hometown hero

           It’d been a few weeks since she’d last annoyed Weston, and that in itself just couldn’t do. So, after agreeing with him prior that she was going to swing by, she noticed that the front door was already open, peering in as she realised nobody was closeby. It was likely Jake just forgot to close the door upon his departure, or arrival home. And with that, she wondered in further, the brunette searching as she tried to locate the company she’d dropped by for. “Wes?” Cleo called out, shaking her head slightly, hoping he hadn’t forgotten about her. “Oi, Taylor, where the heck are you?” She sniggered at herself as she called out. “Guess I’ll have to have these shakes to myself then, huh?” Anyone that knew Cleo knew that she wasn’t kidding. She’d happily drain these cups dry. Both of them.

@weston-taylor​

It was moments like these that Aubrey felt like she was pushing, only to be sorry she did afterwards. But not this time around. Weston had a temper, but she knew she meant well even if he didn’t. Even if he lashed out. But the way in he lashed out almost always had far more to do with their relationship and if he said something hurtful, it was to sever the tie temporarily between the two of them. But what he said next felt like a confirmation of what Aubrey felt deep down, all along; that her brother could felt some type of way about her that was not going away. It was no wonder their relationship was somewhat strained even when she thought that it wasn’t strained. Aubrey opened her mouth to say something, but then closed them realizing she didn’t know what was she going to say. He didn’t say anything that she didn’t know already, or that she hadn’t heard from people she thought were her closest friends. But it still somehow hit differently when it came from him. ‘’I– dunno why you had to throw that in my face just to turn the tables and switch the conversation over to me, but it ain’t gonna work. I still think you’re goin’ through somethin’ that you don’t even understand. I hope I turn out to be wrong, but time would tell. And Wes? Next time you wanna lash out like that on me for just wantin’ good for you, think ‘bout your choices. I’ve never said I did a good thing, but think ‘bout what you say to me. You lash out one too many times, and I don’t think we’ll get over it.’’

                   "You know why I would. You push and you push, then turn around to just refuse the fact that it ain’t your place. You don’t take no for an answer. Why is that so hard for you to understand?” Weston exhaled a heavy breath and moved a hand through his hair, then tangled his fingertips against the base of his neck where his hair grew thicker, relieving a little bit of the tension. Not that it had been going anywhere... he knew what he said was out of anger and was blunt, used to severe the conversation when he no longer wanted to hear it. It was wrong, but Weston was left to inhale a sharp breath.  “You can think all you want, Aubrey, but I’m thirty three years old. I gave you the respect to make your own decisions and recover the way you knew how. I didn’t agree with it, but I gave that for you. Give me the space I gave you.”  

MATIAS: He definitely is, but I wouldn’t change a hair on his head. He’s a vizsla, so he’s gonna get big, vet said maybe 60lbs, but he’s only like 15lbs right now.

MATIAS: DAMN, though, three. Jake must be over the moon. Who had the naming honours for this lady?

MATIAS: Thanks. I mean, I know Willow left town, but - I had to check. Anyway, very glad to hear that, in a totally sappy way.

WESTON: good lord... a vizsla? i've only ever met one of those pups and they do steal your heart. that's one big one. a biggin that's about to become your lapdog 😝

WESTON: oh he's loving it. he ain't loving picking up the backyard chore though hahaha. both did, we figured we might as well follow the tradition of naming them after country legends. got chesney and aldean and since we've officially gotten a gal, figured faith was the most fitting.

Now he was just asking to get smacked over the head, Amy thought as a dark cloud formed above her head the minute he mentioned her grays. Truth be told, one of the first things on her to-do list was to make an appointment at the salon and get her hair in order. And, yes, that included the gray hairs as well. “You’re one to talk, those wrinkles in the corners of your eyes? And that crater on your forehead? So much worse than ever before,” she retorted matter-of-factly. Two could play that game, and Amy always liked dishing out better. Looking ahead at their family gathered at the table in the backyard, all of them at ease now that they were all together, all happy and well, a warmth wriggled its way through her insides. A warmth she had only ever felt when she was with family. Shrugging her shoulders in complete honesty, she looked at her baby brother again. “Who knows? I want to make it more permanent, but we’ll see how it works out. Think you can handle having me around 365 days of the year?” A playful nudge in the ribs as she considered his convictions of his own well-being. Out of all three of them, Wes did seem to be the most stable one, physically and emotionally. Both Bree and Amy had been more susceptible to their share of traumas than him, and whatever that could be ascribed to, she was glad that he was taking it all in stride. Still, a part of her would always worry, always hold doubts. “I believe that you believe it, and I hope it stays that way,” she spoke softly, nodding her head. “When are they going to let you go back to work?”

                   "Aye now, at least I’ve got an excuse. I’ve got a kid that’s been scheduled to take his damn driver’s test. Seein’ him behind the wheel of my truck is stressful enough to put out a batch of grays in this bedhead.” He pointed his finger toward the locks of hair littering his head, dark as ever but questionable to what was hidden underneath. “It makes me feel old but then I’ve gotta remember that he came out screamin’ when I was eighteen.” Rolling his shoulders back, Wes shot his sister the signature half grin, acting as though he was pondering what she was saying. “A while year huh? Been awhile since we’ve done that, but at least now we ain’t rubbin’ elbows trying to take over the upstairs bathroom.” He laughed. “Nah, I could get used to that. It’ll be nice I think.” It was then that the position he was in was growing a bit uncomfortable and forcing a little strain to his lower back, so he moved to adjust his weight and lean against the right side of his body. “Thanks.” He nodded, appreciating the lack of prodding, which wasn’t the same he could say for the other half of their family. “I’ve gotta past the physical exam they put the cadets through. We’ve got the course down, but my time still ain’t cuttin’ it.” 

                “Pretty sure that when I walked through your hall, Jake’s friend commented on my ass.” The brunette muttered in disbelief as she then seated herself at the table, looking up at Wes in his place, as she pulled the dramatic all-body shivers at the thought. “Isn’t he like five?” Time sure did fly, it was getting ridiculous to recognise that Wes’ boy was now a teenager. “Honestly, what happened? Where did the time go?” She’d known the Taylor’s for as long as she could remember, both of whom were an important part on her day-to-day life considering how closely she worked with Weston. “And how are you, Wonderboy?” She referred to his obvious need to save lives both in and out of his day job. It took time to recover fully, and whilst it’d been a few months, apparently the name was going to stick. “What’s the latest?” They were probably due some form of catch-up at this point, things changed daily in Wilmington. For herself included.

@weston-taylor​

“Trust me, he’s being blocked even so I can’t ever see him again.” She offered him a sheepish smile as she spoke. Her cheeks still red from the embarrassment but hey, at least he wasn’t judging her or anything. At least, he didn’t make it feel like he was. “My type?” The question had been rarely asked. And honestly, she didn’t have a good answer. She had been so inexperienced in so many ways that she didn’t have a lot to go off of when it came to a type. “God, I don’t even know some days. I guess just someone who I’m completely comfortable around. Who’s hilarious and spontaneous, even a little reckless. But then…he holds you while you’re watching a scary movie together, or wins you stuffed animals at the fair and eats funnel cake with you. I don’t know. Just someone who makes me happy, I guess.” Sad part was that when she spoke about it, her mind went straight to her best friend and the things they did together as friends…despite how much she wanted something more there. “Sorry, I rambled on. Ignore me. I’m clearly a mess.” 

BEAU: well

BEAU: i got a call about an assistant coaching position

BEAU: mistake that i'm really considering it?

WESTON: hot damn

WESTON: you serious?

“Yes, I’ve only got so much patience, you know?” Alexandria replied, letting out a small chuckle. But there had definitely been years where she wished that she could stay in Wilmington all year long. She liked it here, and she liked the people, even when she was younger. Alix followed Weston’s actions, also not liking standing in the crowd and possibly in the way. “I’ve always been a good partner in crime, but I was definitely a little more fun in that part of my life.” She added, sending the man a small shrug. “Oh, I am sure that it was quite the sight. I missed out on a lot, I am sure. That was sort of the downside to having two different lives at that time. I was always missing things. Thankfully, I’ve only got one life now.” Alix said, glad to be in one place now. “That’s fair.”

                   "Ouch. Alright. I see the little dig hidden in there. I feel it.” Wes joked in response then moved his hand up to his chest to rub where his heart was beating, almost as though her little joke had actually broken his achy breaky heart. “A lot more fun back then huh? I wanna beg to differ, but naw, now I’m curious as to what has gotten you to become a bit more tame.” His brow ticked upward and he bumped against her side, then smacked his lips together, chuckling. “Yeah, you’re stuck with us now.” 

         "Alright—“ Sydney conceded with an abrupt laugh— "maybe outcast was a strong choice of word, but I sure as shit wasn’t sittin’ top tier in the cafeteria.” At best she’d found herself somewhere in high middle ground, surrounded by enough friends to be happy but not so much that she didn’t suffer a few nasty hits. With time she grew into her self confidence, but back then? She’d spent more than her fair share of nights staring miserably in the mirror. If not for people like Beth, Greer, Aubrey, and Wes she wasn’t sure high school was something she would’ve survived. Wasn’t sure she would’ve grown into a woman who could walk into any room with her shoulders straight and let her fearless tongue fly. Tonight thinking about his sister turned Sydney quiet, though. In better world she’d be able to ask how she was doing, too. In a perfect world she wouldn’t have to ask at all. It was like ignoring an elephant in the room; for the sake of their own friendship they hadn’t once talked about what happened last July. “If they weren’t breathin’ down the back of your neck like it was their job they wouldn’t be family.” A corner of her mouth twitched in the smallest smile. “But it’s good you’re feelin’ better whether they buy it or not.” She hadn’t been lying when she said he was missed around work. Admitting it for a second time, though? The bridge of Syd’s nose scrunched. “Did I say that? I don’t remember sayin’ that… Pretty sure it was you sayin’ you’ve missed me.”

                   “By the lack of tryin’, Syd. Or seein’.” He shook his head, unable to resist the way the chuckles had begun to rumble. If he remembered correctly… which, for argument's sake he always did, she had done just fine. It hadn’t been lost on him that such was because of the crowd they ran with ── Sydney had her fair share of hardships she battled with during their childhood, but Wes also liked to think that their class had been a bit unorthodox. But, at the same time, that could have been just him. Not everyone had been like him, and ventured around the hallways ensuring everyone got an invite to his party after the football game on a Friday night. Shaking his head, Wes laughed again, the memories still fresh and real and had him feeling nostalgic. “You’re gonna call me crazy, but yeah. I miss it. Those Friday night lights… cold pizza and warm soda at our bonfires on Saturday. Bein’ obnoxious and gettin’ glares from your dance judges at your shows. And school, yeah, I can’t believe it either. I miss it.” Shrugging his shoulders, Wes then jokingly looped his arm around her shoulders, then squeezed her lightly into his body.  He glanced down toward Sydney with brows creased, knowing the mention could be a tad bit awkward, but had been thankful for the avoidance in that very moment as the last thing that he had wanted to dive into was the issue between Sydney and his sister. “Yeah… I know. S’just gets old, but you make the fine points.” He squeezed her shoulders again though this time he swiveled her around to squeeze her lightly against his chest, then released her to give her back her space. “Mm, nah, I ain’t denyin’ that i miss ya, but you definitely miss me. More than you wanna admit.” 

“I mean, personally, I wouldn’t call it dazzled, but yeah sure, whatever, man. Let’s get this fuckin’ fried food” Lucas said between a few laughs, unable to help himself. Besides, a little grease never hurt anyone. “Alright, that’s fair” If only because using Aubrey as an example was probably one way to get Lucas’s mind elsewhere. Besides, he understood the sentiment since he might not have had any sisters but he sure had women in his life that were practically his sister, like Micah and Kennedy. “I don’t know, maybe you should wait it out. Doc’s bound to sign you back to work eventually so maybe just enjoy this little vacation while you can. Look, I get it. You save people for a living, you help –– but if you ain’t at 100% then you can’t expect to care for others at 100%” Lucas shrugged his shoulders. He had a lot of experience when it came to stubborn people who not only liked their job but found purpose in it. If he could get Sydney through those times, perhaps he could guide Weston along, too. 

Beau: what's your opinion of the unc-wilmington baseball team?

Beau: you know, objectively

WESTON: objectively huh?

WESTON: seahawks are decent, could use a different color of uniforms, awesome facilities

WESTON: could use a better pitcher and is in desperate need of fixing their outfielders, but batting average is off the charts

MATIAS: It really is. Mav’s got springs where his paws should be, hates being left alone, chewed a literal hole in my WALL this morning, and I freaking love him.

MATIAS: I would really like that. If that’s okay, I don’t want to put you in the middle.

WESTON: oh damn, sounds like he's giving ya a run for your money... in all the best ways. jesus, i love that puppy fever. s'why i caved to ANOTHER and we're up to three in this house. what is he? big, small?

WESTON: though, we got lucky with faith, the newest lady in a household of fellas. i'm only down ONE package of socks. 😜

H O N E S T Y  H O U R.

"I’d torment @cainebishcp, @beau-haywood, @michaelotis,@jxsoncash, @matiasgarcxa and @kevhoffman for the hell of it. Probably make ‘em whip up some meals for me, mow my lawn when I ain’t feelin’ like it, make ‘em teepee the mayor’s house, call their crushes when they were sixteen to profess how in love with ‘em they were. Stupid things for my own entertainment, y’know. ” 

H O N E S T Y  H O U R.

"Well.. I got shot, so if that ain’t an obvious answer I don’t know what is. Getting ‘round is getting better but I still ain’t back to work yet. I’m bored outta my mind and itchin’ to get back there. But, y’know, as a medic, I realistically know a process is a process for a reason so we’re uh.. getting there, slowly but surely. I like to think there’s light at the end of this year.”