Chapter 54

As the sun set, casting a warm glow over the city, I found myself sitting in my living room, nervously waiting for Lucas to arrive. I had invited him over to hang out, but I was also curious about how he was doing after taking a punch from Timothy.

My dinner with Aria had lifted my spirits a little, but I wasn’t prepared to be alone with my thoughts just yet. Lucas seemed more than willing to hang out, thankfully.

When the doorbell finally rang, I hurried to let Lucas in. He greeted me with a wide grin, but his expression quickly turned serious when he saw the worry

in my eyes. I flinched upon seeing the slight swell in his right eye, which had turned a nasty yellow.

“Hey, what’s going on?” Lucas asked, concern evident in his voice.

Taking a deep breath, I motioned for him to sit down. “I could ask you the same. How’s the eye?”

“Hurts a little less,” he muttered, sinking into the couch. He shut his eyes and leaned his head back.

“But it’s getting better. The swelling has gone down a bit, but I’ll survive.”

I sighed, still feeling guilty that Lucas had been caught in the crossfire of my complicated situation with Timothy. “I’m sorry you got dragged into all of this,” I said sincerely.

Lucas waved it off with a smile. “No need to apologize. I had a feeling something was off about Timothy, and now I know I was right. I’m glad I was there to see his undying devotion to you.”

“Yeah,” I replied bitterly. “He still shouldn’t have done that.”

“Love can make us blind sometimes,” Lucas said gently. “But it’s not your fault, Evie. I betrayed your trust, remember?”

I snorted at the obvious sarcasm in his voice. “Of course, I do, you dirty cheater.”

He laughed and shook his head. Then he opened his eyes and looked over at me, his smile wavering. “Really though, what’s up with you?”

Chapter 54

Lucas listened intently as I recounted what I had seen in the hallway Timothy and Linda together, their closeness, and Linda’s revelation that they were involved romantically. As I spoke, my emotions surfaced, and I couldn’t help the sting of the tears that welled up in my eyes.

“It’s not my business, but he told me himself that he wouldn’t do that anymore,” I whispered.

Lucas wrapped an arm around my shoulders comfortingly. “People can change, but they have to want to change. Maybe Timothy just isn’t ready to leave his old ways behind.”

I sighed, feeling a mixture of sadness and frustration. “I wish he had been honest with me from the beginning, instead of leading me on.”

“It’s his loss, Evie,” Lucas said firmly. “You’re an amazing person, and you deserve someone who will treat you right.”

I mustered a smile. “Thank you,” I said.

“Always, Lucas replied.

need to move on, but it’s still weird after everything we’ve been through. They’ve evidently been together for months, according to

know what would be fun? Let’s

questioningly, not sure where he

mean?”

“Let’s prank him! I know a fancy strip club just down the street and

some relief in the idea. “That’s a

“Maybe, but he deserves it after punching me, and now,

the other part couldn’t help but feel a

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Chapter 54

chuckled, trying to imagine how that would play

further.”

could guilt trip him into coming out with us.

broken up,” I said

stay friends and that he take me out for a good

of Timothy’s reaction. “That’s

“It’s all in good fun,” he said. “Besides, he shouldn’t have punched me at

said, nodding. “He had no right to do

needs to know that he can’t just treat people however he

I loved the idea of pranking Timothy and teaching him a lesson. On the other

this is the right thing to do?”

realize their actions have

nodded, knowing that Lucas was right. It was time for Timothy to

determination in my voice. “Let’s do it.” Lucas grinned triumphantly, “Great! This

we have to be tactful,” I said seriously. A moment passed and I started wringing my hands, a new curiosity

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Chapter 54

21 Mar

me to give you some space, and he didn’t think I was good enough for you,” he

he had talked to me directly instead of

trying to protect you,” he said. “He didn’t want to hurt you by

let out a shaky breath, feeling a sense of resignation settling in. “I appreciate that he

I had Lucas as my friend. Whatever happened with Timothy, I knew I wasn’t alone. And Lucas knew how to make a point in the strongest way

conversation away from me, curious about Lucas‘ time at

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