Page 45 of Rock the Cradle of Love
“I love you. I know I’ve done a shitty job of showing it, but I do.”
“God, Taylor, that’s…that means a lot to me.” A flush spreads up Noah’s cheeks and a shy, pleased smile tilts his lips. He reaches across the table and takes Taylor’s hands.
Taylor’s heart thumps hard and he clutches Noah’s hands tightly. He doesn’t want to ever let go again. If he gets his second chance, he’ll do whatever it takes to make it happen. He just hopes he hasn’t fucked things up so badly Noah won’t give him one.
“I’m not sure I’m ready to say it back, but I don’t want things to be over between us, Taylor. I missed you so much this past week. Emma did too. And I’m really, really glad you’re here.”
Taylor goes dizzy in relief and lets his forehead thunk to the table top. He doesn’t care that Noah’s not ready forI-love-yous. Taylor’s been nursing a crush for years. Noah’s only had weeks to develop any sort of feelings. Taylor can definitely wait.
“Hey, you all right?” Noah asks.
Taylor looks up. “I know we still need to talk about what happened, but I promise never to be that stupid again.”
“Hey, I’m sorry too.”
Taylor scoffs. “For what?”
“I’m not the easiest person to be with. I should have had more patience.”
“You’re allowed to get insulted or mad and to need some space. You don’t have to be sorry for that.”
Noah accepts Taylor’s words with a nod. “Okay. That goes for you too.”
“Okay.” Taylor offers Noah a small smile. “Can we try that conversation again later? I mean in a day or two or whatever. The one you wanted to have.”
“That’d be good.”
“You boys need more time to kiss and make up?” calls Mrs. Drinkwater.
Noah snorts, but Taylor’s grateful for the interruption. Even though he wants their relationship to be fixed right now, it’s an unrealistic expectation, and things are getting a bit deep. Besides, he wants to hold Emma.
“No, Mom. We’re fine.”
Taylor stands and presses a kiss to Noah’s forehead and mouth. “Thank you,” he murmurs, “for giving me another chance.” He turns as Mrs. Drinkwater and Emma enter the kitchen. “Pretty Pretty Princess,” he says, plucking her from Mrs. Drinkwater’s arms and cuddling her close. She smells the way babies should, sweet and powdered and like clean laundry. Emma burbles and smacks his face. “I missed you so much, Ems.”
“Noah, why don’t you and Taylor go out for a bit?” says Mrs. Drinkwater.
“What?Now?”
“It’s not that late. Aiden’s been asking about you.”
Noah looks over at Taylor. “You want to?”
“Yeah, sure. I’d like that.” It’s a start. Taylor’ll take it.
“Emma needs a bottle, Taylor. I imagine you can handle that while Noah changes?”
“I’d like that too.” He nods. “What say we get a bottle, Ems?”
“Why do I need to change?” asks Noah.
“Because, you do. Now go.”
* * *
Noah slips into the guest room he’s using and sags against the closed door. Perhaps his mother knows him better than he gave her credit for. Seeing Taylor had been a shock. And, yeah, he’s grateful for a few minutes to process.
Taylor’s back and their relationship isn’t over. No, he’s not thrilled about Taylor going incommunicado for three days, but he believes Taylor’s explanation. Since Noah needed some time, he needs to afford Taylor the same courtesy.
