| Zac's blood was racing through his veins as he packed his things and got ready to go back to L.A. All his mind would let him think about was Emma, and how much he wanted to hold her, kiss her, make love to her. Taylor's mind was going in a thousand different directions while HE packed to go back. He ws dreading his 'special' date with Dea. She was driving him even more insane while he was out of town. His voicemail was filled with nothing but her, reminding him ALMOST subtly that he was picking her up that night, by gushing on about how she was looking forward to seeing him and finding out what he had planned. The sad part was, he couldn't even make himself plan anything. He better get with Ike and have him tell him what to do. he was too buys worrying about Emma, anyway. 'Thank god that's over..' Taylor thought to himself as he got back in his truck and pulled away from Deanna's house. He probably should have told her he didn't think he'd have much time for going out or something, but he was just glad not to have to talk much at all. Dea babbled a mile a minute the whole time they were out, and as long as he said the customary, 'oh yeah?' 'cool' and 'uh-huh's' she was satisfied. He'd thought about staying out later, knowing that Zac was meeting Emma when she finished her shift at the bar. He didn't think he could handle the conversation he would overhear, when she called later to let Zac know she was home alright. Tay looked at the digital clock on his dashboard. 'Damn...' he thought, 'still early..' Ike was out with Kim, so he couldn't hang out with him and he didn't want to go home and watch Zac pace while he killed time until Emma was finished at the bar. Taylor let himself think that the truck had a mind of it's own as he found himself outside Danny's. He pulled on his ballcap, grinning to himself as he remembered that Emma said it was dorky, and he shouldn't have his picture taken in it. Then he half-heartedly reprimanded himself for even being here, he knew he shouldn't. He felt the familiar stab and pang and almost turned around, until he heard her voice through the loudspeaker. She was already on stage. He walked more quickly, paid the cover and stayed to the back of the bar. He stopped the little nervous girl who had waited on him last time, gave her some money and told her to keep the beers coming. She gave him a funny look, then smiled, letting him know that she'd be more than happy to do for him WHATEVER he wanted. Taylor looked slightly startled, but quickly recovered and answered her. "Just the beer.." he waited for her to supply him with a name. "Candie.." she told him, looking him over like a side of beef. She certainly had loosened up in the course of a week, he thought. "Just the beer Candie, I'm not in the mood for company tonight.." he smiled and slipped her another bill. He then turned his attention to Emma...'sugar' he sternly told himself, not wanting to slip if he spoke to her within earshot of anyone else. She looked really good tonight, he thought. She was all over the stage, and half-peeled down, moving gracefully and looking completely sexy to the sound of U2's Elevation. She spun and stopped, yanking the little shorts she had on, off by what must have been velcro or something at the seams and tossed them backstage. She pranced across the stage, making sure to lean down enough to let them slip the money in, without actually letting them touch her. He briefly pitied the brave soul who would dare to try, then grinned as her eyes met his. She almost missed a step, but continued her number, knocking back the couple of shots that were offered up with large bills by the regulars. Taylor made his way to the end of the bar, making sure to keep his back toward Danny, who he noticed never took his eyes off Emma. As soon as Emma was offstage, Candie jumped behind the bar and Brit followed Danny through the door that led to the dressing room backstage. About five minutes later, Emma came sailing out the door, her face set in a look of pure rage, Danny close on her heels. Emma went behind the bar, and Taylor kept his body turned away. He took a long pull off his beer and listened, as he watched Brit wiggle all over the stage, but not with the class or grace Emma naturally possesed. "How many times do I have to tell you to fuck off Danny?" Taylor heard Emma rage. "I'M LEAVING...I danced, you got your fucking cut..get off my back." |
"Listen here you stuck up little bitch.." Danny growled back, "I can make things easy for you..or I can make 'em worse...you want your little choir boy to find out what you really do? Keep up the attiude, miss high and mighty...I'd be happy to send him the copy of the little 'portfolio' of your WORK that I have been putting together. How 'bout THAT?" Taylor looked out of the corner of his eye and noticed that Danny stepped closer to her, he wondered if she'd gash him again, but then he realized that Danny made no move to touch her. "You stupid asshole.." Emma muttered, "I said I was leaving...Candie can bartend same as anyone else. She's itchin' to get on stage too..believing your bullshit lines..let her have a taste of it Danny. SHE wants it...I am going home and shower the filth off of me. LIVE WITH IT!" she snapped. "I'm feeling kind of generous tonight, miss priss. You better have your ass here and ready to DANCE Monday night...not BRIT...YOU..got it?" he threatened. "Jesus! Go crawl back under your slimy rock will ya? Since when have I not shown up when I am scheduled? Danny you are a sleazy, blackmailing, son-of-a-bitch. I hope whatever hooker you wind up with gives you something incurable, uncomfortable, oozing, but not deadly disease..it couldn't happen to a better guy.." Emma snapped sarcastically, grabbed her keys and jacket and sailed past Taylor and out the door. Danny face was contorted with rage as Emma blew out the door. Taylor took one more drink of his beer, laid a bill on the counter for Candie and followed Emma outside to her car. He walked up behind her as she shoved her key in the lock. "What are you doin' here, Hanson? TRYIN' To end up in the tabloids? Blow my cover? Hurt your brother? What?" she snapped angrily without looking up. "Drop the hard ass routine Emma, it's me Taylor, remember?" he snapped back. She sighed heavily and turned to face him. "WHY are you here, Hanson? Don't you have a date?" she folded her arms across her chest impatiently. "Over already. Why didn't you tell me Danny was using Zac against you?" he countered. Emma closed her eyes. "For what? No matter what it's the same old shit, Taylor. WHY ARE YOU HERE? ARE YOU INSANE?" she demanded. "I was worried about you, oaky? I saw what you did to his arm last time..wonder if he tried to get even?" Taylor explained. "Taylor, I appreciate it, alright. I am glad you love your brother enough to let it concern you.." Taylor felt the nagging stab of guilt and shook it away, quickly. "But I can HANDLE Danny. He's nothing but a bully..I've never known him to pick on someone his own size..even when we were kids. I wasn't kidding, if I wanted to hurt him, he'd be HURT. Stay outta the bar, Tay. It's not safe, for you or your brothers." she sighed. "Please can I go and take a shower now? I'm gonna be late meeting Zac, and I don't wanna see him and still have the stench and filth of that hole all over me when I do." "Emma listen to me. I came as a friend, alright? I don't want to see you hurt anymore than I want to see Zac hurt. You better find a way to tell him before Danny loses it and tells him first. Or better yet..find a place to dance that suits your talent. You ARE too good for this place, and Danny KNOWS it. Just think about it.." Taylor said and fixed her with his crystal blue gaze. "And stop biting my head off. I also wanted to tell you you were awesome," he grinned. "Good choice of music." "Good lord! Now he's a fucking critic.." she rolled her eyes and grinned. "Okay, Taylor. But it really isn't smart for you to be hangin' around here. And why is your date over so soon? She wanna go dancing again?" Emma giggled. Taylor rolled his eyes. "Don't ask. But it's better this way." he said. "Too bad, Taylor. She really liked you." Emma told him. |