Page 85 of That: Taylor & Brooks

“We did what we thought was right but we made it hard for her to come to us with her shame,” Teresasaid, her tone softening. “But I’m going to fix it. I love my child, and she needs to know that. Her choices are hers to make.”

Clarence leaned back in the chair, his eyes stinging. “You think Brooks is better for her?”

“I think he sees her. I think he values her. And I think if you’d been watching close, you would’ve seen it too.”

He nodded slowly, pain and realization colliding in his chest. “It’s hard,” he murmured. “Letting go of what you pictured. Accepting what is.”

“It is,” Teresa agreed. “But what matters now is what you do with that. Because she needs us tosee her now. Not the young wife, not the prayer team leader, just our daughter. The one who thinks we don’t know she listens to secular music... who still eats banana fudge ice cream when she’s stressed. Just our little girl.”

He didn’t speak for a long time. Then finally:

“I don’t want to lose her.”

“You won’t,” Teresa said simply. “But you might miss out on who she’s becoming if you don’t adjust your lens.”

Clarence, then looked at his wife and extended his hand to her. “Would you pray with me?”

Teresa stood, crossed the room, and took his hands. “Always.”

And together, in the soft light of the study, they bowed their heads and asked God to cover their daughter, just as she was.

Chapter 22

February 8th

Taylor checked her lip gloss for the third time, flipping the Range Rover’s visor back up. Her curls were still in place, her lashes still full, and yet, her nerves were threatening to unseat every bit of calm she’d tried to wrap herself in.

Beside her, Brooks tapped the steering wheel with an easy rhythm, but his stillness was telling. He was letting her sit with her feelings, but the patience had an edge tonight.

“You done stalling?” His voice cut through the silence, low and smooth with just a hint of amusement.

“I’m not stalling,” she said, adjusting her jacket even though it didn’t need it.

Usually, she was the first one in Blake’s house. Laughing, talking trash in the kitchen, knowing where everything was like she lived there. But tonight, everything felt… heavy. She and Brooks hadn’t exactly announced anything, but they hadn’t been hiding either.

Showing up together like this, arm in arm, in front of the people who mattered most, it made the feelings real in a way she hadn’t prepared for. Taylor hadn’t even thought about what she’d say.

She hadn’t thought through what she’d say.

Hadn’t rehearsed.

Hadn’t even talked it out with Blake.

She just knew she might feel like a fish out of water.

Brooks turned toward her, catching her restless hands in his.

“Taylor, what’s holding you back? You scared to be seen with me?”

“No.” She shook her head quickly.

“I just... I don’t know what Blake is gonna say. Knowing is one thing, but seeing it? Whole different story.”

Brooks’ neck grew tense.

Here she was again, letting other people’s opinions dictate how she moved. He’d spent months showing her she could live for herself, that she deserved to. And every time he thought she got it; she found a new way to shrink.

“That what you running from? People seeing what’s real between us?”

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