The next 4 days went by in a blur for Taylor. Most of her time was spent packing her office and sending it over to Silver Hills. Though her herself made it a point to not step foot in the head quarters, avoiding Eric on purpose. She knew she would probably cave if she saw him and then all her plans would go down the drain. She was just hoping that he hadn't moved on yet, but from Jen's daily reports it sounds like he hasn't.
It was about an hour before she was to be at the Collins residence and had already taken 3 shots to help calm her nerves. Knowing there was no way she was gonna drive she went ahead and requested for an Uber to pick her up in 30 minutes. She was just putting the final touch to her outfit when her phone buzzed indicating that her ride was here. She quickly downed one more shot before patting her dog on the head while heading out the door making sure she had her keys in a place she would remember for later.
Thankfully it was a quick drive to the mansion as everyone else wanted to go downtown where as the Collins Manor was on the outside of town so traffic was easy going. As they pulled up the long circle drive the driver looked surprised at the grand house before them.
"Partying with the big leagues tonight huh?" he asked jokingly as he came to a stop in front of the door.
"The perks of being a Ranger," Taylor said shrugging before giving the guy a tip as he moved his shocked gaze from the house to the blonde climbing out of his car. "Have a good night and stay safe!"
"I just gave a ride to a Power Ranger...no fucking way!" the driver said as she started to close the door. She just gave a soft laugh and shut the door before waving as he started to drive away. She then turned to look at the house in front of her, before sighing and then squaring her shoulders and walking up the steps to the door. As she reached for the doorbell she realized the shaking in her hand had finally left. Soon enough the door was opened to reveal the same man that had opened it for her on Christmas. He smiled softly at her as he stepped aside to let her in before offering to take her coat and bag. She smiled as she handed them both to him before he gestured to the large staircase in front of them and told her the others were in the ballroom on the third floor.
"Thank you," she said smiling at him before making her way up the staircase being careful in the large black heels Jen had forced her to buy with her new dress. After what seemed 1,000 stairs she was finally on the third floor landing and could hear the small party going on in the ballroom to her left. She stopped in front of the closed doors, taking a second to straighten her dress and take another deep breath before pushing the doors open. The music was loud enough and the lights low enough that she wasn't noticed right away, thus letting her take in her surroundings. As she looked at the small party in front of her she recognized the majority of the people, including Cole, Alyssa, Max, and Danny. Shockingly enough it was Mr. Collins that spotted her first.
"Taylor! My, what a surprise! I wasn't expecting to see you here," he said walking over to her and pulling her into a hug, much like he did a Christmas.
"Hello Mr. Col-I mean Arthur. Jen invited me. I hope it's ok," she said realizing that Jen hadn't told anyone she was coming. Which the more she thought about it was probably a good idea on the pink rangers part, knowing that Wes couldn't keep a secret to save his life.
"Ofcourse! You are always welcome in our home! Please enjoy the party," he said giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze before starting to walk away.
"Wait you're leaving? It's not midnight yet," she said turning to face him, putting her back to the party. Stopping and turning back to face her he gave a soft chuckle before replying.
"I'm afraid I'm getting old dear. I can't party like I used to," he said with mirth in his voice. "But please enjoy your night. And there are plenty of guest rooms should you decide against calling a cab," he told her with a soft smile before turning back around and walking out the doors she had just entered.
With a small smile on her lips from the elder Collins she turned back to face the party and was then bombarded with arms coming at her from just about every angle. She was quickly able to see the distinct shaggy brown hair of the Red Lion Ranger and the short black hair of the White Tiger Ranger. She laughed along with them half-heartedly pushing them back from her, noting that she had gotten more hugs tonight than she had in a long while.
"So glad you could make it Taylor! I asked Eric if you were coming but he just got this weird look on his face and growled a no before sulking off to the bar," Alyssa screamed over the music. Taylor resisted the urge to glance over to the corner where she had caught a glimpse of the bar before talking to Mr. Collins. Instead she focused on answering the women in front of her.
"Well he didn't think I'd be able to make it. And he's just probably pissed because Wes has drug him to two parties in one month," she said laughing with the others, Max and Danny having joined the rest of the team.
"I'm sure he'd love to see you then! I think I last saw him go out those doors," Cole said pointing across the main part of the ballroom, which had turned into the dance floor with tables edging the outside to a set of double doors like the ones behind them.
"Yeah I guess it wouldn't hurt to say hello," she said smiling at the vet. "I'll find you guys in a bit."
"Oh Taylor," Alyssa started causing Taylor to stop and turn back to the teacher. "Nice dress," she said with a knowing smile. Taylor just sent her the same smile and turned back towards the double doors Cole pointed to.
"I find it odd she's wearing red. I for sure thought she still wore yellow," Danny said as she walked away, causing Max to drop his head into his hand and shake it while the other two just laughed at the gentle giants confusion before Alyssa informed him of why she was wearing the new color.
As she was weaving her way through the people and tables the bar caught her sight and she quickly made a detour. However as she got closer she noticed Wes and Jen standing at the bar talking to someone she didn't recognize. She tried to hide behind some bystanders and turn around but she wasn't fast enough. Wes had seen her.
"TAYLOR EARNHARDT! GET OVER HERE RIGHT NOW!" Wes yelled in his drunk voice over the music that seemed to be getting louder and louder. She cringed on the inside as people turned to look at who Wesly Collins was at, but on the outside she stood up a little straighter and stalked over to the Red Ranger.
"Well hello to you too Wes. Hi Jen. French 75 and an Old Fashion please," she said smiling at Jen and then turning to lean against the bar and watch the bartender make her drinks...and avoid eye contact with Wes.
"What are you doing here?! Jen said she asked you to come but you said you had to work! And then I said what kind of person works on New Year's Eve?! And then Eric said Earnhardt. And then he said he'd be working too if I had let him. Pretty dress...OOO it's the same color of the nighty Eric bought you for Chirstmas….OOOOOOO YOU'RE HERE TO SAY SORRY!" Wes rambled on before finally being stopped by Jen sticking her hand over his mouth and Taylor punching him in the arm.
"Yes you nitwit! And it's a surprise and I'd like to keep it that way until I see him," she said sending him her deepest glare while he rubbed his arm and then moved Jen's hand away from his mouth so he could speak again, in a quieter voice.
"I'm sorry Tay, I can get a little loud when I drink," he said earning him a scoff and eye roll from Taylor and Jen. "You don't understand how much this will mean to him. You coming to him and saying sorry I mean. Well the dress will probably be a good one too. You know I love you both and just want to see both of you happy, but please Taylor he can't take much more. I know he still seems like the badass Eric Myers but he's dieing on the inside. So please be good to my best friend, or I'll have to sic Jen on you," he said with a grin at his girlfriend who just laughed and shook her head.
"Don't worry Wes, I don't think I can take much more either," she said as the bartender set her drinks down in front of her before going off to help someone else.
"Well good. He's out on the balcony whenever you are ready," Wes said nodding his head to the two doors Cole had pointed to earlier.
"Thanks Wes. And thank you Jen. I couldn't have done this without you," she said nodding her head at her partner in crime so to speak.
"Not a problem. I'm happy to help anytime," she said smiling at the blonde while Wes was staring at her wide eyed. "What?!"
"You knew?! You knew this whole time and didn't tell me?!" he asked looking genuinely hurt.
"You're telling me you wouldn't have caved and told Eric about it?" Jen asked crossing her arms and leveling him with a 'don't give me that shit' look.
"Ok yeah good point," he said while the bartender set another margarita in front of him distracting him enough for Taylor to walk away.
After dodging some of her former recruits she had successfully made it to the balcony doors. She straightened her dress one more time and swept the hair that wasn't in her eyes out of her eyes. She pulled her shoulders up and back making her boobs pop out a bit more before pushing open the door and stepping out into the cool December night. What she saw next had her throwing the Old Fashion in her right hand and turning back out the door before anyone could see the tears forming in her eyes, cause Taylor Earnhardt didn't cry dammit.