Page 103 of Loving Taylor
That ticked my mind over to the next possibility. What if Eric refused to confess and it had to go to trial? I couldn't imagine how detrimental it would be to Taylor to have to relive the horror of her kidnapping and attack.
I rubbed my forehead, trying to figure out if there was anything I could do to ensure that didn't happen. But I didn't have access to him so it wasn't like I could even threaten him.
I called Jeff.
"Boss," he answered. "What do you need?"
"We need to find a way to make sure Eric confesses so it won't go to trial." I wasn't going to leave it open to a possibility.
"I'll look into a couple of options," he replied.
I had been on the straight and narrow since I had inherited the money from my father but this stepping across the line was a necessity I didn't even feel guilty for. He was lucky he wasn't on a feeding tube or worse, dead.
It took the cops a few hours to go through Eric's room and then they left.
"What are we going to do with his stuff?" Slater said, surveying what had been left behind.
"Throw it out." I leaned against the doorway. I wanted his stuff out of my house. I didn't want Taylor around anything that could remind her of him.
But he had lived in this house so I considered that I might have to sell it to be able to escape any possible memories for Taylor. And I also didn't want to be reminded of him in any way.
Slater opened the bedroom door and looked inside the slightly open closet and saw some photos still stuck on the inside of the door that hadn't been removed.
"He was really some sick crazy," he said with a distasteful look when he saw the younger photos of Taylor.
We had discovered the reason why he had gone for Taylor. His fascination had begun with her when she had only been nine and was struggling with the loss of both of her parents in a horrific murder.
Slater left the room and returned with trash bags. He began to shove Eric's clothes into one. I picked up the other bag and started to do the same.
I tried to keep myself busy so I didn't have time to watch the clock but there was no taking my mind off Taylor. I was tired of going around and around in circles trying to predict what she would do. There was no way to know if she was going to stay or walk away.
The next morning even with the knowledge that I was missing classes I couldn't drag myself to campus. There was no point in trying to concentrate when I wasn't in any state to listen.
It had taken Slater and me a few hours to clear out Eric's room. Afterward we had sat and had a beer. Getting rid of his stuff had helped me work through some of the guilt I felt for having had him in my home.
I was sitting on the sofa with my head leaning back, rubbing my forehead. The lack of decent sleep was catching up with me. Slater had gone to classes only after I had assured him I was okay.
There was a knock at the door. I felt my stomach twist with nervousness when I stood up. Even though I was tired of waiting, I wasn't sure I was ready for what her decision would be.
With my hand on the door handle, I hesitated only for a moment before I opened it. I knew it would be her, I hadn't been expecting anyone else, but it didn't stop my heart from racing at the sight of her. Her eyes meshed with mine and I felt alive again, like she was the light in the dark tunnel of my life.
Was I ready for what she was going to say?
"Tay," I said her name and stood back, inviting her inside with the sweep of my hand.
She hesitated slightly, her gaze going on beyond me. Was she looking for reminders of the roommate who had terrorized her? I would have to sell this house because I couldn't stand the fear that haunted her eyes when she came in.
I wanted to hold her hand to remind her that she wasn't alone and that I wouldn't allow anyone to hurt her. But I stopped myself. I still didn't have any right to touch her.
"Don't be nervous," I told her, studying her face. "I got rid of my other roommate. Only Slater and I live here now."
I had told Tucker I was going to sell the house and he had found somewhere else to rent. I had felt bad for the short notice but I didn't want guys around that would make Taylor nervous. Besides, it wasn't like he had actually spent time in the house. He just needed a place to store his stuff.
"Would you rather talk upstairs in my room?" I asked when my assurance didn't seem to ease her anxiety.
"Yes," she whispered.
I led the way up the stairs and she followed behind me to my room. The nervousness I had seen in her before melted away as she faced me. I closed the door. In this room I had taken her virginity. It seemed fitting that if it had to end it would be in the same place it had started.
