| Taylor watched as Ike hung up the phone, and strode quickly and confidently toward Courtney, who returned his smile and blushed slightly. "Hi. I am so sorry, Court. Just a few things to get set before we left and..." his smile warmed even more as she tilted her head and took his hand. "It's okay. I found it, and Taylor was quite helpful, thank you." Courtney nodded in Taylor's direction and winked. Taylor grinned back, the girl's smile was infectious. He could see why Ike would be attracted to her. "Thanks Tay." Ike grinned at his brother. "No problem. I'm gonna go watch TV with Zac. You guys have fun." Taylor said and started to leave the room. The sad, but sweet, smile on Taylor's face made Courtney's heart twist. Whatever was going on in his life was affecting everything about him, and she had a feeling it had to do with someone at the charity function the other night. She suddenly did NOT want Taylor to feel as lonely as he looked. She quickly whispered to Ike, who looked startled, but gave her a huge smile and readily agreed. "Hey Tay, wait man." Ike called to him. Taylor turned around and looked questioningly at his brother. "What's up?" he inquired. "Why don't you and Zac meet us for dinner? No sense in you two having to rely on crappy room service.." Ike asked, Courtney nodding silently in agreement with him. "Dude. You guys are going on a DATE, you do not need me, or ZAC'S big ass mouth interfering in your good time. Besides, I don't think I'm up to it." he grinned thankfully in Courtney's direction. "Bull. You and Zac meet us at the Kirby at eight, goober. We never finished our discussion and I barely had a chance to speak to Zac. Ike and I will have plenty of time to talk, and you and Zac should stay holed up like rats in here, when you can have a nice meal with us." Courtney stood next to Ike, her hand on her hip, eyes sparkling and telling Taylor she was not taking no for an answer. "I think she's serious.." Ike grinned. "And I don't mind." he said, looking his brother in the eye. Taylor sighed heavily and pulled his cigarettes out of his pocket, then his lighter. "Okay. Fine. Zac will be glad to get out and ogle some women anyway, the little perv." Taylor chuckled and headed for the window that faced the large hotel next door to theirs. He lit it then leaned against the screen, to blow the smoke completely out of the room. "Don't let Dad see you smoking Tay.." Ike warned, amking Courtney chuckle. "He's a grown man, Issac. Leave him alone. If he wants to be self destructive and wreck his lungs and HIS VOICE, let him." Courtney gave Ike a sideways glance and wink, then a triumphant smile when Taylor put out his cigarette. "Happy? Get out of here." he grinned at Courtney. "Zac and I will meet you at the kirby at eight." "Okay." Courtney linked her arm through the one Ike offered and followed him out the door. As soon as the were gone, Taylor re-lit his cigarette, leaned out the window and took a deep drag off it. He sighed unconsciously as he blew it out, and his mind returned to Calley. Calley had herself dressed and ready at 7:30. She wore a gold colored slipdress and a pair of strappy, gold sandals to match. She grabbed her long, black sweater coat and flung her tiny, sparkling, gold purse over her shoulder. She took a last look at herself in the mirror, to make sure her face showed few, if any, signs of her prolonged weeping. She brushed a bit more powder over her lightly freckled nose, and headed for the door. As she walked up the steps, into the dimly lit, but very nice restaurant, she realized there were many more people than usual, and the place was packed. She went straight to the hostess' desk (more of a podium, actually) and smiled as she cleared her throat. "Hi Mary. I think Adam has already called in our reservation?" she inquired, politley. "He sure did." Mary smiled back. "I wish my husband was as organized and sweet as yours." she sighed. "Your table's ready, come with me." Calley returned her smile, without commenting and followed the woman to the table, in the back corner, but where Adam could see all the other customers as they walked in the door. HIS table. Calley fought with all of her to hold back her tears and thanked Mary quietly as she took the menu from her hand. "Mary? Please have whoever is waiting on us bring me a vodka and cranberry right away. I need to relax." she asked, as Mary started to walk away. Usually Calley waited until Adam joined her and then decided what she'd have to drink, based on what he was having. But not tonight. She had a plan, and she was going to tell Adam about it TONIGHT, and she needed a slight alcohol base to work up her nerve. Calley was terrified. |
| Taylor's heart almost stopped in his chest as he watched the familiar figure shrug out of the long, black sweater drape it over the back of her chair, give her hair a slight flip and sit down. Calley. He fought hard to keep the groan that was aching to escape his lips stifled. He watched her for another moment and then turned his attention back to Courtney who was talking excitedly about her writing classes at the university she was attending. He knew she and Ike were perfect together, the both were enthusiastic and talked a mile a minute when the were interested in someting and they seemed to have a LOT in common. He looked at Zac, who rolled his eyes and gave Taylor a knowing grin. Both brothers were happy for their eldest sibling. Taylor grinned back and then quickly screwed his face into an expression of polite attentiveness, which did NOT fool Courtney in the least. "Don't even play that with me Taylor. You didn't hear a word I said." she giggled when Ike squeezed her hand. "I did too." Taylor countered. "I think those classes sound like fun. I'd like to try one out, but right now we're just too busy." he told her. "I could give you the web address for the class I take on-line, Taylor. You could do the exercises when you DID have time.." she paused thoughtfully. "To keep you busy when you're on the road, and can't sleep..." she finished. All three men excahnged a shocked glance. Courtney blushed. "I'm sorry, there I go again. You just seem like you're very tired Taylor, and I can't sleep well when I am traveling either." she said. "I just figured that, if you're like me, you need to wear out your brain along with your body to be able to sleep." she finished and looked down at her plate. The brothers exchanged another glance. "Courtney, it's okay. I bet you didn't know that the sleeping thing is what my Dad stays on my case for most." he grinned, hoping to make her feel comfortable again. She smiled up at him and then Ike asked her another question about school, and they were off again. Tay and Zac grinned at each other and worked on finishing their meals. Befoer long Taylor's gaze was drawn back to the seemingly candlelit, lone figure of Calley. She was studying the menu, and drinking some purple looking cocktail. She looked completely beautiful in her gold-colored dress and her long hair grazing her back and shoulders. He wondered why she was here alone, and almost got up to speak to her, but Zac leaned toward him just then. "Don't do it Tay. She's MARRIED..you met him...they're NOT miserable, like she said." Zac said softly, trying to take the sting out by squeezing his brother's arm. "She'll hurt you all over again." Zac pleaded. Taylor sighed and nodded at Zac, then went back to picking at his food. |