Chapter 7
They watched the movie in silence, each in their own thoughts, wondering what the other was thinking. Finally, Taylor stood up, wrapping her arms around her body and let out a deep sigh. She was thinking about Ken again, something she hadn't done lately, and stared out the window. She seen the darkened sky, knowing it was going to storm, and felt a shudder run through her body. She didn't mind rain, loved it actually, but severe weather always put her on edge.
Mark arched an eyebrow, turning his head to look at Taylor, a frown on his face. "You alright honey?" He asked softly, getting up and walking over to stand behind her, looking over her head, out the window. "Storm's rollin' in." He murmured, smiling slightly. He loved storms.
"I noticed." She murmured in return, feeling him standing behind her, and bit her bottom lip softly. Just being this close to him was sending her heart racing along with her pulse. She swallowed hard and closed her eyes, willing the tears to stay in her eyes. Though they weren't tears of heartache and pain like they should've been. No, this was something completely different and she didn't understand it.
Mark rested his hands on Taylor's shoulders, his chin resting on her head. "You alright darlin'?" He asked softly, wondering what was going on now. He sighed heavily, hating to see her appearing so…sad. "How bout we put it another movie or something?" He suggested, gently turning her around, staring down into her eyes.
Taylor felt her breath catch in her throat at the sight of emerald green eyes staring back at her and a lump began forming in her throat. "How much longer are you staying here?" She finally asked, biting her bottom lip. It wasn't that she didn't want him to leave. It was the fact that he had a life outside of her and not to mention a hall of fame career with the WWE.
Mark's frown deepened slightly before he smiled. "Why? You tryin' to get rid of me?" He only half-teased, stepping away from her and raking a hand through his hair. "I don't know…Until I go back." He said finally, not sure where this was going. Maybe he had overstayed his welcome, most likely, look at everything he had done. Forced her to get up, start working on getting her life back, she was probably annoyed with him.
"It's not that…I don't want you to stay, Mark." She assured him as if reading his mind, staring back at him with those big, violet eyes of hers. "It's just that you have a life outside of me and I don't want you to destroy it by staying here."
Mark cocked an eyebrow, his green eyes taking her in thoughtfully then they lit up, the same time lightening flashed throughout the room. "Come with me then." He said finally, reaching out to take both her hands in his. "Join me on the road, darlin'. It'd do you a world of good to get away from here."
Her jaw dropped to the floor, eyes widened in shock, not believing what he'd just asked her. "I can't." She whispered, slipping her hands from his, and shook her head repeatedly. "I can't do it, Mark." She raked a hand through her hair, clearing her throat, and sighed deep with regret at the look in his eyes. "I'm sorry…"
"Why not Tay? Because of Ken?" Mark challenged, not about to see her suddenly back down and lose the spine she'd reclaimed. "Fuck Ken. I'm asking you to come with ME. Please Tay."
"Don't you dare patronize me, Mark!" She shouted at him, tears welling up in her eyes, and wrapped her arms around herself as she walked away to stare at her newly refurnished and designed house. "If you MUST know, it IS because of that bastard. It hasn't even been two months and you expect me to just pick up the pieces of my life and heart like it's the easiest fucking thing in the world!" She whipped around and glared at him. "I've got news for you, Deadman, it's NOT that easy! It's damn hard in fact!"
Mark blinked in shock at her outburst. "Did you…just call me Deadman?" He asked, studying her curiously, almost looking amused. "My name is MARK, not Deadman. And yeah, maybe I am expecting too much too soon from you darlin', but sittin' here alone ain't going to do you any good either. I just want what's best for you Taylor, can't you see that?"
A few tears began sliding down her cheeks as she looked back at him, nodding once, and sniffled a little as she placed her hands on her hips. "I don't know if I can…face him right now, Mark. Can't you see that?" She shot back at him softly, wiping her tears away hastily. She hadn't cried since the day Mark took her out to eat except at night when she slept in her bedroom alone.
Mark sighed heavily, gently brushing away her tears with his thumb. "You don't have to face him darlin'. You don't have to be near him if you don't' want to be." At the moment, Mark was fairly certain Mr. Anderson would steer well clear of him, most likely NOT wanting a repeat performance of the cage match.
"Mark…" She sighed deeply, biting her bottom lip, and dropped her head forward. "He's always going to be around and you know it. You're his friend whether you believe it or not. There's no way I can avoid him so I'm not going. That's the end of this discussion. Please don't pressure me anymore." She started crying as she walked into the kitchen away from him, needing space.
Mark sighed, watching her disappear into the kitchen and headed outside to watch the storm roll in. He knew he'd been moving too fast, it was too soon. Taylor wasn't ready to leave her safety net just yet. He'd be there when she was. He was extending his vacation. Mark smiled slightly as lightening zigzagged across the sky. Whether Taylor liked it or not, he had every intention of sticking around. He would be there for her no matter what.
~!~
It was a hot summer day right smack dab in the middle of July, which would mark the three month mark, and Taylor was starting to get cabin fever. Mark flat out refused to leave her side until she agreed to go on the road with him and it was starting to drive her nuts. So here she was, sitting in front of the fan, wearing a blue tank top with a pair of short jean shorts, trying to block out the ninety degree weather outside. She'd cleaned her entire house, needing something to do to get Mark off her mind. The man just wouldn't LEAVE, no matter how mean or cruel she was toward him. He just smirked at her and brushed her harsh words off like they were nothing!
Mark was outside, roasting his ass off, but outside nonetheless. He wore just a pair of cut off jean shorts, busy mowing her front yard. He halted, pulling the bandana off his head to wipe away the sweat. Poor Taylor, she had tried almost every truck in the book to get his ass out of there, but…it wasn't working. He smirked slightly, deciding to head inside for a break, and something cold to drink, halting when he seen her. "Maybe I should install an air conditioner." He said casually, watching her peel the tank top off her back.
"And maybe you should go home to your OWN air conditioner." She suggested casually, throwing the tank top on the couch, clad in her baby blue bra. She didn't care. Mark had seen her naked on MORE than one occasion and sighed as the air from her fan flowed over her heated body. Her long, flowing black hair cascaded down her back as she sighed, the sweat sliding down her chest as she picked up her water bottle, pouring it over her head. "Damn!"
"I have a home?" Mark blinked, looking stunned then slapped his forehead. "Damn! I KNEW I was forgetting something!" He chuckled when she shot him an exasperated look and dropped down beside her. "Come on darlin', you know you like havin' me around. Who else would do the repairs on this old place?" He joked, reaching out to wipe away the sweat running down her back. "You could go soak in the tub, in cold water." He suggested, emerald green eyes lighting up. "Or come outside, I'll hose ya down." Now he was smirking.
"Or I could shove the hose up your ass?" She retorted with a smirk, violet eyes glinting wickedly, and proceeded to pour the rest of her bottle of water over his head when he went to grab her. "I don't think so, big boy." She stated, standing up and pulling her hair up in a ponytail, keeping it off her neck, shoulders and back. It was just too hot to allow it to flow, especially since it was waist length. 'I need a damn pool.' She thought.
Mark sighed, that water felt pretty damn good at the moment. "Hey, got anymore?" He teased, reaching out to tap her ass before heading for the kitchen, getting himself two bottles of water, downing one in two swallows before opening the second. "Hey Tay, you need a damn pool!"
"God now you're reading my damn mind!" She groaned, shaking her head, and raked a hand through her wet hair. "That's it! You're going back to your OWN home or on the road, Mark! You've been here for close to three months now and reading my damn mind!" She exclaimed, her eyes widened, and groaned more when a knock sounded at the door. "Damn it, who could that be?"
Mark grunted, drinking his way through the other bottle. "I was wondering the same damn thing." He shot back, smirking, amused with this. He arched an eyebrow when the knocking increased. "You gonna answer that darlin'?"
"I suppose since SOMEONE is too lazy to get it." She snorted back and walked toward the door, completely oblivious to the fact that she was only in her bra. She opened the door and squealed out in shock and surprise when her best friend, Kelli, clobbered her with a massive hug. "What on earth are you DOING here?!"
Mark grunted when he was pulled into a back cracking and shouted, "Glen, ya sumbitch, put me down!"
"Good to see you too, old man." Glen laughed, stepping away and pulling Taylor in for a bear hug after Kelli let her go. "Hey there sweetheart." He greeted, laughing when Mark groaned.
"Hey yourself, Big Red." She joked back, hugging him in return, and stepped out of it as she hit his arm lightly. "Takin' care of my girl here I hope?"
"Your girl?" Kelli echoed with a smirk on her lips, placing her hands on her hips, acting all exasperated. "Funny, I wasn't aware that I was already taken by you, especially when I'm engaged to Gleny boy here…"
"THAT'S why she keeps turning me down!" Mark mockingly slapped his forehead.
"Lesbian." Glen nodded solemnly, pulling Kelli back into his arms. "Stay away from MY woman!" He growled teasingly.
"Unless we can watch." Mark amended, laughing when both women shot him deadly glares.
"Oh no, I didn't tell you did I, Mark?" She exclaimed suddenly, covering her mouth with her hand, and tried so hard not to laugh as she bit her bottom lip, looking completely serious. "I've decided I'm turning lesbian. Care to join me, Kelli?" She asked with a wink.
"No thanks, but good luck with that." She replied, knowing her best friend was just joking, and it put fire back into Kelli's eyes to see a glimpse of the old Taylor again.
"Lesbian? I KNEW it."
"I'm interested." Glen grunted when Kelli elbowed him. "It was a joke!"
Mark casually draped an arm over Taylor's shoulder. "So…you like women huh? Does this mean I can't call you Mrs. Calaway anymore?" He asked with a twinkle in his green eyes.
"Mrs. Calla-what the Hell?"
Sighing, Taylor shot a glare up at him in exasperation and crossed her arms in front of her chest. "It's a long story." She said by way of explanation and groaned when Mark's arms wrapped around her midsection, pulling her against his muscular chest. "Didn't you hear what I said? I'm a lesbian, which means I don't like dick." Kelli burst out in full fledged laughter.
"I'm sure I could change your mind." Mark whispered in Taylor's ear, his lips brushing against her lobe before stepping away, slapping Glen on the back. "Want a beer?"
"Need one more like it." Glen replied, following his friend into the kitchen.
"You and me both."
Taylor shivered when Mark left the room, raking a hand through her hair, and stopped Kelli before she even said a word. "Don't start. We're just friends." She stated emphatically, though she was trying to also convince herself of that factor too.
"You keep telling yourself that, sweetie." Kelli murmured in response, not wanting the guys to overhear, and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Now, be straight with me, how are you REALLY doing?"
"I'm doing alright. Mark has really helped even though I'll never admit that to his face." She quietly said as they walked into her newly refurnished and designed living room, plopping down on the plush brown leather couch. "I know I've worried you and I'm sorry for it, but I just needed sometime to myself." She explained softly.
"I understand, especially after what that fucker did to you." Kelli softly replied, grabbing her hand in her own, and looked at her best friend with caring gray eyes. "I'm here for you, you know that right?"
Smiling, Taylor nodded and hugged her best friend, knowing that thanks to Mark's persistence. "Yeah, I do." She whispered, closing her eyes.
~!~
Glen followed Mark out the back door, beer in hand, onto the back porch, both men dropping down on the patio furniture. "What's the real deal with you and Taylor? How's she holding up? Honestly." Concern was laced in Glen's voice as he stared at his best friend, waiting for the answers to his questions.
"Nothing's goin' on so get that outta yer head right now." Mark said firmly, though he was beginning to wonder about that himself and sighed, taking a swallow of his beer. "And she's doing better. Much better then when I first came here."
"Three months. Three months and nothing's going on? You sure? Since when do YOU take time from the road unless it's an injury?" Glen demanded, knowing there was something Mark wasn't telling him.
"Keep flapping yer gums Glen and I'll make you swallow that bottle." Mark threatened, meaning every single word that came out of his mouth.
~!~
"Girl, how can nothing be going on between you two?! He's been here for almost three months!" Kelli exclaimed, pointing out the obvious, and was sitting on her knees all excited now.
"Would you just shut up about it?" Taylor snapped, suddenly not amused, and folded her arms in front of her chest when Kelli stuck her tongue out at her. "There's NOTHING going on between us, Kelli, I mean it. It's too soon for that."
"I think-no I KNOW you're full of shit."
"I think we oughta head back inside." Mark said firmly, draining the last of his beer, not amused with Glen's incessant teasing. He didn't wait for an answer, just headed inside.
"This is too cute. Undie…nursing a-" Glen wheezed when he was sucker punched in the stomach. "Crush." He squeaked out in a whisper, doubling over with a loud grunt.
Kelli heard that squeak and immediately turned her attention to her fiancé, who was doubled over as she entered the room. She shot up from the couch, planting her hands on her hips, and demanded. "What did you do to him, Mark?!" She demanded angrily.
Taylor blinked when Mark explained why he sucker punched Glen in the stomach, and sighed deeply, shaking her head. "Let me get one thing straight right now," She began, standing up as her anger flared. "Mark and I aren't, never will we BE, together. I don't' want anyone, not after what Ken did to me, got it?" She then stormed into the kitchen, needing a Bacardi wine cooler to calm her anger down.
Mark looked back and forth between Kelli and Glen, gather that the pair of them had been doing the same thing. Shaking her head, he headed into the kitchen, snagged himself a beer and looked at Taylor, noticing the tension on her face and sighed, walking back out into the living room. He decided she needed some space, knowing Kelli probably did a number on her like Glen did to him.
"Oh god…my stomach…" Glen groaned out, sitting on the couch as Kelli began rubbing the sore spot, and glared up at Mark who just shot him a glare in return.
