I’m jealous. Jason Kelsey’s words hung in the air like a confession at church. Travis froze his beer halfway to his mouth, staring at his older brother across the kitchen island. It was past midnight. Taylor was in New York for meetings. Kylie had taken the kids to her mother’s for the weekend. Just the two Kelsey brothers alone in Travis’s massive house, the kind of house Jason could never afford despite his own successful NFL career.

 “What did you just say?” Travis asked carefully, setting his beer down. Jason looked tired, more than tired, exhausted, worn down. His eyes were bloodshot, his shoulders slumped. He wasn’t drunk, but he was past the point of filtering his thoughts. “I’m jealous of your life,” Jason said again, his voice thick with an emotion Travis had never heard from his brother before. “Resentment.

 I’m jealous of everything you have.” Travis felt like he’d been punched. This was Jason. his big brother, his protector, his best friend, the guy who taught him how to throw a football, who defended him from bullies, who’d celebrated every one of Travis’s victories like they were his own.

 Jason, what are you talking about? Jason laughed, but it was bitter. Come on, Trav. Look around. Look at this house. Look at your life. You’re dating Taylor Swift. The Taylor Swift. You’re still playing at the top of your game. You’re on commercials, podcasts. Everyone wants a piece of Travis Kelce and me. He gestured at himself.

 I’m just the retired guy. The hasbin. Jason Kelsey, former center for the Eagles. Used to be good. Used to matter. That’s not true. It is true. Jason’s voice rose. And Travis had never heard his brother sound like this. Angry. Hurt. Do you know what it’s like being your brother? Always being compared to you. Oh, Travis caught five passes for 87 yards. Travis is dating a superstar.

Travis just signed another massive endorsement deal. And what about Jason? Jason’s at home changing diapers and trying to figure out what the hell he’s supposed to do with the rest of his life. Travis sat back, stunned. I didn’t know you felt this way. How could you? You’re too busy living your perfect life.

 Jason stood up, pacing Travis’s expensive kitchen. I retired thinking I’d be fine. Thinking I’d done my time, won my ring, could ride off into the sunset. But you know what retirement is, Trav? It’s being forgotten. It’s watching everyone move on without you. It’s being home while you’re still out there being the star, Jason. And the worst part.

 Jason turned to face him, and Travis saw tears in his brother’s eyes. The worst part is that I love you. You’re my little brother. I should be happy for you. I should be proud. And I am. I swear I am. But I also His voice broke. I also hate you sometimes. I hate that everything comes so easy for you. I hate that you get to keep playing while I had to stop.

 I hate that your girlfriend is literally the most famous person on the planet while I’m just I’m just a dad. The silence that followed was deafening. Travis didn’t know what to say. How do you respond when your hero tells you he resents you? Is that why you’ve been distant? Travis asked quietly. The last few months you’ve barely called, barely come to games.

 I thought you were just busy with the kids. I was avoiding you, Jason admitted. Because every time I see you, every time I see you with Taylor, every time I hear about some new thing you’re doing, it reminds me of what I’m not doing anymore. But you have so much, Travis said desperately. You have Kylie. You have three beautiful kids.

 You have a legacy with the Eagles that nobody can touch. You’re a first ballot hall of famer, Jason. You’re I know what I have. Jason shouted. I know I should be grateful. I know I have a great life, but it doesn’t stop the feeling, Trav. It doesn’t stop me from seeing your face on every TV screen and thinking, “That should still be me, too.

” Travis’s phone buzzed on the counter. Taylor’s name flashed on the screen with a text. Miss you. Can’t wait to see you tomorrow. Love you, Redart. Jason saw it. saw Taylor’s name and something in his face hardened. See, even when you’re not trying, you get reminded. Taylor Swift is texting you good night. Meanwhile, my wife is probably passed out from exhaustion dealing with three kids under seven. Don’t bring Kylie into this.

 Why not? It’s part of it. Jason’s voice was rising again. You and Taylor get to go on romantic trips. You get to have date nights and red carpets and this glamorous life. Kylie and I, we’re lucky if we get to finish a conversation without one of the kids interrupting. We haven’t had a real date in 6 months. We’re so tired we barely even talk anymore except about logistics.

 Who’s picking up Wyatt? Did you pay the electric bill? I think Elliot has an ear infection. Travis stood up facing his brother. So, this is about Kylie, about your marriage? No, Jason said then stopped. I don’t know. Maybe everything’s all mixed together. I look at your life and it looks so easy, so perfect.

 And I look at mine and I’m drowning, Trav. I’m drowning in responsibility and routine and this feeling that my best days are behind me. Your best days aren’t behind you. They are though. They are. I had my moment. I had my Super Bowl. I had my parade. And now it’s over. But you, you’re still going, still climbing, still achieving, and everyone’s watching you.

 Nobody’s watching me anymore. Travis moved around the island trying to get closer to his brother, but Jason backed away. I need you to understand something, Jason said, his voice dropping. I don’t want to feel this way. I hate feeling this way. You’re my brother. I love you. But lately, when I see you succeed, part of me dies inside and I don’t know how to stop it.

 Maybe you need to talk to someone, Travis suggested gently. A therapist or I don’t need therapy. I need to not be invisible. I need to matter again. You do matter, Jason. You matter so much to your family. To me, too. To who else, Travis? Who else? Name one person outside this family who gives a about Jason Kelsey right now. Travis couldn’t, not quickly enough.

 And that pause, that moment of silence seemed to prove Jason’s point. Jason laughed bitterly. See, even you can’t think of anyone. That’s not fair. You just put me on the spot. Life’s not fair, little brother. That’s what I’m learning. You can do everything right. play for 14 seasons, win a championship, be a good teammate, and still end up forgotten while your younger brother becomes a household name.

 I’m not trying to overshadow you. I know you’re not. That’s what makes it worse. You’re not even trying and you’re still winning. Jason’s voice cracked. Do you know what it’s like to go to the grocery store and have people ask me about you? How’s Travis doing? Is he really dating Taylor Swift? Can you get me his autograph? Nobody asks about me.

 Nobody cares what I’m doing. I’m just Travis Kelce’s brother now. Travis felt tears burning in his own eyes now. Jason, you’re not just my brother. You’re a legend. You’re a legend nobody remembers. A retired player in a sport that moves on the second you leave. They stood there in Travis’s kitchen. Two brothers who’d once been inseparable, now separated by success and resentment and all the complicated feelings that came with both. I’m sorry, Travis said finally.

I’m sorry if I made you feel less than. I’m sorry if my life makes yours harder. I never wanted that. Jason wiped his eyes roughly. It’s not your fault. I know it’s not your fault, but it doesn’t change how I feel. So, what do we do? How do we fix this? I don’t know if we can fix it.

 I don’t know if this is fixable. The words hit Travis like a truck. Was Jason saying their relationship was over? that they couldn’t be brothers anymore because of this. Before Travis could respond, they heard a car in the driveway. Then a key in the door. Kylie’s voice called out, “Jason, your truck’s here. I thought you’d be O.

” She stopped in the doorway of the kitchen, taking in the scene. “Two grown men, both with red eyes, clearly having been crying. The tension so thick you could cut it with a knife.” “What’s going on?” Kylie asked carefully, setting her purse down. Nothing, Jason said automatically. Don’t nothing me, Jason. Kelsey. I can see you’ve both been crying.

 What happened? Jason looked at Travis, then at his wife. And something in him seemed to break. All the anger, all the resentment, all the pain just seemed to drain out of him. I told Travis I was jealous of him, Jason said quietly. Kylie’s expression softened immediately. She crossed to her husband and put her hand on his arm. Oh, honey.

 You knew? Travis asked, surprised. Of course, I knew, Kylie said. I’m married to him. I see how he is when your highlights come on TV. I see how he goes quiet when people ask about you. I see how hard this transition has been for him. Jason looked at his wife and Travis saw something shift in his brother’s face. Love. Pure, uncomplicated love.

 But you know what I also see? Kylie continued, turning to face Jason fully now. I see a man who shows up for his kids every single day. I see a father who knows all the words to the bedtime stories and never misses a chance to make them laugh. I see a husband who, even when he’s struggling, still makes sure I have coffee in the morning.

 I see the man I fell in love with and Jason. She cuped his face in her hands. I am so crazy in love with you. Still, always, Jason’s eyes filled with tears again. Even though I’m not. You are everything, Kylie said firmly. You are everything that matters. Yes, Travis has the spotlight. Yes, he has the glamorous life.

 But you know what you have? You have us. You have three kids who think you hung the moon. You have a wife who would choose you over anyone, anywhere, anytime. You have a family, Jason. A real beautiful, messy, exhausting family. and that’s worth more than any spotlight. Jason pulled Kylie into his arms, burying his face in her shoulder. Travis watched his brother hold his wife.

 Watch the way Kylie’s hand stroked Jason’s back. The way they fit together like two pieces of the same puzzle. I’m sorry, Jason mumbled into Kylie’s shoulder. I’ve been so caught up in what I don’t have that I forgot what I do have. I know, baby. I know. Kylie kissed his temple. But I need you to hear me. I chose you. I chose this life.

 I chose our chaos and our noise and our beautiful mess. And I would choose it again every single day. I don’t want red carpets. I don’t want the spotlight. I just want you. Jason pulled back to look at her. You’re sure? Because I’m not the star anymore. I’m just You’re just the love of my life, Kylie said simply.

 And that’s all you need to be. Travis felt like he was intruding on a private moment, but he was also mesmerized by what he was witnessing. This was love. Real, unglamorous, everyday love, the kind that survived retirement and identity crises and resentment and all the hard stuff. Kylie turned to Travis, still holding Jason.

 Your brother has been struggling. But it’s not really about you, Travis. It’s about him trying to figure out who he is without football. That’s hard. That’s really hard. And yes, seeing you still in the thick of it makes it harder, but that’s not your fault. I know, Travis said. But I still feel terrible. Don’t, Jason said, finally looking at his brother again. Kylie’s right.

 This is my stuff to work through. I shouldn’t have made it about you. But it is about me, at least partially. My success is rubbing salt in your wound. Maybe, Jason admitted. But you know what? I need to figure out how to be happy for you anyway because you’re my brother and because you deserve your success. You’ve worked your ass off for it.

 Travis walked around the island and pulled both Jason and Kylie into a hug. The three of them stood there in the kitchen holding each other. I love you, man. Travis said into Jason’s shoulder. You’re my hero. You always have been. I love you, too, Jason said. Even when I’m jealous. even when I’m being an idiot. I love you.

They pulled apart, all of them wiping their eyes and laughing at how emotional they’d gotten. So, what now? Travis asked. Now, Kylie said, Jason needs to see a therapist. And Travis, you need to stop feeling guilty for being successful. And we all need to remember that different doesn’t mean less. Jason’s life and your life are different, but they’re both good.

They’re both valuable. She’s right, Jason said, putting his arm around Kylie. And I need to start appreciating what I have instead of focusing on what I don’t have. Because what I have, he looked at Kylie with such love that Travis felt his heart squeeze. What I have is everything that matters. Kylie stood on her toes and kissed Jason.

 Not a peck. A real kiss. The kind of kiss that said, “I choose you. I love you. We’re in this together.” When they broke apart, Jason said to Travis, “I’m sorry for dumping all that on you.” “Don’t be. I’m glad you told me. I’m glad I know. And Jason, I get it. I get why you’d be jealous, but you should also know.

” Travis paused, choosing his words carefully. “I’m jealous of you, too.” Jason looked surprised of me. “Yeah, you have this solid family. You have Kylie who looks at you like you’re her whole world. You have kids who adore you. You have this foundation, this home, this life that’s real and stable.

 Taylor and I, we’re constantly in the public eye. We can’t go anywhere without being photographed. We can’t have a normal date. We can’t just be a regular couple. Sometimes I look at what you and Kylie have and I think that’s what I want. That normaly, that privacy, that depth. Jason shook his head, smiling slightly. So, we’re both jealous of each other.

Apparently, we’re idiots, Jason said. Complete idiots, Travis agreed. Kylie laughed. Well, at least you’re idiots who love each other. The tension that had filled the room earlier was gone now, replaced by something warmer. Understanding, acceptance, love. I should get home, Jason said. Kids will be up early.

 You could stay, Travis offered. Guest rooms are empty. Jason looked at Kylie, who nodded. “Actually, that would be nice. The kids are at my mom’s until tomorrow afternoon. We could actually sleep in for once.” “Done,” Travis said. Guest suite at the top of the stairs. As Jason and Kylie headed upstairs, Kylie turned back.

 “Travis, thank you for what? For loving him. For letting him be honest. For being a good brother even when it’s hard.” Travis nodded, not trusting his voice. After they went upstairs, Travis sat back down at the kitchen island. He picked up his phone and saw three more texts from Taylor.

 Taylor, you okay? You usually respond by now. Taylor, if you’re asleep, that’s fine. Just checking in. Taylor, love you. Sweet dreams. Travis typed back. Had a long talk with Jason. I’m okay. He’s okay. We’re okay. Love you, too. Talk tomorrow. Then he sat there in his big expensive empty house and thought about what Jason had said about jealousy and success and what actually mattered. Jason was right.

Travis had the spotlight. He had the fame and the glamour and Taylor Swift. But Jason had something else, something quieter, but maybe more valuable. He had a partner who loved him completely. He had kids who needed him. He had a purpose beyond football. Travis didn’t know which was better. Maybe neither was. Maybe they were just different.

 But one thing he knew for sure, he was lucky to have a brother who loved him enough to be honest, even when that honesty was hard. And he was lucky to have a sister-in-law who loved his brother enough to remind him of what mattered. Upstairs, Jason and Kylie lay in the guest bed, holding each other in the dark. “Thank you,” Jason whispered.

 “For what? For reminding me. For loving me. For being you.” Kylie kissed his chest. I meant what I said. I am so crazy in love with you, Jason. Kelsey, your glory days aren’t behind you. They’re right now. Right here with me and the kids. This is your glory. Jason held her tighter.

 I’m sorry I’ve been so wrapped up in my own head. I know, but I need you to come back to us. I need you to be present because we need you. Not the football player. Just you. Just me. Jason repeated. I think I can do that. I know you can. They fell asleep like that, wrapped in each other, reminded of what they had and how lucky they were to have it.

 And in that moment, in that quiet guest room in Travis’s house, Jason Kelsey understood something important. Success wasn’t just about touchdowns and spotlights. Success was also about the woman in your arms and the kids asleep at your mother-in-law’s house and the brother who loved you even when you were being difficult. That was success, too. And it was enough.

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