Page 100 of Loving Taylor

Every day without her dragged on. And the hope that she would eventually get into a space where she would at least let me talk to her died a slow death.

She was sticking to her guns by refusing any contact with me. Waiting her out wasn't working; I had to come up with another way.

I called Matthew.

"Hi, Sin," he greeted suspiciously.

"Matthew," I said, "I need your help."

There were a few moments of silence. I knew he hadn't been a fan in the beginning but I was hoping his view of me had changed. Otherwise getting to Taylor was going to be much more difficult.

"What do you want?'

"I need to see Taylor."

He was quiet for a moment. "She isn't ready to see you."

"Come on, Matthew. This is killing me." I paused as I tried to find the right words to reach him. "All I need is a chance to speak to her and if after that she still doesn't want to see me then I will back off."

"You're not going to upset her, are you?"

"No. I just want to talk to her."

He let out a deep breath. "Come over in an hour."

"Thanks," I said, feeling relieved I was going to get my chance.

"I'm doing this for her."

He ended the call. I took a breath to ease the tightness in my chest. Was she as much a mess as I was? Was that why he was going to help me see her? It didn't really matter what his reasons were, all that mattered was I was going to see her. It gave me hope that I would accomplish what I had to.

I got ready. As I pulled a new shirt on, I spotted the folder. I didn't want her to know what I had done in my past but I knew it might be the only way forward. Reluctantly I took the folder with me when I went over to the apartment.

The moment I felt nervous was when I was standing outside the door, waiting for someone to answer my knock.

My hand tightened its hold on the folder just before the door opened. Matthew greeted me and let me inside. He pointed to Taylor's bedroom door.

I gave him a nod before I walked to her room. The door was open. For a split second I took her in, sprawled on her bed and working on an assignment. My heart began to race.

"Tay."

Her eyes widened at my unexpected presence. She hurried off her bed. She kept her distance from me and crossed her arms.

"What are you doing here?" she asked. I took the fact that she looked unsettled and not angry as a good sign.

I studied her face, taking in her fine features. Just looking at her was enough to take my breath away. She didn't have any reminders marring her face anymore. The bruises had healed but she still wore the fear of her ordeal. I had seen it momentarily in her eyes when I’d surprised her just a few moments ago.

"I had to do something. You won't answer my calls or return my texts," I said.

She frowned like she was figuring something out.

"This isn't fair," she told me, sounding a little angry.

This I had been prepared for but I was ready to fight for her.

"Who said I had to play by the rules?" I shot back fiercely. "And I'm not leaving until you hear me out."

I was determined. I had done enough waiting for a lifetime.