"So we finally come home, and now we are leaving again?" Taylor says groaning, his face pressed against a pillow. I smile and sit on his side of the bed.
"C'mon, you know we have to go visit my parents, I haven't seen them in forever." he closes his eyes and rolls over and sits up.
"You have to be ready in at least an hour." I say getting up. I start to get up but he pulls me backdown on top of him.
"Why don't you just stay and cuddle with me." I smile.
"I'd love to but, I have to go pack." He pouts and allows me to leave.
"I mean it, you have to get up." he waves me off and I shake my head at his stubbornness.
--
As I finish cleaning up breakfast the front door opens.
"Ah good you're here, help me with the bags." I say pointing with the knife in my hand. Carter looks at me with horror.
"Oh okay god, please don't kill me." I laugh and slide the knife into it's holder.
Taylor comes out to the living room in a baseball shirt and khakis and a red bandana.
"Oh hey look who finally woke up." he mocks me and wraps his arms around my hips, kissing my cheek.
Nash walks in.
"So you want me to watch Zeus?" he says.
"No Nash we want to you eat him." I say throwing him the dogs leash.
Zeus, a beautiful puppy that sat awaiting me when we got home. A present from Taylor. I had wanted a dog but Taylor didn't know if it was a good idea. But I guess he cracked.
"Okay so we'll only be gone for a couple days, a week at the most. Do you think you can handle that?" Nash smiles at me and nods. Carter drags one of my suitcases into the living room.
"Which car are you guys taking." Carter says struggling making Taylor laugh.
"Nash is taking us." Carter nods and sits on the couch playing with my dog.
"Hey he isn't allowed on the couch." Taylor yells walking out of the house, hands full.
Carter sets the dog on the ground and Nash comes back inside to grab another bag, then Jodie slides in past him.
"Hey you're leaving so early." She says yawning and sits on the kitchen counter.
"Get off the counter Jodie, can I help you?" I ask and she scrunches her nose at me.
"Well hello and good morning to you too." I roll my eyes and run my had through my hair. Ever since we got back, Jodie moved in with Hayes and Taylor moved in with me. It's been really nice.
Or so I tell myself.
Every time I lay down in bed, all I can think about is Cameron, and the xanax, he has to take that stuff. Is it every night, how much does he need. It makes me feel bad. I feel bad. I cheated on Taylor. It was only once. But even now when I fall asleep on Taylor. I sit there and think about how Cameron would always rub his finger up and down my arm. A simple but oh so soothing gesture, just his touch calmed me.
I give Jodie and carter one last hug.
"Mel, you're seriously going to see your parents calm down." Jodie says then stops. "that's all you guys are doing, you better not get married while you're there, I will fly there slap you both and then fly back." Jodie says crossing her arms. We all laugh.
"No we aren't getting married there." I say and she smiles at me. I give carter a hug, longer than Jodie's so I can whisper.
"Keep yourself sober and away from Jodie." he let's go but holds my shoulders.
"It's fine Mel." he says and I smile. Taylor takes my hand and guides is out of the house.
-----
"Are you at least a little bit nervous?" I ask him as the house comes into view. I watch his face trying to see his emotions.
"No not really, I mean yeah it's the first time, I've been properly introduced, but it doesn't scare me." he says patting my knee. I roll my eyes and sigh, laying my head on his shoulder.
"Mel, I shouldn't be worried should I?" I laugh and wave his comment off.
"No absolutely not."
---
"MELANIE!" my mom yells and wraps me in a hug, I stand there a little stiffly but pat her back softly. My dad hug me and the hug isn't as awkward. They both step back and take in my appearance.
"Wow, you've grown up even more." I turn around to see Taylor leaning against the door frame, smiling.
"Yes and guys here is my fiancé, Taylor." he stands up and hooks his arm around my waist. My mom smiles at him and my dad shakes his hand.
"Yeah, Mel kept asking if I was nervous." he says as my mom leads us to the patio. As we walk through the halls a picture makes my heart stop.
"Taylor I'm gunna go use the bathroom." he nods and I hurry to the picture.
It's the picture we used for our Christmas card. But this is the actual picture. Cameron stands behind me his arms draped over my shoulder. I'm looking back at him, my lips pressed against his cheek. I grab the picture and walk it to my old room.
"And this here is my room." I say, Cameron stays in the doorway. His eyes sweeping the room.
"What?" he smiles and walks around the room, his fingers sliding over trophies and miscellaneous objects scattered around my desk.
I sit on the bed and watch the man I love walk around the room I grew up in. He looks even taller and older. He turns to me and grins.
"This thing here is or was your bed?" I smile and pat the bed. He sits down next to me.
"Yeah its small I know." He smiles and nuzzles his face into my neck.
"How the hell would we have had sex on that?" Cameron asks laughing. I push him off but laugh.
"You're an idiot."
"But you love this idiot?" I smile and kiss his nose.
"Yes I surprisingly do love you." he smiles and kisses me.
I walk over to the mirror in the room. Around the rim was pictures of me and Jodie, and the three musketeers. Carter sits in the middle, Jodie to the left and I on the right. Then a picture of Cameron and I kissing in front of the Hollywood sign. Then another of us making weird faces. I quickly pull down all the pictures of Cameron and I and slide them under my bed.
Why would they keep these up. It's painful.
