Page 53 of Wish We Were There

Did you get it?

Maybe a happy ending isn’t in the cards for us

A backyard garden and picket fence somewhere quiet and suburban

And I know you can see it, too

Don’t you wish we were there?

Baby, don’t you wish we were there?

Taylor was the last one backstage when the show was over, wiping sweat and tears from his face as he stumbled through the curtain. His heart pounded painfully against his ribs, making him pant for breath. He was finally done. He’d made it through. It was over.

He could barely formulate a thought, only that he wanted Parker. His head swung heavily back and forth, looking, but it was so dark back here compared to the stage, he couldn’t make out anything—

“Taylor!” Parker’s voice came, and he turned toward it.

“Parker,” he replied, and it came out as half a sob. Parker’s hands found him, pulling him into a hug, even though he was covered in sweat.

“Hey, you’re okay,” Parker murmured, holding him tightly. “You’re alright. You did it. It’s done. It’s all done. You did it!”

Taylor’s gasps turned into a laugh at the eager, lilting tone Parker took on. “I did it,” he croaked.

“You made me cry,” Parker murmured, softer now. “You were so amazing out there, Taylor. You were incredible. Zach would be—he would be really proud of you. I’m proud of you.”

Taylor nodded against his chest, eyes burning. His heart nearly burst with the mess of emotions running through it. Would things ever feel less complicated? Would it ever get any easier? Would Zach be proud of him? Why did he still care?

Parker squeezed him closer, lips pressing a soft kiss to his forehead. He’d gotten used to the feel of Parker’s beard now, and the soft scratchiness of it against his skin helped ground him. He was here. He was safe. Everything was going to be alright. Maybe he would always have this messy jumble of feelings about how Get Well Soon had ended, but maybe Parker was right. Maybe Zach would be happy for him now.

When he finally managed to pull away and look around, they were the only ones left in the wing. Taylor could hear the faint murmur of a lingering crowd from outside, and the noise of the stage crew working further back. He wiped his eyes, sniffling, then managed a watery smile at Parker.

“I’m okay,” he said softly, reading the question in the other man’s expression. “I feel a lot... lighter now. I think I’m okay.”

Parker nodded, smiling tentatively back at him. “Kylie said they were going to take a few minutes in the green room, then come down to say hello to some of the fans still hanging out. Do you want to do that, too?”

Taylor nodded. “Yeah, that sounds good.”

Parker led him back up to the green room, where he chugged an entire bottle of water before even looking for anyone else. The cold water helped snap him back into reality—bringing him down from the floaty, emotional flow state he’d been in—like his vision had been blurred and was suddenly sharpened back into focus.

“You alright, bud?” Kylie asked softly, coming up alongside him. “That was a lot, huh?”

Taylor looped one arm around her shoulders and hugged her. He still felt sweaty, but she made a soft sound and turned entirely into the hug, wrapping both her arms around his chest.

“I told you,” she said, her voice muffled against his shoulder. “I told you we were gonna be okay.”

He chuckled. “You’re right. We’ll be okay.”

His eyes scanned the room, and he finally caught sight of Rogelio standing in the corner, holding a can of beer close to his chest and looking awkwardly down at it. Dean was slouched against the wall next to him, but Rogelio kept glancing in their direction. Taylor gave Kylie one last squeeze, motioned for Parker to wait for him, then walked over to the two men. Rogelio’s eyes landed on him instantly, but Dean didn’t glance up to look at him until Taylor was standing right in front of them.

“Hey,” Taylor said uncertainly, not quite sure what to say now that he was here. “Sorry I didn’t get a chance to say hi to you before the show. But, uh, thanks for coming.”

Rogelio pressed his lips together in a semblance of a smile. “Yeah. Thanks for inviting me.”

“I meant what I said out there,” Taylor replied. “You’re always welcome here. I know Zach cared about you, and, well, I guess we all have to take care of each other now, you know? Don’t be a stranger.”

Rogelio was silent for a moment, looking at him with an unreadable expression. Finally, though, he gave a sharp nod.

“Thanks,” he replied simply. He blinked rapidly before looking away. Maybe he was so curt because he was on the verge of tears, though he didn’t exactly look it. “I, uh... I appreciate it.”

---