The Way We Once Were

eleven

Taylor's POV

The next morning, I woke up to the soft, golden sunlight streaming through my window, and for a blissful moment, everything felt perfect. Travis was lying beside me, still fast asleep, his breathing steady, his face relaxed in the early morning light.

I reached for my phone, checking the time. 10:49am. "Fuck!" I sat bolt upright. "Travis!" I shook him awake. "Mhm." Travis groaned as he slowly opened his eyes. "Travis! It's almost 11. Joe will be back in like ten minutes! Fuck, why didn't my alarm work?" I cursed, getting out of bed and changing out of my pyjamas and into some proper clothes.

"It's fine Taylor. I'll get out, okay. He won't see us." Travis comforted me, grabbing his stuff and helping me make the bed quickly. I led him to the front door, checking the street to make sure it was clear. "I'll text you," I said, feeling a pang of reluctance. I didn't want him to go, didn't want this morning to end on such a rushed, messy note.

He leaned down, pressing a quick, soft kiss to my forehead. "I'll be waiting," he said, his voice filled with a warmth that steadied me, even in the middle of the chaos. "And Tay? Last night was... everything." I felt my cheeks warm, and for a moment, I forgot about the time, about Joe, about everything else. "I know," I whispered, my heart tightening with both happiness and worry. He got into his car, driving away as I closed the door.

I slipped my feet into my slippers and rushed around the house, picking up anything that might look out of place, anything that might hint at what had happened last night. My heart was pounding as I tried to think of anything we'd missed.

As Joe walked through the door, he barely glanced at me, his expression distant, as if I was just another part of the background. He tossed his keys onto the entryway table and muttered a quick, "Morning," before heading to the kitchen to grab a coffee, not even pausing to ask how my night was or if I'd slept well. I watched him move through the kitchen with the same detached routine, pouring his coffee, scrolling through his phone, barely acknowledging my presence.

The indifference stung, sharper than I'd admit. We'd been together for so long, but it felt like he was more invested in his phone than in our relationship. As I leaned against the counter, waiting for some sign of warmth, I felt a surge of frustration bubbling up. Last night with Travis had felt so different—real, honest, unguarded. Standing here with Joe felt like I was playing a role, one I was starting to forget how to act in.

I cleared my throat, trying to break the silence. "Did you have a good time?" He shrugged, not even looking up from his phone. "Eh, it was kind of boring, you know." He took a sip of his coffee and kept scrolling, his attention fully absorbed by whatever was on his screen.

I forced myself to stay calm, even though every second of his disregard was a reminder of everything I'd been missing, everything I'd found, even briefly, with Travis. "I'm going to step outside for some air," I said, hoping he'd at least ask if everything was okay.

"Yeah, sure," he muttered, still not looking up. And just like that, he dismissed me, like I was a passing thought. I hated it. The moment I stepped outside, I pulled out my phone and took a deep breath, my fingers hesitating before I finally typed out a message to Travis.

Taylor: Hope you got home safe. Talk soon?

I hit send, shivering slightly in the cold, morning air. I didn't have to wait long before my phone buzzed. Travis's name lit up the screen, and I felt a surge of warmth bloom inside me.

Travis: I'm home in one piece, don't worry. What about you? Are you okay?

The kindness in those last three words was enough to make my eyes sting. I hadn't realized just how much I'd missed someone genuinely caring. He was nothing like Joe. How had I even fallen for Joe?

Taylor: Joe didn't even glance at me when he got home.

Travis: Oh Tay, you deserve so much more than that.

Taylor: I wish you were here.

Travis: If you want me here, just say the words, and I'll be there.

I felt a smile tugging at my lips, a mix of relief and anticipation. In that moment, standing on the porch, I knew that I couldn't keep living halfway between two worlds. Travis made me feel alive in ways I'd forgotten were possible.

As I stood there, trying to gather myself, the door behind me creaked open. I turned, surprised to see Joe standing in the doorway. His face was expressionless, but there was a flicker of something, annoyance, as he looked at me.

"Are you going to stay out here all day?" he asked, his tone flat. I forced myself to stay calm, biting back a reply. "Just needed some air," I said quietly, closing my eyes. He nodded absently and went back inside without another word, leaving me standing there, feeling more like a stranger than ever before.

I took a deep breath, looking down at my phone one last time before stepping back inside. Travis's last words replayed in my mind, like a quiet invitation: Just say the words, and I'll be there. I tucked my phone away, making my way back inside.

I walked back inside, closing the door softly behind me. Joe was in the kitchen again, leaning against the counter with his phone in one hand and his coffee in the other, completely immersed. He didn't look up or ask me anything, just stood there as though I hadn't even walked back into the room.

I took a slow breath, steadying myself, before heading upstairs. In the privacy of my bedroom, I pulled out my phone again, my fingers hovering over Travis's name. My mind ran through the past few weeks, every little moment we'd shared, every look, every touch. I typed out a message.

Taylor: Can you come over tonight?

Travis: For you? I'll always be there.