Broken Records | Tayley

Chapter 21: Departure

Hayley's POV

The morning was crisp and clear, the early sun casting long shadows across the quiet streets as Taylor drove me to the airport. My fingers played with the hem of my sweater, nerves tightening my chest as I stared out the window at the passing scenery. The city I'd come to love was slipping away, and with it, the safety and comfort of Taylor's presence.

I could feel Taylor's eyes on me every now and then, his hand reaching out to squeeze mine gently. We didn't talk much on the drive; the silence between us was heavy, but not uncomfortable. It was filled with all the things we didn't need to say—things we'd already shared in whispers and late-night conversations.

As we pulled into the airport drop-off zone, Taylor parked the car and turned to me, his expression soft but serious. "You sure you don't want me to come with you?" he asked for probably the millionth time.

I shook my head, smiling softly. "I'm sure. I need to do this on my own. But thank you, Tay."

He sighed, clearly reluctant to let me go, but he respected my decision. "Okay," he murmured, leaning closer, his hand cupping my cheek. "I miss you already."

My heart clenched at the sincerity in his voice, and I leaned in, pressing my lips to his in a lingering kiss. The world outside the car ceased to exist for a moment, all that mattered was the way he made me feel—safe, loved, and understood.

When we finally pulled back, our foreheads rested together for a brief second, our breaths mingling. "I'll be back soon," I promised, though the thought of facing Chad and the finality of our divorce filled me with dread.

"I know," Taylor replied, brushing a stray strand of hair behind my ear. "I'll be right here, waiting for you."

With a final kiss, I reluctantly pulled away and grabbed my bag from the backseat. Taylor got out to help me, his hand lingering on mine as he handed me my suitcase. "Text me when you land, okay?"

"I will," I assured him, my voice tight with emotion.

As I walked into the airport, I glanced back to see him watching me, his hands in his pockets, his expression a mix of pride and concern. It was hard to step away from him, but I knew I had to. This was something I needed to do to finally close that chapter of my life.

The flight to LA was uneventful, but it gave me too much time to think. As the plane ascended and the city of Nashville became a patchwork of tiny dots below, I tried to focus on the in-flight magazine in front of me. But the words blurred, my mind drifting back to the nightmare I'd had again the night before, the lingering sense of dread clinging to me like a dark cloud.

I hated how much power Chad still had over me, even after everything. The way he could still invade my dreams, still make me feel small and trapped, even from miles away.

I shook my head, trying to push those thoughts aside. This was the last step, I reminded myself. Once the divorce was finalized, I could finally put it all behind me and move forward.

I glanced out the window at the endless stretch of clouds, trying to find some peace in their fluffy, serene shapes. But my thoughts kept circling back to Taylor, to the way he'd looked at me before I walked away. He had this way of grounding me, of making me feel like everything was going to be okay, even when the world felt like it was falling apart.

I missed him already, and I hadn't even landed yet.

When I finally touched down in LA, the city greeted me with its usual hustle and bustle. The palm trees swayed in the breeze, the sun shining brightly overhead, but the warmth I usually felt here was muted by the weight of what I had to do.

I caught a cab to the hotel, my heart heavy as the familiar streets of my old life flashed by. This city held so many memories—some good, some I'd rather forget. As we pulled up to the hotel, I thanked the driver and checked in, the staff welcoming me with polite smiles that felt out of place with the turmoil inside me.

Once I was in my room, I set my suitcase down and immediately pulled out my phone, dialing Taylor's number. The call connected, and his face filled the screen, a wave of comfort washing over me at the sight of him. "Hey," he greeted me with a faint smile, his voice warm and familiar. "You made it okay?"

"Yeah," I nodded, smiling despite the anxiety gnawing at me. "Just got to the hotel."

"Good," he replied, and I could see Alf wagging his tail excitedly in the background. "Someone's been missing you."

My heart melted at the sight of Alf, and I wished I could reach through the screen and hug him. "Hey, baby," I cooed, waving at him. "I miss you too."

Taylor laughed, tilting the camera so I could see Alf better. "He's been following me around all day, like he knows something's up."

We talked for a while longer, the conversation easing some of the tension I'd been feeling. But when we hung up, the silence of the hotel room felt overwhelming. I spent the rest of the evening trying to distract myself, flipping through channels on the TV, but my mind kept drifting back to the meeting with my lawyer the next day.

And the nightmare.

It wasn't just a dream, I knew that now. It was a manifestation of everything I'd been holding onto, everything I was about to let go of. But could I do it? Could I finally be free?

I had to. For myself. For Alf.

And for Taylor.