Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Third Person

There was a moment of hesitation as Timothy marched down the dark street. He’d passed them in a hurry, making sure to bump

into Evie’s little “friend” on the way out. However, he felt his pace begin to slow.

He cast a glance over his shoulder and saw Lucas heading in the opposite direction. It seemed he had parted ways with Evie

and her other friend. He was leaning against the front of a convenience store, typing on his phone.

Timothy paused, feeling his emotions bubble back to the surface as the other man grinned at his phone screen. It could have

been Evie on the other end, sending. him flirtatious texts. With how shameless they were in public, Timothy couldn't. help but

fear what happened in private.

That thought alone made him halt his stride. He turned and started walking toward Lucas, cursing himself as he did. The other

had been very glib with him, careless even in how he acted.

Eventually, Timothy caught up to Lucas, which seemed to catch the other man by surprise. With a smile, Lucas tucked his phone

away and nodded in greeting.

“Timothy, hello!” said Lucas. He looked Timothy up and down and quirked an eyebrow. “What seems to be the problem?”

“I was just wondering about you and Evie,” Timothy said warily. “When did you two meet? Evie seemed so busy that I didn’t think

she was...taken.”

“Oh, my Evie!” Lucas chuckled, his bright smile almost cruel. “We began our time as classmates. After a while, we decided to get

serious about our relationship.”

Timothy clenched his jaw. “She’s never mentioned you.”

“We were going long-distance for a while. Kind of put a strain between us, but now I’m back. We've been going strong ever

since.”

“Oh.” Timothy looked away, unable to face Lucas. He tried to focus on the crack in the sidewalk where a few tufts of grass had

broken through. “Il see. What do you like about her?”

Lucas looked to the sky, a dreamy look in his eyes. “Where to start. She’s the cutest

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Cc

girl I've ever met. Smoking‘ hot body too!”

The words hit Timothy like a punch to the gut. Lucas had no filter at all, describing her that way. He felt his hands curl into fists as

the other man chattered on about Evie.

“And those lips of hers are really something, all soft and kissable. Don’t get me started on that curvaceous waist. Ugh, I can

hardly keep my hands off her half the time,” Lucas gushed, running a hand through his fluffy hair.

Timothy could feel the blood rushing to his head and his throat constricting as he forced down a frustrated growl. It seemed to be

all physical with Lucas, as though Evie’s personality

didn’t factor in at all. He wondered what she saw in him that was so worth it, that is

if he even showed his true self to her.

It didn’t help that Lucas kept that same, easy-going smile on his face. If Timothy didn’t know any better, he would say that the

other was provoking him on purpose. He wouldn't voice that assumption, however.

Lucas yawned, pulling his arms up in a stretch. His eyes landed on his watch, and he flashed Timothy a smile. “Well, I’d love to

sit and chat about my lovely Evie, but the night ain’t getting any younger, you know?”

Timothy checked the time past.

liquor pumping through him, but he didn’t necessarily feel tired. If anything, he felt emotionally drained.

eleven. Maybe it was the on his own phone, realizing that it was already well

“Right,” Timothy said, scratching the slight bit of stubble on his chin as the other man looked upon him curiously. It didn’t feel like

he was being entirely

transparent about his association with Evie, but Timothy couldn’t pinpoint why. “Thanks for the chat.”

Lucas beamed. “Anytime. Also, try to be a bit more tactful with Evie. I know you're this big star with billions of fans, but Evie’s a

bit too reserved for that. Just try to understand.”

Timothy raised his eyebrow, surprised at the honest tone in the other man’s voice. It didn’t take long for him to switch back to his

more relaxed nature. He started backing away, waving at Timothy as he did.

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Chapter 17

“Until next time.” Lucas winked, then turned and walked to the end of the street before disappearing around the corner.

Timothy sighed, looking around to find himself alone in the city’s quietest hours. Before the serenity of it could engulf him, he

folded his arms over his chest and began the short walk to his car.

Never had Timothy felt so off balance during a game. This was usually a time where he could be most at peace, having nothing

but the thought of winning at the forefront of his mind. This night was different.

The crowds’ cheers were reduced to a mere hum in his ears, and he could hardly train his eyes on the hockey puck as it slid

from player to player. It usually gave him a rush of adrenaline, as well as a sense of presence, to hear his adoring fans in the

stands. He could hear women and girls screaming his name and flashing their shirts with his face plastered on the front.

The attention didn’t excite him like it usually did. Instead of the vicious determination that often pushed him during a game, he

was led on by a consuming anger. He couldn’t shake the image of Lucas and Evie from his mind.

They had been so intimate, clinging on to one another, kissing without a care in the world. Lucas could brag all he wanted about

how it felt to be with Evie, but Timothy had lived that reality for a brief period before he fumbled it.

“Timothy, watch it!”

Timothy shook his head, the image of Evie and Lucas fading from his mind as het was thrown back into the game. Before he

could correct himself, he found an opposing player right by his side, ready to snatch the puck from him. Timothy growled, hardly

giving it a second thought before charging into his opponent with his shoulder.

The referee blew his whistle, putting a pause on the game. Timothy cursed under his breath, stopping as the referee charged in

his direction. His opponent was by his side, screaming something into his ear, but Timothy could hardly focus on

him.

Eventually, Timothy found himself taken off the ice for a short time-out in the penalty box. It didn’t enrage him like it usually did

when someone called a foul on

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13:01 Wed, 20 Mar

him. He could only return to Evie again, and how comfortable she’d been with Lucas.

52%

After the game, Timothy went to the locker room with the rest of his teammates. As expected, they were on his case about the

foul.

“You can’t just play any way you want out there. There are rules and regulations for a reason

one told him sternly. He was leaning over Timothy, who was seated on one of the benches. “One more foul like that will get you

sent off, understood?*.

Timothy understood perfectly, but it wasn’t like he hadn’t already planned on dismissing himself. That was what got him into his

situation with Evie.

Later, Timothy found himself back at his usual bar. His best friend, David, was, seated beside him, chugging down his sangria.

Timothy wanted to end the night with his thoughts put to rest..

“There will be other games,” David said, his tired eyes fixated on the neon sign above the bar. “It’s not like you guys lost from it

anyway.”

Timothy nodded, staring into his own reflection within his glass. Suddenly, he felt a warm hand on his back. When he turned, he

found an attractive woman standing behind him. She had a great body, which admittedly held his attention.

“Hi, handsome. How about buying me a drink?” Her long nails trailed along his arm, raising the hairs in their wake.

Smirking, Timothy waved the bartender over and ordered her the special. As he prepared her drink, the woman hopped onto the

seat beside Timothy and snuggled close.

“I don’t get to meet too many handsome guys around here,” she said huskily.

“Ah, well, at least you didn’t have to look too far,” Timothy said, humoring her.

The woman giggled and leaned closer to him. When her hand landed on his upper thigh, he lost some of the buzz he’d gotten

from his drink. Thankfully, the bartender finished with the martini and placed it in front of her, drawing her attention away for the

moment.

He looked over at David, who gave him a wink before turning his attention back to the game on the TV screen. Like everyone

else, he was aware of Timothy’s popularity with women. It seemed to fill him with pride whenever a lady would

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waltz their way, especially if she had a friend.

20

Timothy watched the woman take a sip of the drink. She grinned, shimmying at little in her seat at the taste. A few seconds of

silence passed, and he realized that he’d never caught her name.

That was how it usually went. They’d talk into the boredom set in, then head to his home for a night of fun. That urge wasn’t

kicking in this time around.

The woman scooted closer, her breath fanning over his ear. Her sharp nails dug into the skin of his thigh and he winced.

“How about we go back to your place, hm? I’m sure there will be plenty of space,” she whispered. What do you say?”

Timothy turned his head away, narrowly missing the kiss she meant for his neck. Gently, he took her head that she’d clamped to

his thigh and placed it back in her lap. She scrunched up her nose in confusion.

“No, thanks. I’m not feeling it tonight,” he explained.

She pulled away from him, her presence suddenly a lot chillier than before.

“Thanks for wasting my time,” she spat. She turned and snatched her purse off the counter before marching away, cursing him

all the way out the door.

Timothy sighed, running a hand through his hair before resting his head on the tabletop. He didn’t care that it was slightly sticky.

David snickered beside him. “What was that? You’d usually go chasing after a girl. like her.” He slapped Timothy on the back and

leaned over him. “I rarely see you

get get this emotional.”

“I'm not emotional. Just drunk,” Timothy groaned.

“Or love struck,” David teased. “Could it be related to the legendary Evie? Honestly,

I didn’t think there was a woman in the world that you couldn’t handle.”

Timothy hadn’t thought so either. What was Evie doing to him?