Chapter Fourteen
The next late morning, Taylor woke up before Madilynn did. He looked at her clock, and saw it was almost noon. Man it was nice to be able to sleep that long. And he felt great. Energized, even. He smiled, in a great mood, and propped himself up on an elbow. He leaned down over Madilynn, sleeping like an angel. He brushed the hair from her face gently. "Madi," he whispered in her ear. She only stirred. He began showering slow kisses on her. "Madi."
"Tay?" She said sleepily.
"Morning." He smiled at her. Looking into his smiling face, she had to smile too.
"What a great way to wake up." She put a hand on his cheek. "I see you're in an excellent mood." And it was infectious.
"I am. It's going to be a great day." He grinned.
"It is? Oh, of course it is. It's because you're here, right?" Why not lay it on thick? He was in a good mood.
"There's that too, but lunch, the game, the post game party for us." His grin turned slightly wicked.
"Already, huh?"
"Oh yeah." He ran a finger down her side, over her curves, and between her thighs.
"Well," she stretched slowly, then wrapped her arms loosely around his neck. "You drive a hard bargain."
"Mandi. Hey. How are you?"
"I'm doing good. Lots of final details for the wedding, you know? I'm glad I'm the florist. What's up?"
"I was wondering if I could have your seats for tonights game."
"Oh. Sure. You'd have to come by the shop to get them. I'll be here late."
"Alright, thanks. I'll be over in a while. Love you sis."
"Love you too. Bye."
"Bye." She looked at Taylor. "Score!" He was sitting at the table, watching her.
"So where's her shop?"
"Up in Glendale, about twenty minutes north."
"A drive. Cool. Can I meet your sister?"
"Sure. Marcus might still be there if we hurry. He usually has to be there two hours before the game."
"Really? Let's hit a drive through on our way."
"Okay. Ready?"
"Yeah." Madi grabbed her purse, and checked her reflection a final time before leaving.
"You're beautiful. Let's go." He grabbed her hand and pulled her out into the hall. She closed the door behind her, pausing to lock it while Taylor impatiently pulled on her other arm.
"Tay!" She laughed. Finally getting it locked, she stumbled to catch up with Taylor.
"I'm going to have to call Mackie in the car. He'll never believe it. Do you think, if he's there, that he would mind taking a picture?" They were practically running through the parking lot. She unlocked her car as soon as Taylor had reached it, and he climbed in. As she started the car, Taylor whipped out his phone. She'd never heard him talk on the phone to his family before. "Mackie! Hey! You'll never believe this. I am on my way to go get fourth row courtside seats to the Phoenix Suns game tonight! Yeah!" He paused, grinning. "And there's more." Madi laughed, thinking he sounded like Madi and her new Hanson fan friends. "Madi's sister is engaged to Marcus Banks! And if we get there soon enough, I'll be able to meet him before the game. I'll try to get a picture for you." He laughed at something Mackie said. "She said if we were ever in the same place." He laughed again. "Maybe. There's a good possibility with that." He laughed again. "I'll try my best not to let that happen." He glanced over at Madi and winked at her. She gave him a small wave and a smile. "Alright. I'll let you know. No, I don't think so, not this time. I'll talk to you later Mackie. Okay. Bye." He put his phone back into his pocket, then took her hand in his.
"How's Mackie?"
"Jealous, but good. He wanted to fly out, but I said no."
"Maybe next time?" He nodded. She exited off the freeway. "We're almost here." She made a right and pulled into a strip mall parking lot. As she pulled into a parking spot, Taylor looked around and found an '08 pimped out Escalade in the farthest corner.
"Your sisters?"
"No. Marcus."
"He's here then."
"I guess." She couldn't help but laugh at his excitement. As they walked hand in hand into the shop, Taylor was squeezing her hand to death.
"Madi!" As soon as the door jingled open, she was rushed into a death grip hug. "How are you? Did you ever get your dress fitted?" Taylor stood back and watched, smiling. When Madi was released, he raised an eyebrown and mouthed "Dress?" to her. She nodded and rolled her eyes.
"Hey Mandi. Yes the dress is being taken care of. Oh, and when did you set the salon appointment for so I can add it in?"
"Let me get it." As she went to the back, she saw Taylor and stopped. "Well hello there hottie."
"Mandi." Madi warned. "He's with me." Mandi looked him up and down, completely obvious about it.
"Hey. I'm Taylor. You must be Mandi." He put a hand out for a shake. She took it, and held it more than shook it. After a minute, a gleam of recognition appeared in her eyes.
"Yes. And you look strangely familiar." She studied him closely.
"So, ah, Mandi, where's Marcus?" Mandi released Taylors hand as soon as Madi had asked.
"In the back. I'll go get him." She disappeared behind a door on the other side of the counter.
"She seems nice." Taylor said, taking Madi into his arms among the display of roses. He pulled one out of a display and handed it to her.
"Thanks." She gave him a quick kiss.
"Madi?" Mandi called into the store.
"Ready?" She asked Taylor quietly. He nodded.
"We were just browsing. Hey Marcus." She went to give him a hug. Taylor was suprised to find that Marcus was only a little taller than himself. "Marcus, this is Taylor Hanson. He's a fan of yours." She flashed Taylor a grin, happy for the tables to have turned.
"Taylor Hanson, huh? Name sounds familiar. Nice to meet you." They gave eachother a firm quick handshake. Mandi came to her fiance's side, slipping an arm around his waist.
"Do you mind if Taylor could get a pic with you?" Madi asked sweetly.
"Sure." Mandi stepped back, and Taylor stepped next to Marcus. Taylor took his phone out of his pocket, got it to the camera program, and handed it to Madi.
"This one. Thanks babe." Taylor gave his famous smile while Mandi looked at Madi with a questioning look. Madi stepped in line to get a good picture.
As soon as it was taken, a girl screamed, "Oh my god it's Taylor!!" Everyone turned to look at Taylor.
Marcus laughed, "he gets recognized before I do." The two squealing giddy girls came up to Taylor and nearly knocked him over.
"Can we have a picture too? Since you're giving them out?" The small brunette with large brown eyes asked. Marcus shook his head and laughed. Mandi wrapped her arm protectively around Marcus's.
"Well, I wasn't-"
"Can we please? Please?" She begged.
"Okay, one."
"Yes! Thank you!" The little brunette hopped next to Taylor while her friend snapped a picture with her phone. Taylor gave Madi a helpless look. If this went on much more, Madi though she'd have a good time bursting the little twerps bubbles. Before he could object, the girls switched positions. Then they both got in and started taking their own photos. Madi made her way over to Taylor and managed to pry between the brunette and Taylor. She pulled the other girls arm off of him.
"Ah ladies, he's not giving out pictures. He is." Madi pointed to Marcus. Both of the girls turned towards Marcus, with a blank expression on their faces. Confustion crossed their faces.
"But we don't know him." The fake blond said, pouting. Madi put an arm around Taylor's waist possessively.
"But, take one and take it to your boyfriends, and I'd bet they'd be jealous." Madi pointed out. A slow smile spread on their faces. She knew what they were thinking. "No, not like that kind of jealous. Listen to me. He's Marcus Banks. He plays for the Phoenix Suns." Madi smiled slyly at Marcus and Mandi. Marcus rolled his eyes, smiling, and Mandi shot fire at Madi with her eyes.
"Really?!" They squealed, eyes going big.
"Yeah. I have the number two jersey."
"OOhhh!!!" They purred. "Can we have a pic with you too?" The brunette asked.
"Sure."
While that was going on, Taylor whispered to Madi, "That was awesome redirection. Thanks."
"Sure. I figured by the time they'd both started the pictures at the same time, you were ready to be done."
"You thought right." He gave her a quick kiss. Once the girls had been ushered out of the store by Mandi, she was ready to get back to work. She stormed off to the back.
"I can't believe what just happened. They were crazy!" Marcus said laughing.
"I'm glad I'm not in your line of work."
"We just have the wrong target audience in here for you." Madi said, pushing him playfully.
"That's true." He said thoughtfully. "So you sing, if I remember right."
"Yeah, a little." Taylor said. Madi bumped him with her hip.
"Where are the other two?"
"His brothers?" Madi asked. Marcus nodded.
"They're home. We just finished our tour for the year."
"Tour?"
"Yes they're still together, and yes they still put out music. Great music. And they do a lot of charity work." Madi informed him.
"That's cool." Mandi came back. "Good luck."
"Thanks."
"Here are your tickets for tonight, and here's your appointment slip." She gave them both to Madi.
"You guys'll be at the game tonight?" Marcus asked.
"Yeah. We'll be in your seats." Taylor smiled.
"You guys'll have to hang out after or we'll go out. How long are you in town for?" He asked Taylor. According to Madi, he'd asked a very valuable question and wanted to know the answer herself.
"If it's okay with Madi, I would love to hang out. And I'm not sure how long I'll be staying. At least until the end of the week." End of the week? It was already Wednesday. Madi felt like she'd been kicked in the stomach. She didn't even hear the rest of the conversation. But she knew it would come eventually. He couldn't stay here with her, without his things, music, brothers. She suddenly felt sick.
"Madi?" Mandi asked.
"Huh?" She looked up weakly.
"What's wrong? You look sick all of a sudden." Mandi pointed out, in front of everyone.
"It's nothing. I'm just starving," she lied. But she knew it woudn't fly with her sister. Mandi just gave her a warning look.
"That's right. We never did eat." Madi just shook her head. She didn't think she even could now.
"Alright, well, I'll catch you guys later then. I have to go to practice." Marcus told them, checking his watch.
"Cool. Bye," Taylor said. Marcus gave Mandi a kiss, then went out to the Escalade. "We should go too, get something to eat before the game. Let your sister get back to work." Taylor said. "Thanks a lot for the tickets, Mandi. Bill me, yeah?" He pointed to Madi's rose. She nodded. When Taylor had his back turned, Mandi gave her sister the sign to call her. Madi probably would.
Back in the car, Taylor was a chatterbox.
"Your sister isn't as ugly as you made her sound. You guys could be fraternal twins. She just has lighter eyes and is a litte shorter than you. What's the age difference?"
"We're eighteen months apart." She said, drained. Taylor picked up on it.
"Where's a good sit down spot by your house?"
"I know one, but it's best to walk with the game coming. The streets are going to be a madhouse."
"Okay." Taylor sat quiet for a minute. "Was it those girls?" Madi gave a weak laugh.
"No. They don't scare me. If you'd wanted them, I'd be by myself."
"That's right," Taylor took her hand gently.
"They were weird though. I can't believe I used to be like that. See, I'm glad we didn't meet until now." She laughed a little, spirits lifting slightly.
"In that case, me too." He smiled. "Tell me why you're bummed, if it wasn't the girls."
"Oh, I expect that. I actually thought it would have happened sooner than it did." And she left it at that. When she didn't say any more, Taylor just studied her and waited.
They parked at her apartment. Getting out, Madi said, "It's this way about a block. It might be crazy though. It's a great spot. It's Italian." She said.
"Pizza again?"
Madi laughed quietly. "Pizza, spaghetti, lasagna. One of the best meatball sandwiches anywhere."
Taylor smiled. "Sounds great."
A little spaghetti? Taylor ordered a full plate and an order of breadsticks. Madi ordered a half order of lasagna. When the food was between them with candles and glasses of wine next to them, Madi sighed.
"I think I have it figured out. It was my answer to Marcus's question about staying in town, wasn't it." Taylor said quietly. Madi looked up at him from her plate, and Taylor saw he had hit it head on. She looked back down at her food and pretended to eat. Nodding, Taylor continued. "Madi, listen to me." He reached for, then held her hands on the table. "I wanted to talk to you about that, but later, after, you know, when you get musy and I get sleepy." She tried to hide a smile. Taylor felt encouraged. "I wanted to wait to ask you, but then Marcus brought it up, and it's bugging you, so I'll say it now, since Italian candlelight dinners are famously romantic." She tried to hide a bigger smile. "I was thinking of leaving at the end of the week, and going home-" he paused, waiting for her eyes to sadden as he knew they would, "but I want you to come with me. Meet the rest of my family in Tulsa." Madi took a second, letting it sink in. When it did, she looked up at Taylor through shimmering eyes. "Don't cry. I couldn't leave you. I think I-" he paused, taking a breath, "I love you." The dam broke. She didn't burst out crying, or start to scream, but the tears started falling down her soft cheeks. Of all the crying girls he'd seen in his life, she was definitely the prettiest doing it. Madi couldn't believe it. This was the new happiest day of her life.
"Oh Tay, I'm sorry," she said quietly. "I knew that the day would come when you'd have to go back, and secretly I was hoping it wouldn't actually happen, but then when Marcus asked, it just brought the unwanted reality back. I've been so foolish, acting so silly. I'm sorry."
"Don't appologize. If I were you, or in your position, I'd have done the same." She looked into his eyes, and they were filled with love, compassion and worry. Her heart melted.
"Oh Tay, I love you so much. I don't know what I'd have done after you left. Of course I'll come with you to Tulsa. I'd love to meet the rest of your family." She mustered a smile, and wiped at her tears.
"Great. Fantastic. You make me so happy. I love you too." Madi smiled, thrilled for him to be able to say it back to her.
Chapter Fifteen