Chapter Text
It’s exactly a week after Lucy breaks up with Chris, and Tim asks her out on a date that Chris calls her. She stares at her phone with his name on the screen debating whether she will actually pick up. She knew it didn’t go well, he was upset and she stood there for ten minutes before heading back to the station. But she still cared and she wanted to talk. So against her better judgement she answered.
“Lucy.” is the first thing Chris says before she could even get a hello in. Lucy blinks before replying dreading her voice.
“Hi Chris.” She says trying to sound as neutral as possible.
There was silence and then: “Look. I know you said.. I know we are technically broken up.” He said in a rush. “But..”
“There’s no technically Chris. We are broken up. I don’t-“
“Lucy. Please. I am sorry about the houses and pushing you but I know you do love me.”
Chris pleads. “I know you do Lucy.”
Lucy sucks in a breath and then let it out. She didn’t love him. She liked him sure and he was great as she told Tim that day but he wasn’t what she wanted.
He wasn’t.. well he wasn’t Tim. He wasn’t the grumpy to her sunshine.
He wasn’t the blue eyes to her dark eyes.
He just.. wasn’t. She flashed back to the day in the shop when she was saying “He’s just not…” out loud. She remembered glancing at Tim and wanting to say he’s not you. But she didn’t and that was ok because they got there eventually.
Tim was who she wanted to be with. And everyday they were together made it clear she made the right decision. Chris was safe and it wasn’t going anywhere despite him trying. Tim was everything she needed.
Lucy bites her lip and shakes her head and then clearing her throat trying to clear her head so she could talk to Chris.
“I don’t want to be with you Chris. I wanted to explain why.. but you left. You stomped out like a child who didn’t get his way. I made my peace Chris. I suggest you do the same.”
There was a click and Lucy realized he hung up. She rolled her eyes. She glanced down at her phone and saw a message from Tim pop up. A smile tugged at her lips. Chris never made her smile like this with just a simple message.
She typed out a reply. They were in the beginning stages. They hadn’t even gone on their first date (the next night was the date- she could hardly wait) but the feeling inside she felt for Tim- was something she had ever felt before. Every time she thought or saw or even read a message for goodness sakes it was butterflies. It was a tingly feeling. She had never been in love before. But this. This could be the start of something and she was ready. Her phone buzzed again.
This time it was from Chris. It was a long message that she had to click open. Her heart sank as she read the message.
Chris: I know you think this is over but it’s not. I know you want me like I want you. I am sorry for pushing you so hard. I am Lucy. We don’t have to move in together. I want you to be comfortable so please give me another chance. I’ll give you another few days and then I’ll check back.
Lucy frowned. Her fingers hovering over the keyboard. She should reply and tell him to fuck off. She never thought Chris would get obsessive and demanding but.. another message alert came in. Tim.
She smiled and opened it, Chris and his message leaving her mind. This time it was a picture of Kojo and Lucy sighs happily.
***
Lucy is stretched against her sofa, legs in Tim’s lap. She was scrolling mindlessly through her social media not really paying attention to the TV. Her phone buzzed and Tim glanced up looking at her curiously. He had his eyes close and was breathing steadily, his big warm hand resting against her. Lucy looked at her phone, her heart plummeting because it was from Chris. She hasn’t replied and he had sent her six messages that day and then another ten the next. She ignored them all. She had half the mind to block him but she kept getting distracted with work and with the man she was currently cuddled up with so really it wasn’t at the top of her list.
Chris: Hey baby. I want to see you.
Lucy: No. I don’t want to see you. Leave me alone.
Lucy grimaced as she pressed send and ran her hand down her face. She knew that Chris had a hard time hearing the word no but really this was getting ridiculous. Tim who was still watching her frowned.
“Are you okay?” Because of course he would notice. He always noticed. No matter what.
“Y-yea Um.” Lucy paused. She didn’t know what to say. She didn’t want Tim getting involved because she knew he would. She knew he would protect her and well… she loved him for that but. She wasn’t ready for Chris to know the reason.. one of the reasons she broke up with him.
“Lucy.” Said Tim and she looked at him. He was frowning deeply. His blue eyes studying her face intently.
She took a deep breath. And then turned to look at the man she trusted the most in the world.
“Chris has been texting me. A lot.” She felt more than saw Tim stiffen. She remembered how he acted when Chris kept calling and texting about houses. She had been so focused on whether or not she actually wanted to move in with Chris but she also was in tune to Tim, and she saw him roll his eyes and the look of sadness that flashed in his eyes when Chris had FaceTimed her the first time.
“He called a couple days ago. He said he wanted me and I he knew I wanted him like that..” She paused. “I told him no, Tim I did but he didn’t like it and I think that’s why he’s being so..”
“Son of a bitch.” Tim grumbles.
“What-“ Lucy frowns at him raising her eyebrows.
Tim leaned over pressing his hand on her thigh and then pressing his forehead against hers.
“Lucy. What did he say exactly.”
Lucy fumbled for her phone to give to Tim but not before pressing her lips to his. She sighed contentedly. She pulled up her messages to the first one and handed it over to Tim. He scrolled through the messages silently but Lucy could see him getting angrier and angrier.
“Bastard.”
Lucy snorted. That was one word to describe her ex. Tim handed back her phone and scooted closer.
“I’m not going to tell you what to do Lucy but I don’t like this.”
“I should block him.” She says more to herself than Tim. Tim blinks at her, surprise registering on his face.
“Yea you should but it’s your choice and I know you. You want to see the best in people.”
Lucy sighs shrugging and she locked her phone and cuddles up to Tim.
“He’s just being.. bitter. He will get over it.”
Tim kisses the top of her pausing there for a second.
“I trust your gut but if it gets..” Tim trails off.
“Okay.” Said Lucy softly. She knew exactly what he is trying to say because as tuned in to her as he was she was the same way with him. She just knew. She knew the unspoken words. She knew the worry. But she also knew his words rang true. He trusted her.
Her phone buzzes in her lap. She looks at it, and sighs
Chris.
Lucy rolled her eyes. Opened her phone and iMessage to block him. But her eyes flicked over the message first.
Chris: I’m coming over whether you like it or not
Lucy quickly blocks him shoving the phone at Tim her heart racing. Tim stood up still holding Lucy’s phone and stalked over to the door locking it. And then double checking it.
“You blocked him?” He growled he was still by the door as if waiting for Chris. Lucy knew if he did show up he would have to face Tim and well.. she was ok with that.
“Yes.”
“Good.” He said simply still standing by the door his legs a width apart. He looked intimidating if you didn’t know him. Lucy smiled at him from across the room. He noticed and his face relaxed a little.
“It’s gonna be ok.” He said his voice soft. She knew he was still angry at Chris for not just letting her go. She never did tell him how he reacted when she broke up with him. He left her apartment as if he wasn’t going to bother her again. He was calm she realized too calm.
There was a loud knock at the door and Lucy jumped a little. Tim turned toward the door and she knew he was back to his frown.
Tim unlocked the door as Lucy stood up from the couch.
It’s Chris.
He looked…normal. Not upset. Not angry. Calm like he had that night.
“Bradford.” Said Chris. “I need to talk to Lucy.”
Lucy heard Tim scoff. She knew there was no way in hell Tim would let him in her apartment. Tim didn’t like Chris on the best of days and now that he knew he was being a creep well..
“No.” He said simply. “You don’t need to do anything but leave.” He started to close the door but Chris stopped it with his foot peaking his head in.
“You can’t tell me what to do Bradford. Lucy is your friend not your-“ he stopped when he noticed Lucy hovering behind Tim.
Chris frowned. “Lucy please.”
“No. Chris. I don’t want to talk or get back together. I don’t want to do anything with you. I made that clear many times. So please leave.” She pushed passed Tim which wasn’t easy because he was basically blocking the doorway so Chris couldn’t come in.
Tim made a noise of protest but didn’t say anything. He knew she could do this herself.
“Leave.” She said firmly. “Now.”
“Why is he here?” Chris asked
Lucy rolled her eyes. “That’s none of your business Chris.”
Chris tried to push his way in. Tim pushed him back immediately.
“I’m done being nice Sanford.” Tim said gruffly. “You and Lucy are broken up. You are done. She has asked you nicely to leave and to leave her alone. Now if you don’t leave I will arrest you.”
Chris glared at him he opened his mouth to speak. Lucy beat him to it.
“Goodbye Chris.” She nodded to Tim and he shut the door locking the door. Tim immediately gathered Lucy in his arms kissing her temple.
“Lucy.” She had buried her head into his chest. He was safe. She had never felt this safe with anybody. This comforted.
“Tim I-“ They had only been dating for a week. They had only been on two ( one sort of failed) dates. It was way too soon but she felt it and probably had been feeling it for awhile but it was too soon.
She swallowed the words and glanced up at him.
“I’m sorry Tim- for Chris.”
Tim shook his head grabbing her head and leading her over to the sofa. He sat down pulling her with him.
“Lucy.” He mumbled. “It’s not your fault baby.”
Lucy blushed at the term of endearment and snuggled closer to Tim. She hoped Chris had gotten the message.
She closed her eyes, her head on Tim’s chest. She could handle Chris being.. well Chris but.. she shook the thoughts out of her head. She was going to be ok. Chris and her were done. There was no reason to worry.
If she had only known this was the start of a huge nightmare.