The Way We Once Were

eighteen

Travis's POV

Waking up, the sunlight streaming in through the curtains, I felt a peacefulness I hadn't known in a long time. Taylor's breathing was soft, steady against my shoulder, her hair spilled across the pillow in gentle waves. I wanted this morning to last forever, wanted to hold onto the quiet moments with her in my arms, just the two of us and no one else.

As I slowly started to stretch, Taylor stirred, lifting her head slightly. She looked at me, her eyes still hazy with sleep, and managed a small smile. "Morning," she murmured.

"Morning," I replied, my voice thick with contentment. I could stay here with her all day. But then reality hit, as it always did. Taylor had to go back home eventually, and I had to let her go back into her world, even if I hated it. And, more than anything, I hated knowing that Joe was still there, still lurking like a dark cloud. But I swallowed down my frustration for her sake. I knew that for now, all I could do was be patient.

After a leisurely breakfast, we lingered around, talking, laughing, the tension from the night before slowly easing away. I thought that maybe, just maybe, things were going to be okay.

Until Taylor's phone buzzed.

She glanced at the screen, her face dropping the instant she saw the name. I didn't need to ask to know who it was. The sudden stiffness in her posture, the way she looked away—Joe was calling.

She hesitated, as if debating whether to answer. I stayed quiet, not wanting to make her feel pressured, even though every muscle in my body tensed with the urge to reach over and take the phone from her.

Finally, she sighed and let the call go to voicemail, setting the phone down on the table. But the peacefulness we'd had moments ago was gone, replaced by a strained silence.

I cleared my throat, trying to break the tension. "Everything okay?"

She nodded, but there was a sadness in her eyes that she couldn't hide. "He's...he's probably still angry about the other day. Nothing to worry about." I clenched my jaw, trying to keep my anger in check. I hated knowing that Joe was still in her life, that he had this kind of hold on her. "Are you sure you're okay?" I asked, my voice softer this time.

She nodded again, forcing a smile, but I could see the cracks beneath it. "I just...it's hard, you know? Letting go of someone who used to mean everything to you."

I stayed quiet, letting her take her time. But inside, my frustration was building. It wasn't that I didn't understand—of course I did. But it was killing me to watch her struggle with this, to see her hurting because of him."

"I just wish I could make it easier for you," I murmured, reaching out to take her hand. "I'm here, Tay. Whatever you need."

She smiled, and for a moment, I thought everything would be okay. But then the phone buzzed again, and this time, I couldn't hide my irritation. I could feel my hand clenching, my jaw tightening as I fought to keep my cool.

You can answer if you need to," I said, trying to keep my tone steady, even though every fiber of my being wanted to tell her to just block him, to finally cut him out for good.

Taylor hesitated, glancing down at the phone, her fingers twitching as if she were tempted to pick it up. But then, with a sigh, she reached over and turned the phone off.

"It's fine. I just...I need a break from him."

A wave of relief washed over me, but there was a part of me that couldn't let it go. The frustration, the anger simmering beneath the surface—it was hard to shake. I knew I needed to be patient, to give her time to figure things out, but the thought of her being dragged back into Joe's toxic cycle made my blood boil.

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Later that day, we decided to head out, maybe grab some coffee and distract ourselves. But as we walked down the street, laughing about something silly, my heart stopped cold. Coming toward us, just across the street, was Joe. He hadn't noticed us yet, but it was only a matter of time.

Taylor saw him too, her face paling as she gripped my hand tighter. "Travis..." she whispered, her voice laced with panic. I could feel the tension radiating off her, and every protective instinct in me flared up. "It's okay," I murmured, squeezing her hand reassuringly. "We'll just keep walking."

But as we tried to slip past, Joe's gaze landed on us, his expression darkening the instant he saw us together. He crossed the street, heading straight for us, his jaw set in that way that sent alarm bells ringing in my head.

"What the hell is this?" he demanded, his eyes flashing with anger as he looked from me to Taylor. "You're just parading around with him now?" Taylor froze, her face paling, and I could see the fear in her eyes. I stepped in front of her, blocking his path, my own anger bubbling up as I faced him.

"Back off, Joe," I said, my voice calm but firm. "She doesn't need this from you."

He laughed, but there was no humor in it. "You think you can just swoop in and take what's mine?"

"She's not yours, Joe," I replied, my own voice laced with barely-contained anger. "She's her own person, and you don't get to control her."

His gaze hardened, his fists clenched at his sides. For a moment, I thought he might actually take a swing at me, and I braced myself, ready to defend Taylor if I needed to.

But instead, he sneered, turning his attention back to her. "You think this guy's going to make you happy?" he spat, his words dripping with contempt. "He's just going to leave you like everyone else. Can't you see? You're not good enough for anyone Taylor."

The words hit Taylor hard, and I could see the pain in her eyes, the doubt flickering beneath the surface. I reached for her hand, squeezing it gently, trying to reassure her without saying a word.

"Let's go, Taylor," I said, my voice steady as I turned to lead her away from him. But Joe wasn't done.

He stepped in front of us, blocking our path, his gaze fixated on her. "Don't you walk away from me," he hissed, his voice low and dangerous.

Something inside me snapped. I'd had enough of his intimidation, his control. I stepped forward, standing between them, my own voice cold as I stared him down. "I said back off."

For a moment, he held my gaze, and I could feel the tension crackling in the air, the unspoken challenge between us. But then, with a final sneer, he stepped back, his eyes flicking to Taylor one last time. "This isn't over," he muttered, his voice laced with venom as he turned and walked away, disappearing into the crowd.

Taylor was shaking, her hand clutching mine so tightly I could feel her nails digging into my skin. I pulled her close, wrapping my arms around her, holding her as she buried her face in my shoulder.

"It's okay," I murmured, rubbing her back soothingly. "He's gone."

But I could feel the fear lingering in her, the doubts and insecurities he'd planted taking root. She pulled back, looking up at me, her eyes filled with tears. "What if he's right?" she whispered, her voice trembling. "What if...what if you get tired of all of this?"

I held her gaze, my heart breaking at the pain in her eyes. "I'm not going anywhere, Taylor. No matter what he says, I'm here. And I'm not leaving you."

She nodded, but I could see the doubt still lingering, the shadows of her past making it hard for her to believe in anything good. "I'll keep saying it until you believe it," I said softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "I'm here, Taylor. And I'm not going anywhere."

For a moment, she just looked at me, her gaze searching, as if she were trying to find some reassurance in my words. And then, slowly, she nodded, a small, hesitant smile breaking through.

"Okay," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I'll try to believe it."