this cage was once just fine

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Taylor watched her fiancé—or almost that—lying in bed, his eyelids closed and his mouth slightly open as he breathed deeply. She loved him so much that she could feel her heart tighten, realizing they were drifting apart. He kept pushing her away, but she kept rowing back, only to be thrown into the turbulent sea of loneliness once again.

A year ago, Taylor and Joe had an argument, and she brought up the fact that he didn't seem to see a future with her. They couldn't date forever—she wanted kids and marriage. He got frustrated and said something like, "Okay, Taylor, fine, we'll get married. Do you want to marry me? Yes? Great, pick a date, and we'll live happily ever after, and you can write songs about our happiness. Now, give me some peace" And that's how Taylor ended up with a ring on her right hand.

One year later, and there were still no plans, no happiness, no telling anyone. That private paradise had turned into a cage of insecurity and detachment from the world, trapping Taylor—but she allowed it. She knew, deep down, she had to do something, but she just couldn't. His salty blue eyes wouldn't let her.

It was October 4th, 2020, at 11:58 PM, which meant that in just a few minutes, Taylor would call her best friend for his birthday. She got up and went to the living room, careful not to wake Joe.

A few minutes later, she dialed her friend's number, and he answered after a few seconds.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TK!"

"Oh, crap," she heard Travis' groggy, raspy voice on the other end, and she laughed.

"Such a sweet way to greet your best friend who loves you so much."

"Mhm." He made a noise and yawned.

"Trav, are you awake yet?"

"Yes, darling."

"You better be. Hey, I'm so happy to be with you on your 31st birthday. You're getting old, but I still love you."

"You're only two months younger, so if I'm old, so are you," he rolled his eyes. "Thanks, T-Swizzle. You know I love you so much, and I'm so grateful to have you in my life."

"Aww, Travis, don't be so sweet, or I'll get emotional."

"Don't get emotional. Go to sleep."

"Okay, okay, I'll let you sleep. Dipshit."

"Ugly."

"You don't even believe that."

"Whatever. Goodnight, hon.Thanks for being the second person to wish me happy birthday."

"SECOND?"

"Jason texted me right at midnight," he laughed, and she huffed. Same thing every year.

"Ugh, I'm gonna kill Jason Kelce. You didn't answer in time!" She rolled her eyes. "Goodnight, Travy. Love you."

"Love you too."

And with that, they hung up, hearts warm and spirits light.

(...)

Taylor stepped off her private jet onto New York soil, already feeling at home. A year and a half ago, she had moved to London—Joe's hometown, at his request. But she still had her New York apartment for special occasions, like her best friend's birthday.

Inside the black SUV, she texted Kelce to let him know she had arrived.

You
Guess who's taking a stroll through Central Park.

YouGuess who's taking a stroll through Central Park

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