Forbidden Fruit (Travis Kelce)

The Talk

Arianna

As I walked into the living room, I immediately noticed Travis's black eye. It looked like he'd been in a fight. My heart twisted, a mix of concern and satisfaction settling in. I wasn't happy he was hurting, but I couldn't help but smile inwardly, knowing Patrick had given him what he deserved.

"Patrick?" I asked, nodding toward his injury.

Travis nodded, looking ashamed. "Yeah, he... he found me at the hotel and punched me."

I nodded my head, crossing my arms. "I'm not happy you're hurt, but I understand why he did it." My voice was steadier than I expected, the pain giving way to a resolve I didn't know I had. "Explain what happened, Travis. Who is she? Did you sleep with her? How long has this been going on?"

He looked at me, his eyes filled with remorse. "Ari, I swear, I don't know who she is. I don't remember much from that night. We were celebrating the win, and this woman approached me at the bar. We took a photo, she bought me a drink, and after that... everything is a blur."

I stared at him, my heart aching. "You don't remember? Travis, that's not good enough. I need more than that."

"I know," he said, his voice cracking. "I woke up the next morning with no memory of how I ended up in bed with her. I don't think we had sex, but I can't be sure. The photos... I saw the photos, and I feel like I betrayed you in the worst way possible."

I took a deep breath, trying to process his words. "So, you're telling me you were so drunk that you don't remember anything? And you don't think you had sex with her, but you can't be sure?"

"Yes," he said, his shoulders slumping. "I know it sounds terrible, and I hate myself for putting you through this. But Ari, I love you. I would never intentionally hurt you."

I felt a tear slip down my cheek, quickly wiping it away. "Travis, I need to know if there was anything more to this. Has there been anyone else? Has this happened before?"

"No," he said firmly. "There has never been anyone else. This was a one-time mistake, and I swear to you, I don't know how it happened."

I looked into his eyes, searching for any sign of deception. All I saw was a man who was broken, just as broken as I felt. But the betrayal was too fresh, too painful.

"Travis, I don't know if I can trust you anymore," I whispered. "You were my rock, the one person I thought I could always count on."

He took a step closer, his eyes pleading. "Arianna, please. I'll do whatever it takes to make this right. I'll go to therapy, I'll stop drinking, I'll do anything. Just please, don't give up on us."

I shook my head, the weight of his words pressing down on me. "I need time, Travis. I need time to process this and figure out what I want. Right now, I can't give you any promises."

He nodded, tears filling his eyes. "I understand. Take all the time you need. Just know that I love you, and I'll wait for as long as it takes."

"I'm so frustrated, Travis," I began, my voice trembling. "You've had such bad trust issues, always worried that I would betray you, and yet here we are. You're the one who ended up cheating. It's just... it's ironic."

He looked down, shame etched on his face. "I know. I don't deserve your forgiveness, but I'm begging you to give me a chance to make things right."

I shook my head, tears streaming down my face. "I don't know if I can. This hurts too much."

"I'll do anything," he whispered, his voice breaking. "I'll go to therapy, I'll stop drinking, I'll cut off anyone who might be a bad influence. Just please, don't give up on us."

I looked into his eyes, searching for any sign of deception. All I saw was a man who was broken, just as broken as I felt. But the betrayal was too fresh, too painful.

"And let's not forget, Travis," I said, my voice rising with anger. "You cheated on Kayla with me. And now you're cheating on me with this mystery woman. You're a serial cheater. How am I supposed to believe that this won't happen again?"

He flinched, the truth of my words hitting him hard. "Ari, I... I was stupid. I made mistakes. But I love you. I don't want to be that person anymore."

"I need time," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. I stood up, feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders. "I need to get away for a bit. I can't stay here."

"Ari, please," he said, his voice cracking with desperation. "Don't go. We can work through this."

I shook my head, tears streaming down my face. "I can't. I'll have movers come to get my things."

"Where will you go?" he asked, his voice filled with despair.

"I don't know," I replied, my voice trembling. "I sold my house. Maybe I'll go to Europe for a while, just to hide out."

He stood there, looking shattered. "Please, Ari. Let's sit and talk."

But I couldn't bear to stay any longer. I turned and left the room, heading upstairs to pack some things. As I gathered my belongings, the reality of the situation hit me hard. I couldn't stay here. I couldn't face this pain every day.

I found Brittany in the hallway, her eyes filled with concern. "Ari, what's going on?"

"I need your help," I said, my voice breaking. "I can't stay here. I need to move my things out."

"Where are you going to go?" she asked, her voice filled with worry.

"I don't know," I admitted. "I think I'm going to go to Europe for a bit. I just need to get away."

Brittany hugged me tightly, her support giving me a small measure of comfort. "Whatever you need, I'm here for you."

"Thank you," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "I just need to get through this."

As we packed my things, I couldn't help but feel the weight of the betrayal pressing down on me. I had trusted Travis with my heart, and he had shattered it. Now, all I could do was try to pick up the pieces and find a way to move forward.

After what felt like hours, I finally finished packing. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come. I walked downstairs, my heart heavy with sadness and anger. Travis was still standing in the same spot, looking utterly defeated.

"Goodbye, Travis," I said, my voice trembling.

He looked up, his eyes red and swollen from crying. "Ari, please," he begged, his voice breaking. "Don't go. Please, don't leave me."

I shook my head, the pain in my chest almost unbearable. "I can't stay. I need time to heal. I need to figure out what I want."

He took a step toward me, his hands trembling. "I love you, Ari. I'll do anything to make this right. Please, don't go."

Tears streamed down my face as I looked at the man I had loved with all my heart. "I love you too, Travis. But right now, I need to do what's best for me. I need to take care of myself."

He fell to his knees, sobbing. "Please, Ari. I'm begging you. Don't leave me."

My heart shattered into a million pieces as I turned away, unable to bear the sight of his pain. "Goodbye, Travis," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

As I walked out the door, I had to find a way to move forward, even if it meant leaving the man I loved behind.