The Outside Lines (boyxboy) - Chapter 20: Chapter 20

Nathan POV
A sudden creek snapped our attention to the door. A middle aged woman sporting brown hair and baggy white clothes stood at the door way.
"Oh god, Taylor I'm sorry." The woman quickly averted her gaze, placing a hand at the side of her face, blocking her view.
"What?" Taylor replied confused.
"When you're... done... in here come down and we'll watch a movie." The woman followed up.
"Wait, mom." Taylor called out as the woman I now know to be her mother slowly shut the door.
"It's not what it looks like." She tried to clarify, but of course, that would be the natural response to anyone in this situation, innocent or otherwise. Taylor quickly hopped off the bed and grabbed the door before she could fully close it.
"Mom, he's just a friend, we're only hanging out, listening to music." She explained gesturing to me.
"Oh well alright then. It's just that... he's a boy... in bed with you." Her mother expressed her concerns and explained her reaction.
"Well yeah, I mean that's true, but we aren't into each other..." Taylor said, awkwardness straining her tone. It was actually pretty funny, I just sat there smiling at the both of them.
"You're not known for dating much, so that makes enough sense." Her mother convinced herself. She peeked over Taylor's shoulder, spotting me on the bed. I threw up a little wave.
"Nathan, this is my mom, Tessa." She introduced with a small sigh. "Mom, this is Nathan."
"Nice to to meet you Nathan." She said warmly. I got off the bed, going in for a hand shake, but she enveloped me in a full on hug.
"Mom, do you mind if Nathan joins us for that movie?" Taylor asked her. Tessa broke the hug, turning to Taylor, her hands still on my shoulder.
"Sure, if he wants to." She answered, turning back to me, awaiting my response.
"I'd love to. My mom and I do this all the time." I accepted.
"Is that so? In that case I'll get us more food. I ordered a small Pizza and two drinks moments ago. Hopefully I can add on to that before they send it out." She said pulling out her phone.
"Let me pay for the extra food. I don't want to leech." I told her, reaching into my pockets.
"Don't be silly, you're a guest." She waved her hand.
"With my parents line of work a messily pizza wouldn't really be an issue." Taylor chuckled. The unintentional reminder of how poor I was stung a little.
"C'mon I'll show you the way." Tessa waved me over as she started for the stairs.
I got a tour of the fancy interior once more, making my way to the living room. Tessa and Taylor quickly occupied the large sofa placed near the flat screen. Tessa lifted the remote from the coffee table sat just in front of her and began operating the TV.
"Take a seat!" Tessa insistently pat the open spot beside her. I gladly accepted and crossed behind the sofa, taking the seat nearest to the window. Gentle breezes captured in a faint scent of nature flowed through the parted glass. I removed my shoes, lifted my feet from the floor and relaxed into the softness of the sofa's cushions. Who knew I'd be so relaxed in an unfamiliar home, sitting next to a stranger. Somehow it seemed I was growing increasingly energetic and more easy going at the same time.
The food eventually arrived, and so did Taylor's father, Jerold. His appearance caught me by surprise seeing as how Taylor looked very little like him. His skin was much darker than her's, his was short, almost shaved, he wore a classy white button up paired with a striped tie, dark brown dress pants, and set of dress shoes to match. It appeared as though he just returned home from work. He gave Tessa a kiss on the cheek and joined us for the movie.
Tessa ordered another set of food. Everyone was surprised by my appetite. I ended up almost consuming half of everything that entered through that door. Tessa and Jerold made jokes about me eating like a starved homeless man. It had me a little embarrassed but they meant no harm by it. Their jokes were all in good fun.
Taylor's brother Jeremy eventually emerged from his room. The family's appearances differed immensely, and Jeremy's was no exception. His piercings and jet black hair are things that immediately stood out to me. He was definitely trying to pull off an emo look. I finally understood what Taylor meant when she said he wasn't living in modern times.
He exited his den to scout for food. I assumed it was probably a little odd seeing a total stranger hanging out with his family in their living room. His confusion was apparent with the way he eyed me as he came down the stairs. His hand coasted along the railing as his darkened stare set upon me. Tessa steered him in the direction of the takeout she'd ordered. Apparently they order in often. Jerold and Tessa both cook, but with jobs of their caliber they aren't always able to.
I'd eaten Jeremy's favorite dishes and when he realized it he seemed a little pissed. I apologized and followed up by introducing myself. He still seem a little upset but was able to forgive me... I think. Soon after, he returned to his den hauling food in hand.
The movie eventually came to an end. It was really entertaining. We all shared plenty of laughs and chuckles. I helped Jerold and Tessa clean up the mess we'd made before announcing my departure.
"Well I had a great time today. Thanks for dinner and the movie. Tessa, Jerold, It was nice meeting you both." I showed my appreciation.
"You're ready to leave?" Taylor asked, pointing towards the garage.
"Yeah, I should probably be getting home now." I confirmed.
"Alright, let me just go grab my keys." She informed, heading towards the stairs.
"It was lovely having you over. Make sure you come over for another movie sometime." Tessa urged. I smiled with a nod, taking note of her offer.
"Hold on, let me drive him home. It's pretty late." Jerold's words making Taylor come to a halt.
"You sure?" Taylor raised a brow at him.
"Yeah, I insist!" He replied adamantly.
"Alright, do you have directions?" Taylor asked him.
"No, but I'm sure Nathan would be kind enough to guide me." He turned to smile at me. I nodded.
"Well... okay then. See you at school Nate." She waved with a slight smile.
"Later Taylor. Thank for today, I had a lot of fun." I returned the wave, following Jerold to the garage.
The faint sound of crickets became much more audible when Jerold and I stepped out into the garage. Jerold approached a car that hadn't been there prior to me entering their home. It almost looked like a sports car with its red finish and white stripes traveling across the top. The lights shaped at the back made the thing look like a ferocious monster.
"This one's a real beaut. It's my goto vehicle." He said, noticing my admiration as he popped open the door.
I approached the passenger side and before I could open the door Jerold had already done so, from the inside of the car. I flashed a smile of gratitude and set my bag inside, before getting in myself. It was far more spacious than Taylor's car I immediately noticed.
Jerold swiftly pulled out the garage and down the driveway in a matter of seconds. I gave him my address and he punched it in on his GPS. The drive so far had been oddly quiet. I didn't know how to converse with him.
"So, Taylor huh?" He broke the silence with a vague question.
"What about her?" I asked looking over to him.
"How long have you know each other?" He inquired.
"Um, it's been about a month. Though I've seen her around school ever since I moved here nearly two years ago." I explained. His vision removed from the road to watch me. "N-not that I was creeping on your daughter or anything of the sort." I quickly added, feeling his judgment landing on me, eating through my soul.
"Be honest, are you dating my daughter?" He got right to the point. I suddenly realized the reason for him taking me home... He was interrogating me.
"No, no sir." I denied.
"Really? I think you would be good for her." He replied, his tone of voice changing. I could tell he was still testing me though.
"Nope, no sir. I'm not in not interested." I waved my hands.
"Come on, really?" He raised a brow, confused by my response. Any other guy would've probably jumped at the chance to date Taylor. I'm not any other guy though...
"I'm not interested in girls at all." I decided to stop beating around the bush.
"Oh!" His face lit up in realization, following up with another "Oh", but this time silent.
"Yeah, your daughter's amazing. I've always had a great admiration for her, it's just, I don't like her like... romantically." I explained further. He seemed to take it well. He didn't appear to be offended or disgusted, which would have been awkward for the both of us.
"You seem like a fine young man." He complimented. I awkwardly chuckled in response. I didn't know how to react to that.
"How old are you?" He asked. The question came off a little odd as a follow up to his last.
"I turned eighteen earlier in the year." I answered casually.
"Oh so you're already an adult huh?" He replied. So many alarms were going of in my head, but I didn't want to jump to conclusions. I remained silent as there wasn't really any reason to respond.
"You drive?" He continued with his questions. Suddenly I felt like I was filling out a survey.
"I don't own a car." I replied..
"Well." He paused for a moment. "I'm getting rid of an older car. I was thinking about selling it but you can have it." He finished. That's not where I saw this conversation going. There was a mental sigh of relief releasing within me.
"Wait, for real?" My eyes lit up like a kid being told he going to disney world.
"For real, even runs well and everything." He noted. A slight sense of guilt began welling in my stomach though. How could I just accept something so valuable with nothing in return.
"I can't just accept it for free though." I said after reevaluating the offer. "I have six hundred dollars save up for a car, is that enough?" I asked, leaning forward in my seat.
"I mean, you haven't even seen the car, but sure, that's about what I would offer it up for." He said with a nod. With our deal pretty much set, a wave of giddiness was spreading through me like a virus. I'd spent my summer working at the cafe in hopes of getting a car. The only thing missing from the puzzle now was a license.
Jerlod and I spoke the rest of the drive. He told me about his work and talked about his family to great lengths. He seems like a good man. He's very charismatic and easy to talk with, not dissimilar to Taylor.
The car hugged the curb as Jerold pull up next to my house.
"Next time you're over I'll hand you the keys to the car." He informed.
"Alright, I'll need to get my license first though." I replied. At that moment the realization that me not owning a license was a possibility dawned on him.
"Don't worry though, I'll do my best to get it over the week." I told him, a fiery determination framing my voice.
The idle engine sound outside the old apartment building signaled my mom out of the building. She walked over to the car, surprised to see me sitting inside. Jerold and I stepped out and talked with her. Jerlod immediately hit it off with my mom using his charm. He insisted that she join the Wailings for dinner sometime. She seemed keen on the idea, to my surprise.
After we waved Jerold off I asked mom if she'd take me to the Driving Department this coming Friday after school. I was eager to be able to drive my own car. She gladly agreed, excited by the news.
I spent the rest of the night and on coming days studying hard. I was determined.