Chapter Four: Nobody Else

It was eleven at night when Matty and Taylor made it back inside with the pizza. Taylor rested the warm box on the table while Matty did the same with the soda. Taylor watched his friend walk into the kitchen and get cups from the cupboards, then walk back and rest both cups on the table.

Matty poured the coke into both cups then sat down. Taylor took some pain killers out of his pocket and took two before taking a sip of the soda. He then lifted the lid of the pizza box, taking one of the hot slices. Matty did the same, looking at the TV as he ate.

"This is some good fuckin' pizza," Taylor said once on his third piece.

"They make good sauce over there, huh?" Matty replied, licking the sauce off his lip and sucking the tips of his fingers while he leaned back, full after only one piece. The man didn't have much of an appetite since in Montana. Taylor watched Matty as he took a sip of his coke.

Matty took two more cigarettes out of the pack in his pants' pocket. He lit one for himself and began to smoke it, and once Taylor was finished eating, he handed one to him before lighting it. Taylor realized Matty was smoking more than he usually did.

All was quiet as they watched TV. As time passed, both would momentarily observe the other as they thought. Taylor had such strong feelings of affection engrossing him. He knew he could have died saving Matty and he figured Matty must have understood how intense his feelings were for him; how much he loved him. And he knew Matty cared about him, for years Matty had made that clear. But Taylor wondered whether or not Matty's feelings were strictly platonic or if he'd ever considered being more. He wasn't sure how to go about asking such a question; he certainly wouldn't come right out and question his friend. He would be subtle, as he and Matty had always been with one another.

"I been wonderin'," Taylor started, almost silent.

"What's that?" Matty asked. Taylor hesitated.

"Once your name is changed... once you have a job... where do you go from there? You gonna find a girl, settle down?" he asked, quietly; easing into the topic. Testing Matty as carefully as possible.

Matty blinked then looked at Taylor briefly before looking away. He clenched his jaw and turned his head away from Taylor. He hadn't expected Taylor to ask something like that. He began fidgeting and he shrugged, making a small noise.

Taylor looked at Matty, studying his movements, realizing Matty had been affected by what he'd said. He knew his friend was feeling something. Even if it was related to a woman, Taylor felt as if there was something in Matty that was itching to come out. So Taylor decided he would push it further; cautiously try to get Matty to reveal what it was he was truly thinking. Taylor planned if Matty continued to display any discomfort that he would drop it. Though it was important to Taylor, he cared more about how Matty felt and he wasn't interested in forcing Matty into answering questions he didn't want to answer.

"Come on..." the darker man said, quietly. He smiled, to show his friend that he could trust him. That he wouldn't judge him. "Everyone thinks about it. Their future, who they're gonna spend their lives with."

Matty was silent for a long time. Taylor began to think he didn't want to talk about it so he turned his head and watched TV as Matty did.

"Look, Taylor..." Matty then suddenly began, his voice soft. He wondered if Taylor only asked about a mate to see what Matty would say. He thought that perhaps Taylor was testing him. So Matty decided to just tell Taylor the truth. If Taylor was as interested in him as Matty felt he might be, he didn't want to give Taylor the impression that the feelings weren't reciprocated. "You gotta know this... there's nobody out there that I can trust more than you. You're the only one that's been there for me after all these years and hasn't fucked me. No... no, instead, you risked your life to save mine. I wouldn't even be here right now if it weren't for you. I don't need anybody else, man."

Taylor clenched his jaw as Matty spoke. He stared at him, brows creased. His heart pounded and filled with passion, beyond happy with what Matty had confirmed for him. Matty didn't come right out and say it, but Taylor knew what he meant; he didn't need a woman when he had Taylor.

Matty looked back at Taylor, witnessing the muscular man's vulnerable, tender expression. He became overwhelmed with what he'd said and he turned his head, taking another drag of his cigarette.

Taylor looked Matty up and down, taking in his appearance, watching Matty's body as he moved, discomfort making him fidget. Taylor slowly moved his hand toward Matty, gently resting it on his shoulder. To show Matty that he didn't have to be uneasy; to show Matty his acceptance of what was said. Matty bowed his head, embarrassed, feeling the warmth of Taylor's hand seeping through his black shirt. Taylor's touches had always been comforting; they were always kind and sincere. Slowly he looked up at Taylor.

"It's the same for me..." Taylor replied, quietly.

To be continued...