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Chapter 6: What Troy Doesn't Know Won't Hurt Him

Monday evening, Chad pulled into the parking lot of a popular kid-friendly pizza parlor and parked the car in the first empty spot her found. He looked over at Taylor and asked, "You ready?"

"Let's do this," she replied with a laugh.

Chad got out of the car and met Taylor at the back. He took her hand and they walked into the restaurant where her mom, sisters, brother-in-laws, nieces and nephews were waiting with his mom.

Taylor's nine-year-old niece Maddy was the first to spot them and she ran through the restaurant-at top speed-and threw herself into Taylor's arms. "Auntie Taylor!" She exclaimed. "I wanna stay the night at your house!"

"Well I guess we'll just have to find a time for you to stay the night with me," Taylor smiled. Maddy's mom, Taylor's oldest sister Victoria, had given birth to Maddy when she was 19-years-old, Taylor had been 12 at the time and their sister Jennifer had been 15. To Taylor, Maddy had always been more of a little sister than a niece, especially since Victoria and Maddy had lived with Taylor and her parents until Victoria met and married her husband Abram when Maddy was three.

"Okay, kiddo, you're getting too big for me to hold you," Taylor laughed after she gave her niece a kiss on the cheek. "Maybe Uncle Chad will give you a piggy back ride."

Maddy turned her big brown eyes to Chad and (in true McKessie fashion) gave him an angelic smile. Chad rolled his eyes and looked at Taylor, who was giving him the same look. He threw up his arms and gave in. Maddy squealed and clapped her hands while Taylor lifted her onto Chad's back.

By the time the three of the reached the table their family was sitting at, Taylor's other nieces and nephews were begging Chad for piggyback rides.

Chad gave Taylor a pointed look and said, "Look what you've started."

"Oh but they love you, Uncle Chad," Taylor laughed.

While Chad gave the kids piggyback rides, Taylor greeted his mom, Jade, her mom, Kamilia, her sister Victoria and her husband Abram, and her sister Jenni, her husband Matt and their daughter Annie.

"Your ring is beautiful," Victoria said as she and Jenni admired the ring.

"It's a Danforth family heirloom," Taylor smiled at Chad's mom. "It belong to Chad's grandma."

"Hey mom," Chad greeted, hugging his mom from behind before dropping into the seat next to Taylor. "Momma K, Victoria, Jenni, Abram, Matt and baby Annie."

"Uncle Chad, we want more piggyback rides!" Victoria's five-year-old twins Max and Ally yelled as they ran up to the table.

Chad groaned and put his head on Taylor's shoulder. She patted his head before looking at the twins. "Guys, I think you wore Uncle Chad out," she said. "We should probably let him rest."

The twins pouted but nodded then ran back to play with their sister and cousin in the ball pit.

"Hey Chad, come help us get the drinks," Abram said, standing up.

Chad nodded and followed Abram and Matt to the drink bar.

"So you proposed to Taylor," Abram said, crossing his arms after they had ordered their drinks.

"Yeah, what about it?" Chad asked as he glanced at Matt, who just shrugged.

"Well as Taylor's brothers, we just want to-"

"Dude, let it drop," Chad said, cutting him off. "I appreciate what you're doing, but we all know Tay and I are going to be together forever. Besides, I've known her since I was in kindergarten.

"And while I think highly of you for taking care of Victoria and Maddy, you don't have to get all fatherly and serious. I've never had any siblings, especially not older brothers, and while I'll appreciate advice about being a good husband and someday about being a good dad, I really don't like lectures, never have, so don't bother."

"I couldn't have said it better myself," Matt chuckled. "See, I told you this dude was cool, Abram. Even if he did go to the worst school in Albuquerque."

"I didn't go to West High," Chad grinned.

"For that I'm making a new rule, as the first McKessie family son-in-law, the newest son-in-law picks up the tab," Matt said, smiling at Chad.

"I guess I'm lucky that I'm not a son-in-law yet," Chad replied. "It's all yours, Abe."

Abram cursed under his breath and paid the tab before they walked back over to the table with drinks for everyone. The pizza replied shortly after and they all dug in.

After eating eight slices of pizza, Chad allowed Taylor's nieces and nephews to drag him to the game room where he helped them all shoot backsets in the free throw game. He wasn't surprised when he was helping Trent that the four-year-old had an impressive form, after all his dad, Matt, had been a lead scoring for the West High Knights as a senior.

Chad was watching the kids climb on the big play structure when Taylor joined him with Annie in her arms.

"Having fun?" Taylor asked as she sat down.

"Yeah, but I think you'll have to drive me home," he said. "They're cute, but they wear me out." He reached over and tickled Annie's feet, making the toddler giggle.

"You're definitely their favorite," Taylor stated then laughed when Annie reached out to Chad. "Apparently, I'm just boring Aunt Taylor."

"She's not boring, is she Annie?" Chad asked as he took the little girl. "We love Auntie Taylor, don't we?" The toddler grinned then copied Chad when he blew a kiss at Taylor.

"You two are precious," Taylor laughed as she laid her head on his shoulder.

"Yeah, we are," Chad grinned as he slipped his arm around her shoulder.

Several minutes passed before Matt and Abram walked over to gather the other kids and soon it was just Chad, Taylor and their moms standing in the parking lot.

"How's Sharpay and Kelsi's apartment search going?" Taylor's mom asked.

"Actually," Taylor glanced at Chad. "Chad and I are thinking about getting our own place."

"Like an apartment?" Chad's mom asked.

"We can't afford anything else," Chad replied. "But we're keeping it quiet for now."

"Why are you keeping it quiet?" Taylor's mom asked as concern washed across her face.

"Let's just say Troy is less than pleased about our engagement," Taylor stated. "He told Chad that he thinks the engagement is a big mistake."

Chad's mom sighed sadly before she wrapped her son in a hug. "He'll come around, Chad," she told him. "You boys have been in plenty of fights over the years and you always work things out."

"I hope you're right, mom," Chad replied.

After saying goodbye to their moms, Chad and Taylor walked to his car and he drove her home.

"You wanna stay the night?" Taylor asked him. "Precious moved in with Gabbie's mom since Kelsi's allergic to cats."

"I really want to, but I have a massive paper due tomorrow morning," Chad sighed.

"It's okay, I understand," Taylor smiled. "You want to go apartment hunting tomorrow?"

"Can't, I have my job interview with the Boys and Girls Club," Chad replied. "Well not exactly an interview since I've worked for them for the past few summers, but a meeting. We're going to go over my schedule for the rest of this term and this summer."

"How about Wednesday?" Taylor asked him.

"Can't, I have a date with a hot chick from my math class," Chad teased and Taylor swatted his arm. "I'm just kidding! We'll make a date of it and go to Denny's from some pancakes."

"Such a big spender," Taylor laughed before she leaned over and gave him a kiss then giggled when he pulled her closer. "You have to write a paper, remember?" Chad groaned against her lips. "I love you." She pressed her lips against his one more time. "Good luck on the paper." She gave him a wink then slipped out of the car.

"Damn woman," Chad groaned as he watched her run into the house.

-----

Wednesday afternoon, Chad and Taylor walked into Denny's and bought a newspaper before finding a secluded booth.

"How'd your meeting go yesterday?" Taylor asked as they waited to order.

"Good, I start next week," Chad replied. "I've missed it."

Taylor smiled and started sniffing the air around her. "What is that disgusting smell?" She asked before covering her mouth and running to the bathroom.

"You okay?" Chad asked when she came back.

"Yeah," she nodded. "Can we go somewhere else or something?"

"Sure," Chad replied. He grabbed the newspaper then led her out of the restaurant. "What was that, anyway?"

"I have no idea," Taylor replied. "I've just been really sensitive to smells lately."

"Weird," Chad said as he climbed into the car. "While you were in the bathroom, I found an ad for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment in our price range within walking distance of campus."

"Sounds too good to be true, but let's check it out," Taylor smiled as she put on her seatbelt. When they got to the apartment complex, they were surprised to see a very nice looking area. "Well looks can be deceiving."

"Let's go," Chad said. He led her to the manger's office and they asked to see the apartment in the paper.

The middle-aged female manager, led them to the first floor apartment and unlocked the door, letting them into the empty apartment.

"Any idea why the old renters left?" Taylor asked as she came out of one of the bedrooms.

"Moved out of state, I believe," the manager shrugged. "It's only been available for a day, but you're the fifth set of people to look at it."

"We'll take it," Chad said.

"Chad! Don't you think we should talk about this first?" Taylor asked. "And what about looking at other places?"

"Excuse us for a second," Chad said, leading Taylor into the master bedroom. "Tay, we don't have a lot of money, this place is like $650 a month! That's a steal for a two bedroom, two bathroom apartment. Plus, it's in walking distance to campus. We're not going to find anything better." She crossed her arms unconvinced. "Taylor, think about it. Two bathrooms one for you and one for me. A walk-in closet. A big living room. A bedroom of our very own. Then a second room that you can make into the library you've always dreamed of." Her stance softened. "Come on, Tay-Tay. This is what we're looking for. It's what we need."

"Fine," Taylor nodded. "But you-" she poked him in the chest "-you're putting together my bookcases."

"Yes ma'am," Chad grinned. He gave her a kiss then led her back out to the main room. "We'll take it!"

"Great, let's go back to the office so you guys can fill out paperwork," the manager said.

After filling everything out, Chad and Taylor smiled at each other.

"Everything looks great on here and I should know by tomorrow if everything is a go," the manager told them. "And if it is, you guys can move in Friday morning."

The next afternoon, Chad was sitting at his and Taylor's lunch table when she came running up.

"We got it!" She told him. "It's ours!"

"Seriously?" Chad smiled, pulling her into his lap.

"Yes!" She laughed and kissed him. "The manager said we could pick up the key this afternoon, so I was thinking we could, maybe sleep over there tonight. You know, celebrate."

"Yes," Chad nodded, eagerly. "I'm in. Let's do it."

"Please not here," they turned and found Zeke standing by the table.

"Hey, man," Chad said as Taylor got off his lap. "What's up?"

"That's what I was going to ask you," Zeke said. "I saw Taylor run over here and you two practically have sex in the middle of the student union."

"Uh, have a seat," Chad said, motioning to a chair. "I needed to talk to you about this anyway."

"What's up?" Zeke asked, leaning in.

"Taylor and I are moving in together," Chad told him. "And right now, I don't want Troy to know, so Jason can't know either."

"Oh, wow, that's cool," Zeke said. "But why don't you want them to know?"

"Troy would shit a log if he found out," Taylor stated and the guys looked at her. "Well he would. I'm going to go get some lunch."

"She's been hanging out with you too much," Zeke shook his head. "So what do you want me to do?"

"I need your help to get my stuff out of the house without Troy or Jason figuring out," Chad said. "Now Jason hasn't been around a lot lately, but Troy has been around a lot lately. I figure I'll just take my stuff for now, leave my furniture. And I think I can get a lot of stuff out using trash bags, but I don't want to take any chances."

"Well I'll help any way I can," Zeke told him. "It'll be weird without you there though."

"Yeah," Chad nodded. "But hey, it's an exciting step for me and Taylor."

Zeke nodded. "So how are you going to make it look like you're still living there?" He asked.

"I haven't figured that out yet," Chad replied. "I guess for now I can say I'm just staying the night at Taylor's house… but I'll figure something out."

-----

Chad stared in shock as Taylor unloaded a box of cleaning supplies onto the counter in their kitchen.

"Tay, I thought we were here to celebrate," he said as she pulled on a pair of yellow gloves.

"Chad, we're not doing anything until this place is clean," she stated. "Who knows when this place was last cleaned." She shuddered. "Now make yourself useful and start vacuuming."

Chad pouted and plugged the vacuum cleaner into the wall and started to vacuum. He let his eyes look around the open living room and dining area then he looked in the kitchen and saw Taylor bent over, with her back towards him, cleaning the oven. A smile spread across his face and he left the vacuum running as he tiptoed over.

"Chad Danforth, get back to your job," she said, not pulling her head out of the oven.

"I- how did you know?" He pouted.

"Lucky guess," she replied.

After an hour of working, Chad collapsed onto the air mattress he'd filled after he'd finished vacuuming. He was exhausted and he just wanted to sleep. His eye lids were heavy and he was having a hard time keeping them open.

"Don't tell me you're sleepy," Taylor said from the doorway.

Chad opened his eyes, closed 'em then opened them again when he saw that she was dressed in only a towel.

"I thought we could try out the shower," she winked before going into the bathroom.

Chad's limbs flailed as he scrambled to get off the air mattress and take off his clothes at the same time. His hands worked the button and zipper on his jeans and he dropped them on the ground and pulled his shirt over his head. Then he ran into the bathroom, dropping his boxers in the walk-in closet.

"Eager much?" Taylor teased, glancing at him before climbing into the shower.

"Only cause you do things to me," Chad said as he climbed in behind her. He wrapped his arms around her body and pulled her tight against him. "I love you so much, Tay. I've never been happier about anything in my entire life."

Taylor turned to face him and pulled his lips to hers using his wet, limp locks. She pushed him back until his back hit the wall of the shower then smiled against his lips when he lifted her body up. She wrapped her legs around his waist and he slid his stiff manhood into her hot sex.

The hot water of the shower splashed against them as their bodies moved together in perfect harmony. Pulling her lips from his, she tipped her head back and let out a low moan as he moved in and out of her.

"Chad… Chad… I…" her voice echoed as her body rocked against his.

His release came first and she followed closely then he slowly lowered her shaky, legs and feet back to the floor of the shower.

"That was amazing," she said as she rested her head on his heaving chest. He just nodded in agreement.

-----

"I can't believe you're moving out," Gabriella sighed as she, Sharpay and Kelsi helped Taylor pack up her stuff on Friday afternoon.

"It's not like I'm going very far," Taylor stated. "Besides, four girls cannot live in this house together. There just aren't enough bathrooms."

"When's Chad supposed to be here with the moving truck?" Sharpay asked.

"Soon, he's meeting up with Zeke at his mom's house first so they can load up some stuff his mom is giving us," Taylor replied.

"Zeke knows?" Sharpay said. "And he's coming here?"

"You can do this, Shar," Kelsi said, grabbing Sharpay's hand. "You're a strong, independent woman. You can be around your ex-boyfriend, especially when you're helping your best friend."

"You're right," Sharpay nodded. "I can do this. This is for Taylor and Chad."

Chad and Zeke arrived with the moving truck just as Taylor and the other girls finished boxing up her stuff. It took them just under two hours to get everything loaded onto the truck then they drove to Chad and Taylor's new apartment.

Chad and Zeke helped the girls unload the truck then they had to leave to return the truck.

"I'll be back later," Chad told Taylor. "Troy has a date tonight, so I shouldn't be gone long."

Taylor nodded and gave him a quick kiss before going back up to the apartment.

When Chad and Zeke got back to their house, Jason was playing video games and Troy was checking himself out in the mirror.

"So Chad, I noticed you got home rather early this morning," Jason commented. "You and Taylor have some fun?"

"I wasn't with Taylor," Chad said then quickly added. "I decided to go for a jog, that's all."

"Uh, huh, sure," Troy rolled his eyes.

"Don't worry, Chad, if your mom calls we won't tell her that you and Taylor are having sleepovers," Jason said.

Troy rolled his eyes again. "Well, I'm out of here, don't wait up kids," he said before leaving the house.

"I'm out of here too," Jason said, turning off the video game. "I have a date tonight, too."

"Well this was easier than I thought it would be," Chad said after Jason slammed the front door. "I guess I'll see you later, man." He gave Zeke a high five. "Thanks for everything."

Zeke sighed as he sat down on the couch after Chad left. It wasn't fair that all his friends had a special girl and he didn't have anybody. Why wasn't there a girl out there that loved the idea of a man who could cook? He couldn't see what Jason or Troy's girlfriends saw in them, of course, he'd only seen them in passing. But really, who wanted to date an idiot or a jerk? It just didn't make sense.

He went up to his room and turned on his computer. He browsed youtube and espn for awhile before he found himself staring at a singles chatroom on the university's website. Unable to think of a creative screen name he'd used the first letters of his favorite things-basketball and baking-in front of boy followed by his high school graduation year.

looking4the1: Hello?

looking4the1: bbboy08 are you there?

bbboy08: yeah, sorry, what's up?

looking4the1: nothing much, just taking a break from helping a friend. what year are you?

bbboy08: sophomore, you?

looking4the1: the same

looking4the1: by the way, I am a girl

Zeke and the girl chatted for another thirty minutes before she had to go, but they made plans to chat again. Zeke shut down his computer then headed to the kitchen with a new recipe idea in his head.

-----

The next Saturday, Troy climbed into his truck and drove over to the girls' house. He was bored and as much as he didn't want to see Gabriella, he wanted to see if Chad wanted to hang out with him and seeing as though Chad had practically moved in with Taylor, Troy knew he had to go face the devil.

Sharpay and Gabriella were watching a LifeTime original movie when Troy knocked on the door. Sharpay stood up, opened it and was somewhat surprised and annoyed when she saw Troy standing on the porch with his arms crossed. "Can I help you?" She asked.

"I need to talk to Chad," Troy replied. "Is he here?"

"No, he and Taylor aren't here," Sharpay replied, at least it wasn't a lie.

"Do you know where they went or when they'll be back?" Troy asked her.

"No idea," Sharpay replied. "But I'll tell them you stopped by." She pushed the door then went back to the couch. "I feel bad for lying to him."

"I know, but I don't want to be the one to tell him that Taylor and Chad moved in with each other," Gabriella replied. "You heard what Chad said he did when he said he and Taylor were engaged."

"There's gonna be some crazy shit when Troy finds out," Sharpay shook her head. "And I don't want to be anywhere nearby."

Gabriella nodded in agreement.

What the girls didn't realize is that Sharpay hadn't gotten the front door closed all the way. So the one person that wasn't supposed to know about Chad and Taylor's new living arrangements now knew. And he was pissed.


So... I know a lot of stuff happened in this chapter... but uh... things are gonna get a little crazy in the next couple chapters!! I hope to get some good reviews!! And be sure to check out the companion website for the extras and character pics of Chad and Taylor's family members. Hope you like the chapter!!

P.S. Check out mine and Cate's story!!!