Page 45 of Dreams
“Not tonight,” he responded stiffly.
Wanting to ease the tension a bit, Taylor asked, “How long are you guys staying in Columbus?”
“Alas,” Dr. Walker sighed dramatically. “Only three nights.” His eyes didn’t leave hers and she squirmed uncomfortably under his gaze.
She felt a pressure on her hand and looked down to see Josh threading his fingers through hers. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze and then didn’t let go. She looked over at him and smiled, hoping to reassure him a bit. His smile was tight in return.
“We’re going to the game tomorrow,” Ethan said to her. “Are you going to be there?”
“No,” Josh said quickly. “She can’t make it.”
“That’s a shame,” his father said before they all dropped into silence.
Taylor circled her thumb against the back of Josh’s hand, wanting to lend him some strength as he held on to her tighter.
Their food came, and he was forced to give her back her hand in order to eat. She suddenly felt cold without it.
“I can’t take this anymore,” Ethan grunted, letting his fork clatter to his plate. “We need to have this out.”
“Ethan,” Dr. Walker warned.
“No,” he barked. “It’s been two years in the making. Josh, I know what you think of me. Would you even believe me if I told you I’ve changed?”
“I can’t do this.” Josh shot to his feet, the chair wobbling behind him, and left the room.
Taylor wiped her napkin across her lips before folding it and placing it on the table. She scooted back from the table and stood. “I should go after him.”
She stepped out of the room, unsure which way he would have gone.
“He went out the front door,” a passing waiter told her.
“Thanks.”
Outside, leaning against the building, she found what she was looking for. Josh had his head in his hands, breathing as if he’d just run a marathon.
“I’m sorry,” he said, hearing her footsteps echo off the pavement.
She pulled his hands away from his face. “Josh, you’re going to have to deal with your brother at some point.”
“You’re right, I know you are.” He pounded his fist against the brick building and looked away. “I shouldn’t have brought you tonight.”
She felt the breath leave her at the sudden change in subject. He didn’t want her there. “If this is about lying to your family about the girlfriend thing…” She took a step back, but he grabbed her arm.
“No, I don’t care about lying to them.” He pressed a hand to his brow. “God, I’m saying this all wrong. I don’t know how to explain my family to you without making it seem worse than it is.” He released her and stepped away, turning his back. “My Dad is great. He’s always been there for me. Without him, I wouldn’t be in this league. But he isn’t perfect. He has one weakness. Women. He hasn’t met a pretty one that he hasn’t wanted to…”
“What does that have to do with me?” Her stomach tightened painfully.
“The way he’s looking at you.” He finally turned back to face her. “I can’t stand it. I should have known that when you looked like that he wouldn’t be able to help himself.”
“Hence the girlfriend thing.” She was finally beginning to understand.
“Yeah,” he kicked his toes against the ground. “Sorry about that.”
“Do you want to leave?”
“Yeah. I’ll try again after the game tomorrow, but tonight I need to get out of here.”
“Okay, but we still have to go get your jacket.” She opened the door, and he reluctantly followed her in. Placing a hand on the small of her back, he guided her to their table.
