The couple shared another kiss, and this time it was more passionate. Troy bent her back, his tongue caressing her mouth, as her hands found his broad shoulders. From below, he heard the faint sounds of his teammates and fans going, 'ooo!' Leaning back, he smirked as his wife blushed and gently pushed his arm. Troy just shrugged, bringing her closer to him. Another stampede of reporters and cameras came their way. Some asked his parents questions, but the swarm was for Troy and his wife to take pictures.
"Troy!"
"Troy over here!"
They tried their best to get away from the hussle of paparazzi that seemed to filter in. Troy and his family began to exit the building. His hopes were high, riding on the winning cloud; nothing could bring Troy down...
"Troy! Troy!" One man continued to yell for him.
His wife nodded, as if telling him it wouldn't hurt to answer one question. Nodding lazily, he stepped forward and gave the man his fifteen seconds of fame. The man smirked at Troy a bit too long and asked his question.
"Troy, how do you respond to rumors of sleeping with Chad Danforth's wife?"
It seemed as though the universe had suddenly collapsed beneath him. What on earth was this man talking about? Anger welled up in Troy, and he felt his knees almost give out. After their high school graduation in the summer, Troy had not seen or spoken to Chad. Troy jerked back, clenching his fist and striking the reporter square in the jaw. The man tipped back and cried out in anguish from the force of the hit. There were shouts when Jack Bolton seized Troy and dragged everyone away.
"Why would someone make up a rumor like this?" Troy steamed as he paced back and forth in his living room. "Who the fuck is doing this?" Troy knew that this kind of exposure wasn't good, even if the rumors were true—which they weren't. Troy leaned back on his plush leather couch and ran a hand through his dewy tresses. His simmering rage hadn't been eased by the shower he took an hour earlier. He closed his eyes and threw back his head as he let out a heavy breath. Of course, this kind of crap had to occur right as his dreams were beginning to come true. Having sex with Chad's wife? Are they for real? He clenched his jaw and began to reflect on the previous year. Troy would have been married to "Chad's wife" if he had behaved properly. If only he had behaved better with Taylor. Perhaps then, circumstances might have been different.
'Summer of 08'; Graduation Night; East Side park
Troy sighed and fiddled with his graduation cap. All of a sudden, it was happening; everything was shifting. Instead of U of A, he would be attending Berkely. He had not spoken to Chad since their argument at the start of the year. It's funny how things can change, sometimes not in a beneficial way. A hand tapped his shoulder, making him jump. He turned and felt the beauty in front of him make his heart race. He stepped back and saw Taylor tilt her head, concern hanging in her gaze.
"I guess this is it, huh?" Taylor asked as she clasped her hands in front of her.
Troy gazed as her powdery blue dress swayed with the gentle breeze. Jeez, she was beautiful. "Yeah... I guess so."
After a small emotional silence, Taylor spoke up. "I hope you have a wonderful first season, Troy."
"It'd be more wonderful if you would come with me." He confessed, pouring all his emotions into that sentence.
Taylor sighed deeply, and her shoulders stiffened. Troy knew when Taylor was uptight since he had known her for a long enough time and loved her. But was she really to blame? It hadn't exactly been sunshine and rainbows during their senior year. Troy acknowledged Gabriella's desire to attend Stanford when she made that obvious. And Taylor had become his soulmate, just when he felt his life was ending. A soulmate he was unable to have since, well, Chad was "in love" with her. But Chad didn't deserve her! Troy was aware of that from the beginning of Taylor and Chad's relationship.
"And how does that work, Troy? Hm? You and Gabriella are-"
"Damnit Taylor! I love you. I'm in love with YOU!" He shouted, causing Taylor to jump back from his erratic tone.
"You love me so much, that you asked Gabriella to marry you?" Taylor demanded as he stepped closer, her eyes glistening with tears.
Troy clenched his jaw and tossed his graduation cap on the ground. Troy closed the distance between them, his lips perfectly meeting Taylor's. He gave her a needy, powerful, and passionate kiss. He felt Taylor pushing against his chest at first, but he persisted and she kissed him back. His hands encircled her slender waist while he pressed silent words to her lips. They enchanted one another with a kiss, begging, while tears splattered across their cheeks. Troy broke a part and blinked multiple times before gathering his thoughts to say anything. As soon as he summoned the bravery, he witnessed Taylor start to flee—from him and from their love.
"Taylor! Taylor!" He shouted, falling down to his knees on the dew grass beneath him, his eyes clouded with angry, love broken, tears.
There would be no amount of screaming, begging, or sobbing to get Taylor to return to him. Troy's heart was still pumping, but it felt like it had been torn out of his chest. Troy sobbed more and more as he cradled himself in a fetal posture. All he wanted was for things to have gone differently, for himself to have been different.
Troy jerked out of the agonizing memory, sat up, and wiped the single tear that had fallen across his cheek. The sensation of his wife massaging his shoulders snapped him back to reality. He craned to see over his shoulder, and saw her smiling really, sweetly, at him. Gabriella had long since pardoned him for his transgressions. She supposed that she had as much of a hand in Troy's "pitiful" moment as he did. And Troy had concurred at the moment. Troy, though, was unable to deny that he had loved Taylor, that he had been in love with her, and that he was still in love with her. Gabriella believed that things were constantly changing and that high school wouldn't remain forever. Troy was fully aware of that and understood it. But he never imagined that falling in love would mean losing his sweetheart and his best friend since kindergarten. Even though it was just one year ago, it felt like a hundred years. He had set those memories aside when he started at Berkely in order to concentrate on his dream and Gabriella. Only twice, during rivalry games between their schools, had he and Chad crossed paths.
Troy had never experienced anything worse than those games. It appeared as though Chad and he had forgotten they were engaged in a game. Because of the fist fight they had, they had all been benched. Can they hold one another accountable? Troy really wanted to lay the blame at Chad's feet. If Chad hadn't been so combative on the court, Troy would have been okay. Throughout the entire game, he kept elbowing Troy, insulting him, and giving Troy angry looks and trash talked him. Troy dutifully gave them back, vowing that he would never apologize for his love for Taylor and that he would not take any punishment for it.
Allowing Gabriella to rub his shoulders, he pondered quietly why these stories had come to light. He was aware that the University of Albuquerque will be spending the following six months abroad while on their round trip through Italy. In addition, Troy was aware that Taylor had not spoken to him in little more than three months. Taylor had made it very clear the last time they had met that she was never going to go down that path with Troy. They had hugged and shed a few tears together, but that was all.
"Let's get some sleep. Troy." Gabriella yawned as he kissed his cheek.
Nodding absently, Troy let Gabby lead him upstairs to their bedroom. His mind was racing a mile a minute; he just wanted to know why. He was questioning everything and he needed answers; he knew that the chapter in his life with Taylor was over... but that never stopped him from thinking about it. Thinking about her. But these rumors were wrong and knew it; he just wondered who had started them.
When the ball sailed off the rim after Troy threw up his shot, he became irate. This was the fourth attempt in less than thirty minutes to miss the target. What was wrong with him this morning? Troy let out a loud cry, hurled the basketball against the fence, and uttered several expletives.
"Words like that; don't make the ball go in." It came with a soft laugh—a mocking one. It was Zeke Baylor.
After blotting away his furious sweat, Troy looked up from his hands and gazed at Zeke. After high school, he and Zeke had become more connected, though they were still close. Zeke, however, was not naive enough to realize that Troy and Chad were not just the team's captain and co-captain but also the closest of friends. Zeke remained the same calm individual, and he and Troy grew closer than ever when Chad fully abandoned Troy and their friendship.
"Whatever," Troy mumbled as he dapped Zeke up and then went to retrieve his ball. "What're you doing here, I thought your plane didn't get in, until tonight?"
Zeke snatched the ball from Bolton's hands and shrugged as he laid up a three-pointer. "Sharpay had time off and I thought it'd be a good idea to come now, since..."
"Shit, you saw that?" Troy winced as he thought about his actions last night after the winning game.
"Everyone saw it Troy. You knocked that dude out; knocked his head all the way back." Zeke tried to be serious, but let out a soft chuckle.
Troy scrunched up his face and shook his head. He could already hear Sharpay telling him off and asking what his deal was; and that made him wonder why he ever let Sharpay be his PR rep.
Zeke dribbled the ball, shot it in the direction of the hoop, and saw it go in easily. Turning to Troy he lightly punched his arm, "Aye man, you just need to control your temper."
"No. What I need to do, is figure out why Chad would start some shit with me." Troy barked back as he snatched up the ball and went up for a lay-up. As the ball went in, he heard Zeke let out a snarky laugh. Turning to his friend he eyed him. "Fuck is so funny?"
"You, you're funny. Why do you think Chad would start a rumor? Especially a rumor that involves Taylor cheating on him?"
"Because he fucking hates me! He's hated ever since—since I showed him how Taylor should've been treated." Troy answered back, holding the basketball by his side.
Zeke rolled his eyes and then looked toward the house, as if making sure Gabriella wasn't coming out. "If you had just been honest with Chad about how you felt for Taylor, none of that would've happened."
"Sure," Troy rushed, not wanting to be lectured by his pal.
Zeke could feel the bratty, jackass way Troy was being and shrugged continuing to talk. "You obviously didn't love Taylor that much, considering you and Gabriella got engaged right when she came back."
"What the hell was I supposed to do, Zeke!" Troy shouted as he chucked the ball right at Zeke; who in returned ducked from the flying ball. "I was so fucking confused, I was torn between what I knew and what was new... jeez."
Zeke observed his closest friend seemed to be going through a complete collapse in front of him, but he refused to feel sorry for Troy. Zeke had followed the events of the previous year from start to finish. He observed how helplessly Troy had fallen in love with Taylor and how Chad came to the realization that someone had finally pulled him down a few notches. Zeke saw, though, that Troy wasn't always the huge, confident guy that everyone made him out to be. After Gabriella came back, he saw Troy attempt to pit two girls—two of their best friends—against one another. "So, what're you gonna do?" Zeke finally asked, going and sitting with Troy on the grass.
Troy shrugged and raked a hand over his face. "I don't know... I gotta call Chad, I gotta figure this shit out."
After some silence, Zeke spoke up. "How does Gabriella feel about all of this? The rumors n' stuff?"
"She knows they aren't true." Troy answered softly. "Ouch! What the hell Zeke!" Troy grumbled as he felt his bicep sting from the harsh punch, Zeke had delivered to him.
"Troy, cut the shit. Are these rumors true?" Zeke finally asked, turning and staring dead at Troy.
"No." Troy replied, but he dropped his gaze. He was then delivered another punch to his arm, shooting his friend he looked he stood up. "Better watch yourself, I'll beat your ass right here and now."
"I'm so scared." Zeke deadpanned him and then continued on, "Tell me the truth Troy, are these rumors real?"
Several beats of silence sat between them and Troy just shifted as he avoided Zeke's gaze. Zeke tossed his head back letting out a frustrated sigh and stood up. "What the fuck is wrong with you!"
"Shut up Zeke, okay!"
"No I will not shut up!" Zeke was fuming with anger, sometimes he found it hard to be Troy's friend and right now was one of those times. "It's true, you are cheating with Taylor. Aren't you?"
"I—I... we..."
"Spit it out Bolton!"
With a dramatic gesture, Troy ran his hands through his light brown, unkempt hair and sighed in frustration. The weight of the secret he had been keeping for the past three months was apparent in his chest. Three months had passed since the termination of his affair with Taylor. When Taylor had promised Troy that she wouldn't go that path again, she hadn't lied. It was her who ended things, and she was the one who broke his heart yet again. Turning to Zeke, he felt his breathing tremble and he sighed once more as he began to talk. "It didn't start out that way okay? I called her just to y'know see how she was doing..."
"Typical." Zeke blabbed and rolled his eyes, before motioning his hand so Troy could continue.
"I didn't expect her to answer, I really didn't but when she did..."
3 months ago...
Troy gripped his phone like a death grip and traced through his kitchen. He had been thinking about this for more than a week. What damage was there? It wouldn't hurt to give her a call to check on her. He still loved Taylor and he still cared for her. To his defense, Troy wanted to call to find out if Taylor was aware of the kind of man she was married to. Troy wasn't blind to the gossip in the locker room; Chad was flirting with multiple cheerleaders. Was that really fair to Taylor? Not at all. He had to give her a call.
After three rings, he heard her answer. "Hello?"
Stunned, a bit scared, Troy didn't say anything until Taylor spoke again. "Hello?"
"T—Taylor?" He whispered almost into the phone. "Taylor, it's me."
"Troy?" She sounded shocked. Troy also hoped that maybe there was some warmth to her shock; just a little.
"Yeah it's me, Tay." After some silence between the both of them, Troy went with his gut instinct. "I wanna see you, Taylor."
"See me? Troy..."
Troy had no idea what had happened, but he felt his nerves go and he was back to himself in an instant. Troy bit his lip and sighed, rolling his eyes a little at her tone. "Tay, c'mon, I'm not asking for anything other than to see you."
"Why Troy? You and I haven't spoken in God knows how long and—"
"Almost a year." Troy answered as he cut her off.
Taylor paused on the other line and cleared her throat, "What?"
"A year, we haven't spoken in almost a year. That's cruel considering we used to be friends." Troy spoke demandingly, with a slight chuckle in his voice.
"We were more than that." Taylor murmured, unsure if Troy had heard that.
Taylor eventually consented to see him after a brief phone conversation. How fast they had gotten back into their rhythm shocked Troy. They'd joked around over the phone, so it hadn't been overly serious. But now came the true test for them. After getting her address, he arrived at the stunning house she and Chad shared in less than twenty minutes. Troy was sorry to say it, but Chad had fulfilled his promise and purchased his ideal home. After parking his car and getting his keys, he walked through the gate and up to the porch, where he was startled to see the door opening immediately.
Taylor was standing in front of him. Troy was astounded by how much more gorgeous she appeared. Her wavy, unkempt hair cascaded down her back in a waterfall-like fashion. Her stunning dark skin seems to sparkle in the cascade of light cast by the setting sun. Taylor donned black dress pants and a basic red tank top. If it hadn't fit Taylor so well, the ensemble would have been plain, but it showcased every inch of her stunning figure. If Troy said he did anything more than just gaze at her, practically consuming her with his gaze, he would be lying.
"Hi." They each spoke in unison. Troy licked his bottom lip and gazed into Taylor's deep brown eyes, hoping; just hoping he could still read those beautiful eyes like he used to.
Taylor looked at Troy with her own eyes and blinked a little. She let her eyes to drift over his casual attire. He wore all-black Converse, of course, and a simple white shirt that was loosely tucked into a pair of acid-washed trousers. Taylor swallowed back a little gasp as Troy's blue eyes darkened, now teetering on the edge of a blueish green as their gazes collided again. She could tell by the look in his eyes after all this time how he felt.
"You gonna invite me in? Or is Curly top around?" Troy snickered cockily.
Taylor squared her jaw and held up a hand. "If this is what you came here for you, I'll close the door."
"What do you mean?"
"You know exactly what I mean Troy. If you came here to act a fool, you can leave."
Troy bit back his harsh response and simply stepped closer to Taylor, as if trying to bum rush himself into her home. "I came here to see you and only you." His voice dropped an octave or two as he finished his sentence. Taylor tilted her head and rolled her eyes a bit. "Why'd you come to see me?"
"Because after everything, despite everything we've been through, we're friends Tay."
It took Taylor's neck straining to look up at Troy because she had almost forgotten how tall he was. She could tell by the flame in his blue eyes that he was thinking of their turbulent past as their eyes danced in unison. "Are we fiends?" Her voice was quiet, but confident as she asked that question.
Troy let out a low sigh and soon pushed forward so he was now in the house. Taylor moved from in front of him, closed her front her door and stood watch as Troy gazed around the large foreay of the house. He looked up, taking in the intricate details of the little stairway that led to the corridor. He moved slightly and peered at the exquisitely adorned wall, which was covered in photographs, and the large shelf beneath it, which was filled with trophies. The remaining ones were from high school for both Taylor and Chad, and two were Chad's MVP Rookie of the Year honors. Troy stared at the single image on the wall, and Taylor was struck by how fragile and almost irrationally lost he appeared. The photo was taken at their summer workplace in Lava Springs. Even though it was a group photo, everyone seemed very content and joyful. As if they all enjoyed those days more.
"Guess things really do change." Troy mumbled as he now was looking at the big wedding photo that sat framed on the shelf. Troy didn't know Chad and Taylor, had that big of wedding until his father had told him. He and Gabriella didn't plan a wedding, instead they simply went to the justice of the peace and had a small one. It was Troy's way of moving on... somewhat peacefully.
"Why are you here Troy? Why did you call me after all this time?" Taylor asked, wanting an actual answer.
Troy turned to her, set the picture back down and gazed at her. "You look so beautiful in that photo Tay... but..."
"But what?"
Troy advanced toward Taylor, his gaze fixed on hers the entire time. His heart was pounding with the same feverish notion that was racing through his mind. He heard her back hit the front door with a little thump as he moved in closer. He knew precisely why he had phoned and why he had arrived. He knew all along. This time, though, Troy didn't give a damn about Chad, Gabriella, or anything else at all. He knew deep inside what he wanted, and he simply knew Taylor wanted the same thing. True love never fades—it doesn't disappear in a year or even a few months. He kissed her and encircled her slim waist with his powerful arms, unable to control the moan that spilled out of his mouth. Taylor fit right back into his arms after all this time. He pulled his lips away from hers and felt the woman he was holding struggle a little as he kissed down her neck, nibbling ever so softly where his mouth used to be. He was pretty sure Taylor was going to scream about how stupid this was as she gasped and groaned in his arms, but he didn't care. His lips found hers once more, and before long they were kissing on the ground and frantically taking off their clothes.
"And from there... we started back up again. But Zeke... Zeke, it wasn't just an affair okay? I love her, I've always loved her and I'm still in love with her." Troy finally finished talking, exhaling. It felt good to say it out loud to someone, instead of holding it in.
Zeke stared at his friend blankly, but his heart did ache a bit. He wouldn't deny that in a way it was beautiful, but it was still wrong. Given that Zeke only had eyes for Sharpay, perhaps he was biased. Perhaps it was the upbringing he received from his parents. However, he was unable to ignore the fact that Troy was harming someone else once more. If he understood correctly, Troy did not love Gabriella, yet he was still married to her. Perhaps once, long ago, when the only pressure there was was to do well on finals, studying to be proficient in multiple areas. But as for now? Zeke was aware that Troy would only harm Gabriella at this point, and that it wasn't an error—rather, it was a decision.
"If you and Taylor truly love each other, then why..." Zeke trailed off, his head was starting to hurt from trying to understand all of this.
Troy tilted his head back, "Taylor ended it. She said that we'd only end up hurting each other, that it wouldn't be fair to our marriages."
"She has a point."
"No she doesn't." Troy grumbled as he wrung his hands together. "Fuck Chad, he doesn't deserve, her. He never did. He only wanted her back because he knew that I was better for Taylor."
Just as Zeke went to say something, each man turned when they heard Sharpay and Gabriella yelling for them. Sharpay stood on the patio, clad in her usual pink get-up, and grinned. "C'mon, I made lunch!"
Troy stopped Zeke as they headed to the patio. "I will not be eating that if Shar cooked it."
Zeke let out a laugh and shook his head. "C'mon, Shar can cook."
As they stepped up on the patio Troy rolled his head and chuckled, thinking about Sharpay's horrible attempt to cook dinner for thanksgiving last November. "That turkey looked like it had been shot."
"Damn thing was missing a wing," Zeke cracked up and stopped once Sharpay slapped his chest, standing in front of him pout. "Don't talk about my cooking!"
"Shar, food is supposed to be edible. That turkey was anything but that, the shit almost flew away on one wing and a leg." Troy hollered hysterically as Sharpay chased both men into the house.
On the other end of the phone, Taylor could hear Chad shouting as she paced back and forth in her bedroom. At this time, he was on the verge of losing his voice from all the screaming. There was a brief moment of silence during which Taylor massaged her temples. It was short-lived, though, as Chad soon resumed his tirade, yelling profanities and never failing to take advantage of any opportunity to call Taylor any nasty names in the world.
"You think I'm fucking stupid Taylor?! I know you were fucking around with Troy, I'm not a jackass!" He shouted into the phone.
Taylor felt her eyes brewing with tears as she just listened to his rant. He coughed a bit and spoke firmly, "It better be over do you hear me? I will ruin you, I will fucking ruin you Dr. Mckessie, you better end any and everything with that punk ass Troy Bolton. Do I make myself clear?" Chad always used Taylor's professional title whenever, he was arguing at her; as if to mock her for her career choice.
"Chad... I told you... nothing else has happened." Taylor whispered the last part, almost feeling bitter and sick. But it was the truth, her affair with Troy had ended three months ago. She had ended it.
A snark laugh came from Chad. "I'm supposed to believe that? You fucked around with him so much, I can't take you serious. Now, I will say it again, stay away from Troy."
"Okay." Was all Taylor could say and then line went dead.
Taylor's stomach turned to mush. She detested everything about it, including the suffering she had inflicted upon herself. One might suppose she despised Chad's feelings, but she didn't. Even as a sophomore in high school, Chad had not been faithful to her, and that was a stretch. However, they relied on their love and dependability for support, but this time it wasn't enough. The reason Taylor had stopped loving Chad a long time ago had nothing to do with Troy. Had Troy played a bigger part in Taylor's decision to cease loving Chad? Of course. Taylor's world appeared to alter when she and Troy fell in love. She had always been supportive of Gabriella and had never harbored jealousy toward her. She was unable to ignore her feelings for Troy, though, and Taylor acted on them while they were together. Troy frequently claimed that they were soulmates and that their union was intended. But was this what was meant to happen? Did they really expect to be in this much pain? Were they meant to be miserable married to other people?
As she gathered herself for work, Taylor let her mind wonder back over some memories. Memories that now were the closest way she could be with Troy. As he brushed her hair, she couldn't but give a teary eyed smile to herself in the mirror as she thought back to her senior year of high school.
Senior Year; East High
"Go WILDCATS!" Ryan screamed as ran down the hallway, his mascot tail following him and possibly injuring several other students; all in good fun.
At her locker, Taylor laughed as she watched Troy approach her with a wide-eye stare and some confusion. "Who would've thought Ryan would be the school pep team?" He joked as he leaned against the locker.
Observing his blue eyes sparkle, Taylor grinned. Posing up against the locker, he looked really attractive. Taylor smiled at him, wearing a quarter-length shirt in blue and white, blue pants, and blue converse. He looked dashingly handsome. They kept staring at one another without saying anything. After putting her books in the locker, Troy put his hands on Taylor's waist, tucked his face into the bend of her neck, and hummed softly, giving her body shivers. Taylor laughed.
"You're too silly, Troy."
"I'm too in love with you, Cupcake." He growled out her nickname as he placed a delicate kiss on her neck the let her go. "Tonight, I wanna take you out."
"Oh really? And how does that work when we have play rehearsal til 9?"
Troy sucked in a dramatic breath and pretend to collapse on the floor, before pouting at his beautiful girlfriend. "C'mon Tay, just ride home with me and stay the night."
"And let you ravish me, until the morning?" She asked seductively, as her small hand patted his built chest.
Troy gnawed on his bottom lip sending her a smoldering gaze with his dark blue eyes. "If that's what you want...then hell yes."
As they headed down the hallway out the door and making their way to the parking lot, Taylor swatted off Troy's greedy hands. "I was kidding!"
"Tease." Troy mumbled then swooped her up in his loving arms and spun her around, until Taylor's laughter turned into "oh no's and "put me down before I hurl."
Just as they were about to kiss, Troy was pelted with a flying object; it was a basketball. Letting go of Taylor, clenching his jaw, Troy rubbed the side of his leg and furrowed his eyebrows as he turned in the direction of which the ball came. Up ahead was Chad, scowling at them both.
"The fuck is your problem Chad?" Troy asked as he began making his way back towards the school.
Chad didn't back down and simply replied. "You're my problem, bitch."
The two ex-friends were quickly getting into an argument and on the verge of a brawl when coach Bolton showed up to calm them down. After raising his hands in the air, Troy turned to face Taylor, who was staring at him with a look of nearly shock. Did she truly deserve to be the reason these two would never be friends again? Looking down and nearly collapsing into herself, she sensed Troy's warm touch. She stood slightly on her toes to give him a closer look as his pointer finger elevated her chin.
"Hey, it's okay." He whispered as he bent his head to softly kiss her.
Taylor wanted to kiss back, but instead she placed her hand on his chest delicately. "No... no it isn't Troy, you and Chad—"
Cutting her off with another kiss, Troy encircled her waist with his strong arms and pushed her closer to him. "Me n' Chad nothing. My focus is you, only you. I'm here and I love you Taylor."
Gazing into those dreamy blue eyes of his, Taylor nodded and rested her head on his chest. "I love you too, Troy."
Those were all memories now, and Taylor knew that. What happened between she and Troy three months ago couldn't be more than, what it was; an affair. Taylor knew that had begun to get sloppy with how they met, how they departed; but she didn't care. After all that time, Troy had been the missing link in her life and she needed him; as much as he needed her. Taylor had to stop her relationship with Troy when it appeared that Chad was becoming suspicious of her whereabouts. Chad had begun to piece things together, and although she didn't want to, she would soon have to give her heart away again. When she ended it that night, she was unable to look past Troy's hurt, resentment, and rage. She valued their time together more than her marriage to Chad did throughout those weeks, evenings, and moments. It had to stop, though. Taylor couldn't afford to lose her profession, and she didn't want her marriage to fail at this stage. She was aware of Chad's potential.
Chad's potential had secured her a position at the premier medical facility in Alburque. Taylor was no slouch, as she could demonstrate her entire existence by her own merits. But after medical school, after months of dating and not seeing Chad, she struggled to find a job. Her instructors were not lying when they said that the medical field was a competitive one. But she was able to get a job at the medical center thanks to Chad's connections, his tenacity, and his purported love for her. Advancing swiftly to become one of the top physicians practicing physical therapy.
Chad, however, never let her live that down. On many nights, many arguments, he would spout about all he had done for her. It was true and Taylor couldn't do anything but nod her head and agree. As she signed into work, she smiled at the receptionist and then headed to her office. Her desk was compiled of neat folders, sticky notes of upcoming files to go over. Her office phone was blinking red, her assistant was calling.
Answering, Taylor flipped through some files. "Wassup Bessie?"
"You have a call on line one."
"My two o'clock?" Taylor asked as she firmly sat in her chair. On the other line Bessie could be heard shuffling some papers. "No... it's a mister Troy Bolton."
Taylor's breath almost caused her to choke. She shook her head, started to stutter over the phone, and then took a few calm breaths before switching the call. The line was silent for a minute, before she heard Troy's baritone voice.
"Bout time you answer me," Troy said into the receiver.
Taylor felt a white heat take over her body, flashes and auditory flashbacks of Chad's angry lecture consumed her. "T—Troy... I'm at work, right now."
He sighed, "I know Tay, you blocked my cell number. I had to call you."
"Troy, I told you... we can't. I can't, see you anymore." Her voice was strained as she bitterly said the last part. It pained her, it hurt her; but she had to.
"C'mon, Cupcake, you don't mean that. Tay, I know damn well you don't mean that." Troy replied back with urgent aggression and a fiery attitude.
Taylor squeezed her eyes tight, picturing Troy's face at that precise moment. He most likely had the same appearance as when she ended their relationship three months earlier. Taylor closed her eyes and did her best to contain the tears of rage that were welling up behind them, pressing the heel of her hand to her forehead. His soft call of her name, made her open her eyes as tear slid down her cheek.
"Tay, I know you love me. I love you." He spoke calmly and seriously. "Meet me at our spot, tonight at ten okay?"
Everything in her told her no, her entire being was saying no; but her heart? The blood pumping organ that kept her alive said one thing and she repeated it. "Yes, okay."
They each hung up. Taylor wiped her tears and got ready for her next appointment. She was scheduled to work on the pediatrics unit this afternoon. As she assisted them, several of the children there smiled at her and gave her a sense of importance. Taylor had the feeling that she was needed and that she was unstoppable when she was working. The only other time she felt this way was when she was dating Troy. Chad had long since moved on, forgetting her wants and needs. He had even stopped inquiring about her day, her life, and her dreams.
"Well, Mikey, I think you'll be ready for you prom." Taylor pipped happily as her paitent Mikey, continued to make progress with walking.
Since he began receiving physical therapy at the hospital, Mikey has made significant progress. Taylor had seen him come dangerously close to giving up on ever walking again. However, Mikey was now moving around the facility as if his legs had never been damaged thanks to perseverance, diligence, and compassion. Following a drunken drive home with his pals, he suffered shattering both his leg. His automobile hydroplaned, it had been raining nonstop, and the roads were treacherous. His door was crushed in and his legs were twisted behind him after flipping in the air twice. Although they had both lived, Mikey's pals would need wheelchairs.
"Doctor T, I hope so. It feels good to be walkin' again." He said, but his face showed anything but happiness. Instead, he seemed to be frowning.
Taylor tilted her head as she held onto his arm, leading him back to the exercise room. "You don't seem all that jazzed about it, what's up?"
Mikey exhaled as he plopped back in his wheelchair and gently rubbed his knees. He avoided Taylor's eyes and spoke hushedly. "It's just... how is it fair that I'm walkin' again and my two friends... they'll never walk again."
Before Mikey, Taylor knelt down and raised his chin to fix his gaze on her. She nodded gently and sympathetically at his worries and the shame he was experiencing. Taylor was no stranger to cases similar to this one.
"I know it seems unfair but this was your fate, honey. You were meant to walk again." Taylor spoke softly and seriously.
Mikey just nodded and then wiped away a forming tear with the pad of his thumb. "Yeah, thanks Doctor T, I'll see you next week."
"Mhmm! You sure will and you better be out that chair and walking towards me, when you do." Taylor hyped as she patted Mikey on his back.
Meetings, paperwork, and some one-on-one patient therapy took up the remainder of the day. After turning off the light in her office, Taylor turned to go. Usually the last person there, especially while Chad was gone representing the team, was her. Peace would await her when she got home. She was initially upset to be going home to such a large mansion, but eventually she became accustomed to it. Feeling two arms close to her waist as she crossed the parking lot, she let out a shout of bloody murder. She started to kick and scream, but stopped when she smelled the familiar cologne.
"Tay, Tay! It's me... it's only me." Troy bellowed softly into her ear.
Her screaming stopped and she was turned to face him. On instinct, Taylor slapped and smacked Troy across his chest forcefully from shock and anger. "What the hell is your problem! Why did you scare me like that!"
From the dim light of the parking lot, Taylor could see the corners of Troy's mouth itching to turn into a smirk. Lowering her head, she got over her fright and then realized Troy was standing before her. "What're you doing here, I told you I would meet you."
"I couldn't wait, I had to see you. Taylor, it's been three months."
"I know Troy," Taylor mumbled out as she felt herself. She was only wearing her black camisole top and a black pencil skirt; she had forgotten her jacket.
Troy watched her shake a bit, then took off his leather jacket and wrapped it around her. Bending down to her a bit, he sweetly kissed her cheek and caressed a hand through her hair. Taylor's body ached and responded to his touch, causing her to tremble. She would not, could not fall victim to this rapture once more. Taylor stepped back and studied Troy, who initially had an expression of surprise on his face but quickly adjusted it.
"Troy... we can't do this again or anymore." Taylor began, Troy tried to speak but she held her slender hand to stop him. "Listen to me, we're so caught up in what could've been that we aren't seeing what we're doing. I'm married, you're married—we just have to stop."
Small silence filled the air along with Taylor's soft sniffles, as tears threatened to slip from her eyes. Troy shook his head, disregarded the space barrier between them and smoothly hooked his hands to her waist. "I won't ever stop loving you Taylor. I can't and I won't."
"Troy—"
Silencing her with a deepening kiss, Troy let his hands roam over the curves of her body. His hands had missed it, his body had yearned for her warmth. Trailing succulent kisses down her neck, Troy grounded against Taylor and smirked devilishly when she felt his hardening member bump her. As he suckled on her earlobe, Troy animalistically whispered. "I love you, I need you, and I want you Taylor... you know you love me, it's supposed to be you n' me."
With their mouths sealed in a passionate kiss that seemed to last forever, Troy and Taylor threw their bodies into her house. With avarice, Troy pulled off Taylor's shirt, scattering the buttons all over the freshly mopped floor. He licked and sucked on her luscious skin between her shoulder and ear as he lifted her up against the wall. Taylor started unbuttoning and tearing at Troy's clothes, letting out sounds of delight.
Troy stopped kissing her neck and leaned back to gaze into her gorgeous eyes, he let them flicker across her face and down to her wonderful breast that were being captive by her bra. "Tay, tell me you want me, that you want this..." He asked demandingly as he began to unsnap her bra.
Taylor watched in contrast as his talented fingers unsnapped the buttons to her bra. She sucked in a fervent air as Troy's warm mouth connected with her right nipple. He sucked, grazing his tongue across her tender flesh and began to nibble as he stared up at her. His eyes were a blaze with fire, darkening as he twirled his tongue around her sensitive areola.
"Tell me Tay..." He moaned as he lifted her up, beginning to walk upstairs with her.
Taylor gave Troy what he wanted and what she wanted as well, nodding and separating her lips. Troy arched an eyebrow when he opened her bedroom door and saw that the bed was not the same as it had been the last time he was here. He realized that he had seen Taylor blush out of the corner of his eye. Given that he and Taylor wrecked the bed the last time they were at it, Chad must have gotten a new one. Troy laughed fervently and gently threw her down, tucking his arms under her legs to undo her skirt. "Guess curly top couldn't compete now or then..." He murmured as he yanked away Taylor's skirt.
His eyes glistened as he saw the sheer panties that covered her beautiful mound. He could see the dampness that he had caused, and smirked as gently began to rub her clit through the fabric. He couldn't stop smirk growing on his face, as Taylor squirmed under him.
"Mmm... wet and ready, yeah?" Troy growled as he ripped; literally ripped her panties off her body. Caressing her ebony silk legs, he spread her thighs, nestled himself in between them and began to feast.
It was similar to indulging in something that was only his, savoring her sweetness, and eating his favorite ice cream. Since it was verifiable. Troy was the only one who was able to have this advantage over her. It had begun in high school and was still going strong today. The waterfall began as he raised her legs a little and swirled his tongue into her entrance. He kept going until he felt Taylor's legs weaken and he stopped looking up, all because of her cries of ecstasy. He smiled at his sweetheart, wiped his chin, and crawled on top of her. He felt his member rub against her sore entrance and groaned. Entering her, Troy held Taylor close, her hands caressing and scratching at his back as he began to slowly pump in and out of her.
His hips twirled, his eyes closed as they each moaned, kissed, and cried in pure pleasure. No guilt, no shame, no pain; just them and their love. This tremendous pleasure lasted the entire night. In the three months that Troy hadn't had her, he was determined to run a marathon on her behalf. Troy had missed her emotionally as much as he had missed her physically. He was deeply in love with Taylor, and he sensed deep down that Taylor felt the same way about him. Taylor laid her head on Troy's chest, and as their breathing slowed and they experienced their fifth joint climax, Troy turned onto his back and let out a breath. Troy listened to her soft breath and put a protective arm around her, caressing her skin.
Looking up at him, Taylor placed a sweet kiss on his chin. "Troy?"
"Hm?" He smiled as he ran a hand through her hair.
Taylor bit her lip and let the grin take over her face. "I love you Troy, I love you so much. Things are so damn complicated right now..."
"Everything can be complicated, but not you n' me, Cupcake." Troy replied as he bent his head to kiss her lips sweetly.
When Troy said those words, it seemed like deja vu all over again. When they were in his treehouse around a year ago, Troy had made the same statement. Realizing they were lying in the same position they would have been in the treehouse around a year earlier, Taylor couldn't help but blush. Taylor hummed as she snuggled closer to Troy, allowing her eyes to become heavy as she relished the loving calm they shared and allowed her thoughts to wander back to that evening.
The treehouse; nighttime.
Taylor tried her hardest to get the picnic basket hung on the rope, but Troy laughed. He took her waist in his hands and laughed uncontrollably. Swiftly ceasing to chuckle, Taylor turned to face him and gave him a sharp elbow to the gut. He eyed her, then easily shifted her out of the way to make room for the picnic basket. With a rage, Taylor threw him aside.
"Better stop pushin' me girl," Troy warned her, as he smacked her butt roughly. Taylor jumped and rolled her eyes at him.
"Whatever, why are we in the treehouse anyway?" She asked as she sat down on the soft blanket Troy had put down.
Troy took out the cupcakes he had swiped from Zeke and lifted it to Taylor's lips. "Cause, I wanted to spend time with my Cupcake."
"How cheesy," Taylor giggled, but was deeply moved by his sentiment.
Troy nodded and then captured her lips with his and then sighed as he laid back, setting the cupcake down and pulled Taylor to lay on top of him. These past couple of days had been a wreck, tense, and just completely horrible. Troy's father had benched him from the first game due to Troy and Chad arguing. But he wouldn't apologize for that. No. Chad, thought he owned Taylor and that's what pissed Troy off.
With a soft hum, Taylor tapped Troy's nose. "Penny for your thoughts, babe?"
"Just thinkin' bout beatin' Chad's ass again if he tries me."
"Troy."
He just laughed and rubbed her back. "Nah, I'm just thinkin' bout the future."
"It's coming pretty fast." Taylor agreed as she hugged her arms around Troy's body. He nodded and bent to place a kiss on the top of her head.
"Everything's so complicated these days."
"Everything can be complicated, but you n' me. We're meant to be." Troy spoked defiantly and seriously. Kissing the top of her head again, he then turned them so he was on top of her and they engaged in a heated kiss. If only they the knew events that would soon becoming to them.