Why does everyone hate Zach?

[Mark Arbour]

I asked this in the comments section, but I'm trying to get a feel for why Zach is so reviled.  He is not without his faults (as Chapter 52 will reveal) but he has been very open with Will about his priorities (football) and what that means for his life (he'll live in the closet).  So why?

[Gary L]

I think it’s because at various points in Will’s life when he feels he can/ought to be able to rely on Zach he is let down, really badly. He is more forgiving than your readers!

[impunity]

He's very self-absorbed and his priorities always come first. Will has such a generous, open nature and Zach just takes him for granted. The contrast makes Zach's narcissism even more jarring. 

[scrubber6620]

I think Zach will hurt and keep on lying to Will several times and decide eventually he has to live a separate life without Will if he gets on a pro team.

Zach could get really mad when he finds out Trvis prefers Will to him. Zach might say things to Will he regrets later.

Maybe things will come to a head earlier and Will has a moment of clarity when he moves to the East Coast in the fall. They will not be able to have regular sex. Will should develop new relationships and maybe find more fulfilling open relationships.

[Daddydavek]

The chapter posted today shows Zach has no problem lying to Will and blew off a promise to call with one.  I get that Zack's first priority is football. I don't get his callous treatment of Will, even when it's not for show.  Also, based on the chapter posted today I'm beginning to suspect Will is beginning to see what an unfulfilling future he would have with Zack. There are a lot of guys with killer bodies who are good at sex out there.

[spyke]

Because he doesn't make Will a priority at all. Actually, it seems like he doesn't make anyone a priority unless they can do something for him at that particular moment in time. It almost like he's running a game plan 24/7 and he really has no meaningful relationships with anyone.  I can see this all come crashing down on Zach, and then Will and/or his family comes to the rescue. Or maybe it will be too late and they won't. 

[gmc]

Will accepts and supports Zach’s need to be in the closet, but he doesn’t hold Zach accountable for his for his behavior. Perhaps watching the ups and downs of Brad and Robbie’s relationship and knowing the history of his Grand’s and Jeff’s partnership, Will subconsciously gives his screwed up  Hayes boy more leeway than he deserves.

[methodwriter85]

I don't hate Zach, but I also have really shitty taste in men, so...🤷‍♂️

[scrubber6620]

For those who hate or do not hate Zach, pay attention please to how he handles the news that will come out this week or next, that Travis is seeing--as in really seeing Will. They will in heat, I bet and covering new passionate ground.

What Will Zach Do? WWZD

Is he going to explode, burn bridges for at least the near term, take it out verbally or physically on one or both guys, go to Stef (who is in LA often) , find a new fuck boy, avoid the two lovers until he cannot?

[Mark Arbour]

Thank you all for explaining that to me.  I can see where you all are coming from.  Will always put himself out there for Zach, while Zach will only do that for Will when he feels like it. 

[Gary L]

On 10/3/2022 at 12:24 AM, Mark Arbour said:

Thank you all for explaining that to me.  I can see where you all are coming from.  Will always put himself out there for Zach, while Zach will only do that for Will when he feels like it. 

What is clever, Mark, is that you don’t make it that simple. I think he’s a fucked up bunny who has had so much going for him …. however….. very clever writing, ✍️. Nevertheless,  kill him off asap. He is is the weakest link, goodbye 👋 

great work, Mark

Edited October 4, 2022 by Gary L

[mmike1969]

I don’t hate Zack. I just won’t be upset if a 10 megaton nuclear explosion vaporized him. 

[Daddydavek]

3 hours ago, mmike1969 said:

I don’t hate Zack. I just won’t be upset if a 10 megaton nuclear explosion vaporized him. 

Way too much collateral damage...

[Gary L]

He walked out of my room and I watched him go. He was an evil guy, the kind of guy that would do whatever it took to get what he wanted

poor Man’s Son chp 27 ………

[impunity]

3 hours ago, Gary L said:

He walked out of my room and I watched him go. He was an evil guy, the kind of guy that would do whatever it took to get what he wanted

poor Man’s Son chp 27 ………

I've got a feeling we might see evil Zach again. 

[Gary L]

2 hours ago, impunity said:

I've got a feeling we might see evil Zach again. 

Sadly, I agree.  But it’s in mr A’s hands……. In Poor Man’s Son you can see the twisted creature that he is.  

[PrivateTim]

Zach has been a douchebag since the say he entered CAP. Getting with John, one of my favorite CAP characters, just because he could and it fucked with Will is enough reason for me to hate Zach for life.

I am 3/4 of the way through my first, painful reread of 9-11, the chapters where everyone is trying to warn Will off Zach, especially Gathan. Will goes all Volcano Will on everyone, including JP, Stef, Brad and Gathan. Despite all the warnings of what a self-serving asshole Zach is, Will buys Zach a car, buying into Zach's bullshit.

Despite Will's poor treatment of Gathan, and getting Gathan removed as the main trustee on Zach's trust, everything that Gathan said about Zach was true, and more. On balance, I think Zach has been a bigger hurt to Will than a benefit. Will would have been better served to have spent his high school years with someone he could be out, open and grow with.