Changing the Mirage
Chapter 3"Shane!" Taylor called out, making his way through the crowd.
"Hey!" he grinned widely at him. "You came."
"You said you needed me," he glanced around. "I feel a little under dressed," he whispered leaning in close. He was surrounded by men, woman and children who were all dressed in, what appeared to be, their Sunday’s best.
"Oh, don’t worry about it," he chuckled. "And I do need you…I need your help…musically."
"Okay," he replied slowly, not quite following him.
"Follow me," he grabbed his hand and led him out of the crowd.
"Are you going to tell me what’s going on?" Taylor questioned as Shane continued dragging him to an unknown destination.
"Yes," he turned and faced him with a smile on his face. "That’s Jack," he pointed to a little boy, sitting by himself. "I’m his big brother."
"I didn’t know you had family around here."
"No," Shane shook his head. "In the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program."
"Oh okay."
"Well, he’s really talented and he doesn’t even realize it. I was hoping you could talk to him. You know, musician to musician."
"And say what?"
"Something…musician-y?" he shrugged unsure causing Taylor to chuckle. "I saw you perform. You were so confident and sure. I figured if he saw an adult who’s been in his shoes…" he trailed off.
"I’m not sure how much help I’ll be."
"But you’ll try?" Shane smiled.
"Yea," Taylor nodded. There was no way he could say no to that smile anyway. Shane watched as Taylor walked over and sat beside Jack on the piano bench. He couldn’t hear what they were saying or if it were even going well. But soon, Jack’s melancholy demeanor picked up as they turned and faced the keys of the piano. He didn’t know what they were doing or playing, but he was glad that it seemed to be working. He didn’t know how he would repay him, but he definitely deserved a big thank you for coming to his aid at the single ring of a phone call.
~~~
"So, what did you say to Jack earlier?"
"Something musician-y," Taylor teased.
"Okay…I’m not a part of the musician club. I get it," he feigned disappointment.
"This was a good night," Taylor spoke leaning into Shane more. They were sharing a cab back to Taylor’s place so he could drop him off.
"It was. I had fun too," he smiled.
"Almost wish it didn’t have to end," he rolled his head up to look at Shane.
"All good things must," Shane chuckled before shaking his head.
"Party pooper."
"And you call me a dork?"
"You are…and now I dub you party pooper as well," he smiled.
"If it keeps me getting to spend time with you, I’ll be anything you want," he replied placing a gentle kiss on the side of his head. The simple act of his lips against his forehead sent a heat wave through Taylor’s body. It was as if his lips had burned a place onto the skin, and he longed to feel it everywhere.
"Here you are," the cab driver spoke putting the car in park.
"Thank you," Shane replied, quickly paying him. Taylor smiled to himself a little when he saw Shane pay. He couldn’t help but feel a little excited that their night wasn’t coming to an end quite yet.
"You want to come inside for a little bit?" Taylor questioned, fishing his keys out of his pockets.
"I should go," Shane smiled warmly at him.
"Oh okay," Taylor replied trying not to let his disappointment show through.
"You and me again? This weekend?" Shane questioned, a sweet smile on his lips.
"Of course," Taylor nodded. "You have a goodnight Shane McKenna," Taylor replied, taking a step toward him and wrapping his arms around his waist.
"You too, Mr. Hanson," he pulled Taylor to him even more. He leaned in and, much like their previous two dates, just as their lips were about to touch he moved his lips and softly kissed Taylor’s cheek. He squinted his eyes and gave Shane a confused look.
"Okay," he drew the word out longer than it needed to be.
"What?" Shane chuckled slightly. Now he was the one that was confused.
"Nothing," Taylor shook his head, removing himself from his arms. "Goodnight…again," he pushed his door open.
"Taylor," Shane grabbed his arm. "What’s wrong?"
"Does my breath stink?"
"No," he answered slowly.
"Do you like me?"
"Yes."
"Do you want to kiss me?"
"Definitely," he smiled.
"Then why don’t you? You keep doing this leaning in and kissing me on the cheek, faking me out thing. I’m very confused…especially when you say you like me and you actually want to kiss me. If you do, then why don’t you?"
"Taylor,"
"Don’t ‘Taylor’ me in that tone of voice."
"Okay," he spoke the word while letting out a breath. "Tay, I do like you…a lot. You already know this. I find you attractive and I cannot wait to kiss you."
"Okay then why-"
"Let me finish," he interrupted, sounding slightly annoyed. Taylor bit his lip and nodded, encouraging him to continue. "This is only our third date. The fact that I haven’t kissed you yet doesn’t mean I don’t want to and definitely doesn’t prove I don’t like you. I’m not finished," he spoke as Taylor opened his mouth to speak. "I’m trying to woo you. When I first asked you out you said you were hesitant to go out with me. I don’t know the reasons why. I’m sure when you’re ready for me to know them you’ll tell me, but until then I want you to be comfortable with me. I like you and I don’t want you to doubt that or the fact that I want to date you." He finished explaining.
"Oh," Taylor whispered. "So…you’re taking things slow because…you like me?"
"Well, I was trying to," he replied. "I want you to be comfortable. I don’t want to rush you into anything."
"So you were being considerate?"
"Yes," he chuckled. "There are some men like that…and most of them are gay so you lucked out," he teased causing Taylor to laugh.
"Sorry," he replied sincerely. "I’m…clearly not used to that."
"Someone taking it slow?"
"Someone putting my feelings ahead of what they want from me," He answered vying for a bit of honesty again.
"Get used to it," he smiled slightly. Taylor couldn’t stop the smile that spread across his lips.
"I’m okay with slow."
"Good."
"Goodnight Shane," he put his arms around his neck and hugged him.
"And again, to you too Taylor," he gave him another kiss on the cheek before heading back toward the sidewalk to get another cab. As with every time he was leaving before, Taylor gave him another wave before disappearing into his apartment. He ran his hand through his hair contemplating what Shane had said. Normally he wouldn’t have felt like his night was complete, but a nice reassurance settled over him that it was. Taylor paused as there was a quick knock on his door.
"What are you doing?" Taylor laughed slightly. Shane took a step toward him and placed his hands on the sides of his face. He leaned in and softly placed his lips on Taylor’s. Taylor returned the gesture with just as much gentleness. Shane snaked an arm around Taylor’s hips and pulled their bodies closer together, deepening the kiss. Their lips moved in perfect sync across each others. Neither was sure who initiated but before they knew it their tongues were touching and circling in a slow intimate dance. Each softly placed kiss against his lips, each roll of the tongue with his was like a well placed hit to the fears he held on to and Taylor could feel the resolve he had shattering.
"Have mercy," Taylor sighed once they separated. "I thought you said we were taking it slow so you could woo me?"
"I thought you wanted someone to put your feeling ahead of what they needed from you?"
"That was very selfless of you."
"Well…I try. But I got something out of it too," he smiled.
~~~
"Hey Ike, it’s me," Taylor spoke as his voicemail picked up. "Sure you’re busy. Just got in. He’s a big brother with the Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Can you believe that? Hmm…me either. Anyway, just calling to gush. Talk soon. Oh yea," he paused briefly. "And then he kissed me," he sang into the receiver. "Yea, I know what you’re going to say and don’t. Later Ike," he hung up and tossed his cell phone on the coffee table.