just some fluff for the first chapter hehe
-
It's been about a month since Taylor first reached out to Travis. It was shortly after the famous podcast episode came out. She found him so charming. So endearing. She was intrigued. She took a leap of faith. And it paid off. Now, even though it's all still so new, they both share an unspoken understanding that this is something special. That this is something unlike anything they had ever known.
He still couldn't believe this was real life. Ever since that very first text from her, they had been in constant communication; on the phone, over text, on FaceTime. They got along so great. Even though they each had such busy schedules, they prioritized these early conversations. Getting to know each other, the playful banter, the occasional flirtation. It was so great. That being said, their busy schedules hadn't allowed them to see each other in person yet. Until now.
It just so happened that Taylor had a week off; no shows to play, no studio sessions, no meetings. A rare occurrence for her, and she knew just how she wanted to spend her free time. A little nervous, but also ecstatic, she FaceTimed Travis. As usual, he picked up right away.
"Hey, pretty girl," his soft crinkling eyes filled her screen.
She smiled sheepishly at the nickname. "Hi," she giggled, very shy all of a sudden.
"How has your day been, gorgeous?"
God, this man. Every word that comes out of his mouth makes her blush. There is no hiding the effects he has on her.
"So great! My mom came over for brunch earlier. It was really nice to see her. We try to do our traditional Saturday brunches whenever she's in town. Now I'm just lazying on the couch with this guy," she flipped the camera to Benji, who lay purring in her lap. "Say hi to Travis, Benji," she crooned, stroking her youngest cat lovingly.
"Hey there Benj. You're a lucky one, you know that? Getting to spend all day curled up with your mommy like that, hmm? I'm jealous of you little guy."
She flipped the camera back around, grinning like an idiot at his antics. "Actually, I have some good news." Travis was all ears.
"I have some free time coming up. By 'some' I mean a whole week," she beamed. "Nothing scheduled, at all. Starting Monday. A whole week, Trav! Can you believe it?" She tried to subtly imply how desperately she wants to see him.
"You're kidding! Tay, that's amazing. Finally. I think I was starting to slowly go crazy over here."
She giggled. "I know right, me too. So... I was thinking I could come stay with you in KC?"
Shit. Way too forward, Taylor. She cringed at herself, her face suddenly going a deep shade of red.
"I mean- I didn't mean- Only if you want- I, I, or I could stay at a hotel nearby or whatever-"
"Tay, baby," he gently cut her off. "You're staying with me."
She relaxed at the softness of his voice. "Are you sure?"
"Baby, once you get here, I'm not letting you out of my arms for a second. You couldn't even get to a hotel if you tried."
"Okay," her heart warmed. "That sounds perfect. I'll arrange the flight logistics with Tree and send you all the details, okay? I can't wait Trav, really. I'm so excited this is finally happening."
"Me too, Tay. You have no idea."
They stayed on the phone a little longer, talking animatedly, both of them all giddy with the prospect of seeing each other in just a few days. As they usually did, they fell asleep on the phone.
-
Monday finally came around, and Taylor's jet was just landing in Kansas City. A mix of nervous and excited, she could feel the beat of her heart through her chest the entire flight, her leg shaking so badly it was almost sore. Here she was, in Kansas City. The last time she was here she was playing a weekend of shows at Arrowhead, and, unbeknownst to her, a certain kind, gorgeous, loving football player just so happened to be trying to get her attention. Now she was here for him. About to meet him for the very first time in person, even though she felt like she's known him her whole life. He made her feel so special, so seen, so valued. Put simply, he made her feel loved. They hadn't said the words out loud to each other yet. But they both knew. There was no denying it. There was no going back. They loved each other. They had just been waiting to be able to say it in person.
The car ride from the airport to Travis' house felt agonizingly long. As Taylor tried to steady her breathing in the backseat, Travis was doing the same, pacing around his house, double checking that everything was perfect for her. They were both so nervous. It wasn't anxiety though. Not a kind of nervous that left you overthinking every possible worst outcome. It was a kind of nervous that let you see your entire future ahead of you. For them, they both saw only each other.
When Taylor's driver finally pulled into the driveway at Travis' house, she felt ready. Bags in hand, she thanked her driver, and made her way to the entrance. Before she even made it to the front door, it swung open. And there he was. Standing in the doorway, wearing grey sweatpants and a relaxed shirt, smiling widely at her. She let out a breath, eyes lighting up at the sight of him standing there, so tall, so warm, so welcoming. She dropped her bags in favor of sprinting towards him, jumping into his arms.
He caught her so easily. She made a mental note. God, he's strong.
Finally, the moment they had been waiting for was here. She wrapped her arms tightly around his neck as he held her close, one arm around her back, the other cradling her head, his fingers running through her hair softly. It was their first time meeting, but it felt so familiar. It felt like more like a reunion.
"Baby. You're here," he breathed. A sigh of relief.
"I'm here," she tightened her arms around his neck, burying her face in the comforting smell of his cologne. He smelled like home.
Travis was overcome with emotion. Finally, she was in his arms. He wasn't kidding, he wasn't planning on letting her go for a second while he had her here.
There was also something he had to say to her. Right now. There was no overthinking it. No worrying whether it was too soon. They were past that. They knew they were on the same page.
"Tay," he whispered.
"I know. Me too," she mumbled into the crook of his neck. They were still hugging in the doorway, Taylor's feet off the ground. But they could stay this way forever.
"Tay, I love you."
"I love you too, Trav. So much I don't know what to do with it."
"Let's go inside, yeah?" He gently placed her down, one hand lacing through hers, the other picking up the bags she had let drop to the ground. With that, he led her inside.
