Page 79 of Taylor

“I’m just saying, I know you think you’re a fuck-up, but trust me, no one who is a fuck-up tries as hard as you do. I see how sensitive you are, and I know that word has probably been weaponized against you, but there’s nothing wrong with being sensitive.”

Those words sank in. To her surprise, she found herself wanting to believe them. It would be an explanation for how she has always felt. That feeling that things that came easy to most people were things she struggled with. Those things that most people were able to brush off made her cry. Being told to grow up and that she just needed to apply herself had always led her to believe the fault was a moral failing. Or that she was just dramatic and lazy, but what Taylor was saying was giving her an out... It wasn’t one she was sure she deserved.

“Do you really think I’m neurodivergent?”

“I mean, I can’t say one way or another. It presents differently in all people, and I’m not going to diagnose you even in speculation. I’m just going to say I see how hard you work and how much you care. Just because you can’t seem to live the way people think you should isn’t a moral failing. If we can find workarounds and live at a pace that is more suited for your temperament, I think you might find you feel a little better about yourself.”

Was it possible? The idea that maybe she was trying as hard as she felt she was but it was just harder for her was comforting. Maybe if she could see herself through Taylor’s eyes, she could be kinder to herself.

“All I know is I see one of the kindest, most creative people in front of me, who so wrongly believes she’s a fuck-up andtoo much for people. And that’s all wrong. You’re the perfect amount.”

“Taylor . . .”

I love youwere the words she was holding in. She’d been holding them in for a long time, but they were clawing to get out of her throat.

“Just think about it . . . or not . . . but please, be kind to yourself.”

She nodded. He smiled at her and ran his hands through her hair as the colors hidden underneath the blonde appeared.

“You’re home for two days?”

“More or less. We have a practice tomorrow, then two home games, and we leave after the game on Wednesday night for another weeklong road trip on the West Coast.”

She sighed and pouted at him.

“I know, baby, I’ll miss you, too.”

“You’ll be gone on Valentine’s Day?” she said, suddenly realizing it. “I’ve never done the whole Valentine’s Day thing before.”

“I’ll make it up to you, I promise,” he said before kissing the top of her head.

“Maybe when you guys get back, we can go out to dinner with my dad. Then if you wanted, we could tell people...” she said cautiously hopeful.

“Yeah, I’d like that,” he said, but the little furrow between his brow never left.

“What’s wrong?”

“Do you think your dad will be mad?”

“I don’t think so, especially since it’s you.”

He cocked his head. “What do you mean by that?”

A warm smile spread across her face. “I’m just saying if I was dating another player, he might be worried about them treatingme badly... But I know what he thinks of you, and I know that he won’t be too worried about you hurting me.”

He settled back into the pillow and smirked. “Well, that’s good. While I can’t promise I’ll never hurt you, I can promise that I’ll try my hardest to never do it again. Ever.”

She pushed up and kissed him. “I’ll be right back. I’m hungry. I’m going to get us a little snack.”

On her way back up from the kitchen, a sound came from Taylor’s pants. Without thinking, she pulled out the phone and an alarm was going off that said, “Good night, Rainbow.” She quickly put it back in his pants.

“Babe, your pants are going off,” she called up the stairs.

She went into the kitchen as he came down the stairs.

He was back soon, holding his phone. “Sorry about that.”

“What was the alarm for?”

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