Lady in RED || Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce

Red-Hot Return

As Taylor sat in her SUV she tried to regain her composure. She had fixed her makeup on the way to the airport, trying to hide the fact that she had cried herself to sleep the night before. Her eyes were still puffy, betraying the turmoil she felt inside. She could have done all of her work from Kansas City, but after Travis's final comment, she felt she was right in needing to distance herself and think things through.

As she boarded the plane, her phone pinged with a text from Tree:

"I looked into Pia and your suspicions were right. Call me when you land and we will go over everything."

Taylor glanced over at Drew, her bodyguard, who sat across from her. "That was Tree. Pia was part of the fake breakup plan," she said, her voice edged with frustration.

Drew nodded, his expression serious. "I had a feeling she was going to be an issue at some point. Everything we found on her last year pointed to past conflicts."

Taylor sighed. "Facts... she's not a girl's girl. But why wait until now? We've been together for over a year. She was pulling stunts when we first announced our relationship last September, but we've basically been living together since February."

"Knowing Tree, she found out why. She's like a bloodhound when it comes to seeking out the truth," Drew assured her.

"You're right. I just wish it hadn't gotten so heated between Travis and me. But he needs to understand my world isn't simple, and people like Pia are wildcards we can't afford to have."

As they landed, Taylor turned her phone off airplane mode and saw a text from Travis:

"Tay, I'm so sorry. Please come home to me, baby."

Her eyes filled with tears as she read his message, but she steeled herself. She knew she needed to talk to Tree before even considering speaking to or returning to Travis.

Meanwhile, back in Kansas City, Travis tried to compartmentalize everything as he arrived at practice. He had a job to do with a game against the Ravens in two days, but his thoughts were consumed by the fight and Taylor's abrupt departure. As they began their first routes, he found it hard to focus. After several missed connections, Pat jogged over to him.

"Man, what the hell is going on?" Pat asked, concerned.

"Nothing. Just off," Travis muttered.

"Come on, Trav, Taylor canceled her plans with Britt today. They were supposed to have lunch, and Britt said Taylor had to fly to New York unexpectedly. What happened?" Pat pressed.

"We had a fight. Our first real one... Things were said, and she wanted space to think," Travis admitted.

"Hey, you need to get your head in the game. Text her, apologize, and don't be a douche," Pat said punching him in the arm.

Travis excused himself, quickly heading off the field. "Sorry, Coach. I just need to send one text. I'll be back in a minute," he explained.

Coach Reid nodded. "Okay, but haul ass. And see me in my office after practice," he added.

"Yes, Coach. Thank you," Travis replied, jogging to the locker room.

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Taylor arrived at her townhouse and immediately called Tree, asking her to come over as soon as possible. Within 30 minutes, Tree was at her door, coffees in hand.

"I figured you'd need this. Did you get any sleep last night?" Tree asked.

"I think I finally crashed around 4 a.m.," Taylor admitted.