Changing the Mirage
Chapter 5Taylor poked his head out, looking into the living room. He could have sworn he heard gentle tapping. He waited a few moments before going back into the kitchen. He shook his head quickly dismissing the thought. He turned his head, hearing the distinct sounds of tapping again. He pulled out a knife for each hand and slowly walked back into the living room. His brothers had always accused him of having an overactive imagination from watching too many scary movies, but he didn’t feel like the senses lied. He knew he heard something. The gentle tapping turned into a steady knock on his living room window. He grabbed the blind string and quickly pulled it up. He jumped back not expecting to see Shane on the other side. He held out his arms, hoping that would express the question he was trying to ask nonverbally. Shane smiled and took a step back, pulling a poster from behind him.
"Will you be my boyfriend? Check ‘yes’ or ‘no’," Taylor read out loud. He chuckled before opening the window up. "Are we back in grade school now?" he questioned a huge grin on his face. Shane didn’t respond, just stepped to him and handed him a marker. He held the poster out encouraging him to mark his answer. "Close your eyes," Taylor instructed as he held the sharpie out to make an ‘x’ on the appropriate box. "No peeking," he playfully scolded as Shane squinted his eyes. "Okay, you can look," Taylor smiled putting the top back on the marker.
Shane slowly opened his eyes and looked down at the poster board. He smiled slowly as he saw the ‘yes’ box checked.
"This is how guys from Nebraska ask guys to be their boyfriends?" Taylor smiled as Shane rested his arms against the window seal.
"Only when we want it to be super special," he returned his smile.
"You’re a super dork. You know that right?"
"You’re the super dork’s boyfriend. No take backs," he whispered leaning in.
"I think I can handle that," he replied just before their lips touched. "I can definitely handle that," he spoke after they separated.
"What’s with the knives?" Shane nodded toward where they rested on the couch.
"I was hearing stuff…or I thought I was hearing stuff," he chuckled.
"What were you going to do? Butter me?"
"You’re hilarious," he rolled his eyes.
"Well, I didn’t mean to scare you. Let me in," he motioned for Taylor to move out of the way.
"You know the front door works just as well," he replied as Shane crawled in.
"This was closer," he replied flopping down on the couch.
"So what do you want to do tonight?"
"I was thinking we could just chill here," he shrugged.
"And it begins, we’ve just started dating and you never want to take me out anymore," he shook his head, pretending to be hurt.
"I guess I can take my girl out on the town for a celebration," he teased causing Taylor’s mouth dropped open. He quickly jumped off the couch and away from the pillow Taylor was about to hit him with.
"I change my mind. I want to check ‘no’." he folded his arms.
"Too late," he smirked. "Get dressed. I’ll be back in an hour to pick you up."
"I only get an hour?" he questioned causing Shane to shoot him a look. "Aye, aye captain," he saluted. Shane kissed his fingers and slowly blew Taylor a kiss before vanishing out the door. He couldn’t help but smile.
He listened to Isaac’s voicemail pick up before he disconnected the call. He pressed the appropriate keys before calling him right back. When he didn’t pick up again, he repeated the steps. He knew he was awake and if he wasn’t then he was determined to wake him up.
"If you’re not dying…" he trailed off answering the phone.
"Why didn’t you pick up the first time?" he chuckled.
"Did it ever occur to you that some of us have social lives?"
"Yes…it just never occurred to me that you were one of those people," he teased.
"You’re hilarious. What’s up?"
"Oh, nothing…just hadn’t talked to my favorite big bro in a while."
"I’m your only one and I’m not even your favorite most of the time so again…what’s up?"
"I’m kinda dating someone," he replied. "Actually, we’re kinda officially dating," he continued when Isaac didn’t say anything. There was silence before he heard muffled laughter coming from the other end of the phone. "What?"
"Not even six weeks, that was fast."
"I was just taking your advice!" he defended somewhat offended.
"Yea Tay, blame me," Isaac chuckled.
"Well-"
"Look, I’m happy for you," he interrupted. "You seem happy. So when do I get to meet him?"
"Not for a very, VERY long time," he replied rolling his eyes.
"That doesn’t really seem fair, since it’s my fault because you took my advice."
"Well, maybe after we get passed the forty eight hours mark, then I’ll consider it."
"Alright," he chuckled once again. "Well congratulations. Just…be careful, okay? Don’t be afraid to take your time and get to know him…and let him get to know you…the real you, Taylor."
"I will," he spoke softly. "Thanks Ike."
"No problem. Talk to you soon."
"Bye," he smiled hanging up the phone.