by A. J. Moran
“Marcus?” Her voice, familiar, comes from under her hoodie. In seconds she is pushing her hood back and I recognize her. Bree Summer at one time she was Wade's entire world. That was before our dad died.
“Bree?” I hold open my arms, expectantly. She was a hugger that much I remembered. Mom had loved her. “What are you doing here?”
“Uh, camping?” She looks up at me after giving me a quick hug and stepping back. Definitely not the same girl I remembered. She picks at the black nail polish on her fingernails and glances back at the dark woods like she was expecting someone to be following her.
“I mean in the woods.” I nod at said woods and raise an eyebrow. Not that she owed me an explanation.
“Oh, I was hiking and I got lost.” I looked down at her feet which were not equipped with the proper footwear to hike and just nodded. If she wanted to keep her secrets, who was I to judge?
“Well, good thing you found your way out before it got too dark. It is supposed to get pretty chilly tonight.”
“Want some company?” She gestures at the blanket I had abandoned when she came crashing out of the woods.
“I'm actually waiting for someone.”
“Oooohh, not Wade right?” How could she know that? “I mean, I will keep you company until they come back. If it's not Wade that is.”
I understood now. She didn't want to see Wade and was worried he would appear. He did a number on her. It made me feel bad and I nodded in understanding. “He had something he was doing. He won't be here for a while.”
“In that case, I'll hang out for a bit.” She smiled and I glanced down towards the popcorn stand but didn't see Taylor yet. No harm just talking.
Chapter 50
Taylor
Marcus's laughter echoes back at me from the darkness. I'm not close enough to see him yet but I can hear him. Maybe Wade had arrived. I had hoped for some alone time with Marcus. I kinda was craving it. Not that I was brave enough to do anything about it. Then I hear a heartbreaking sound, an answering laugh that was definitely not Wade. It was very much female.
It brought me back to that night at the after party at the barn and coming upon Marcus with that girl in the dark. Like now there was laughter and whispers. I didn't want to see him with some girl on the blankets I brought for us. My heart sank as I came within view of them and his head was thrown back in laughter while the nameless girl laughed along trying to catch her breath. She was cute.
I stood there silently trying to decide what I was going to do as they continued their conversation. They were so absorbed in each other. It made my stomach hurt. Then my decision was made for me as Marcus glanced towards me and I watched as his face flashed through some emotions, including shock, before he climbed to his feet and took a step towards me.
“Taylor you're back.” He smiled. How could he smile at a time like this? Couldn't he hear my heart splitting? “This is Bree.”
“Hi, nice to meet you.” I nod at her briefly and notice her curious stare. “So, uh, I”m not feeling all that well. I'll just leave you two, to uh, do whatever. You can bring the blankets back right Marc?”
“Taylor, wait.” Marcus calls to my back, but I don't stop. I can't. The tears had started and I had to get away before he saw them. It had been a blow I hadn't expected seeing him with another girl. I mean I knew it was going to happen someday. The last month of him not dating anyone had put me into a false sense of what someday actually was.
“Taylor!” He was closer. I broke into a run trying to put the distance between us. My feet slapped at the pavement and crunched on the dried and fallen leaves. My breath left me in short bursts that left clouds on the air.
His feet closed the distance between us and I felt him behind me before he reached out to stop me. “Marcus, just go back to Bree.” I plead with him, keeping my face towards the ground and in shadow. “You can have a good night.”
“What's wrong? You were fine before-” His hand came up to gently tilt my chin up towards him. “Why are you crying?”
With a sniffle I wipe at the tears, “I'm not.”
He chuckles at the lie and shakes his head. “Taylor, why are you crying?” He brushes at a stray tear and holds it up as if it is proof.
“I can't talk about it.”
“Are you jealous of Bree?” He sounds confused.
“No. Why would I be?” I scoff and turn my gaze away from him.
He pauses and I can see him shake his head from the corner of my eye. “She is Wade's ex from before our dad died. She was just keeping me company until you came back.”
The pieces start to fall in place and my cheeks heat. “Oh.”
“You were jealous.” He says again with more conviction than the last time. I'm not sure what he wants me to say so I just lift my eyes to his. “Do you even know what that means?” He laughs a little crazy.
“Look, I understand that you don't-” My words stop abruptly as his hands frame my face and his warm lips touch mine. Then I'm lost. For a moment in time everything is perfect, or at least feels that way. Of course I find the one way to ruin it and push him away. “You can't just kiss me anytime I find you with another girl.”
He laughs and tugs his hand through his hair making it flop to the left. The smile on his face is blinding in the darkness. What does he have to smile about?
“This isn't funny.” I cross my arms in front of me and glare at him.
He laughs again, “Actually it is. Do you even know the torture I have gone through this past month thinking that you friend zoned me? No matter how many hints I dropped or things I did I was firmly in the friend zone. Or I thought I was.” He laughs and shakes his head.
His hands frame my face again and he smooths down the hairs on the side of my head while pulling me into his gaze. His eyes dip to my lips and I wet them instinctively. A low groan falls between us and he bites down on his lower lip. “You can't distract me from this princess. I need to get this out. I love you. You have been all I've seen since that first time when you were standing on that landing with your walls twenty feet tall pretending that you had everything together. Since you let me close enough to kiss you. You have driven me crazy and I've done things to be close to you I would never have done with anyone else. You are my other half. As corny as it sounds, you complete me.”
“Marcus-” I can't find the words.
“Come on Taylor, just say it.” He smiles softly.
“I love you too.” I laugh at his cheer and then he kisses me again. Small quick kisses filled with happiness. Smattering across my face. This was love.
“About freakin time, you two have been Royal Pain's in my ass.” Wade's voice breaks us apart and I lean against Marcus with a smile as his arms wrap around me and hold me close. Tonight was perfect. Tomorrow we will deal with tomorrow.
Epilogue
8 Months Later - Taylor
After Marcus grabbed the last box for my dorm room at State, where we both decided to go. I closed the trunk of my car and gestured for him to lead the way. I liked watching his ass anyways.
We had finally told our parents about our relationship. Things were a little touch and go for a little bit after that, but it's all turned out okay. My dad had drawn the line at getting an apartment together for college. He said we needed to have the real college experience and live in the dorms.
The rooms are the size of my bathroom back home but the freedom of being on our own is worth it.
"Come on slow poke you need to grab the door." Marcus grinned over his shoulder at me and my heart beat just a tiny bit faster and the butterflies woke up. He still got to me.
"You mean you can't manage the door too?" I laughed and passed him to grab the door. "You're lucky my dad didn't insist on us not being in the co-ed dorms."
Marcus chuckled and lifted a shoulder as much as he could. "We have an understanding. He may not act like it but he wants me close by so that I can watch over you and keep you safe."
I laughed again as we climbed
the steps to the third floor. "You keep telling yourself that."
"Oh, you know I will. Did Veronica say when she was arriving?"
"Tomorrow morning. You know what that means right?" I ask with a look from below my eyelashes as I lean back onto my door before turning the handle to let us into the space.
He followed me in and kicked the door shut before putting the box down. Then his arms were around me as he peppered kisses across my face.
"I can guess." He grinned down at me and led me slowly backwards until my legs hit the bed. I tumbled backwards with a laugh and pulled him down with me.
"I'm sure you can."
"Mmmhhmm, is this my payment for being your hired help?" He kissed along my jawline and I could feel his smile against my skin.
"We could work out the terms of payment." I arched my neck as his mouth found the sensitive spot behind my ear. My toes curled under and I let out a soft moan.
"Princess, I love you and I always will." He said against my racing pulse.
"I love you too, forever and ever." His lips met mine again as we both gave into the love between us.
Acknowledgement
First and foremost, I want to thank my family and friends for supporting my dreams and allowing me time to create this story. Without you this book wouldn't have been possible. Kelsey without your everyday humor I wouldn't have had inspiration for some of this book. Emily without your cheerfulness and openness with me about your life a few of my characters may not have made it into this book. Brittany, you have supported me and pushed me just enough to finish this book. I hope you enjoyed the finished product after reading so many drafts for me. Xander you probably will never read this, but does this make me a writer now? Eric, my heart and love of my life, thank you so much for standing by me and allowing me to follow my dreams. This book started while you took care of us all and I will forever be grateful for that time to work on my dream. Finally, last but not least, I also want to thank you, the reader. Thank you so very much for giving me a chance and reading all the way to this point. You are amazing.
About The Author
A.J. Moran
Although A.J. Moran wears many hats in life the best ones are mom, wife, and writer. She is a mom to four and married to her best friend. They live together in the Detroit area with their house full of animals. Seriously, a house full of animals - 2 dogs, 3 cats, 1 chinchilla, 1 bearded drago, 1 crested getco, 1 hampster, and way too many snakes to count (her husband sells them). You can connect with her on her facebook author page: AJMoranAuthor. When A.J. isn't busy writing and making sure her family are in the places they need to be she also works a full time job working with the public.
