"Anyways, I guess the breaking point for me was when I was alone in LA and Kai and I both got a viral infection. We were bed bound and I was doing my best to try and take care of him and myself but it was so hard. At the same time, Cole was somewhere in Colorado and he couldn't find any room in his schedule to come down. He really tried. I know he did. He tried to come down during weekends but there would always be some commitment he couldn't get out of. He's just starting his career and so he can't really pick and choose. He also has to do his time to show how committed he is - I understand. But, it was hard. It was another month before we saw each other and that too for just a few days because just as off season started he was asked to consult on a minor league thing which was crucial to his career. I didn't want to hold him back but I'd be lying if I said it didn't take a toll on me. It was the longest we'd been apart our entire relationship. I think in hindsight his schedule never seemed like a problem because I'm such a planner, but when life takes its toll on you, that's when you see how you're a victim to your circumstances. I could be on a plane every week and think I'm in control and our relationship is fine but in reality, even if we want the same things, our lives are pulling each other in different directions… It's not fair for him to take a step back but it's not fair to me either. Most of his friend's wives are from the same places their husband's are from or at least work in related fields and can be nearby - but that's not me. My mom and sister are in LA and my work is there too. I'm always going to be all over the place, but I didn't think it would be this hard. I really thought I was finding myself in this new phase of my life with a partner who was super supportive and adding a different dimension to my life in the world of sports and picking up new interests and hobbies expanding my world but I feel I lost a part of myself as well. I know relationships take compromise and communication which we both REALLY tried to do but I don't know it just got really hard. I don't give up easily, but when… but when I took a step back and saw how this wasn't a phase for just a few years but could very well be what my life looked like for the foreseeable future, I had to make a decision. Not just for me but for Kai too… It was extremely difficult but it had to be done. We officially separated a few months ago. It's still tricky trying to navigate being co-parents, but he's a good guy and we're working on our friendship so I hope it all works out." *author's note*

Vanessa breathed a huge sigh of relief. This was the first time she had fully discussed the highs and lows of her last relationship out loud. She thought she was never going to feel ready to do so but tonight, she felt brave.

"I'm so sorry, Vanessa." Zac put his hand on top of hers once again and squeezed. "I can't even imagine how hard that was for you, especially with Kai."

"Yeah…thanks," Vanessa sniffed as she held back tears. "But, I'm doing much better. I guess, it sucks when I think about Kai. I only want the best for him. Maybe I should've been stronger or fought harder…"

"Hey, none of that. You did this FOR your son. You're one of the strongest people I know and I KNOW you don't go down without a fight. I can't imagine how hard this was, but knowing you, you must have given it your all and this decision came from a good place too. I'm positive, in the future Kai will see that too." Zac pulled her in for a side hug.

"No losses, right," she looked up at him with a small smile, recalling his words from before.

"Only lessons. Damn straight," he grinned back at her as he rubbed her arm encouragingly.

"Thank you for this. I realized, I haven't let it all out yet. But, yeah. I guess I needed to…"

"How are you feeling now?"

"Much better. Honestly. I'm ready for this new chapter and whatever it brings - truly. I guess I just get emotional when I think about Kai, but I'm lucky we both want the best for him and all our love is directed towards him. At least we did something right," she smiled softly.

"Well damn, I thought that was supposed to be a lighter topic. Haha!"

"Same here, haha." She reached over to grab a tissue and drank some water. "Okay, well how about you? Seeing anyone?"

"Nah, no one at the moment."

"You know I read somewhere you were dating a 'Vanessa', but I thought they were just talking about me…"

"Hmmm…about that," Zac looked away sheepishly.

"NO! Zachary David, you didn't date someone with the same name as me, did you? I mean obviously who cares but you HAD to have known the press were going to have a field day with that one." She started giggling uncontrollably. The tears from before rapidly subsiding.

"HEY! I didn't even think about it…" he trailed off noncommittally.

"Damn, Efron you REALLY have a type, huh?"

"Dylan says the same thing, UGH." He groaned dramatically as he ran a hand down his face.

"I'm just teasing. Although, it IS pretty funny."

"Why'd that not work out? Despite the name thing, haha," she asked a bit more seriously.

"We also met during COVID. It was nice to be with someone normal and unknown too so I know where you're coming from. But yeah, she was in Australia and our lives were headed in different directions too, so it was hard."

"Yeah, I understand. Besides the first Vanessa ruined you for all others, right?" She teased. "Sorry! I'm kidding, I'm kidding. Was that your longest relationship though? Like recently…"

"Uh… I mean I guess so recently. To be honest -"

Vanessa didn't want to seem like she was grilling him too hard so she gave him a quick out. "I'm sure you've been in a relationship longer than ours."

"Well…"

"Really!? Damn. Sorry…I didn't mean to-"

"Nah, nah. Seems like everything kinda went downhill in that department after you left, Van." Zac stated with a bit more seriousness than the teasing tone they had been using.

She found herself drawn to his change of tone as he caught her eyes. She knew they were joking around but there seemed to be a bit more truth to his statement. A deeper honesty. In that moment, she felt years of walls built crumble.

Zac slowly reached out his hand towards Vanessa. He tentatively brushed her fingers, almost asking for permission before interlacing them. It was sweet. Supportive. And maybe, just maybe… a little bit desperate for something that neither of them wanted to label. And yet, despite the courage to reach out to one another they couldn't muster the strength to ask if their thoughts were as dangerous as the others.

Zac's gaze drifted to Vanessa's lips as she mirrored his action. It was a delicate dance of longing and restraint, a silent acknowledgment of the uncharted depths they were on the brink of exploring. And though their hearts yearned to dive headlong into the unknown, the fear of what lay beyond held them in a delicate balance, teetering on the edge of discovery.

But just before anything could transpire, Vanessa's phone chimed with a Twitter alert and interrupted the moment.

"Ugh, I don't know why I put these notifications on yesterday," she grumbled to herself. She scanned her phone for a minute before extending the phone towards him. The screen displayed a viral tweet which read, "MAYBE NOW SHE'LL FOLLOW HIM BACK!" A playful glint shone in her eyes. "Well, Efron, the real question is, why did you follow me?"

*author's note* for the purpose of the story, they were married for 2ish years.