18. Taylor
Chapter 18
Taylor
Last night, I didn’t expect my parents to be so welcoming to Easton. I know Mom and Dad didn’t like Jack very much, but they typically kept their opinions to themselves. They let me live my life the way I wanted to and didn’t intervene.
Though I appreciate that, sometimes I wonder what would’ve happened if they had stepped in. If they had pointed out Easton’s feelings to me or pushed me to just stay friends with Jack.
As much as I want to believe I’d listen to them, I probably wouldn’t have. I was a teenager and would assume they knew nothing about love and relationships.
When we got home last night, Easton and I spent time talking and cuddling, then we fell asleep in each other’s arms. Just like I have every night since I started staying here, I slept soundly and woke up feeling happy .
Tonight, we’re supposed to go to Easton’s parents for dinner. They no longer live next to my childhood home and in a way, I'm happy for that. I spent so many hours there with Jack. I don’t want to spend my evening remembering Jack. I want to spend it focusing on my time with Easton.
Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell don’t know Easton and I are dating. We decided to tell both of our parents close together. We don’t want rumors to spread and them to find out some other way, but we don’t want to hide our relationship either. We want to live our lives however we want.
“What are you wearing?” A slow lopsided grin spreads across Easton’s face, making me chuckle.
“Do you like it?” I spin around all the way so he can get a good look at my shirt.
“Like it? Baby, I love it. I can't believe you still have it.” He closes the distances between us and places his hands over the grease handprints on my shirt.
“I couldn’t get rid of it. This shirt always reminded me of the times we got to spend together just the two of us. I always hoped one day it would be a daily occurrence to have your hands on me like this.”
“I can ruin all of your shirts like this if you really want me to.” He grins as he pins me against the wall and kisses me.
Easton knocks on the door before twisting the knob and pushing his way inside his parents’ new home. I’ve been here once or twice since they moved, but that’s it.
“We’re in the family room!” Mrs. Maxwell calls.
“I wish you were still wearing that shirt,” Easton murmurs under his breath.
“Why?” I chuckle as I stare up at him.
Since we started dating, it’s like this weight has been removed from his shoulders. He’s happier and seems more carefree. He’s so much more like the boy I fell in love with.
“Because that shirt will always be my favorite. It doesn’t matter what you buy or how expensive it is, I’ll still always pick that one every time. It reminds me of how you’re mine now.”
“I am yours. You can put greasy handprints on all of my clothes if you need to.” I press a quick kiss to his cheek right before we round the corner into the family room.
“Hey, sweetie.” Mrs. Maxwell wraps Easton in a hug before doing the same to me. She brushes my hair over my shoulder and smiles sadly at me. “I'm so glad you could make it, Taylor. How are you?”
“I'm doing well. A lot better than I was.” I wave to Mr. Maxwell and he nods his head at me. He was never a very talkative man and I'm ok with that.
“That’s good to hear! I hope Easton’s taking care of you. He said you moved in with him. I'm so happy you’ re being there for each other through such a difficult time in everyone’s life.” She motions for us to take a seat on the other couch and I slowly lower myself onto the cushion.
No matter how we break the news to her, it’s not going to be easy. She won't take it well and I know it.
“I have a bag of Jack’s things. I left it by the door. I thought you might want them,” Easton speaks up.
“Oh… I didn’t realize you were cleaning out his things.” Mrs. Maxwell frowns down at her hands as Mr. Maxwell sits there silently. He looks as thrilled to be here as Easton does.
“It’s been almost five months, Mom. I can't leave his room as a shrine to him forever.” Easton barely refrains from rolling his eyes.
“I guess that’s true,” she says softly as she brushes imaginary lint off of her pants.
“Taylor and I are dating,” he blurts out, surprising everyone. I blink up at Easton and see the nervousness and yet relief over the news being out in the open.
Mr. Maxwell’s eyes widen, but there isn't much of a reaction beyond that. Mrs. Maxwell… she’s a different story. She lets out the most dramatic gasp I’ve ever heard and clutches her neck. I'm sure if she were wearing pearls, she’d be holding onto them. Her wide eyes are full of disbelief and horror as her gaze bounces back and forth between Easton and I.
“You’re what!” She screeches, making me wish I could cover my ears .
“We’re dating.”
“Yes, I heard what you said. I was giving you a chance to change your mind! How can you date your brother’s girlfriend! Especially so soon after he died!” Her shock transforms into a lethal glare and my heart sinks.
I know this will be hard on Easton. He’s always wanted his parents’ love and support. Though he got it, Jack always got more. They always loved Jack more.
“I won't change my mind. I love Taylor and I always have.”
Mrs. Maxwell’s glare turns on me and I swallow hard. I can only imagine what’s going to come out of her mouth next and I'm sure it won't be kind.
“Did you figure if you couldn’t have one Maxwell boy, the other was good enough? Jack gave everything to you! He gave you his heart! He saved your life and you repay him by going after his brother? How can you be so cold and evil? Didn’t you care about him at all?”
“Mom,” Easton growls. “You don’t know Jack as well as you think you do. I’d watch what you say to Taylor.”
“No! I won't watch what I say. She’s a little slut. She’s dug her claws into this family and isn't letting go. Jack was always too good for you.” She narrows her eyes on me. “He could’ve done so much better, but he wasn’t interested in any of the women I pointed out to him. He was too in love with little Taylor Gaines from next door.” She rolls her eyes .
“We’re done here. C’mon, Taylor. Let’s go home.” Easton stands and holds out a hand to me.
“I can't believe you’d do this to our family,” she hisses, turning her anger back on Easton.
Tears fill my vision as I watch Easton’s family slowly crumble. I knew telling them wouldn’t be easy, but I didn’t expect this.
“What did you think would happen, Mom? Do you want her to stay single forever because she dated your precious Jack? Do you expect me to keep my house a shrine to him and never move a single thing of his? He’s dead and he’s not coming back. You can pretend he’s going to walk through that door one day, but it isn't going to happen.”
“Should I just pretend I didn’t have a son at all then? Maybe I’ll act like Jack never existed at all! It seems like you and Taylor are doing that and you’re all smiles and sunshine! How could you disgrace your brother’s memory like that!”
“He cheated on me!” The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them. Tears trickle down my cheek and I suck in a shaky breath.
“You liar!” Mrs. Maxwell raises her hand to slap me and I squeeze my eyes shut. I brace myself for the hit, but it never comes.
“Enough,” Mr. Maxwell roars. He’s placed himself between his wife and me, keeping us from attacking each other. “You need to calm down.” He softens his voice as he speaks to Mrs. Maxwell .
“I can't! She’s ruining our family. She’s saying such horrible things about my son. Jack was a good boy. He’d never cheat on her. How could she say such a horrible thing about the man who gave her a second chance at life? He deserved so much better than her.”
“Enough, Meridth!” Mr. Maxwell stands and glares at his wife.
“He’s been cheating on Taylor for years. His other girlfriend was at the funeral. You need to stop thinking Jack was some saint.” Easton shakes his head, more than disgusted with his mom. “C’mon, Taylor. We’re leaving.”
I stand on shaky legs and take his hand. He interlaces our fingers and squeezes as he stares down at me with so much sadness in his blue and green eyes. They’re almost solidly blue today.
“Your brother would hate you for this! I hate you!” Mrs. Maxwell stumbles down the hallway after us.
Her eyes are wild with anger and sorrow. She doesn’t realize how much those words are going to destroy her son… The only one she has left.
“I wish you had died in his place!” She shakes her head at Easton before turning her evil glare on me one last time. “I wish I had said no to donating his heart. I shouldn’t have let them put it in you. You deserve a grave more than my son ever did!”
I'm still staring at her as Easton tugs me onto the front porch and shuts the door behind us. I don’t know how he’s so calm and collected right now. I can't breathe. I feel like there’s a massive weight on my chest and the world is closing in around me .
My head spins as everything starts to get fuzzy. My heart is beating so hard and I can't seem to get it to stop. Something is wrong. I don’t know why I feel so funny.
“Easton,” I whisper before everything goes black.