Chapter Text
Evie stared down at her second drink of the evening; a very predictable vodka and cranberry for very unpredictable and eventful day. She glanced over at the vivacious blonde to her left and smiled shyly. When Harry’s little sister had shown up at her trailer door and stated, "We're friends now and tonight is girl's night!", she'd hardly knew how to respond. CJ simply wouldn’t take Evie's persistent refusals for an answer, nor Evie's puffy red eyes as an excuse, no matter how hard she tried. For Evie's sake, CJ hadn't once mentioned the tabloids, or Chad, or the pictures. The only thing she'd said that gave Evie any hint the model had any idea what had happened was her fiercely declared, "men suck!” while she rummaged through Evie's lipsticks for the perfect shade of heartbreaker red. It was hard to deny the girl her charisma and Evie found herself instantly liking her.
After spending an hour digging through Evie's closet and a few glasses of vine, they'd opted to attend a favourite a spot of CJ’s, a club frequented by Hollywood’s best and brightest: 919.
Evie's presence had easily gotten them a spot in the VIP area overlooking the dance floor. The pair had marched through the seemingly endless blockade of paparazzi arm-in-arm, ignoring the shouted questions and pries as CJ stuck her tongue out at the cameras like a brat princess. Evie knew admitting it would only make her new friend more smug than the Hook family genes already did, but she was really enjoying herself.
CJ takes Evie’s hands in hers as they settle by their private bar, “Okay.” She smirks, “We are going to drink these and then we are going to take shots. On me.” Before Evie could interrupt, the girl pressed a manicured finger to her lips, “And no arguing!” CJ orders over the music, holding her vodka cranberry out to her, “Drink up, soldier. We have a long night ahead.”
Evie laughs, how could she argue with that? She takes the glass, her inner party girl dying to let loose for once, and threw her head back as she downed it, making CJ clap excitedly.
“Yes, Evie!” She grins.
"It's been way to long since I've been out." Evie enthuses, shivering at the familiar tickle of vodka as it slips down her throat. "God, Carlos is going to have kittens!"
She felt the warm glow of the liquor sink into her bones. Her body moved fluidly to the thumping bass, her hands drifting above her head, swaying. She could feel the hem of her already short black dress ride up but she knew she was covered and honestly would have given the finger to anyone who dared question her.
CJ disappears for a moment before returning with tray of four tequila shots.
“You’re not working tomorrow. So we are going wild.” CJ smirks.
Evie groans, “Oh my god. Tequila?!”
CJ arches a brow, holding a shot out to her, “Scared?”
“Never.”
The pair spent the evening together dancing, drinking and losing all of their inhibitions. At four a.m. they stumble blindly from a cab down CJ's brother's driveway with their heels dangling from their hands, their free ones twined together.
“I’m so drunk, C.” Evie hiccups, walking on her toes as CJ giggles.
“Best night of my life, I’m fucked, but'm not even tired yet!” CJ calls to the sky and both girls break down into a fit of giggles.
Evie whispers dramatically, "We don't want to wake your brother!”
Something told Evie Harry wouldn’t be too pleased to find her drunk on his doorstep.
CJ cackles, "That’s rich! He's probably got his bit from that Julie girl after their date. I doubt he’s even home!"
Evie looks scandalised, "Julia?! From set?! I didn’t realise they were a thing!” She stumbles slightly, falling into CJ, “Are they like... serious?”
The thought of Julia and Harry being serious in any form made Evie want to laugh aloud.
CJ laughs loudly, “Harry’s not serious about anything!”
Evie wraps her arms around her shoulders as the other girl digs for the spare key Harry had given her, "That's not true."
“Bar acting." CJ hums, "Dating... god, he's just useless with girls and time periods that last longer than a fortnight. I mean, he's not too good at picking them. I told him to go for you but noooo.” CJ smirks, plucking the key from her clutch as Evie glances at her.
“Me? Really?” She laughs, “I really doubt Harry would want that. He isn’t my biggest fan, I guess I don’t love him too much myself, but...”
Evie shuts herself up before she let her mouth get too far ahead of her brain. CJ unlocks the door, making both girls excitedly clatter into the house, Evie slips her heels back on as they wander down the wooden hallway into a huge living, kitchen and dining area.
“Wow.” Evie mumbles, looking around, “Amazing place.”
CJ nods, moving to the cupboards as Evie slips up to perch on the counter, her legs crossed at her red-heel clad ankles.
“Right?” CJ murmurs, pulling out a bottle of whiskey and two tumblers, “It’s Harry’s pride and joy. He loves this place.”
Evie can tell why. The house is fabulous - all marble, hardwood and plush. She eyes the bottle in CJ’s hand, groaning.
“Whiskey is gonna kill me.” Evie mumbles, her eyes growing sleepy. CJ disappears behind the kitchen counter, coming back with both tumblers filled with ice.
“You'll be fine!" CJ tuts, pouring a healthy splash into each glass. "Harry like beautiful things; in all aspects. Especially liqour. If this isn't the smoothest death you've ever had I'll eat my shoes."
Evie giggles, "You will not!" She points to the petrol blue heels her friend wore, “Those things cost me an arm and a leg!"
CJ glances at her feet taking a sip from her drink, sighing in delight as she admires the shoes, "Thank you again for letting me raid your closet."
Evie waves her off taking a sip of her own.
"My God, you weren't joking." She says pointing to her tumbler, "Best thing to ever enter my body!"
CJ's childlike giggle makes Evie raise a brow.
"Sorry," CJ giggles, "Don't make dumb jokes about your sex life and not expect me to react!"
Evie rolls her eyes, shaking her head, "What sex life?"
"You’re having a bit of a dry spell than, eh?"
Evie laughs "Dry spell? Lets go ahead and call it a full scale drought!"
CJ crosses the room as the pair desolve into laughter, heading to the sound system tucked in the corner. "I declare! We must have music!"
Evie giggles at her new friend, feeling for the first time in a very long while like someone actually wanted to be around l her.
Harry rubs his eyes wearily when he wakes. He glances at his phone; four-thirty in the morning had never felt so bright. His bleary vision clears slightly as he notes two new text messages from Uma. The first says: “Someone cut her loose!”. The second is a link to a video.
He clicks it with a confused glare. A pixelated club hits his screen, it's obviously from a phone camera and taken at a distance, but he clearly sees his baby sister grinding with a familiar brunette at a club, their hands all over each other while they laugh and joke around. He begins to laugh heartily when he realises exactly who that other woman was. The ice queen herself! He watches the video again twice in sheer amusement. Evie Grimhilde, pressed up against his baby sister, downing shots and sharing lipstick like two pals. It’s then that he registers a dull smash coming from the kitchen. He yawns as he pulls himself up to sitting position.
“CJ, I’m sorry!” A familiar voice squeaks, making Harry laugh out.
“Babe, it’s fine!” CJ slurs over-exaggeratedly. He can imagine them both, piss drunk and unable to clean the mess in their current state and his brotherly side escapes him. He sighs before climbing out of bed and making his way to the kitchen.
Evie teeters on her heels, crouching low to pick up the shards of CJs smashed tumbler. The blonde swats at her friends hand, "Stop before you nick yourself!" She demands. Evie pouts at the reprimand as CJ goes to find a dustpan under the sink. She hands it to Evie.
“Here. Use this. Don't hurt yourself."
The brunette drops to her knees, sweeping up the shards as CJ begins to sing along to the music, refilling a new glass for her clumsy pal. She straightens after tossing out the broken glass, leaning against the counter with the new tumbler pressed to her lips.
“Well, well, well,” a voice hums, making both girls turn.
“Harrrrrrrry!” CJ grins, skipping over to her brother and taking both of his hands, “Wait until you hear where Evie and I went!”
Evie giggles as she sips at the whiskey, noticing Harry’s tired eyes give her a once over. She holds back a wary smile. He didn’t look too unhappy to see her, at least. She suddenly feels like she hasn’t dried the stain on the floor enough.
Her eyes are glazed and she is obviously quite drunk but Harry can't help but notice that she looks more relaxed than he's ever seen her. He watches hr with a neutral, but bemused expression, and in a burst of confidence, she nods to him.
“Hey Lancelot." She hums, holding the glass up in salute.
"My Queen." He replies, not missing a beat, completing the gesture with a mock bow. Harry doesn't the blush that stains her cheeks though he’s aware the alcohol may have something to do with it. His mind casts back to earlier that day, when he'd found her on the verge of sobs in the parking lot.He turns his attention back to his sister.
"Well, from the notes I've received from our manager I'm going to assume you went to 919."
CJ nods vigorously, "Harry! We had so much fun!" She moves carefully to Evie's side, laying her head on the girls shoulder, "So much!" She repeats with a yawn. Harry smirks at the two, plucking the fresh drink from Evie's hand and taking a mouthful himself.
“Hey,” The girl pouts, making Harry roll his eyes playfully as he hands it back.
“Why don’t we get you two comfortable, then?” He asks, “Go sit on the couch and I’ll get a some blankets. We can have a chat before we kip.”
CJ shoots him a wide smile, before grabbing Evie’s hand and guiding her into the huge black sofa. Harry goes to pull some quilts out, he expected they'd be happier wrapped up warm.
“You’re house is amazing, Hook.” Evie compliments as he lays a blanket over his sister and shares a second one between he and Evie when he sits on her side. “I didn’t expect your taste to be so impressive.”
"Even drunk as a skunk ye still pay me those backhanded compliments" he laughs, shaking his head, “One of these days I'll get you over here - sober, mind - and we'll talk architecture.”
He frowns at himself for a moment, unsure where that last comment had come from. One moment of compassion with the girl and suddenly he wanted to swap decorating tips? Evie doesn't seem to notice.
"Only if I can cook in that kitchen. It’s like a dream!” She flirts.
Harry grins widely, unable to help himself.
CJ yawns at the other end of the couch, "Right, ye two should just kiss then." She decides, making a kissy face, "And then get married because I need twenty-four-seven access to your closets." she tells Evie, very seriously.
Evie laughs, rolling her eyes, “We have kissed.”
Harry chuckles, nodding, “Aye. A fair few times.”
CJ frowns, sighing dramatically, “It doesn’t count if you’re acting.” She mutters, sitting up, “Actually Harry, speaking of kissing! How was your date with that makeup girl?!”
Harry wants to tell her to shut it but bites his tongue when Evie looks up at him curiously.
"Well... I don't like to kiss and tell." He takes the tumbler from Evie. After taking another sip he sets it on the side table out of her reach, she pouts daintily and, for one moment, he's completely entranced, but moment is over quickly and he chalks it up to the early hour and not the sight of her full lower lip jutting out temptingly. "I suppose since there was no kissing I'm not breaking any of my own rules, though." he muses.
CJ rolls her eyes, "Out with it!"
"Not much to tell. There was no spark there. Yeah, she attractive but the longer she talked I realised that's all she had goin' for her." He shrugs with a lopsided grin, "We weren't too similar me and her. We flirted but there was no substance. Not even a great pair of tits could save that date."
Evie blushes and swats at his arm, "Dog!" She snaps.
Harry howls into the air in front of her before she dissolves into a fit of giggles.
“Hey, she was decent and I think we could be good mates but..” he shrugs, “Just wasn’t there.”
Evie hums, “I get that.”
CJ had lost interest several seconds into Harry's story, her eyes now lay on her phone as she snuggled into the cough, letting out a long breath.
“Ooooh fuck.” CJ mumbles, her eyes on her phone as she bites at her lip. “Evie, Chad released a statement.”
Evie's voice is suddenly soft when she looks to the blonde, “He has?”
CJ's eyebrows knit together as her mouth moves silently, reading over the official quote several times. When she's finished she looks up at her friend and brother.
"What a dick." she whispers, shaking her head in scoffing shock. Harry leans across Evie and snatches the phone from his sister. His own eyes quickly scan the press release.
"Read it to me?" Evie asks quietly after a moment, chewing her lip.
"I'm not really sure-"
Evie’s voice is tiny when she speaks again, "Please."
Its the soft plea that gets him and he rubs his hand over his face before clearing his throat.
"Evie and I spent a wonderful two years together, we were so deeply in love. It was a fairytale, some of the happiest times of my life..."
Evie scoffs loudly as he reads, “He was cheating on me the whole time!" She growls. Harry bites the inside of his cheek, continuing.
"In this day and age, when so many people are filled with sadness and hate I wanted to show the world that you can still have love. These pictures are love. They are my gift to the world."
CJ groans and Evie looks about ready to cry. "His gift to the world? Me in our most intimate moments is his gift to the world?!”
CJ growls, “God, he’s so full of it!”
“He’s going to be called a martyr for this!” Evie mumbles, covering her face, “Chad the Saviour and Evie the Slut.”
Harry had never seen her look so vulnerable. He wants to make it better, this is all so wrong! He shakes his head.
“You are not a slut, Evie.” He reassures, “He’s the bad guy here; those photos were supposed to be private!”
Evie nods, blinking back the tears that fill her eyes. Harry notices his name in a linked article and clicks it, drawing Evie’s attention.
“What’s that?” She asks, glancing at the phone. He remembers the shouted questions from the paparazzi as he and Julia had left Rio hours before and suddenly felt much better about his own statement on the matter.
Harry simply shrugs nervously but before he can back out of it Evie has lunged forward, with surprising speed for a drunk girl, and snatched the phone. Her back is against his chest as she wiggles, getting comfortable. His hands are up unsure of where to place them he finally settle with one on the back of the sofa and one at her waist. It feels intimate and Harry is suddenly feeling awkward but she doesn't seem to notice as she clicks the link, a video playing immediately.
"Our reporters caught up with Scottish heart throb Harry Hook," a voice intones, "As he left RIO in West Hollywood with a mystery blonde: New Bae alert?!”
Evie watches as the video shifts, a clip of swarms of reporters shouting questions at a smirking Harry beginning, Julia trailing behind him.
"Thoughts on the Grimhilde scandal?!”
“Have you seen the pictures?"
“Any nudes to leak, Hook?!”
“Harry! Harry!”
“Who’s the blonde?!”
Harry looked as if he'd been about to walk past but stops short of the door to his waiting car after getting Julia safety inside.
His happy features have darkened, "If I've seen them or not shouldn't be the question. What I want to know is why Chad Charming feels the need to be an absolute bottom feeder and release them in the first place. Obviously they were private. Taken when they were together, and presumably with the knowledge they'd never be for anyone else's eyes." Harry rolls his eyes "Charming is a scumbag. Evie's done nothin' wrong. She took some pretty picture for her boyfriend. No crime in that, lads.”
He goes to pass when another voice asks, "Any truth to the rumours that you and Evie are hooking up, then?"
Harry laughs, glancing back as he climbs into the car, "I could only be so lucky, mate.”
Evie turns, glancing up at him. She was shocked by his kindness and she can’t help but pull away from him a bit. She didn’t want him to protect her, she didn’t need it. She had a thick skin. She was brave, she had to be.
“Thank you.” She mumbles, glancing up at him with pink tinting her cheeks as she leans against the back of the couch. CJ had dropped off, leaving the two alone to chat. Silence envelopes them for a moment and Evie’s head spins drunkenly. This was a bad idea.
“... Evie?” Harry asks, hesitating as she glances up at him. There was a sadness in her eyes that made him worry, “Did you really love him?”
She puts on forced smile and waves her hand dismissively, humming, "Look at the pictures, Hook. You tell me."
"Not sure ye want me to do that." Harry sighs, shaking his head.
Evie's eyes narrow, cautious, “And why’s that?"
He sighs, glancing at her, “You want honesty?"
Evie nods her head, unsure if the alcohol or his soft voice was making her feel breathless.
“I saw them, all of them. You looked absolutely sinful... sixteen year old me would spent hours looking at them." Evie blushes when takes a pause, avoiding his eyes. “But, forgive me... ye also look very young, very innocent."
"Very naive." Evie adds, her smile diminishing completely. She had been. She still is.
"It really doesn't matter much if I've seen them or not though." Harry shrugs, "You never actually answered my question."
Evie thinks for a moment, did she? She assumed yes was the logical answer. She had always thought Chad was the one, that they would be together forever and never part from one another... she was a romantic.
Harry watches as she bites at her lip. He was starting to wonder if she always did that when she was nervous.
"I suppose I did." She finally says quietly.
“Actually, I was crazy about him.” She murmurs, shaking her head, as if disappointed by her younger self. “I gave him everything. He was my first love, my first kiss, my... my first everything.” She mumbles.
Harry wants to comfort her in some way, he couldn’t handle the softness in her sad features. She’d devoted herself to that selfish bastard and she was somehow the one paying for it?
“Chad is an idiot.” Harry mutters, shrugging. Evie glances up at him. Part of her was aggravated, Chad and Harry had treated her exactly the same, why did he get to act high and mighty when days ago he was the one slating her name behind her back? A small, bitter part of her speaks before she can shut herself up.
“He used to called me a demon too, you know. He told everyone in his circle about what a bitch I am - how pathetic I am, how my mother controls me and how I’m obsessive because I’m unhappy within myself; I want perfection around me so I can feel perfect. I sleep with producers for roles...” She hesitates as she quotes both men, eyes like fire, “Don’t trust the ice queen, right?”
Harry’s face falls, he’d never known she’d heard his nickname for her.
"Evie-"
"No, I get it.” She shakes her head, her words now fuelled by the alcohol and the upset of Chad's bullshit, "I even try to own it at times. That's what your supposed to do, right?" She moves away from him a little more. The conversation was becoming much heavier than she'd expected. “When someone calls you a bitch...an ice queen, no less... what recourse do you have? If you own the insult it looses its power. Except..." Harry offers her the whiskey after taking another drink himself. She waves him off.
"Except what, love?" He lets the endearment slip, worried suddenly that he’d actually been a real dick. He didn’t want to be in any sort of category with Chad Charming.
"Well, except, I'm not a... a whore. I might be a bitch but I haven't slept my way to the top." Her voice is tinged with anger, she hates those words, "I won't ever own that because... I work hard.” She murmurs, shaking her head in disgust, “My work is everything I have - it’s the only thing I get out of bed for everyday, you know? All I’ve ever know, and when someone accuses me of only being a pair of tits and dreamy eyes... it’s debilitating.”
She shook her head, looking at her hands, “I’m not just a pretty face, Hook. I’ll never be just a pretty face. I can’t be.”
Evie plucks the tumbler out of his hand taking a long hard pull off of it. Harry felt guilt seat itself within him, he didn't know how to respond. Evie rolls the glass around in her hand gently, watching the ice cubes clink from one side to the other. "Sorry..." she mumbles feeling so very stupid. She doesn't have something better to say, hell, she shouldn’t have even brought the topic up. Luckily, CJ chooses that moment to wake up. The blonde looks like a little girl as she stretches and looks to her brother.
“Harry, I'm ready to go to bed now." She whines, Her words still slurring slightly.
Harry nods, standing up and scooping her up into his arms.
“Come on, kid, I’ll tuck you in.“ he murmurs, letting her nuzzled into his shoulder with a happy sigh, eyes closing again.
Harry sighs, glancing at Evie. “Make yourself a cup of tea and I’ll be back.”
Funnily enough, it seems like a promise. Evie keeps her eyes down as he retreats towards the stairs with the sleeping girl in his arms. She felt a slight pang of jealousy. What must it be like to have family, true family to look out for you. A family that didn't see you as a meal ticket. Making her way back to the kitchen and filling the kettle already on the stove, she boosted herself up to the counter. Yes, she had Carlos but he had his own life and Jay along with it. She longed to be a part of something that didn't involve her ability to perform on cue. Something more than Chad, or her mother, or her manager. The whiskey is suddenly sitting uneasily in her tummy.
Harry tucked his sister into the spare bed, nestling the down comforter around her.
“I like her. Evie. I like Evie.” the girl mused staring up at him.
Harry laughs, “She’s seems to quite like you too.”
“I think we can be friends now.”
Harry rolls his eyes at his sister, leaning down to touch her cheek with his palm.
“Sleep.” He orders, voice firm.
She nods, rolling over, her eyes drifting closed slowly.“Mum would’ve liked her, Harry.”
He freezes at the mention of their mother. They didn't speak of her as much as they should. She had been a wonderful woman, the best mother any of the three children could've asked for, but her death had left a lasting mark on all of them. It had been the catalyst for James Hook’s dissent back into alcoholism and his old womanizing ways. CJ was lofting high praise on to Evie and Harry wasn’t sure if she realized what she was insinuating.
"Maybe. Goodnight CJ.” He murmurs, shutting the door gently.
As he rounded the hallways back into the kitchen he couldn't help but linger on the conversation prior to CJ’s bedtime routine. When he returned to the kitchen, Evie Grimhilde was sitting cross-legged on his granite countertop, neatly wrapped in her little black dress, feet still encased in a pair of fire-engine red heels.
“I find it hard to believe your still awake." He says quietly. She startles when she hears him as if she been lost in her own world.
Evie shrugs softly, shaking her head, “You scared me.”
Harry gives her a nod of apology. “I think she’s going to regret the whiskey tomorrow.”
Evie groans, “Same. The room is spinning. I need tea, food, sleep and a hug.”
Harry moves around the kitchen collecting mugs, tea bags, and a tin of biscuits he'd hidden away from his trainer. He pops the lid off the tin and offers her a cookie which she takes happily. He watches her nibble at it daintily as he sets about making their tea.
"Your choices for sleep are in with CJ - which I would not recommend because she’s a kicker - or my bed." He laughs at her raised brows, "My bed sans me." He clarifies.
“I can take the couch. I don't want to impose." Evie reassures, as Harry hands her a steaming mug.
"Evie. No. If it was an imposition I wouldn't offer it to you." She nods quietly, sipping at the tea as continues, “I’ll get you something to sleep in. I’m sure I have something you can wear that'll be more comfy than your dress." Evie goes to argue again.
“Eh. It’s no problem. Wouldn’t be the first time I had my co-star’s dress laying on my bedroom floor anyway." He shoots her a cheeky grin and she can't help but giggle.
"Tea and a snack, sleep is on the way... I can retire to my hangover in piece.”
“I believe there was a fourth piece on that list.” Harry announces before he really thinks about it. Evie looks up at him with a raised brow.
The alcohol has steadily been wearing off but she’s finding herself getting more tired by the minute. Harry laughs as she yawns, widely and dramatically, and helps her off the counter, she slips out of her shoes, picking them up daintily.
Harry moves closer, “I’m a good hugger, so prepare yourself.”
Evie laughs quietly as he wraps his arms around her waist. She snuggles into him, making him sigh.
“You smell nice.” She murmurs, he hums.
“So d’you.”
His accent is gruff, mouth resting by her ear. She sighs to herself as she notes how sleepy she now was. The night of drinking and dancing had ruined her.
“Gosh, am I tired.” She mumbles, punctuating it with another yawn.
Harry pulls away, “Bed.” He nods.
He takes her tea in his free hand, leading her to his room and sitting her on the bed.
Evie takes the tea from him as she takes out her earrings and yawns again, sipping from the cup. Harry goes stuffing around in a draw before he pulls out a black T-shirt for her.
As he turns to leave after passing it to her, Evie clear her throat, Harry looks back curiously.
“CJ helped me get ready." She explains. He cocks his head to the side trying to understand. She lets out a puff of air.
“I need help getting unzipped. From what I hear, that's well within your skillset."
Harry chuckles as he steps to her, "Turn for me then.” he says softly, she does as asked.
He brushes her hair from her neck before griping the zipper and sliding it all the way down. Her bare skin looks so soft, so pale, the gentle sloped curve of her spine has him totally entranced. His fingers trail along her back with a feather light touch automatically. She shivers, his thumb brushing her skin gently. When he hears a shaky breath escape the girl before him he immediately steps back.
“I'll, uh, be right down the in the lounge if you need anything." He says quickly, turning to go the door.
"Harry?" He watches as she turns around, cheeks tinted pink, holding the dress to her chest, "... Thank you.”
His face softens, he was u sure if it was for letting her have a go at him uninterrupted, defending her in the wake of the reporters, opening her dress or just for the cup of tea, but he’d never been thanked by her so sincerely before.
“Of course. Whatever you need." He offers before he can grasp his response.
When CJ awakes the next morning her head is thumping viciously. She needs aspirin, she needs thirty minutes of HIIT cardio, she needs coffee. And fast. The blonde drags herself from bed before going to the bathroom to wash off the remnants of the night before, wincing at her reflection. Her red stained lip makes her think back to Evie the night before. She was so free, having so much fun just enjoying her night, drinking and letting go. It was so good to see. CJ knew Evie’s type well, hard working, beautiful, passionate, intense but controlled - in her mind, Evie was like a lit firecracker trapped in a lunch box. She needed to be let out, to relax a little. She sighs as she drys her face, going to her purse to dig around for her phone. The first thing she sees when she begins clicking through her socials are reports of Evie enjoying a night with the “vivacious” CJ Hook at 919. She skins them as she strolls downstairs, finding Harry shirtless, covered in post-workout sweat and nursing a coffee.
“Morning.” She grumbles going to the fridge.
"Morning sunshine" he chirps with a laugh before cracking an egg in to a hot skillet. CJ hears it sizzle and feels her stomach flop. She decides to avoid food for the moment, she closes the fridge and staggers to the coffee pot.
"Evie didn't sneak out on me already?" She asks.
"Nah, she's still asleep, or at least she was before I went for my run."
CJ peeks at the empty couch, "Asleep where?" Harry's back is to her so she misses the grin that crosses his face "My room, of course."
“Your room?” CJ asks, arching a brow as he hums. She grabs a mug from the cupboard, raising her brows. No wonder the lad was so chipper this morning.
“And... did you two...?”
Harry laughs, “No, no, I just put her to bed and-“
The front door slamming cut his statement off, he glances up, looking at CJ who goes to the window across the room.
“And the princess has left the building.” She announces, watching Evie - somehow looking incredible in her heels and Harry’s black T-shirt, tied so it sat like a dress at her mid-thigh. Her hair bounces as she struts to the car waiting for her, her sunglasses and bag perched in the crook of her arm delicately.
Harry follows behind his sister, catching a glimpse before Evie folds her long legs into her waiting ride. He lets out a low whistle. Honestly, that shirt had never looked so good. He turns back to CJ who is giving "the look".
"You're sure nothing-"
"Calista Jane, if I'd took that woman to bed you can be damn sure that's where I'd still be."
Evie has to hide her grin as Carlos drives. He's irritated but she really can't be bothered with it. The article from E! Is just that funny. It's a series of grainy photos of her and CJ from the night before: “Has Chad driven Evie to the other side?!”
She actually finds it delightful. If she was going be exploited in the news, she was going to make the damn news.
"Well, I hope you at least had fun." Carlos finally says, his voice short.
"I did. So much, really." She watches the hills open up to the city below, "Though I feel rude rushing out on CJ like that.”
Carlos rolls his eyes, shaking his head at her.
“Evie that stunt you pulled last night was totally irresponsible!”
She glances up at him, her eyes saddened, “Excuse me?”
He tenses, “The executives are breathing down my neck, Chad Charming is auctioning off your nudes to the entire world and you’re off advertising yourself as the latest lesbian sensation! You aren’t doing yourself any favours here, Evie!”
She couldn’t believe what he was saying, how could he be so dismissive? She’d had so much fun... for once in her life she’d let go. Why was he so angry with her? She looks down, crossing her arms and sitting in silence as he lectures her. Tears fill her eyes as she listens to his snarky tone.
“You’re being totally careless! I’m so disappointed in you. Chad is making you look like a total fool, but you’re making it worse by acting out like this!”
Evie feels shame wash over her, she'd heard the same lecture from her mother times over. She's repeatedly apologizing out if habit before she can bother to tell Carlos how she really feels. It hurts her to say it but it’s what is right. This was her life and she was entitled to have some fun. She was entitled to have friends... but work, her reputation, it came first.
“I'm sorry." She mumbles, "I'm just tired. I'm so tired of being everyone's work horse. I just wanted to try and be normal for one night, Carlos. I didn’t want to be Evie Grimhilde Oscar Winning Leading Lady, or Chad Charming’s Slutty Ex, or The Evil-Ice-Queen-Super-Bitch... I just wanted to be myself." She pulls her legs up trying to make herself as small as possible. She’s mortified. Carlos' eyes soften. "Evie-“
“I don’t want to talk anymore.” She murmurs, looking down as she hugs her legs to her chest. Carlos sighs, focusing on the road as she pouts in the front seat. This was why she couldn’t do things like this... she had to be perfect. Always. Guilt washes over her as she sits there, Carlos was angry at her, she knew it. And it makes her heart break. She didn’t want him to be mad.
A text alert pops up on her phone. It's CJ:
I had a blast last night. We're officially best friends; like it or not.
Evie lets a small smile slip, wiping her eyes. Another text pops up. When she reads it, Evie wants to laugh, and cry and she doesn’t quite understand why:
Harry said you can keep the shirt.