save me - taylor swift

17

"I'm not even gonna ask," he muttered, walking into the room like this wasn't the first time he'd caught something he wasn't supposed to.

Taylor's cheeks flushed bright red. She was still panting softly, lips swollen, her hair slightly disheveled. But she was grateful—so grateful—it was just Jack. If it had been anyone else, she might've fainted on the spot.

"There's blood on your lips," Jack said, completely unfazed. "Both of your lips," he added, casting an unimpressed glance at Ruby, who still hadn't moved.

Ruby's hand flew to her mouth instinctively, wiping at the corner, and Taylor mirrored the action. The atmosphere that had been thick with lust only seconds ago was now filled with awkward tension and embarrassed glances.

"I'll wait outside," Ruby said finally, her voice a little breathless, her eyes locked on Taylor's.

Taylor gave her a quick nod, pressing her lips together to stifle a nervous laugh, her face flushed a deep pink.

Ruby didn't say anything more. She slipped past Jack, giving him a small glare on the way out, and closed the door softly behind her.

-

Taylor sat across from Jack, awkwardly twiddling with the hem of her sweater as he leafed through a couple of lyric sheets, pretending to be focused. The silence between them was thick, weighted, and undeniably intentional. Taylor could tell he was waiting for her to say something, but she didn't know what. Not really. Not when everything inside her still felt like it was buzzing from Ruby's kiss, Ruby's touch, Ruby's presence.

Finally, Jack broke the silence, his voice flat but laced with the kind of knowing only a best friend could have.
"So, Selena was right. You do like her."

Taylor's head shot up, brows furrowed in confusion. "What?" she asked, though the flush that immediately colored her cheeks betrayed her. She rolled her eyes, not at the accusation—because it wasn't wrong—but at the fact that Selena had told Jack in the first place.

Of course she had.

Taylor sighed and leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms tightly over her chest. "Yeah," she said after a beat. "Yes. I do."

Jack didn't react dramatically. He just nodded, his gaze flicking back to the lyrics like he was just taking a mental note before moving on.
"What about Travis? Are you still going to be with him?" he asked, tone casual, but the question cut straight through her.

Taylor looked away. Her jaw tensed. She didn't have an answer—not one that made any sense. Not one that didn't make her feel like the worst kind of person.
"I think so," she said quietly.

"And is she okay with that?" he asked, voice soft but steady.

Taylor didn't say anything. She couldn't. Her silence was answer enough.

Jack sighed and set the lyrics down. "Come on. Get in the booth. We've got stuff to record."

Taylor nodded quickly, grateful for the excuse to avoid the conversation entirely. She stood up and slipped into the studio without another word.

-

Across the building, Ruby sat alone in the lounge, legs stretched out on the couch, spinning a lighter between her fingers as she pulled a cigarette from the pack. She was seconds from lighting it when she paused. Her fingers froze mid-motion.