Forbidden Fruit (Travis Kelce)

Unexpected Friendship

Travis

The sun was shining, and I decided to take advantage of the beautiful day by going for a jog around the neighborhood. The steady rhythm of my feet hitting the pavement was soothing, allowing my mind to clear as I took in the familiar surroundings.

As I rounded a corner, a sleek black car pulled up beside me, and I instinctively felt a flicker of nervousness. Living in a high-profile neighborhood had its perks, but it also came with its fair share of unwanted attention.

The backseat window rolled down, and I was relieved to see a familiar face. Arianna, with her blonde hair pulled back and a pair of oversized sunglasses perched on her nose, leaned out the window with a smile.

"I didn't realize you lived in the same neighborhood," she said, her voice cheerful.

I laughed, slowing my pace. "Yeah, just a few blocks over. What are you doing out and about?"

"Just getting some fresh air," she replied.

We chatted for a few minutes about her morning and my run. It was nice to see her in good spirits after everything she had been through.

"Hey, how about this," she said, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Pat and Britt are still out of town. Want to come over for pizza later?"

"Sounds great," I replied. "I'll finish my run and head home to shower and change. I'll be over in a bit."

As I continued my jog, I couldn't help but think about the situation. I knew Kayla might not like the idea of me spending so much time with Arianna, but I also knew Arianna needed a friend right now. It was purely friendly, and I was determined to be there for her.

Once I got home, I took a quick shower and changed into some comfortable clothes. Before heading over to Arianna's, I decided to let Kayla know about my plans.

"Hey, babe," I said, dialing her number. "Just wanted to give you a heads-up. I'm going over to Arianna's for pizza. She invited me over since Pat and Britt are out of town."

There was a pause on the other end before Kayla responded. "Travis, you've been spending a lot of time with her lately. Are you sure this is a good idea?"

I sighed, understanding her concerns. "I know, Kayla. But she really needs a friend right now. It's nothing more than that. I'm just trying to be nice and support her."

"I get that," she replied, her tone softening slightly. "But it still makes me uncomfortable."

"I promise it's just friendly," I reassured her. "I'll be back home later tonight. We can talk more then if you want."

"Okay," she said reluctantly. "Just... don't stay too late."

"I won't. Love you."

"Love you too."

With that conversation out of the way, I headed over to Arianna's place. When I arrived, Arianna greeted me at the door with a wide smile. "Come on in. The pizza should be here soon."

I followed her inside, taking in the cozy atmosphere of the house. It was a nice change from the chaos of my own place.

"You know, I was expecting you to be one of those gluten-free, vegan, no-carb type of celebrities," I teased as we settled into the living room.

She laughed, shaking her head. "Definitely not. I love my pizza, carbs and all."

The doorbell rang, and Arianna went to get the pizza. We sat down at the kitchen table, digging into the cheesy goodness. I was surprised by how relaxed and comfortable the evening felt.

"So, what do you want to do after we eat?" I asked between bites.

Arianna's eyes lit up. "How about we watch 'Bridgerton'? Have you seen it?"

I raised an eyebrow, genuinely curious. "What's 'Bridgerton'?"

She laughed, launching into a brief explanation about the period drama series. Her enthusiasm was contagious, and I found myself intrigued.

"Alright, let's give it a shot," I agreed.

We moved to the living room, settling onto the couch with our pizza and drinks. Arianna queued up the latest season of 'Bridgerton,' and we started watching. The elaborate costumes and dramatic plotlines were a far cry from my usual choice of entertainment, but Arianna's excitement made it enjoyable.

As we watched, I couldn't help but appreciate the normalcy of the evening. Arianna was fun, down-to-earth, and easy to talk to. It was clear that she needed this kind of distraction, and I was more than happy to provide it.

The hours flew by as we watched episode after episode, laughing and commenting on the characters and their antics. It was a good reminder that sometimes, the best way to support someone was just to be there and share a simple, enjoyable moment.

As the night wore on, I noticed Arianna's eyelids growing heavy. She fought to stay awake, but eventually, she drifted off, her head resting against the arm of the couch. I watched her for a moment, her peaceful expression a stark contrast to the stress she had been under.

Carefully, I stood up and gently scooped her into my arms. She stirred slightly but didn't wake up. I carried her to her bedroom, pushing the door open with my foot. The room was tidy and inviting, a sanctuary of calm.

I laid her down on the bed, pulling the blanket up to cover her. As I was about to leave, she opened her eyes slightly and looked at me.

"Travis," she whispered, her voice barely audible, "why are you being so nice to me? You don't have to be."

I paused, feeling a pang of sadness at her words. "Arianna, you're going through something really tough, and you need friends right now. I'm just trying to be there for you."

She looked at me with a hint of vulnerability. "Did you... did you watch the tape?"

Her question caught me off guard. I took a deep breath before answering. "No, I didn't. I heard about it, but I didn't want to invade your privacy like that. It's not my business, and it doesn't change who you are to me."

Arianna's eyes softened, and she nodded slightly. "Thank you, Travis," she whispered again, her voice filled with gratitude.

"You're welcome, Arianna," I replied softly, tucking the blanket around her. "Get some rest. I'll see you soon."

I watched her for a moment longer, making sure she was comfortable before quietly leaving the room. I closed the door behind me and made my way out of the house. Being there for Arianna, even in this small way, felt right.

As I walked home, I couldn't help but think about how much Arianna had been through and how strong she was. She needed friends right now, and I was glad to be one of them.