Stay, stay, stay

text messages

"Hi, how are you?"
I knew writing songs about love would mess with my brain at some point but I didn't expect it to happen so soon.

"As if he knows who this text is from" I annoyingly mutter to myself and promptly decide to send a second text message reading:"This is Taylor by the way."
"I really am a moron" I sigh, letting my head fall into my soft pillow but not for long before the realisation hits me.
"And sure, there's only one human being named Taylor on this earth."
Already humiliated I send a third text message saying:"Swift. This is Taylor Swift. Sorry, for the spam."
Embarrassed doesn't even define how I'm feeling right now but oh, well.
I put my phone on the nightstand and decide to take a shower since I started sweating during my previous activity and mum is coming over for dinner later.

I step out of my spacious shower onto the dark, marble bathroom tiles as I hear the notification sound of my phone, which usually means that someone has texted me.
At this point I don't really care that I'm sprinting through my house with just a towel wrapped around me because the only thought wandering around in my head, is the slight hope of Travis texting me back. Finally in my bedroom I grab my phone and almost let it slip out of my still wet hands and it takes me a few times to get my passcode right because the water from my dripping wet hair keeps running into my eyes and then onto my phone.
It turns out that it was just Tree sending me the details for game day.
I would be lying, if I said that I wasn't a little disappointed.
"Hey dibbles, what's going on, huh?" I smile at the little white cat making its way to me.
But Olivia meows outraged and quickly tries to shake off the water of her little paws after she stepped into the puddle that has spread around my feet.
"Oh, I should probably mop that up before getting ready, shouldn't I?"
Not being in the mood to get out the mop I let my towel fall on the floor and decide that that has to work for now as I make my way to the closet to get out a comfy set of sweats and underwear. After I slid on the soft clothes I decide to work on my outfit for the game. A few calls with my styling team and a cup or two of coffee later we've decided that the launch of a "new era" red and white windbreaker, that I'll be wearing to the game is perfect and I'm gonna top that off with a pair of red and white new balance sneakers as well as a white top and black shorts.

Happy that's settled, I make my way downstairs and start prepping everything for our cooking night which usually results in my mum and me being full before we're even done making dinner because we can't stop snacking in between. Once I set up all the pots and pans we might need and put the brownies in the oven, I pour myself a glass of white wine and melt into to corner of my couch.

Every once in a while I look around and have to remind myself that I never thought I'd be this lucky. Seeing that the maroon coloured living room with its fire place, the floor-to-ceiling windows and the big library in the back is my favourite room. Meredith curls up next to me, nestling her little head in between my thigh and the pillow, letting out a satisfied grunt.
My phone vibrates once and pulls me out of my daydream.
"Well, look at that." I say more to Meredith than to myself.
Travis' answer reads:" Well, hello Taylor. It's good to hear from you. I'm doin' just fine. What's that I hear about you coming to our game this weekend? I guess we're even then. Haha :)"

"I guess we are, haha. Tree, my manager, just sent me all the details including a guide about football since I really don't know anything, no offence."  I quickly text back.

"None taken, don't worry. How about we meet  up before the game? Only if that's possible on your side, of course. I'm sure you're busy as hell. But I could show you some things and give you the insides on the team. We don't want you to get all confused, talking to my mum in the suite, do we ;) ?" he messaged me back immediately.
I needed to read the text three times before I could process it with my mouth hanging wide open "What in the actual-"
"Honey, I'm here." my mum fortunately interrupts my thought process. I have trouble closing my mouth and almost fall when trying to get up but I eventually make my way to the hallway.
She wraps me in her tight embrace and my head rests on her shoulder.
"Hi mum, how are you ?" I ask softly not letting her go yet.
"I'm fine, honey. You know that. But what about you? You look like you just saw a ghost. Is everything alright?"
"Yeah, everything's okay. I'm just a little tired and forgot the time so I got caught off guard when you walked in." I smiled and led her into the kitchen hoping she would let that topic go because otherwise she would know that my mind is elsewhere.
She turned around and put her hand onto my shoulders, cocking her head, her eyes finding mine.
"Well, alright then. You put your feet up and I'll get started. Spaghetti Bolognese sound good to you?"
"That sounds great, mum. Thank you so much." I pop a kiss on her cheek and hesitantly make my way back to the couch.
So, I'm meeting his mum. That's something.
I mean, it's really nothing if you think about it. Because it's just his mum and it's not like we're together or anything like that. And maybe this is just me convincing myself.
I need to text him back, I mean I've read the text, so.
"No, we absolutely wouldn't want that, haha :) I'll let Tree know and then I guess I'll see you on Saturday morning. Looking forward to it" I text back and without overthinking it for too long my thumb hits the send button.

Since Tree hates last minute plans and meetings I call her right away and to my surprise she picks up on the first ring.
"Hey Tree, Travis invited me over before the game on Saturday. Can you make sure I get there without getting seen ? This would cause dating rumours that I don't need, you know that." I start to ramble before she could even get a word out.
"Uh, hi Taylor. Yeah, sure I'll get to it asap. Is that all?" she asks, an knowing undertone lingers in her voice.
"Yes, that is all. Sorry, to bother you at this time, I hope you have a great evening. Love you, bye." I quickly hang up and only now I notice that I've started picking at the skin on fingers during the phone call.
"Ugh."
"You okay, honey ?" I hear my mum ask, as she leans against the massive wooden bookshelf, her arms crossed before her chest and a soft smile playing around her lips.
"Yeah, mum, I'm fine. I'm supposed to meet this football player and I guess I'm kind of nervous about it and it's stressing me out."
I curl back up on the couch and empty my wine glass.
"Oh Taylor, I'm sure you'll be doing just fine. I know, you think that the press might get the wrong impression but there's nothing to worry about. I mean, there will be plenty of family and friends there, I'm sure about that. And honestly, as long as you don't leave the game with him or get seen alone with him, they're only gonna write the usual harmless stuff." she jokes and rubs my back.

Oh boy, if she would've known.

After finishing our dinner, I pack a plate full with brownies and get the vanilla ice cream out of the freezer while my mum looks for a movie.
"So, what's the verdict?" I ask, trying to not let anything fall out of my hands, stomping into the living room.
"Well, we've got Dirty Dancing, Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility."
"Oh god, that's a good selection. I think a meeting with Mr. Darcy would be nice, what do you think?" asking while munching on a piece of brownie.
"I'm absolutely fine with that. Oh, someone texted you while you were in the kitchen. They were quite persistent. You might want to look who it is." she suggested, failing to hide a grin.
"What are you smiling about ?" I mock her and grab my phone from the coffee table to find out who was texting me even though I already knew who it was.

"So, what does Taylor Swift do on a Thursday night like this one ?" Travis texted me.

I couldn't do anything other than smile at my phone, blood rushing into my cheeks turning them a shade of scarlet.
"I have a meeting with a certain Mr. Darcy and my mum. We also have brownies and ice cream joining us. What does a star football player do on a Thursday night like this?" I chuckle and hit send.
"You may ask questions which I shall choose not to answer. Kidding, we're done with training now, so I'm gonna head home, cook something and after that I'm gonna put on a movie. Simple as that. But I shall not disturb your evening any longer, Mylady. Give Mr. Darcy my best wishes and save me a brownie for Saturday ;)"
If I had been trying to hide my stupidly wide smile, I would've failed by now. Good God. He not only seems to have humour. No, he also seems to know Pride&Prejudice rather good since he quoted it in his text message.
I'm still giggling at my phone when my mum comes back in the living room.

"Oh, honey. Let me guess, the football player?" she teased and put her arms around me.
"About time someone made you laugh like that again" she kissed my cheek and started the movie.