Come Back... Be Here

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(2 June)

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(Travis's Perspective)

It had been almost two weeks since Travis's announcement about returning to the new season went public. The excitement surrounding his comeback was palpable, but it was also mixed with a heavy dose of nerves. As much as he tried to focus on his physiotherapy sessions, the weight of expectations sat heavily on his shoulders. What if he wasn't the same player anymore? What if he wasn't good enough?

During his session, Travis was unusually quiet. His movements were methodical, almost robotic, as if he were going through the motions but not really there. His mind was miles away, stuck in a cycle of doubt. He hadn't even found the courage to tell Taylor how he felt about her. The thought gnawed at him constantly—each day that passed, his feelings grew stronger, and keeping them to himself was becoming unbearable.

Taylor noticed his silence. She had learned to read Travis's moods by now, and today, something was off. She adjusted his leg position, her hands gentle but firm, and then looked up at him with a knowing smile. "I can hear you thinking, you know."

Travis blinked, pulled out of his thoughts. "What?"

Taylor sighed, soft but patient, and then did something unexpected. She took his hand, squeezing it lightly. "Travis, stop overthinking it. I know you're worried, but you still have a whole month of physio left. Plus, after that, you'll have two more weeks before training camp. Use that time to get back on the field with your teammates. Shake off the rust. And that fear about not being good anymore? Let it go. It's not who you are."

Travis's lips curved into a small, grateful smile. Her words had a way of cutting through the noise in his head, making everything seem clearer. "How'd you know that's what I was thinking?"

Taylor gave him a soft smile, the kind that reached her eyes. "I haven't known you forever, Travis, but I know you well enough by now. I can tell when something's eating at you."

And there it was—that moment. That simple, honest moment that made Travis want to kiss her, to pull her close and finally admit how much she meant to him. He knew it wasn't just about waiting anymore. He owed it to both of them to tell her the truth, to let her know that she wasn't just his best friend, but the woman he was falling for.

But before he could say anything, a commotion from the hallway broke the moment. Travis's heart sank when he heard a familiar voice, a voice he hadn't wanted to hear again—Kayla. His ex.

Since the announcement of his return, Kayla had been blowing up his phone with calls and texts, trying to get back into his life. She had a history of reappearing whenever he was in the spotlight, trying to ride the wave of his success. He blocked her number each time, but she always found another way to reach him.

From outside the room, they could hear Tree arguing with her. "Ma'am, this is a hospital. You can't just walk in and demand to see a patient. You're not immediate family, and if you don't leave, I'll have you escorted out."

Kayla's voice was loud and indignant. "Escorted out? I'm Travis's girlfriend!"

The words sent a shockwave through the room. Taylor's demeanor changed instantly. She let go of Travis's hand and took a step back, her expression unreadable, but Travis could see the hurt flash briefly in her eyes. The word girlfriend hung in the air like a bitter accusation.

They both stood up, and when they opened the door, there she was—Kayla, standing in the hallway with an air of entitlement. Her eyes lit up when she saw Travis.

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