Requested by: wonderland_7193
The music in the bar hummed around them, loud enough to make conversation a challenge but not impossible. Taylor sat next to Travis at the long, high-top table, her hands resting in her lap as she watched the night unfold around her. Travis's friends—Patrick, Ross, Aric—were all there, their loud banter filling the air as they exchanged stories and jokes. It was one of those post-game hangouts, something Travis loved to do to unwind after a tough week.
Taylor had always tried to be supportive, showing up to these outings, knowing how much they meant to Travis. She didn't mind them, not at first, but tonight... tonight was different. Tonight, she felt off, like she didn't belong, like she was just a background character in the story of Travis's life.
She glanced at Travis, who was deep in conversation with Patrick about some new play strategy. His arm was draped casually over the back of her chair, but it was more of an absentminded gesture. He hadn't really looked at her in the past hour, hadn't noticed the way she'd been fidgeting, her leg bouncing under the table as the minutes dragged on.
Her heart sank as she realized she'd become invisible to him tonight. It wasn't the first time, but for some reason, it hurt more this time.
She tried to join in the conversation, but it was all football, and no one was really talking to her. Travis's friends were nice enough, but they didn't go out of their way to include her, and as the hours passed, she started to feel like she was fading into the background. Again.
She smiled politely when the guys cracked jokes, laughed when they did, but none of it reached her eyes. She felt disconnected, like she was hovering above the scene, watching it all unfold without really being a part of it.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she leaned over to Travis, her voice soft but strained. "I'm going to the bathroom," she said, hoping he might notice something was wrong in her tone.
But Travis, still engrossed in his conversation, just nodded absentmindedly, not even glancing her way. "Okay, babe," he muttered, his eyes still locked on Patrick.
Taylor's chest tightened. That was it. That was all he had to say.
She slid out of her chair, her feet feeling heavy as she made her way through the bar. But instead of heading to the bathroom, she walked straight out the front door, her hand gripping her phone as she ordered an Uber. She didn't care if Travis noticed she was gone. In fact, part of her hoped he wouldn't—at least, not right away. Maybe that would show him how much he'd been ignoring her tonight.
The night air was cold as she stepped outside, but it felt refreshing against her skin. It was quiet out here, the city streets far more peaceful than the noise inside the bar. Her Uber arrived a few minutes later, and before she knew it, she was in the backseat, heading home alone.
The silence in the car was deafening, giving her too much time to think. Her emotions swirled—anger, sadness, frustration. She wasn't sure which one was dominant anymore. She didn't even know if she was more upset at Travis for ignoring her, or at herself for caring so much.
When the Uber pulled up in front of their house, Taylor thanked the driver and quickly made her way inside, the sound of the door clicking shut behind her echoing in the empty space. The house was dark, and she didn't bother turning on the lights as she made her way to the bedroom.
She slipped out of her dress, the material pooling around her feet, and pulled on one of Travis's oversized hoodies. It smelled like him—like home—but tonight, even that comfort felt hollow.
Her emotions were a storm inside her now, and she couldn't hold them back anymore. She felt a sob rising in her throat as she made her way into the bathroom, sitting down on the floor next to the bathtub, her knees pulled to her chest. The tears came hard and fast, her shoulders shaking as she cried silently into her hands.
She didn't know how long she stayed like that, lost in her sadness. All she knew was that the hurt she'd been bottling up had finally reached its breaking point.
It was well after midnight when she heard the front door open, the sound of Travis's footsteps echoing through the house. Her heart sank. She wasn't ready to face him, not like this. She hadn't even planned on telling him how she felt tonight. She just... wanted to escape.
But Travis was already searching for her. She heard him call her name from the bedroom, his voice slightly slurred, likely from the drinks he'd had.
"Taylor? Babe, where are you?"
She didn't respond. Maybe if she stayed quiet, he wouldn't find her.
But a moment later, the bathroom door creaked open, and there he was, standing in the doorway, his eyes widening as he saw her curled up on the floor.
"Tay... what the hell?" His voice was softer now, concerned. He crouched down next to her, reaching out to touch her arm. "What's going on?"
Taylor looked up at him, her cheeks streaked with tears, her eyes red and puffy. "You didn't even notice I left," she whispered, her voice cracking.
Travis's face fell, his confusion turning into guilt. "What do you mean?"
"I told you I was going to the bathroom," she said, her words bitter. "And then I left. I took an Uber home, Travis. And you didn't even realize I was gone."
Travis blinked, clearly processing what she'd said. "Wait... you left? Why didn't you tell me?"
"I did tell you!" she snapped, her emotions spilling over. "But you were so caught up with your friends that you didn't even look at me. You didn't even notice I was gone for over an hour. Do you know how that feels?"
Travis looked like he'd been punched in the gut. He ran a hand through his hair, his face filled with regret. "Shit, Tay, I didn't... I didn't realize. I'm so sorry."
Taylor shook her head, fresh tears spilling down her cheeks. "I just felt so invisible tonight, Travis. I tried to be part of the conversation, but no one talked to me. You didn't talk to me. I just sat there, listening to all of you, and I felt so left out."
Travis sighed deeply, sitting down on the floor next to her. He reached out, gently pulling her into his lap, his arms wrapping around her protectively. "I'm sorry, baby," he whispered, his voice soft. "I didn't mean to make you feel like that. I was just... I got caught up in the moment. But that's no excuse."
Taylor rested her head against his chest, her sobs slowly subsiding as she felt the warmth of his arms around her. "I just don't like feeling like I don't matter," she murmured.
"You do matter," Travis said, his voice firm as he stroked her hair gently. "You matter more than anything, Taylor. I'm sorry I didn't show that tonight. I should've been paying attention to you, and I wasn't. That's on me."
Taylor sniffed, wiping her eyes as she curled closer to him. "I just... I didn't want to start a fight. I just needed to get out of there."
"I get that," Travis said quietly. "But next time, don't leave without telling me what's going on. Please. I don't want you to feel like you have to run away."
She nodded, her tears finally starting to slow. "Okay."
Travis held her close, kissing the top of her head. "I love you, Tay. And I'm so sorry for tonight. I'll do better. I promise."
Taylor closed her eyes, feeling the weight of the night slowly lift off her shoulders. She knew Travis meant it, and she knew he'd try. They weren't perfect, but they were learning. They were growing. And in moments like this, she realized that no matter what, they would always find their way back to each other.
"I love you too," she whispered, her voice soft as she melted into his embrace.
Requests ~~~~~~>
