The Way We Once Were

seven

two updates in one day 🤭🤭 after so long of not posting

Taylor's POV (again)

I felt the sparks fly as soon as our lips met, and god, how I had missed his kisses. His hands slipped down the smooth curves of my sides to rest on my hips, drawing me closer to him. I relaxed in his arms, savouring the moment. Suddenly, I broke away, blushing heavily.

"Travis..." I sighed, looking up at him.

"Yes kitten?" He replied, tracing my thumb over her cheekbones, making me flush even harder.

"I missed you." I breathed, shifting slightly and wrapping her arms around my neck. Before he could respond, my lips were on his again. Our mouths were moving together, his hand creeping my shirt. The way he kissed made my head spin, made me feel like I was melting. We both broke away, gasping for air.

"I better go now." I stood up. "Leaving so soon?" Travis asked me, standing up as well. "It's just...I don't know if I can do this. I shouldn't have done that. I mean- I've got a boyfriend Trav." I mumbled, staring at the ground, my face still bright red. "Well then dump him." Travis offered, taking my hand, lacing his fingers through mine. "It's not that easy, and you know it Travis." My shoulders sagged, the fatigue of the evening finally setting in. "How about you stay for dinner, and we can talk some more." He guided me towards the dining room, pulling out a chair for me.

I sat down, and he sat across from me, getting out his phone. "What do you want for dinner?"
"You choose." I mumbled. Everything was awkward again. Travis set his phone down, leaning onto the table, gazing into my eyes.

As we started to talk, the awkwardness of this all faded, replaced by the easy conversation that we had once shared what felt like many years ago. We started reminiscing of old times, laughter spilling out of our mouths. Yet under the surface, I could feel something new brewing, something new.

Our conversation was interrupted by the doorbell. The food had arrived, and the delicious smell of pizza wafted around the house. We sat down again and resumed our conversation, this time eating as well. After a while, our conversation shifted.

"So, I've been thinking a lot about us." Travis admitted, his gaze unwavering from mine. I felt my cheeks flush red. "Yes?" I prompted. "And if we did end up getting back together, I promise your boyfriend doesn't have to know" His expression was serious. He was serious about this. "His name is Joe. And I loved him. I really wanted it to work. But it's just kind of fallen apart." I bit my lip.

"Is he good to you Taylor? Cause what from what I've heard from you, it doesn't sound like it." I asked her gently, leaning forwards. "I... well he's not the best, but I think he just needs time or something-" I rambled. "Time?" Travis interrupted. "Taylor, you deserve someone who treats you well, makes you happy. You're not the same person you used to be kitten. You've changed. And I think it's Joe."

"It's complicated." I whispered, looking down at my hands. "But I can't ignore the way I feel." I heard Travis's breath catch. "About who?" He dared to ask. I sighed, twisting my hands together. "You. When I kissed you before, it just brought back so much." I breathed, meeting his gaze. "Well, we can make this work Taylor. But it's your choice. I just think you deserve so much more than this. You deserve love that feels like home."

I considered his words, doubt still stopping me from saying what he wanted me to. "I need time to think. It's just a lot." I whispered, my voice barely audible. "That's fine kitten. Just know that I'm here for you, no matter what you decide.

He walked me to the door, holding it open for me. I walked out the door, looking back one more time. He winked at me, and I smiled, going to the elevator to get to the carpark.

Later, when I got home, I sat on the edge of my bed, thinking hard, the soft glow of the lamp casting shadows across the room. The memory of Travis's kiss was replaying over and over in my mind, and I couldn't move past it. I ran my hands through my hair, flopping back onto the bed to lie down.

I wasn't planning on kissing him. It just kind of happened like that. I remember when our lips first met, all those years ago. He was my first kiss. The warmth that spread throughout my body, it was almost electric. Soft at first, then it had deepened into something else. It was just the two of us, like it was today, lost in that moment, both thrilling and terrifying at the same time.

Alone in my room, I felt lonely as fuck. The house was completely empty and cold except for my cats padding around downstairs. Rolling over to my side, I grabbed my phone, texting Joe.

Tay: Where are you? You've been gone for ages.

I lay back again, waiting for a response. I had just started to drift off when, my phone pinged quietly, cutting through the deafening silence.

Joe: I already told you I was going away for a few days with my friends.

I sighed. I closed my eyes to try and sleep, but I couldn't push the image of Travis staring at me intently, as if he could see right through me, out of my head. Yet, Joe was cold and dismissive, nothing like how Travis treated me. But was I really going to risk everything for Travis? The guilt tightened in my chest. What about Joe?

I picked up my phone, staring at it for a long moment. What the hell would I say to him? I typed out a message.

Tay: Message me in the morning and we can talk? Or do you want to do this face to face?

My finger hovered over the send button, but I didn't press it. I pressed the backspace button, watching the letters disappear one by one. I put the phone down, crawling under the covers, fatigue washing over me. I closed my eyes, the events of the night lingering. I would deal with Travis and Joe tomorrow.