This is a repost. I had to take it down for my sanity. I hope you can still enjoy this.
Chapter 1
Victor Tan can honestly say he is confused right now. What did he just overhear? Could it actually be that his friends were a lot closer than he knew? Was Chris the reason Street had broken up with Molly? Had his well, crush never really gone away? Was that mutual?
He shakes his head. Those were way too many questions for a little comment, that Chris blocked with a "Don't go there."
Sounded a lot like they had talked about that before though. Runs through his head. Moments later he saw Chris heading for the locker room and decided to follow her and maybe try talking to her first. He couldn't help but be worried about her.
Was this the reason she didn't call Street that night? Did she know more about that breakup?
Victor shakes his head and pushes open the door.
Chris is just lacing up her shoes and looks about ready to leave so he takes his chances.
"Chris can I..." he stops when she looks at him already annoyed. "Chris, are you okay?"
Now she stares at him confused. "Yes, why wouldn't I be?" her answer sounds rehearsed to his ears, and he can't help but raise an eyebrow while trying to bring up what he just heard.
"I, you said I shouldn't worry about you, and I kept that night to myself, but I can't help but worry. So, I ask again: Is everything okay? With you and Street," Tan tries to sound casually curious while he carefully studies Chris and he can see her flinch at that last part.
Chris shakes her head. In part to get rid of the memory of that night and all that transpired and in part to get herself back to the present and figure out what's happening now.
"Where does this come from?" leaves her mouth before she can stop herself and when Chris lifts her eyes to glance at Tan, she can see it on his face. Something prompted this line of questioning.
He is shifting uncomfortably on his heels and Tan's eyes wander around the lockers for a moment before focusing on Chris again. He clears his throat and Chris looks around now, straining her ears if anyone else is close by. Somehow, she has a bad feeling about what is coming next.
"The night I picked you up at that bar, I asked you why you didn't call Street," Tan starts and Chris' heart speeds up. This can't be happening.
"I told you, I didn't want to bother him. He has enough on his plate…" she interrupts Tan and tries to shut the conversation down. "Everything is okay." She adds firmly and pulls her backpack onto her shoulder.
Before she can leave though Tan utters four words "Could've fooled me," making Chris whirl around and stare at him like a deer caught in the headlights.
He takes a deep breath and decides on taking the long way to his point. "You lied to Street when he asked about your black eye that morning, and to be clear he didn't buy that explanation for a second," Tan's eyes are settled firmly on Chris while she tries to think of something, anything to say to get this line of questions stopped.
"Chris?" he asks cautiously when she continues to stand there and stare off into space.
Chris notices Tan move closer and that shakes her out her state. She holds up a hand. "I meant what I said. He had enough on his plate, and still does. I can't help it if he didn't believe me. Did you rat me out?"
Tan takes a step back when he hears the bite in her voice and then stares after Chris when she just turns and leaves after he shakes his head.
Chris is fuming inside. What prompted Tan to ask those questions. She had taken great care after that mishap not to act too weird around Street. Heck she even had asked about his incessant phone use today.
Her step falters and the hand that had just reached for her car door falls down to her side.
That couldn't be, right?
Meanwhile inside the locker room Tan is just about ready to leave when Street strolls in to grab the rest of his things after his conversation with Hicks.
The two men exchange a glance and Street comments "Just so you know, I am not getting banished to counting bullets in the armory for all eternity,"
Tan rolls his eyes and mumbles "But you love it in there," under his breath.
Street didn't seem to catch that and just continues on "I am serious. Hicks knows. I talked to him, and he is very much professional about it all,"
"You've got some luck that Hicks is that much of a professional. I am with Luca; others would've made your life hell. Don't screw it up now," Tan felt the need to add the last part because he is still worried about Chris. He also makes a mental note to keep closer watch on her for now. He is still in thought, debating if he should ask Street about what he heard when his friend opens that door for him.
"What? Why did you just say that?" Street turns to face his colleague while pulling on his jacket and closing his locker but before Tan can say much more Street's phone indicates an incoming message.
Seeing the confusion on his friends face as well as the light smile troubles Tan a bit but he can't bring himself to say much more when Street grabs his things and all but runs out with only a "See you tomorrow," for him.
Tan had a feeling where his friend was headed, or at least from whom the message had been, and he wasn't wrong.
Chris was slightly nervous and had been pacing her apartment ever since she had sent that text about 30 minutes ago. She saw that he read it, but he hadn't replied which didn't serve to settle her nerves. She desperately craved a drink right now, but in her head, she knew she needed to be fully sober for what she had to do next.
So, when there was a knock on her door, she pulled it open without checking. Street was shuffling outside still a tad unsure what this was about, but he wasn't about to let go of a chance to talk to Chris. Alone.
Even if she had been remarkably nice to him for the last few weeks, a complete difference from two years ago, something still was off, and he couldn't deny how nervous he is right now.
Chris stepped to the side and motioned for Street to come in. She even guested for him to take a seat which led to a small, hopeful smile on his face. One she had to steel herself against.
While Chris tries to sound out what she wants to say Street opens the conversation.
"Yes, you saw right. I talked to Hicks, and as you can see, I am still alive," Chris involuntary chuckles at his beaming smile and shakes her head before replying.
"Good for you, just not why I texted you,"
"That was great timing by the way. Tan…" Street starts laughing a little, but he stops immediately when he hears Chris gasp and clamp her eyes shut.
"What's wrong?" he tries to scoot a little closer, but Chris just gets up and returns to pacing her living room cursing softly under her breath. Suddenly she stops and focuses her angry eyes at Street.
"This is all your fault,"
