Broken Records | Tayley

Chapter 28: New York

Hayley's POV

The weeks after that night spent reminiscing over old photos seemed to flow together in a comfortable blur. Taylor and I settled again into a rhythm that balanced the demands of the band with the moments we carved out for ourselves. In the studio, our creativity was at its peak. Songwriting had always been our refuge, but now, it felt like an essential part of us. The music we created during this time was more than just songs—it was an emotional record of everything we were experiencing, from joy to uncertainty.

Outside of the studio, life continued as usual. We spent time with friends and family, catching up on the parts of life that often got sidelined by the band's hectic schedule. Taylor and I kept our relationship a secret, enjoying the privacy and the intimacy that came with it. It was our decision, something we weren't ready to share with the world just yet. Keeping it between us made it feel more special, something we could hold close while everything else spun around us.

Zac was the only one who knew. He offered his quiet support without ever prying. Occasionally, he'd give us a knowing look, his eyes saying, I see you two! We never had to say anything—he just got it, and that was enough for us.

There were times when life took us in different directions. Taylor and I would have to be apart due to family obligations or other commitments. Those days were tough, but we stayed connected through texts and late-night calls, counting down the days until we could be together again. And when we reunited, it was always a relief, a return to something that felt like home.

But even with the comfort we found in each other, we couldn't avoid the realities of our lives. As much as we wanted to keep our relationship under wraps, we knew we couldn't hide it forever. The band was heading to New York to film a new music video, and the thought of being so public while keeping this secret was daunting. Yet, we both knew it was a part of the job—something we had to navigate through carefully.

The day of the shoot was crisp and cold, typical for New York in November. The production team had set up a few trailers outside, where we could get ready between takes. Taylor and I were hanging out in my trailer, stealing a few quiet moments before the chaos of the shoot began. I was sitting in front of the mirror, absently playing with my hair while Taylor stood behind me. His hands found their way to my shoulders, and I felt the familiar warmth of his touch through the thin fabric of my shirt.

"You look incredible," he murmured, leaning down to press a soft kiss to the side of my neck.

I smiled, meeting his eyes in the mirror. "Thanks, but you're going to get us in trouble if you keep that up."

He chuckled, his breath warm against my skin as he let his lips trail down my neck. "Who's going to know? Besides, I don't think I can resist you in this outfit."

I felt a shiver run down my spine as his lips brushed over a sensitive spot, and I tilted my head slightly to give him better access. "Just be careful, okay? I don't need anyone asking questions about marks on my neck."

Taylor grinned, his hands sliding down to my waist as he kissed the top of my shoulder. "Alright, I'll behave. But you make it really, really hard."

Before I could respond, there was a knock at the door, and Taylor quickly straightened up, moving back just as Brian walked in. I shot him a quick, playful glare through the mirror, and he returned it with a mischievous wink before heading over to sit on the couch.

Brian greeted us both warmly, his usual easygoing demeanor making the room feel instantly comfortable. Taylor and Brian exchanged a few lighthearted comments, mostly about the cold weather and the long day ahead of us. As Brian started working on my hair, Taylor stayed on the couch, chiming in occasionally with a joke or two. It was all so natural—just three friends hanging out before a busy day.

After a while, though, it was time for Taylor to head to his own trailer to get ready. He stood up, stretching before walking over to me. I looked up at him, catching his gaze in the mirror. Then, to my surprise, he leaned down and pressed a quick, soft kiss to my lips.

I froze for a second, fully aware that Brian was right there, watching us. Taylor must have noticed my hesitation because he gave me a reassuring smile before slipping out the door with a casual, "See you out there."

As the door clicked shut behind him, I turned back to the mirror, feeling my cheeks flush. Brian had paused, a strand of my hair held midair, his eyes wide as they flicked from the door to me.

"You... him?" Brian stammered, clearly at a loss for words. "How long...?"

I bit my lip, trying to suppress a nervous laugh. "Yeah, it's... well, it's a long story. Now's not the time, but I'll tell you all about it when we're back home, I promise."

Brian shook his head, clearly processing this new information. "You better! I mean... I'm just... wow."

I couldn't help but laugh then, the tension in the room easing as Brian gave me a half-smile through the mirror. He resumed his work, his touch gentle but his eyes still holding that mix of surprise and curiosity.

"Well, I've gotta admit," Brian said after a moment, "I didn't see that one coming. But hey, if anyone deserves a little happiness, it's you, Hayley."

"Thanks, Brian," I said softly, meeting his gaze in the mirror. "It means a lot."

As he continued with my hair, I felt a strange mix of emotions—nervousness, excitement, and that same, steady warmth that came from being around Taylor. Even though the day ahead was going to be hectic, with all the pressures that came with shooting a music video, I felt grounded. I felt like I had something solid to hold onto, something that mattered more than anything else.

By the time we were all ready and out on set, the earlier tension had faded, replaced by the usual excitement and nerves that came with filming a new music video. But even as we worked, surrounded by crew members and cameras, there was a part of me that kept replaying that moment in the trailer—the soft kiss, Brian's stunned reaction, and the realization that, despite our best efforts, we weren't as invisible as we thought.

In the end, though, it didn't really matter.