Broken Records | Tayley

Chapter 15: A walk in the park

Taylor's POV

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm glow over the studio as Zac and I wrapped up another productive day. We'd been hammering out the final details of a track, and while the work was satisfying, my thoughts kept drifting elsewhere—specifically to Hayley.

As we packed up our gear, Zac stretched, rolling his shoulders before he turned to me with a grin. "Beer?"

It was our usual post-session routine, and I knew what he really meant was, Let's talk. We grabbed a couple of bottles from the studio fridge and stepped outside, letting the evening air wash over us as we wandered down a familiar path that led to a small park nearby.

We walked in comfortable silence, sipping our beers and listening to the sounds of summer—the chirping of crickets, the distant hum of traffic, the occasional bark of a dog. It was peaceful, a stark contrast to the whirlwind of emotions that had been swirling around inside me lately.

After a while, Zac broke the silence. "You seem... different, man. Like, happier. What's going on?"

I couldn't help but smile, feeling a warmth spread through me that had nothing to do with the beer. Zac had always had a way of cutting straight to the heart of things, and it was both a blessing and a curse.

"Yeah," I admitted, looking out at the pond that reflected the sky's fading colors. "I guess I am."

Zac raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "Does this have anything to do with a certain blonde we both know?"

I laughed, shaking my head at how easily he'd read me. "Maybe."

He nudged me playfully, his grin widening. "Spill, man. What's going on with you two?"

I took a deep breath, trying to find the right words to explain the shift that had happened between Hayley and me. It wasn't something I'd planned or even expected, but now that it had started, I couldn't imagine things any other way.

"We've been spending a lot of time together," I began, glancing at Zac to gauge his reaction. He was listening intently, but there was something in his expression—something reserved, cautious—that made my chest tighten. "And it's been... really good. Like, really, really good."

Zac nodded, his smile softening into something more sincere. "That's awesome, Taylor. You both deserve that."

"Thanks, man," I said, though a flicker of uncertainty gnawed at me. "It's just... it's all so new, you know? But it feels right. Like, really right."

Zac took a sip of his beer, his eyes thoughtful as he considered my words. "You guys have always had something special. It makes sense that it would turn into something more eventually."

"Yeah," I agreed, but the knot in my stomach tightened. "But it's also kind of scary, you know? It's a big change."

Zac nodded again, his gaze steady on mine. "I get that. But if it feels right, then maybe it's worth the risk."

I hesitated, the words catching in my throat as I tried to gauge his true feelings. Zac had been with us through thick and thin, and while his words were supportive, there was a part of me that wondered if he was holding something back. Was he really okay with this? How would this affect the band?

"Yeah, maybe," I said, not entirely convinced. "I just don't want it to mess things up—for the band, I mean."

Zac looked at me, his expression softening as he realized where my doubts were coming from. "Taylor, if anyone's going to make this work, it's you two. You've both been through so much, especially Hayley. She deserves to be happy—and she deserves someone like you who actually cares about her."

I felt a surge of emotion at his words, the uncertainty melting away as his support hit home. It meant everything to hear him say that, especially after everything Hayley had gone through.

"She's been through a lot," Zac continued, his voice tinged with sadness. "That whole thing with her marriage... it wasn't easy for her. But she's strong, you know? And she's found her way back to herself. And I think you're a big part of that, Taylor."

His words hit me hard, a wave of both gratitude and responsibility washing over me. It was true—Hayley had been through hell and back, and I'd been there to see it all. But this? Us? It felt different. It felt like we were on the brink of something beautiful, and Zac's words only reinforced that.

"Thanks, Zac," I said, my voice thick with emotion. "That means a lot."

He smiled, clinking his bottle against mine. "You guys are good together. I've always thought so. And if you're happy, then I'm happy for you. The band will be fine—better than fine, even. We're in this together, man."

We continued walking, the conversation flowing easily between us. I told him about the little moments that had brought Hayley and me closer, the late-night talks, the music sessions that turned into something more, and how, despite all the unknowns, it felt like we were exactly where we were supposed to be.

"You know," Zac said after a while, his tone lighter, "I always thought you two were meant for each other. It just took you both a while to figure it out."

I chuckled, shaking my head. "Yeah, well, better late than never, right?"

"Exactly," Zac agreed, grinning. "And hey, if you ever need a third wheel on your dates, I'm always available."

I laughed, feeling lighter than I had in weeks. "I'll keep that in mind."

As we headed back to the studio, the sky now a deep shade of blue, I couldn't help but feel a renewed sense of hope. Things with Hayley were still new, still unfolding in ways that neither of us fully understood yet, but for the first time, I wasn't worried about what might go wrong. Instead, I was focused on everything that could go right.

And with Zac's support—and the unspoken understanding that we were all in this together—I knew that whatever came next, we'd face it head-on, just like we always had.

This was just the beginning, and I couldn't wait to see where it would take us.