| The questions lasted longer than I thought they would. Most were wanting weight loss advice. I did the best I could, and let Jake tackle the rest. He did great, and I was getting restless. I wondered what could be keeping Tay. "Ok time enough for one more call, Jeff. Who's on the bat-phone?" Drew asked during the next station break. I couldn't hear what Jeff said because Jake was busy, urging me to relax. "I'm worried about Tay, Jakey. He should have been here by now." I said. "Jess. He said he'd be here, he WILL be here, ok? Calm down." "Break's over in 2 guys.." Drew warned. "Ok here we are back again for one last question. Jessie this one's special for you, this guys says he's your biggest fan. You there caller?" Drew asked as I lokked at him dumbfounded. The only shows I did were amateur, and most not around here. This was my first pro competition. "Yeah, I'm here. How's it going, Drew?" I almost fell out of my chair. "You said to Jeff off the air that you're Jessie's biggest fan. What's your name, caller?" Drew and Jake were smiling big, cheesy grins at me. I was close to hyperventilating. "Ask Jessie, Drew. She knows exactly who I am." the voice said. I sat there in shock. "Jess you still with us?" Drew asked. I looked at him dumbfounded. "WELL?" Drew urged and Jake shoved me. "TAYLOR!? IS THAT YOU??" I finally asked incredulous. I heard him chuckle in my headphones and I giggled. "What are you doing you freaking nutbar?! Where are you?" I asked. "Don't worry Jess. I'm where I'm supposed to be. I just wanted to call and wish you well in your first pro competition. I'm very proud of you. I am your biggest fan." he said. Tears stung my eyes and Jake held my hand. "Thank you, Taylor. That means alot." I said. "Taylor? As in Taylor Hanson? Is that right?" Drew asked him. "Yeah Drew, it's me. Nice to talk to you again. You guys did well choosing to back Jessie. She will place first I'm sure." Taylor said. "Taylor," I said. "Thank you so much for your support, it does mean so much." "I know, Jess. I have to go but I'll see you soon, ok?" he asked. "Alright, Tay. See you." Drew wrapped it up. "Well, kids, that's all for tonight. We'll have you guys back after you win the competition, right Jessie?" "I'll be happy to come back, Drew. But I may not win. All the girls work really hard. It won't be easy." I said. He went to another round of commercials and Taylor came striding into the studio. |
| I hugged him and kissed him on the cheek. Then I laced into him. "Taylor are you insane? I had just finished hollering at Drew to not even ask me about you on the air..we hadn't even discussed it yet! Dammit! You gave me a heart attack.." I looked at him with my hand on my hip. Drew and Jake were cracking up and Taylor just smiled down at me, "Surprise baby. I missed you." he said and kissed me. I let my arms go around his neck and kissed him back forgetting there were other people in the room, until Drew cleared his throat. We broke apart and I giggled. "I never would have believed it if I hadn't seen it just now. I mean tabloids and teen mags are one thing, but damn!" Drew commented. Tay and I looked at each other and smiled and Tay took my hand. "Believe it." Jake said and grinned. "How's it going Tay?" Jake stuck his hand out to grip Tay's. "Good to see you Jake." We sat and listened to Drew sign off the air and we chatted in the hallway for a while. Drew took off and Taylor, Jake and I walked out to the parking lot. "You guys go do something. I'm tired. And I have a bunch of legal stuff to take care of in the morning. I'll meet you guys for lunch, okay? At the place next to the hotel you always stay at when your brothers are with you." he nodded at Tay. "Yeah man. Around 1:00?" Tay asked. "I'll be there. Have a good night guys" Jake said and ruffled my hair. "See ya, Jakey." I said. Tay and I got in the cab he took to the station and went back to my apartment. |
| Taylor headed up the stairs before me so I handed him my keys. He opened the door and stepped in, standing aside to let me in first. I stepped in the door and switched on the lights. The look on Taylor's face was classic. I giggled hysterically. "Oh baby, you should see your face." I laughed. "You're not the only one with surprises up their sleeve." The whole apartment was filled with packed boxes, except for my stereo and furniture and a few things I needed out in the bathroom. All of the boxes were marked in big, black permanent marker. "TULSA OR BUST" I giggled. Jake had done all that while I found a couple wine glasses and a bottle of wine, and set them out on top of a packed box with some flowers and a candle between the glasses. "Jess? How?.." Tay began and stopped, staring at me with a huge smile on his face. I thought my heart would burst. "Taylor, Jake inheirited alot of money from our mother, I mean ALOT. He's wanted to leave this state for a long time. He suggested we relocate somewhere mostly warm. I think he picked Tulsa, knowing that I'd be more willing to go with him," I grinned. "he also has arranged sponsorship for me with the radio station that is owned by the same company that owns ROX. He's good ,Tay. So, what do you think? Should we go through with it?" I asked suddenly nervous. "ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Jess, I am so happy and stunned that I don't even know what to say." he said. He picked me up and swung me around, then set me down and kissed me, wantonly. I returned it with everything I had in me, sinking my hands into his hair and pulling him close to me. He pulled back and looked deep into my eyes. "Jessie, I love you so much," he said lowering his forehead to rest on mine, "I'm so glad you are going to be so close. I miss you so much when you're gone. When are you guys leaving?" he asked. "Right after Detroit, Tay." I said. " I can't wait.." I whispered in his ear. "Me either, Jess." he kissed me again. "I wondered why all of a sudden Lacey was having a cow about your dress. She was going on and on about it not being ready in time.." he laughed. I groaned. "Poor Lacey. But I knew she wouldn't be able to keep it a secret, Tay. I wanted to surprise you, so I just told her to hold it at her place. Now you can tell her. I knew she'd spill it before I was reday if I told her." He laughed. "You are so right." "But now, I think that we should be celebrating.." he grinned down at me and kissed me again. |