The Rescue - Nicholas Sparks [108]
“I was thinking about Saturday, if that’s okay. There’s a game in Norfolk.”
“Oh, that’s his birthday,” she said, disappointed. “I was planning to throw a little party for him.”
“What time’s the party?”
“Probably around noon or so. I still have to work that night.”
“The game starts at seven. How about if I take Kyle with me while you’re at work?”
“But I kind of wanted to go, too.”
“Ah, let us have another boys night out. He’d enjoy it.”
“I know he would. You’ve already got him hooked on that game.”
“So is it all right if I bring him? I’d have him home in time to pick you up.”
She brought her hands to her lap. “All right, you win. But don’t keep him too long if he gets tired.”
Taylor raised his hand. “Scouts’ honor. I’ll pick him up at five, and by the end of the night, he’ll be eating hot dogs and peanuts and singing ‘Take Me Out to the Ball Game.’ ”
She nudged him in the ribs. “Yeah, sure.”
“Well, maybe you’re right. But it won’t be for lack of trying.”
Denise rested her head against his shoulder. He smelled like salt and wind.
“You’re a good guy, Taylor.”
“I try.”
“No, I’m serious. You’ve really made me feel special these last couple of months.”
“So have you.”
For a long moment, silence filled the living room like a living presence. She could feel Taylor’s chest rising and falling with every breath. As wonderful as he’d been tonight, she couldn’t escape the concerns that had been troubling her for the past two weeks.
“Do you ever think about the future, Taylor?”
He cleared his throat before answering.
“Sure, sometimes. Usually it doesn’t go much beyond the next meal, though.”
She took his hand in hers, weaving their fingers together.
“Do you ever think about us? About where we’re going with all this, I mean?”
Taylor didn’t respond, and Denise went on.
“I’ve just been thinking that we’ve been seeing each other for a few months now, but sometimes I don’t know where you stand on all this. I mean, these last couple of weeks . . . I don’t know . . . sometimes it feels like you’re pulling away. You’ve been working such long hours that we haven’t had much time to spend together, and then when you didn’t call . . .”
She trailed off, leaving the rest unspoken, knowing she’d already said these things before. She felt his body stiffen just a little as she heard his answer coming out in a hoarse whisper.
“I care about you, Denise, if that’s what you’re asking.”
She blinked, keeping her eyes closed for a long moment before opening them again.
“No, that’s not it . . . or not all of it. I guess I just want to know if you’re serious about us.”
He pulled her closer, running his hand through her hair.
“Of course I’m serious. But like I said, my vision of the future doesn’t extend all that far. I’m not the brightest guy you’ve ever met.”
He smiled at his own joke. Hinting wasn’t going to suffice. Denise took a deep breath.
“Well, when you think about the future, are Kyle and I in it?” she asked point-blank.
It was quiet in the living room as she waited for his answer. Licking her lips, she realized her mouth had gone dry. Eventually she heard him sigh.
“I can’t predict the future, Denise. No one can. But like I said, I care about you and I care about Kyle. Isn’t that enough for now?”
Needless to say, it wasn’t the answer she had hoped for, but she lifted her head from his shoulder and met his eyes.
“Yeah,” she lied. “That’s enough for now.”
Later that night, after making love and falling asleep together, Denise woke and saw Taylor standing by the window, looking toward the trees but obviously thinking of something else. She watched him for a long time, before he finally crawled back into bed. As he tugged at the sheet, Denise turned toward him.
“Are you okay?” she whispered.
Taylor seemed surprised at the sound of her voice. “I’m sorry. Did I wake you?”
“No. I’ve been awake for a while now. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I just couldn’t sleep.”
“Are you worried about something?”
“No.”
“Then why can’t you sleep?”
“I don’t know.”
“Is it something I did?”
He drew a long breath.