Song for the chapter: Feel Good Inc. by Cecila Pavey
K didn’t return to the diner after that.
A part of Taylor surprisingly missed her presence. It was hard for Taylor to return to her usual self and she felt like she had to look over her shoulder everywhere she went. She wasn’t sure if she was looking out for K or the detectives.
There was also K’s weird confession and it kept Taylor up all night long trying to figure out just what she meant.
It didn’t make any sense to her; if K wanted her than why did she suddenly disappear?
After two weeks without any contact from K or the detectives, Taylor decided to put it all in a drawer and go on with her life. Her sad lonely life.
That’s how she found herself at a bar one Friday night with her boss.
“You look a little blue, kid.” Ed had inherited the diner from his father who also happened to be name Ed and was Taylor’s only friend.
Taylor sighed. “You ever wish you had done more with your life?”
“Sure I do!” He responded. “But the diner needs me.”
“Really?” Taylor was surprised, Ed loved the diner. “Like what?”
“Well when I was a teenager I always dreamed of being a singer. When pops died, I had to quit to take over. Don’t get me wrong, I love Ed’s but singing is where my heart is.”
Taylor knew he had a gift with writing, when the diner was empty enough he would pull out his guitar and play a couple of his originals. Taylor always thought it was a hobby, she herself played the guitar for recreational purposes more than anything.
“Then why don’t you sell and go follow your dreams?”
“Ain’t that simple sweetheart.” His smiled sadly at her. “I’ve got a duty as a Sheeran to run the diner. I’m the only son and my family worked hard to get that diner. Plus I wouldn’t fit in with the music scene now of days. I’m too old and not pretty enough.” He scoffed.
“But I’ve heard your stuff. You have a lot of talent!”
“What is this? Trying to buy the diner off me kid? Hate to break it to you, I’m not giving it up anytime soon.” He poked her arm.
“Sorry, I guess I’m projecting.” She said defeated.
“What’s wrong kid?”
“I don’t know, I guess it’s my life. There’s nothing exciting. I ran into a kid from high school, he’s a cop now and I bet his life is so exciting! He get’s to do all these exciting cases, chasing criminals. Heck! I bet even the criminals who held up the bank have more fun than me.”
“I bet they do but I also bet that none of them, cop or criminal, will live longer than 30. Your life is safe and practical. I bet you could have done something exciting if life hadn’t bit you in the ass. And that’s not your fault. Just the hand you’ve been dealt.” Ed tried to reassure her. “You had no power over what happened to you.”
“I know… I just feel like I’m going to kill myself if I’m stuck at the diner all my life. No offense! But it’s not exactly what I want to do my entire life.”
“Don’t worry kid, soon enough you’re going to find someone to swoop in and take you on an adventure.”
After a couple of beers they left; wondering around town, gossiping about one of the cooks.
“Hey!” Taylor pointed. “Let’s check out that club!”
“Dressed like this?” Ed pointed at his jeans and tee shirt.
“Sure why not. C’mon, you can charm all the ladies with your poetic tongue and I can dance.” She said elbowing him.
“I do-,” Taylor pulled them across the street and Taylor managed to flirt a bit with the bouncer to allow them in.
“Good thing I wore a skirt.” Taylor giggled; although Ed was already distracted by a group of girls walking by.
They sat at the bar and toasted their shots.
“I love this song! Be right back!” Taylor yelled, kissing his cheek before bouncing to the dance floor.
She felt as if she fell down a rabbit hole to wonderland. All her worries from the past week didn’t exist in her little bubble as she danced along with faceless strangers. At one point she found herself pressed against a raven haired girl in a red dress. Her hands were a bit wondery for Taylor’s taste but she continued to dance. She skipped over to Ed who was flirting with a pretty brunette, Raven (as she decided to call her in her head) on her heels.
Taylor found herself in a stale conversation with Miranda, whose name she finally learned. Miranda liked to talk, a lot, she also constantly ran her hands over Taylors back and arms. She tried shrugging her off but Miranda was persistent and Taylor was too drunk to care too much about it.
“Taylor, I think I’m going to head out.” Ed said into her ear, eyeing the pretty brunette.
Taylor didn’t want to be left alone with Miranda but she also didn’t want to third-wheel Ed.
“Have fun.” She smirked. Ed kissed her cheek and promised to call her in the morning.
“Here try this! It’s called Feel Good Inc!” Miranda said, handing her a cup.
“Um,” Taylor reluctantly looked down at the cup.
Miranda rolled her eyes. “I didn’t drug it. I’ll order another one if you don’t trust it.”
“I believe you.” Taylor lied, sipping the liquid. She was surprised at how smoothly it went down and also at it having a delightful taste. She ordered two more and soon she was a giggling mess with Miranda who dragged her back to the dance floor.
It was freezing when they finally stumbled out of the club, clutching one another tightly for warmth as they walked down the street.
“My apartments not far from here.” Miranda mumbled.
Giggling, Taylor pulled away. “Mines that way.” She said pointing in the opposite direction.
“We’re closer to mine.” Miranda said trying to pull her along.
Taylor was still weak from the alcohol and ended up sitting on her butt to prevent herself from being pulled away. “I don’t want to go to yours.” She grumbled.
“C’mon. You’re going to freeze to death out here.” Miranda growled, her nice attitude disappearing. Taylor felt herself feeling afraid as Miranda successfully pulled her from the ground and began pulling her further away.
“Idon’tfeelright.” She slurred.
“Finally.” She thought she heard Miranda say.
“Hey!” Someone yelled from behind them.
Taylor’s eyes shut as the world began to spin.
“What are you doing with her?”
“We were out on a girls night.” Miranda laughed. “My friend here drank more than she could handle. I’m just walking her home.”
“Really?” Taylor heard the voice question. “Taylor are you okay?”
Taylor felt Miranda stiffen and Taylor tried her best to summon enough strength to shake her head.
“K.” She whimpered.
“Alright. You have three seconds to hand her over.” K threatened.
“Look I wasn’t going to do anything, I was just gonna take her to my place to rest.”
“1.”
Taylor felt herself fly through the air before she landed into someone warm. She heard heels quickly fleeing and someone stroking her hair.
“Let’s get you home kid.” Her legs were swooped out from under her and she let out a giggle, recalling Ed’s words from earlier.
“My hero.” Taylor mumbled, snuggling into K’s warm body.
A/N: Yay Ed finally made an apperance!
And that was a close one! Don't take drinks from strangers kids. And was Karlie being around a coincedence or has she been watching our Taylor? Hmmmmm.
Thanks for reading! :)