Page 73 of We Finished Here

“It definitely wasn’t all you… but I should go.”

She blinks up at me, worried and confused, I think.

“I’ll come by tomorrow before the game,” I say.

She bites her lip and nods. “Thanks, Taylor. For tonight, for everything.”

“Hey, I just wanted to make sure you’re all right.”

“I think I’m going to be.”

I know that coming to her again tonight and hearing her say that makes me think it’s true. I couldn’t just leave her worried and upset when she called me.

Maybe I shouldn’t have come. Fuck knows what we’re doing with this kiss thing.

I run a hand through my hair as I feel her looking at me.

“Are you okay?” she asks me.

“Yeah, of course. I’ll call you tomorrow.” I nod.

I need some time to think about this new development.

“Okay, goodnight.” She nods.

“Goodnight,” I answer, a smile tugging at my lips, despite my head screaming at me.

She definitely got a lot braver in the last five minutes.

She watches me as I walk back to my car, and I climb back in, giving it a little rev for good measure. Backing out in expert fashion, I speed off up the street.

* * *

Emmerson

I stand gaping after him long after he’s left. I have a fair idea of what just happened, since I initiated it, but my brain isn’t responding right now to my actions.

The thing I don’t know, nor can rationalize with, is what came over me to just plant one on him like that.

I must be in a daze or completely crazy right now.

I mean, it felt good. There’s no denying that, but I shouldn’t have kissed him.

He responded at least. He wasn’t acting like I had completely lost my mind.

I walk into the house quietly. Since it’s after midnight, the house is quiet, but I see the upstairs lights are on. I head up to see if Maddie is still awake, but when I peek inside the room, I see she’s fast asleep. I smile to myself and pull the door closed before I head into my room to get ready for bed.

I’m half tempted to send Taylor a message because my mind is reeling with what he is thinking about the kiss… but I will wait until tomorrow.

When I slide into the covers, I lie in the dark and feel anything but ready for sleep.

I feel more wide awake than I’ve ever felt in my life.

So much happened tonight. And my dad being laid up in a hospital bed isn’t doing my worried mind any favors. I just want him to be okay. As long as he’s okay, I’m sure I can get through anything else that life throws at me.

I don’t know what I would do if something were to happen to him. He’s the lifeblood of our family.

That brings me back to Gillian and her news today. It certainly was a day for confessions and pouring out our hearts. I feel for Taylor because I know he’s worried about her, but nothing can be done until the doctors know what they’re dealing with.

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