Kinsey’s finger hovered over the send button on her phone. She’d been trying to talk herself into calling Tifani for most of her lunch break and now that she only had twenty minutes remaining, she decided that it was time to shit or get off the pot. Even though she knew that Tif wasn’t the best person to talk to about her predicament, she knew that she needed to talk to someone. Tif was her best girl friend, but she was also Isaac’s girlfriend, and though she hated putting Tif in a bad position, she was desperate for some feedback.
After listening to the phone ring seven times, Tif’s voicemail picked up and Kinsey debated the entire time whether or not to leave a message. As the beep sounded, she decided that she had nothing to lose and took a deep breath.
“Hey, it’s me. I really need to talk to you, but finding time to make that happen is kind of hard given what I need to talk to you about. I just want to be sure that we get a chance to talk before we all come to Tulsa on Thursday for Ike’s birthday and early Thanksgiving. It’s about what we talked about the morning you left here, in case you hadn’t picked up on that already. So, uh…” she started, getting ready to wrap up the message when her call waiting beeped. She pulled the phone away from her ear to see that Tifani was the one calling and laughed to herself as she pressed the button to accept the call. “I was just leaving you a message.”
“Oh,” Tif laughed, “Sorry. I was just on my way out the door for lunch. What’s up?”
“Well, I need to talk to you…”
“If it’s about what to get Isaac for his birthday, I have no idea. I haven’t even bought him anything yet-“ Tif started with a laugh.
“It’s about Taylor,” Kinsey interrupted.
“What? Did he give you Chlamydia?” Tif joked, but Kinsey didn’t laugh, “I was just kidding.”
“Yeah, I know but it wasn’t funny,” Kinsey sighed, “It has nothing to do with anything like that.”
“Well then what is it?”
“I want to tell you but I don’t. I mean, I want to tell you because you’re my best friend and not telling you has felt really weird, but I don’t want to tell you because you’re Isaac’s girlfriend.”
“Okay, you’re starting to freak me out.” Tif told her, “Why don’t you want to tell me because I’m Isaac’s girlfriend?”
“Because he doesn’t know about it yet and I don’t want you to have to keep something from him.”
“Jesus, Kinsey. What the hell is going on? Are you pregnant or something?” Tif asked, sounding a little hysterical.
“What? No!”
“Well, is it something bad?” Tif asked.
“No, it’s not bad. It’s just… getting complicated,” Kinsey told her, using the toe of her boot to push a leaf around on the sidewalk. Every part of her wanted to tell Tif, to just explain that she and Taylor were still sleeping together and that she needed some advice. But the tone of Tif’s voice and the fact that she hadn’t demanded to know what was going on told Kinsey exactly what she’d been fearing: If Isaac didn’t know, Tif didn’t want to know.
“Whatever it is, you have to tell them.”
“I know.”
“I just can’t hide something big from Isaac. I’ve been hiding the fact that I know you and Taylor slept together and that’s been awful enough. They should know about that and they should know about whatever you want to tell me.”
“Know that, too.”
“You just have to tell them. And I suggest you do it soon, because you’ll feel better when you do, no matter what it is,” Tif told her, waiting a few seconds before continuing, “Do you have feelings for him or something?”
“Tif, do you want to know or not?” Kinsey asked exasperatedly.
“Of course I do. That’s why you’re going to tell them before you come home this weekend so we can talk about it then.”
“Do I have a say in this?” Kinsey laughed.
“Just tell them, Kinsey,” Tif said pointedly, “I’ll talk to you about it when I see you Thursday night, okay?”
“Bye, Tif,” Kinsey sighed, hanging up the phone and turning to head back inside, gasping out loud when she saw Reggie standing there.
“Just got here, I promise!” Reggie laughed, “Do you want to go grab a quick sandwich with me?” Kinsey nodded and followed Reggie towards the deli just around the corner.
“So, how’s your morning going?” Kinsey asked as she dropped her phone in her coat pocket.
“Not too bad. I’m not swamped yet, so I’ll take it,” Reggie told her, “How about you?”
“Oh, it’s going okay. I have a lot to do since I’m taking Thursday and Friday off. I can’t believe they’re letting me have those days.”
“Well, when you offered to work on Thanksgiving, I think they knew how serious you were about it,” Reggie laughed, “So what are you going home for anyway?”
“Well, Isaac’s birthday is on Thursday so we’re going home for that and then just having an early Thanksgiving with our families since we’re going to be home anyway.”
“Sounds fun!”
“Oh it’s going to be interesting,” Kinsey said with a forced laugh before ordering her lunch which was now going to have to be eaten at her desk in between phone calls. She made it through the rest of the day and stopped off at Fossil on her way home, roaming through the store until she finally settled on a leather messenger bag she was sure Isaac would love. Once she had paid for it and taken the subway home, she rushed right upstairs where she hid the bag at the back of her closet before heading down to join the guys in the kitchen.
“You’re home a little late tonight, aren’t you?” Isaac teased from his position at the stove where he was cooking what appeared to be the biggest steak Kinsey had ever seen.
“I had an errand to run,” she shrugged, digging in the fridge for whatever leftovers looked the most appealing.
“Do not eat the pizza. It’s not good anymore,” Zac informed her, coming over to stand next to her.
“Yeah? What gave that away? The mold on it or the fact that we ordered it two weeks ago?” Kinsey sassed, grabbing it with her thumb and index finger and dropping it in the garbage.
“I was just trying to help!” Zac smiled.
“So, did you guys get anything done today?” Kinsey asked as she heated up her dinner in the microwave.
“Actually yes. Could you take some pictures of us in the studio tomorrow, though? We want to update the website before we go home,” Isaac requested.
“Of course,” Kinsey said, “I’ll try my best to make you guys look good.” She took her plate and sat down across from Taylor, the only seat not yet occupied by a bottle of beer. “Why so quiet?”
“Just tired,” he said, tearing his gaze from his half-eaten dinner to look at her. She gave him a concerned look and wanted to ask him what was wrong, but remembered that Zac and Isaac were just on the other side of the room.
“So, are you ready for the big news of the day?” Zac asked excitedly as he plopped down in the chair next to her.
“Sure am,” she smiled finding the grin on his face truly infectious.
“I got us tickets to see Morningwood tomorrow night,” he said. Her mouth dropped open and she gave him a hard shove.
“Shut up, you did not!” she gasped. She and Zac had heard about the band right before they moved to New York and had had many a discussion about how they would go see them if they ever got the chance.
“Actually, he was so spastic that he bought an extra ticket,” Taylor rolled his eyes.
“I was not spastic. I just figured that it never hurts to have an extra. And besides, I thought Kinsey might want to bring her new guy along so we can finally meet him.”
“What new guy?” she scoffed.
“The one you were cooking dinner for the other night,” Zac said sincerely. Kinsey appreciated his effort, but the guilt that seized her entire being was suffocating and it took every ounce of effort not to look across the table into Taylor’s eyes.
“I don’t think that’s such a good idea,” Kinsey said, trying to sound as non-chalant as possible.
“Well, if you change your mind, we have an extra ticket,” he told her with a smile, seemingly sure that she would change her mind and show up with him the next night. To their surprise, however, she invited Reggie the next day and she agreed. At eight-thirty, their doorbell buzzed and Kinsey hurried to go answer it, the tight bottom of her champagne colored corset dress making the quick movements difficult.
“Hey!” she greeted, opening the door wide so Reggie could enter, “Everyone’s just finishing up.”
“You’re the first one done?” Reggie asked with a laugh, discreetly looking around.
“You’d be amazed at how long they take to get ready,” Kinsey told her, “Want a tour? It’s terribly exciting.” Reggie agreed and Kinsey was fixing them two martinis in the kitchen when Isaac and Zac came in.
“Hey guys! This is Reggie. Reggie, this is Isaac and Zac,” Kinsey introduced before pouring the strong concoction into two glasses.
“It’s great to meet you guys,” Reggie said, taking the glass from Kinsey’s hand.
“You too,” Isaac said, but Kinsey found Zac just looking at her strangely.
“Can I talk to you for a second? In the hallway?” Zac asked her.
“Um… okay,” Kinsey replied hesitantly, following his retreating form out of the room, “Rude much?”
“Is that who you were making dinner for?” he asked.
“What?!” Kinsey asked, immediately laughing in his face, “You think I’m a lesbian?”
“Well, I don’t know! You won’t tell us who it is and I told you to bring the guy and you invited her to come along… I was just curious.”
“I’m allowed to have female friends besides Tif, Zac,” she laughed, “You were just hoping I was in a relationship with her because you think lesbians are hot.”
“Well, I was going to offer my services in case you needed, like, a spotter or something,” he said.
“I’m not gay,” she rolled her eyes before going back into the room.
“What was that all about?” Isaac asked.
“You so don’t want to know,” Kinsey said, taking a seat beside Reggie at the table where she and Isaac had been chatting, “What’s taking Speedy Gonzales so long up there?”
“Who knows,” Zac sighed, “You know how he is.”
“Let’s go find him. I can show you the upstairs,” Kinsey laughed, taking her drink from the table before leading Reggie out of the room. Once they were out of earshot, she looked at Reggie seriously, “Um… you know how Taylor came and took me to lunch that one day?”
“Yeah!” Reggie said with excited remembrance.
“Well, Isaac and Zac don’t exactly know about that. So, if you could just… not bring it up that would be great,” Kinsey said, “I’m sorry to ask you to do that but-“ Reggie held up her free hand.
“Say no more. These lips are sealed!” she declared as they reached the second floor landing.
“Taylor, Reggie’s here and she wants to meet you,” Kinsey shouted at their bathroom door.
“I’ll be out in a second,” he said. They waited in the hallway as they heard him unlock the door and turn off the light.
“So nice of you to join us,” Kinsey teased, fighting the urge to swoon as he stepped into the hallway wearing a snug blue shirt and nicely fitting jeans.
“Hi Reggie, I’m Taylor,” he said, stepping forward to shake her hand, “Kinsey, can I talk to you for a second?”
“About what?” she asked, draining the last of her martini.
“About the disgusting state you left the bathroom in,” he said to her, obviously lying.
“I’ll meet you downstairs,” Reggie said, patting Kinsey on the shoulder before retreating back down. Kinsey cocked an eyebrow at Taylor as he yanked her into the bathroom.
“You can not wear that dress,” he told her, his eyes trailing over the black detailing.
“You look really handsome,” she said, ignoring his comment completely and smoothing her hand down the front of his shirt, “That shirt makes your eyes look really blue.” Taylor closed his eyes as he bit back a groan when her hand reached the top of his jeans.
“Kinsey, I’m serious. Please put on something else. You’re going to kill me in that.”
“Taylor, you’ll be fine. You can control yourself. I’m not going to change now because that would be weird. We’ll be okay because we have to be.”
“Yeah, I know,” he sighed, raking his fingers through his hair, “It’s just getting harder and harder to hide. I just want to touch you all the time.” Kinsey smiled at his admission and stepped forward to give him a quick hug.
“I feel the same way, which is why we need to tell them soon. Like, really soon. And until then I think we need to just take it easy. I mean, Zac just asked me if Reggie is the person I was cooking dinner for. Zac is so confused by my behavior he thinks I’ve become a lesbian.” Taylor cracked up.
“Wow. Interesting mental image,” he said, pretending to think it over until Kinsey smacked his arm, “Okay, we’ll keep it cool. I’ll try to keep my cool tonight.”
“Thank you,” she said, kissing him quickly before heading for the hallway, “Game faces.” He nodded and started in midway through the argument they hadn’t been having.
“All I’m saying is that it wouldn’t kill you to put down a towel or something so your hairspray doesn’t make my feet stick to the floor when I’m getting ready!” he exclaimed as they made their way down the stairs.
“And all I’m saying is that there are a lot nicer ways you could ask me to do that. My god,” she said, marching her way into the kitchen with her glass as Taylor stopped off at the coat rack before following her.
“I’m not asking that much, Kinsey. Do you have to be so whiney?” he asked, tying a scarf around his neck.
“Do you have to be such a homosexual?” she countered, setting her glass in the sink.
“They’re always like this. Just ignore them,” Isaac told Reggie as they all stood from the table.
“We always do,” Zac chimed in.
“Whatever. I’m ready to see Morningwood!” Kinsey grinned, practically hopping her way to the door since any other excited form of movement was too difficult in her dress. They all stood by the front door putting on their coats while Zac filled Reggie in on what the band was like and what to expect at the show.
“Yeah yeah. Good band, funny name, we get it,” Taylor interrupted, gesturing towards the door, “Let’s go!”
“Does anyone need anything before we leave?” Kinsey asked as they all moved over the threshold, pulling her long black pea coat over her dress prompting Taylor to pout without realizing he was doing so.
“A cold shower,” Taylor mumbled under his breath from his position right next to Kinsey. She gave him a warning look before smacking him instinctually with her purse.
“Ow! That thing’s hard!” he complained, rubbing his arm.
“That’s what she said,” Zac laughed. And with that, they were off. They started out at the bar having drinks and chatting while the other act was on stage. Kinsey knew that she should slow down with her drinking, but she was having a great time and was so excited to see the band live. Reggie seemed to be getting along really well with the guys, and Kinsey tried her hardest to not pay much, if any, attention to Taylor. The band took to the stage shortly before ten and they found good spots in the back where they could see but still had room to breathe.
“Kinsey?” Zac asked, his cheeks flushed from the many beers he had consumed, “How in god’s name are your boobs staying in that dress?”
“Zac. Oh my god,” Isaac said, trying very hard not to laugh.
“Whore magic, Zachary. Of course,” Kinsey told him with the best straight face she could muster after four drinks.
“Whore magic? Jesus, you need another drink,” Taylor laughed, putting a Long Island Iced Tea in her hand. Where it had come from, she had no idea. She did, however, know that she hadn’t had one in months and it tasted delicious.
“Oh! A Long Island! You’re my hero!” she exclaimed, giving his bicep a squeeze. Thankfully, no one was really paying attention to them enough to notice that her hand had lingered far longer on his arm than was necessary.
“I think they’re about to do the song we really like,” Zac told her, squeezing his way in between her and Taylor, eliciting an unseen dirty look from the latter. True to Zac’s word, the band did start to do the song that had gotten them hooked in the first place. The catchy lines of “Take Off Your Clothes” filled the small venue and Kinsey tried to act like she was enjoying the song. If the situation had been different, she might have been able to really pay attention to the action on the stage, but all she could focus on was the feeling of the alcohol coursing its way through her system and the dirty lyrics that were making it harder and harder for her to keep her focus forward instead of towards Taylor.
So come on baby, don’t be shy
And let’s begin
And I’ll take off your clothes
Cause everyone knows
You like me, it shows
And you know how it goes
If you take off your clothes
We’ll see how it grows
I just wanna know
The atmosphere in the room changed as the song continued and Kinsey felt the air around her become heavier. Taylor moved to leave halfway through, letting his hand graze discreetly over the small of her back as he walked behind their group. Kinsey betrayed her instincts and looked over her shoulder, her eyes locking with his as he moved towards the bathrooms, jerking his head towards them, obviously wanting her to follow. She took a deep shuddering breath and waited for the song to end before leaving. Taylor was waiting for her in the otherwise empty hallway.
“My place or yours?” he asked, his voice deep and full of need. She grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him into the women’s restroom, pushing him into the first stall before kissing him hard.
“I thought we were going to take it easy,” she moaned as he roughly pulled her dress up around her waist and slid his hand between her legs.
“Your fault,” he breathed as her hand yanked his zipper down, “Stupid dress…” Kinsey didn’t protest any more and linked her arms around his neck as he pulled her legs around his waist and slid into her. If there was anyone else in the bathroom, they were oblivious as they moved together quickly, trying to find the release they needed as quickly as possible.
“Oh god, Taylor,” she gasped, holding onto him tightly as she felt his body go rigid against her a few minutes later. He nuzzled his nose into her neck, keeping her in place for a few more moments before allowing her to slide back into a standing position.
“Shit,” he mumbled as he zipped up his jeans and straightened his shirt.
“What are we doing?” Kinsey asked rhethorically, “We can’t keep doing stuff like this.”
“I know,” he nodded, “Let’s tell them before we go to Tulsa, okay?”
“Thank you,” she whispered, accepting a kiss from him, “We have to actually do it this time.”
“We will,” Taylor said, “We will.”