Changing the Mirage
Chapter 8"What big brother encouragement can I give you today?" Isaac sighed into the received. He was returning Taylor’s panicked voicemail he left him. Although he could probably figure out the subject, he decided to ask anyway.
"It’s about Shane."
"Of course,"
"Why’d you say it like that?"
"Tay, the point."
"More specifically…me in this relationship with him,"
"Okay," he drew the word out, still not quite following him.
"I mean, is this okay? That I’m doing this?"
"Is what okay? And that you’re doing what? That you’re happy? Allowing yourself to be in a healthy relationship? Seriously…"
"So am I being stupid about this?"
"You are stupid Tay, but it’s okay you can’t help it."
"Ike," he spoke, his tone serious. He knew he was just joking but right now, he just wanted some simple reassurances.
"For not wanting to make the same mistakes as you did in your last relationship? Tay that doesn’t make you stupid…it shows you’re growing up. It shows how much you care for this guy. And it shows the level of your willingness to potentially let him in. But I will tell you, eventually you have to drop the potential and just do it; just let him in." he replied, choosing to get right to the point this time.
"Why can’t it be as easy as you saying it?"
"You’ll get there."
"What if I don’t?"
"Then you’re going to end up the old, crazy, cat lady that all the little kids are afraid of," he answered causing him to laugh and relax since their conversation started. "And you will not be living with me and my supermodel wife. Just saying."
"Whatever, there’s no way you’re going to marry a supermodel. You’d be lucky to pull off a hand model."
"Hardy har-har," he feigned annoyance. "So what else has been going on with you lately?"
"The usual,"
"Have you talked to Mykhail recently?"
"No," he answered slightly confused. He had known Isaac to be random at times, but it was usually just his way of getting to his next point.
"When was the last time you talked to her?"
"Um…it hasn’t been that long," he lied. The truth was that he hadn’t had a real conversation with her since he’d moved. They’d played phone tag and she’d sent him several texts which he had yet to respond to. But there was no way he was going to tell Isaac that; even though he was sure he already knew the real answer before he asked the question.
"You should talk to her…sooner rather than later."
"Did something happen?"
"Thought it hadn’t been that song since you talked to her,"
"It," he began but stopped. There was no point in continuing, he’d made his point.
"Exactly, call her."
"Fine," he agreed. "I’ll call her as soon as we get off the phone."
"Then I’ll let you go. Bye Tay. And feel free to call me just to talk and not just when you’re in need of relationship advice, huh?"
"Bye Isaac," he laughed before disconnecting the call. He promptly scrolled through his contacts, calling once he found her number.
"Hello,"
"Hello, is it me you’re looking for?" he sang into the receiver causing her to laugh slightly.
"Hi Taylor, glad you could finally return my call."
"I know. I’m a dick of a friend."
"Well, at least you know. Anyway, how are you?"
"Good. Happy…surprisingly,"
"So I heard…from someone else of course but…"
"Alright, alright. I know I haven’t called and I’ve done a terrible job of returning your calls, but I have missed you. Terribly. And every day. This city isn’t anywhere near as fun as it should be without you here. Enough with the guilt trip?"
"For now, I suppose."
"Thank you. So…how is everything there? Regretting staying in Tulsa yet?" he teased.
"Everything is good…really good."
"So have you been able to remove your nose from your books long enough to notice anyone of any interest?"
"Yea…maybe…" she answered slowly. He opted not to say anything, but let her finish on her own. He knew if he were silent long enough, she would. "I like a guy. He likes me."
"But…"
"But it’s a little complicated."
"Un-complicate it for me,"
"I actually don’t have enough time right now. I’m supposed to be meeting him soon."
"Well…okay," he replied trying to hide his disappointment.
"I’ll call you later though."
"Promise?"
"If you promise to pick up," she teased.
"Then it’s a deal," he smiled.
"Bye Tay."
"Bye Khail," he disconnected the call. He couldn’t deny the spoken tension and unspoken distance between them. Although his actions said differently, he did miss her. He bit his lip and let the creative wheels in his head start turning. He knew it wouldn’t stop her from being mad at how big of a dickhead he’d been recently, but hopefully trying a little harder would stop the detachment that was taking place in their friendship. He pulled out his laptop and started putting the beginning touches on planning a trip. He wanted to see his best friend. He wanted her to meet his boyfriend. He knew there was no better way than to have her come out.