Forbidden Fruit (Travis Kelce)

Navigating Jealousy

Travis

Practice had just ended, and the guys were heading to the locker room when I noticed a few members of the press snapping pictures of Arianna and me. I couldn't help but flip them off, which made Arianna laugh—a sound that was good to hear after everything she'd been through.

I walked Arianna and the kids to their car, making sure they got off safely. It felt good to see her smile, even if just for a moment. But as I made my way to my own car, I couldn't shake the feeling that today's events were going to stir up some drama at home.

Sure enough, as soon as I got home, Kayla was waiting for me, her expression a mix of irritation and jealousy. She was holding her phone, and I could see the TMZ article about Arianna and me on the screen.

"So, this is what you do after practice?" she asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Hanging out with Arianna Jade?"

I sighed, knowing this conversation was going to be difficult. "Kayla, I was just being a friend. She's going through a lot right now, and she needed someone to talk to."

"Of course," she snapped. "But why is it that the press never seems to get pictures of us together? Yet with her, it's all over the internet."

"Kayla, she's a pop star in the middle of a worldwide scandal," I explained, trying to keep my voice calm. "The media is all over her. And you know I try to keep our relationship private to protect us."

She crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing. "No matter what you do lately, Travis, you're always in the wrong with me."

Her words stung, but I knew arguing wouldn't solve anything. I took a deep breath, trying to find a way to calm the situation. "Kayla, I understand you're upset. But this isn't about us. Arianna is Patrick's family, and she needed help. That's all."

She looked away, clearly still hurt. "It just feels like you're always choosing everyone else over me."

"That's not true," I said softly, stepping closer to her. "I care about you, Kayla. I'm trying to balance everything, but it's not easy."

She didn't respond, her silence speaking volumes. I reached out, gently taking her hand. "How about we go out tonight? Just the two of us. Anywhere you want. Let's spend some time together and talk things through."

She hesitated, then finally nodded. "Okay. But I want to go somewhere nice. No football talk, no distractions."

"Deal," I agreed, relieved that she was willing to give it a chance. "Get dressed, and I'll make the reservations."

As she went to get ready, I pulled out my phone and made a quick call to book a table at one of her favorite restaurants. I hoped a night out would help mend the growing rift between us.

When Kayla came downstairs, she looked stunning. I couldn't help but smile. "You look amazing."

She gave a small smile in return. "Thanks."

We headed out to the restaurant, and as the night progressed, the tension between us began to ease. We talked about everything except football and the recent drama, and it felt good to reconnect.

Halfway through dinner, my phone buzzed with a notification. I glanced at the screen and saw a message from Arianna.

Arianna: Hey, thanks for today. It really helped. Hope you're doing okay.

I quickly hid my phone, not wanting to provoke another argument. I knew my relationship with Arianna was purely friendly, but Kayla was already on edge, and I didn't need her going off on me right now.

"Who was that?" Kayla asked, her tone casual but her eyes sharp.

"Just a teammate," I said smoothly, hoping she wouldn't press further. "They're trying to sort out plans for the weekend."

She seemed to accept the answer, focusing back on her meal. I let out a silent sigh of relief and put my phone on silent, determined not to let anything ruin our night.

By the end of the night, I could see that Kayla was starting to relax. It wasn't a complete fix, but it was a step in the right direction.

As we drove home, I glanced over at her. "I know things have been rough lately, but I want us to work through this. You're important to me, Kayla."

She reached over and squeezed my hand. "I want that too, Travis. Let's just take it one day at a time."

I nodded, feeling a flicker of hope. No matter what challenges lay ahead, I was determined to make things right with Kayla. And while I would continue to support Arianna, I needed to find a balance that wouldn't jeopardize my relationship.

One day at a time, I thought. We'll get through this.