has pneumonia. I’m sorry, but she said it’s a setback.” I start tearing up again.

  The singer of the band, Lance, pats me on the back.

  “I’m sure she’ll pull through. Taylor’s one tough girl. She has survived a lot in her life, and we’re glad to hear she found a decent guy.”

  “Thanks,” I say faintly.

  I notice the bass player, Buck, looking over where our group is sitting. “I see Taylor’s made a lot of friends. They’re a nice lookin’ bunch.” He smirks.

  “That’s a pretty close group sitting there,” Vincent says, gazing at Nate, Tory and our friends. “Most of them are couples. Taylor said the guys are very protective of the girls. She’s needed this kind of friendship her whole life. I hadn’t got to fill you all in yet, but Dylan here has a gift when it comes to playing guitar. I’m thinking maybe a legendary gift. I’m trying to get him in a studio to hear him play again.”

  The rhythm guitarist, Walker, raises a brow and smirks. “You better not be trying to replace me.”

  My eyes widen, and I feel extremely uncomfortable.

  “No way, man. That wouldn’t even be possible if I tried. I’m going to go sit with my friends. It was nice to meet you all.” This is surreal, and I wish I was meeting the band under different circumstances.

  I give everyone the update on Taylor. Hannah gets up and walks away sobbing before Brett goes after her. Morgan goes to sit in Matt’s lap, and Austin and Cody move to put two empty chairs between them, so Chelsea and Jasmine can sit with them.

  Vincent walks over to tell me he’s going back to his house with Brenda and the band. I imagine Vincent’s ready to have a drink with his buddies. My friends talk me into going home around lunchtime by agreeing to alternate sitting with Taylor.

  I only stay away about three hours, long enough to shower, nap and eat something. I’m stricken with pain all over again when I hear there’s still no change in Taylor’s condition. The Pages come back in the late evening, so while they’re sitting with her, I go back into the waiting room. When I walk in, I see familiar faces on the television.

  “Shit, Nate, you’re on TV with Tory. Vincent’s band is on there, too,” I say.

  Nate jumps to his feet. “Mom and Dad are going to kill me, Dylan! I better go call them.”

  Tory grabs my brother’s hand. “Nate, I’m really sorry.”

  “It’s not your fault.” He’s stressed, so it doesn’t come out nicely, but I know he doesn’t blame her.

  “This crap makes me so angry,” Brett says. He definitely understands after what he went through with Hannah. I still can’t believe we’re living this nightmare all over again. I’ve decided that I’ll accept all that comes with dating Taylor. I can’t live without her, but I hate bringing Nate into this mess.

  I make all our friends leave at ten. They’ve been here all day. Nate, Tory and I are the only ones left in the waiting room. Vincent comes out a little later. “There’s still no change. Nervous boy, could you please take Tory to the house again and stay with her tonight?”

  “Yes, si—Vincent.”

  Vincent smirks before he hugs Tory and goes back to Taylor’s room. I think he’s taking pleasure in stressing out Nate.

  “Dylan, I’m sorry that I was on the news tonight. Everyone’s going to know about you and Taylor now. Dad seemed mad when I talked to him, but Mom told me to tell you they’re praying for Taylor.”

  “I’ll talk to Mom and Dad when I get a chance, but for now, you two should go home and get some rest.”

  Tory gives me a hug. “My sister’s tough, Dylan. She’ll survive this.”

  “I think you’re right. I just pushed her too far.”

  “She knows you love her. This is mostly from built up pain she’s kept locked away.”

  Tory begins crying, so Nate grabs her hand. “Come on, Tory. You need sleep.”

  Flirting with Temptation

  Nate

  Tory and I walk out to the Hummer, and thankfully, there are no cameras waiting. Tory looks over at me after we buckle in. “Look, if you don’t want to go back to my place again, I can take care of myself. I know you’re being put through a lot of shit because of my family. My dad doesn’t have to know. I can drive this home, and you can take your truck to the guys’ house.”

  “Do you want me to stay with you?”

  “Yes, but only if you want to.” She looks away from me. It’s obvious how worried she is about her sister. I can’t stand the thought of her being alone in that enormous house.

  “I want to stay with you, Tory. I don’t want you by yourself with those reporters running around.” I pull out of the parking lot and glance over at her. She has her head resting against the window, and I see that her cheek’s wet. From what I’ve heard, Taylor has a defensive, tough front to hide her pain behind.

  I’m starting to think the forward, bubbly part of Tory might be a front for her own pain. It’s obvious she’s lacked some attention over the years, which is ironic since she’s been given anything she wants and then some. I reach for her hand and hold it the rest of the way.

  Once the Hummer is parked, we go to Tory’s bedroom. It feels so wrong to be in her room but so right to sleep against her. Once we’re in bed, she grabs my arm again to wrap around her.

  “Tory, I’m sorry for what you’re going through. I know you and Taylor are close.”

  “Thanks, Nate. You’re the sweetest guy I’ve ever met.”

  I nuzzle my face against her flowery scented hair and try to fall sleep.

  ***

  I jerk my eyes open and see Tory staring at me, inches from my face. Her hand is running through my hair.

  “What are you doing, Tory?”

  “Sorry, you have nice hair, and you are definitely nice to look at. I was just enjoying the view.�
� She gives me a melting smile.

  “I have met some forward girls but none like you, Tory. You need to watch it around guys, or you’re going to get hurt, especially if you start partying at college. You’re lucky I’m a nice guy and terrified of your dad, or I would’ve already taken advantage of this situation.” Shit! Why did I say that?

  “You would have?” Her intriguing eyes search mine for an answer.

  I let out a loud sigh. “You’re beautiful, so I imagine almost any guy would if you were willing.” I become lost as I gaze at her. “You have the coolest eyes, Tory. They’re the color of sand or … peanut butter. I’m callin’ you peanut.”

  Damn, I want to kiss her. I glide the back of my hand down her cheek. Shit, what am I doing? “I need to get out of this bed.” I jump up and go straight into the bathroom. We’re getting too close and personal. I get out of the shower and yell. I forgot to bring my clothes in with me. This morning is getting worse by the minute. I walk out with just a towel around my waist, and it’s like Tory knows I forgot my clothes.

  She’s grinning as she rests in bed on her side, propped up by her elbow. “Did you forget something? I like this view even better.” Her alluring gaze follows me.

  “What am I going to do with you, peanut?” I smirk at her before I walk back into the restroom with my clothes.

  “Do you want a list? Just joking,” she yells before I hear her giggling. Why does she have to be so damn cute in every possible way? I like her already, and that’s a development I don’t need.

  When Tory and I pull out from the gate at the end of her driveway, the camera men are waiting and get pictures of us in the Hummer. “Great, my parents are gonna just love this. The paparazzi will probably say I left from your house this morning.”

  “You’re eighteen, so who cares?”

  “Tory, I’m still in high school. I have to follow my parents’ rules as long as I live in their house. They’re old fashioned and strict. This is gonna be hell for me. There’s a girl at school I’ve been messing around with, too, and she’ll probably find out.”

  “Well, why did you get in my bed then?”

  “I’m not dating her, so I can do whatever I want, but it doesn’t mean she won’t cut me off.”

  Tory crosses her arms. “You’re talking about sex, aren’t you?”

  I glance over at her. How do I want to answer this? I should keep my mouth shut.

  “Are you going to answer me?”

  “Yes, I’m talking about sex.”

  “She sleeps with you when you’re not dating?”

  “There’s no sleeping to it. I don’t want to talk about this with you, Tory.”

  “Sorry, but I’m curious.”

  “Can you honestly say you’ve only had sex with guys you were dating? I know you don’t have a boyfriend.”

  “How do you know I don’t have a boyfriend?”

  I give her a look. “Really? With Taylor hurt, you’d have him by your side. You wouldn’t need me.”

  “I can honestly say I’ve never had sex with a guy I wasn’t dating … or a guy I was dating.”

  I snap my head her way. This is shocking news.

  “Geez, Nate. Could you look any more shocked?”

  Great, now she’s mad. “Sorry, but you’re almost eighteen, and you don’t act very innocent. I was sure you’d had sex before.” She turns her head and stares out the window. I think I need to just let this conversation go.

  When we arrive at the hospital, our friends are in the waiting room once again. Tory goes straight to the girls, so now I’m sure she’s angry.

  “Damn, Nate, you aren’t wasting any time,” Matt says.

  “Go to hell, Matt.”

  “I was just playin’ around. You need to chill.”

  “I’m sorry, but I’ve had a sucky morning. My dick’s in pain from sleeping next to Tory for two nights. Then the paparazzi took photos of me leaving the house with her this morning. I have to explain this to everyone, and I imagine the only girl that’s having sex with me will not be after she sees me with Tory on TV.”

  “Oh shit, that’s bad,” Brett says, chuckling.

  They don’t have a bit of sympathy for me.

  Dylan

  I’ve only had intermittent sleep for a week now. It’s Saturday morning, and I’m sitting next to Taylor’s bed when the pulmonologist comes in.

  “I wanted to let you know that Taylor’s lungs are doing much better. There’s less infection, and her brain scans are good, so I’m hopeful she’ll wake up.”

  “Oh, thank you for letting us know,” Brenda says.

  It’s the best news we’ve heard yet, and I have a nervous energy now as we wait. Around noon, I leave with the guys. The girls agree to take turns sitting with Taylor while I get a shower and eat.

  When I return in the evening, there’s been no change, so Vincent, Brenda and I continue to sit with her. I’m asleep with my head laying on her bed when I hear a noise.

  All three of us open our eyes and see Taylor looking terrified as she tries to pull her breathing tube out. Her eyes are wide open, so Vincent grabs her arms while I run out of the room, yelling for a nurse. A few of them hurry in and make us leave.

  I tear into the waiting room, wired up and speaking quickly to everyone. “She woke up. She really woke up, and she tried to pull out her breathing tube, so the nurses ran us out of the room.” The girls jump up, and every one of them hug on me.

  “Just seeing her eyes open was such a relief.” I take off my hat and put it back on again. I’m so happy.

  “I just hope they tell us something quickly,” Vincent says.

  Thirty minutes pass before a nurse comes out to get us. Tory and I go back with Vincent and Brenda. The nurse informs us they had to lightly sedate Taylor, so she can’t pull out the tube while they wean her off the ventilator. We’re frustrated they had to put her back to sleep, but they assure us it should be temporary.

  ***

  It’s close to midnight, and all our friends just left. Nate took Tory home again, so it’s just Vincent, Brenda and me waiting.

  “Sunshine, I love you.” I stroke her hair for a while. My chair is next to her, so I lay my head on my arms that are resting on the bed next to her and try to sleep. I can hardly wait until I can pull her up against my chest and sleep with her in bed.

  Nate

  Tory’s curled up against my chest. She didn’t have to pull on my arm last night. It seemed natural to wrap it around her when we went to bed. Now, hers is draped over my chest, and her legs are tangled with mine.

  Anxiety washes over me as I realize how much I’ve enjoyed sleeping with her and snuggling. Disappointment strikes me next when I think about how this is the last time I get a chance to. I hate that Taylor’s hurt, but all the other shit I’ve dealt with over this has been worth it to get to know Tory.

  I don’t know how much time passes, but I continue to enjoy the feel of her skin against mine. I start running my fingers through her long, golden blonde hair. I believe I’m getting a taste of what Dylan was talking about. I really wish I could just sleep in bed with Tory every night.

  She starts waking up, probably from my fingers running through her hair. “Good morning,” she says softly without moving.

  “Good morning. We need to get ready to go back to the hospital.”

  “I know. I wish you could sleep in my bed every night.”

  “I was just thinking the same thing, but unfortunately, I have to leave today. Listen, I wasn’t trying to call you a slut yesterday. You seemed so comfortable with having me in your bed, so it gave me the impression other guys had been in it.

  “I think you’re sweet, and I think it’s great you’ve waited to have sex. You should wait and do it with someone you really care about. Some of my friends that are girls say they wish they’d waited until they were older and in a real relationship.”

  “The way you hugged me at the hospital the other day made me feel safe with you, and I like you, so tha
t’s why I asked you to sleep in my bed. No other guy has. I better get ready.”

  She climbs off the bed, giving me a great view of her body in the tiny clothes she’s wearing. I instantly feel the absence of her warm skin. Today is going to suck.

  Ray of Sunshine

  Dylan

  The pulmonologist was in earlier this morning, and they removed the ventilator since Taylor was breathing on her own. She’s looking more like herself now, but the neurologist said there’s still a chance she could have brain impairment. No matter what her condition is, I’ll never leave her again.

  Around noon, Vincent and Brenda go to the cafeteria to get some lunch. I’m talking to Taylor and stroking her hair when I get an idea. Glancing at the door, I climb into the bed, getting as close to her as possible. I pull the sheet over us and bury my face against her neck. There’s no way I’m staying awake now. It’s the most comforting feeling to be this close to her.

  ***

  I feel movement against me, and then I hear my name. Taylor’s saying my name! I jump out of bed and grab her hand.

  “Taylor, you’re awake!”

  “Where am I?” she asks as she glances to her arm that has the IV in it.

  “You’re in the hospital, baby. You’ve been really sick with alcohol poisoning.”

  Her eyes widen with panic. “I didn’t try to hurt myself.”

  “I know. Hannah told us what happened.”

  “Where are my parents?” Her voice is really scratchy, and I can tell she’s having trouble speaking.

  “They’re here. They’ve been here almost around the clock every day. They went to get something to eat.”

  Panic fills her eyes again. “Days? How many days has it been?”

  “It happened Thursday, and today is Sunday.”

  “I’m so glad to see you, Dylan. I thought you didn’t want anything to do with me. I love you.” She begins crying. The damn ache returns in my chest.