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It was a lazy Saturday afternoon in the Kelce household, and the atmosphere was as relaxed as the gentle breeze outside. The sun cast warm patterns across the hardwood floors, making the living room feel cozy and inviting. Travis, fresh off a morning workout, lounged on the couch, flipping through channels with little interest in what was on TV. Jason, his older brother, had just arrived with a case of beer and a mischievous grin, ready for some brotherly bonding.
"Man, it's good to have a weekend off," Jason remarked, cracking open a beer and taking a long, satisfying sip.
"You're telling me," Travis agreed, settling on a sports channel but barely paying attention. His thoughts were already drifting toward how to make the most of this rare downtime.
Just then, the front door swung open, and Austin, Taylor's brother, strolled in with his usual confident swagger. "What's up, fellas?" he greeted, tossing his keys onto the entryway table before heading to the fridge.
"Just the usual," Travis replied, grinning. "Jason and I were thinking of firing up the console. You in?"
Austin's face lit up. "Hell yeah, I'm in! Could use a good distraction." He grabbed a soda and plopped down on the other couch, stretching out his legs.
Moments later, the doorbell rang, and in walked Patrick, Ross, and Aric, Travis's close friends, they were in high spirits, ready to unwind after a long week. Patrick was the first to speak up, his voice full of energy. "Yo, what's up, guys? You ready to get schooled in some games?"
"Bring it on!" Travis shot back, his competitive nature flaring up. "We were just getting started."
The room quickly filled with the sound of laughter and banter as they debated which game to play. After a bit of back-and-forth, they decided on a popular battle royale game that was all the rage. The kind of game that was fast-paced, intense, and sure to stir up everyone's competitive spirit.
"I'll get the controllers," Travis said, jumping up and heading to the entertainment center. He handed one to Jason, another to Austin, and the rest to his friends. Then he grabbed one for himself before taking his seat on the couch. The screen flashed to life with the game's vibrant intro, and soon the living room was filled with the sounds of virtual gunfire, explosions, and the occasional shout of triumph or frustration.
Upstairs, Taylor was just finishing her own task. She had finally managed to put down the triplets—Blair, Salem, and Willow—for their afternoon nap. The girls had been fussy all morning, but after some lullabies and gentle rocking, they were now peacefully sleeping in their cribs. With the triplets settled, Taylor took a moment to herself, relishing the rare quiet. Ophelia, had gone out to hang with friends, leaving the house in a rare state of calm.
Taylor made her way downstairs just as the conversation in the living room turned to which game to play. As she entered, she saw Travis, Jason, Austin, and their friends already engrossed in their game. Patrick and Ross were leaning forward, completely focused, while Aric was half-lounging, controller in hand but not taking the game as seriously as the others.
"Looks like you guys are having fun," Taylor remarked, leaning against the doorway.
Travis glanced over his shoulder and grinned at her. "Hey, Tay! The triplets finally down?"
"Yep, finally," she replied, relief evident in her voice. "They're out cold."
"Perfect timing then," Travis said. "Why don't you join us for a round?"
Taylor hesitated, her gaze flicking to her brother Austin, who was now watching her with a knowing look. She hadn't played video games in a while—at least, not in front of anyone—but the thought of jumping in was tempting.
