(BL) Hunting The Field Guide novel Chapter 178

Chapter 178: We’re best friends, right?

Kellen didn’t know what to say. He wasn’t even sure how to broach the topic. Taylor, knowing that they weren’t going to talk about it unless she spoke up, sighed, and ran her hand over her face before she spoke. "I’m not mad. I mean, I am upset, but not mad." Kellen winced, as Taylor leveled him with her gaze. "You told them about everything first? After I’m the one who helped you realise what you were really feeling? When Kellen finally met her gaze, there was a deep hurt there. Frowning, Kellen reached out and took her hand in his.

"Hey, it was against my will. I was excited to see you today and was looking forward to talking with you about this once our session was over." Kellen wasn’t lying. He had been excited to talk to her. The same way he’d been anxious to contact Gwen and let her know what had happened too. After their interaction at the photoshoot, he’d been afraid to reach out to her.

Taylor was the one who’d gotten him to this point. He had a feeling that if he hadn’t had her around, it would have been months, maybe even years before he came to realise what his feelings were. He would have had years of feeling like he was going insane, or was anxious, or even jealous of those around the Captain. Kellen wouldn’t haven’t been able to put any of his feelings and thoughts together coherently without her.

He was pretty sure that he would have pushed everything to the back of his mind without her help. And her diagnostics.

Unsure how to appease her, Kellen sighed, rubbing his thumb against her hand where he held it, making Taylor stare at him in confusion. He licked his lips, nervous, and glanced at the door where Rhys was standing outside. He inhaled, before letting out a shaky exhale.

"We talked a lot yesterday. I learned a lot about the Captain. Things I wasn’t sure I should say when they pestered me. But if it makes you feel better, I could tell you what we talked about." Her eyes widened at his words, her hand giving Kellen’s a squeeze.

"Kellen, those are personal moments between you two. I don’t want to steal those from you. That’s not what I want." She sighed, closing her eyes, before she opened them again. "You should have messaged me or something, let me know everything went well before I found out that Brent and Hill cornered you." Her words made sense, but...

Kellen’s whole face went red, and he stared down at the hand he held.

"That would have been impossible. I didn’t take my phone with me when I went to the gym this morning, and that’s where they stole me from." He couldn’t make eye contact with her. "Before going to the gym...I was busy." His voice was barely above a whisper as he admitted that. Taylor’s hand squeezed his before she burst into laughter.

"I assume Captain Thatcher started it?" She asked, and when he glanced at her, she had a smirk on her face. He frowned, turning his gaze back to their hands.

"Well, yeah, this morning." Her eyes widened and she jerked. Kellen was forced to release her hand as she huffed, before leaning in close to Kellen’s face.

"This morning-! Kellen Woods, did you hit on the Captain?" She semi whispered, as if she was scandalised and Kellen could feel his ears turn red. He was embarrassed to admit it, but at the same time, it was Taylor. She might poke fun at him, but she helped him. Over and over.

"I told the Captain that now that I have realised my feelings for him it was his turn to be seduced. So, I’m going to try my best." Kellen didn’t sound convincing even to himself, but Taylor covered her mouth with her hand. She reached her other hand out to give Kellen’s shoulder a squeeze.

"Kellen! That’s adorable! Did you tell others?" She asked and he shook his head.

"No. We didn’t really get on that topic. Plus, this is something about me personally. Maybe I should have gone to those two for help since they have seduced many people, but you’ve known me the longest." Kellen was having a hard time saying these words, and an even harder time looking at Taylor. He felt his cheeks heat, and he licked his lips nervously. "Plus, you said we were best friends. I don’t really know what that means, but-" Taylor’s hand yanked Kellen forward, and he found himself in a tight embrace.

"You damn fool." She muttered, emotional. Surprised, Kellen wrapped his arms around her, unsure if this was a good or a bad thing. He wasn’t able to tell what her words meant, especially since he had been avoiding looking at her face.

"What do you mean?" He asked, and she tightened her arms around him. It was a bruising hold, but Kellen didn’t mind it.

"Nothing. I’m glad you came to me in the end. I’ll give you as much advice as you need. Forget about those two, they haven’t been in a stable relationship, ever. You were right to come to me, your best friend." Her voice sounded warped, and Kellen worried something was wrong and pulled away to look at her. Her eyes were watering, and when she saw Kellen’s stunned expression, she pulled him in for another, long squeeze.

Kellen just went with the flow, happy that Taylor was happy with his words. He didn’t like when she was mad at him, but he was also happy that she was willing to help him further. He honestly didn’t have a backup plan if she had said no.