have you seen ( Evie Fields, she/her )? They look a lot like ( Madelyn Cline ). The ( 29 ) year old ( dancer at Eden’s Garden Strip Club ) is so ( confident, empathetic, and loyal ) but I heard they can also be really ( over-thinking, distant and jealous. ) Can you believe they’ve been in town for ( 6 months )?! They live in the beverly neighbourhood and kind of remind me of ( coastal cool, soft glam, modern romantic ). If I was asked, I’d guess that they were ( Most Likely to Be a Model ) in their yearbook for the class of ( 2015 ).
tw: abuse
follows come from huntrcssqueen
full name : Evie Renee Fields
nickname(s) : Eve, Neenee
date of birth : December 21
parentage: biological mother Pam Kent (passed), biological father Mark Fields (passed), step-father David Kent
siblings: older brother and sister
significant other: single
gender identity : cis female ( she/her )
romantic orientation : panromantic
sexual orientation : pansexual
occupation : dancer at Eden's Garden Strip Club
BIOGRAPHY: (highlights)
abused by her step-father since the age of 16, physically and sexually
mother drank herself to death after Evie left, blames herself
dated around to try and feel love, only felt used and not actually cared for
finds it hard to trust people because of her step-father
became a stripper because she felt she deserved that life
came from a very rich family
her father was a ceo of a company, mom worked with him when he needed someone
her step-father is a producer
BIOGRAPHY: (full)
Evie Fields was born into a life most people only ever glimpse from the outside—polished, curated, and impossibly perfect. The youngest of three, with an older brother and sister who seemed to glide effortlessly into their own lives, Evie grew up in a home where appearances mattered. Wealth wrapped around her childhood like a safety net, softening every fall before it could even happen. From the outside, the Fields family was the kind people envied: successful father, elegant mother, well-behaved children, and a house that always felt just a little too pristine to be real. Evie became the centerpiece of that world without ever asking to be. She was magnetic—beautiful in a way that made people look twice, charming in a way that made them stay. At school, she was the girl everyone knew, or thought they knew. Friends orbited her, drawn in by the ease with which she carried herself. Boys, especially, saw her as something to win, something soft and pretty that would be easy to claim. They mistook her warmth for naivety, her kindness for weakness. Evie learned early how to smile through it, how to play the role expected of her, even when it didn’t quite fit.
Everything changed when she was sixteen. Her father—her anchor, the quiet constant in a house built on image—fell ill. It wasn’t gradual in the way people hope tragedies will be. It was sudden, invasive, and final. His death cracked the illusion of perfection wide open, leaving something raw and unrecognizable behind. Her mother unraveled. Grief hollowed her out, turning a once composed and attentive woman into someone distant, fragile, and unreachable. Evie’s siblings were already gone by then, off building their own lives, leaving her behind in a house that no longer felt like home. At sixteen, she became something she was never meant to be: the steady one. The caretaker. The adult. She managed what she could—bills, appearances, her mother’s spiralling grief—while still trying to hold onto the remnants of her own teenage life. But the world she had once moved through so effortlessly became heavier, sharper. The attention she once received began to feel different, more predatory. The illusion of safety was gone, and in its place was a growing understanding that she was, in many ways, alone.
By eighteen, things seemed to be shifting again. Her mother reemerged, slowly at first, then all at once, pulled back into life by a man who promised stability, charm, and a fresh start. He was a producer—successful, charismatic, the kind of man who knew exactly how to present himself. Their whirlwind relationship ended in marriage, and for a moment, it looked like things might finally settle. But Evie saw what others didn’t. Beneath the polished surface, something about him didn’t sit right. His kindness felt rehearsed, his smiles calculated. There was a tension in the way he spoke, a subtle control in how he moved through their lives, as if everything—and everyone—was something to be managed. Evie had grown up around perfection. She knew what it looked like when something was being carefully staged. And she was right to be wary. Behind closed doors, the man her mother married revealed who he truly was. His control turned into manipulation, his charm into cruelty. The house that had once felt empty began to feel suffocating. Evie endured more than she ever spoke about—abuse that blurred lines, that chipped away at her sense of safety, her voice, her worth. For a long time, she stayed, convincing herself she had to. For her mother. For what was left of their family. Until she couldn’t anymore.
When Evie finally left, it wasn’t dramatic. There were no goodbyes, no closure—just the quiet, breaking point of someone who had run out of strength to keep surviving in the same place that was destroying her. She thought leaving would end it. It didn’t. Without Evie there to hold things together, her mother fell deeper than before. The man she had married didn’t save her—he hollowed out what little remained. Alcohol became her escape, her refuge, her slow undoing. Not long after Evie left, her mother drank herself into an early grave. And no matter how much time passes, no matter how many times she tries to tell herself the truth, Evie carries one unshakable belief: She should have stayed.
Grayson laughed. "You are never impressed with me, are you?" his smile was big, as she questioned and gently poked at his flattery. "You'll have to help me along here, I'm stuck in the dark." He played up the gargoyle angle to his advantage, knowing this was likely going to be a thing between them for as long as they knew each other. Her gargoyle.
He gave a comical glance down at himself. "Did I stop being a man somewhere on my way over here?" Grayson's hand tickled up her side, never quite seeming to keep his touch away now that she'd given the green lights he could.
As she leaned, a solid arm went around her middle to brace and hold her in against him. Content with that, the warmth of her and the fire washing over him. Evie was soft in ways that complimented his harder frame. "Where's the cute plush fox?" he asked, before a boyish grin took over and he joked, "Or am I looking at her?" He couldn't resist the cheesy opening. "My night is going better now, that I found you," he admitted. "I got a verbal lashing earlier tonight from the deputy mayor for toying with her heart -- her words, not mine. Apparently, I have to wear a sign these days that comes equipped with fine print, or else I'm promising myself to committed relationships." Grayson gave a shake of the head, perplexed.
Evie let out an exaggerated gasp, pressing a hand dramatically to her chest. ❝ Excuse you, I am occasionally impressed. ❞ A laugh bubbled free as his fingers tickled her side, making her squirm against him with a squeak grabbing onto his chest. ❝ Hey! That's cheating. ❞ She glanced up at him through a grin that only widened at the fox joke. ❝ Smooth. Real smooth. But no, the plush fox is sitting over at my boss's food truck because I figured it'd survive there better than being dragged around all night. Though...❞ her head tipped thoughtfully, ❝ ...I guess I could be the cute fox. ❞ The more time she spent with Grayson, the more it got her interested in keeping him around.
Her expression softened as he mentioned the deputy mayor, brows lifting before she let out an incredulous laugh. ❝ Wait... that was your crime? Existing while someone caught feelings? ❞ She shook her head, unable to hide her amusement. ❝ Relationships are just complicated and messy. Works in my benefit having you here. ❞ Her thumb brushed lightly over his bicep. She liked the feeling of being in his arms, how strong and big they were around her smaller frame, having to look up at him from where she stood. ❝ For what it's worth... I'm glad to be the reason your night's better now. You've definitely been the highlight of mine.❞ She mused leaning up to snatch a kiss against his lips.
Teddy and Matt, bet, you gonna sing a whole song about how rock hard this man is? They are gonna be so hot, too hot to not fall in love !! What about Asher and Vera our Brad and Janet? Chemistry through the roof. Oooh how bout some understudy romance? Claude and Evie look real comfortable together already in that bed.. and Nathan and Ruby have been.. making a lot of props
I bet there's more, spill people spill
"Oh... oh these are juicy. Idek if in have anything to add. Teddy Robshaw and Matt Whitlock-Holmes would be wild. Vera Cowen better watch it for Harriet McLaughlin if she's gonna make moves on Asher Stone. Evie Fields and Claudio Rojas cute and sexy. Oh I love everything about this."
Every time she shifted or adjusted, they felt like they could see a new discoloration on her. Something fresh they hadn't seen before. None of it any good. "You aren't, though, because I can see it on you, Evie," Claudio told her, their face still a ball of concern. "Whether they will take it serious -- I can't say or promise, everything is always hit or miss these days, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't try." Even just an attempt would be enough in their opinion, because at least then the woman could tell herself she didn't do anything. Claudio felt she could live with herself better, knowing she told someone.
The question made them nod rapidly, "Absolutely! I will be right there!" That was no skin off their nose whatsoever. Somebody should be there for Evie, and it didn't appear as if she had any family around. Well, despite them having actual blood relatives in town, they had basically disowned them now, so Claude had no family either, right!? They could be each other's stand-in there. "I believe you," they told her, firmly, reaching to take one of her hands. "Let's walk that way, okay? You don't have to promise to do anything today if that's what you decide but let's see if you feel differently when you get closer to the sheriff's office." Claude did not care this derailed their initial reason for meeting up today in the slightest. This had become far more important.
Evie's breath caught when Claude's fingers curled around hers. For a second she just stared at their joined hands, the tight knot in her chest loosening enough that she could finally breathe without it hurting quite so much. Her thumb brushed lightly over the back of their hand before she gave it a gentle squeeze. ❝ ...Thank you, ❞ she whispered, her voice trying not to tremble. ❝ Really... ❞ She blinked quickly, forcing back the tears threatening to spill, she couldn't cry. Her gaze dropped to the bruises peeking out beneath her sleeves, and almost instinctively she tugged at the fabric. ❝ Um... do you happen to have a sweater or hoodie I could borrow? Just... something to cover up a little. I don't really want everyone staring at me on the way there. ❞ She wasn't sure she could go through with it, wasn't sure that actually reporting it would be the right thing. The whole what if's running through her mind. She was told to answer when he called, be there when he wanted her.
Do you think Penny, Grayson, and Evie have, like, a bet to see who ends up bedding the most people? They've been running around town with everyone. I do wonder who their top five are, though. You know, for research purposes.
"Penny Hart, Grayson Kasnoff and Evie Fields walk into a bar-...
Does sound like the start of a joke, though the punchline would be 'and slept with everyone there' or something. Everyone think Naomi Katz is the town bicycle, but at least she knows what she is. These three they to act like angels."
Her smile really lit her up. Grayson decided immediately, he liked that. He wanted to see more of it, from her. Be the cause of it. "Oh, I'm definitely still an enlightened beach guy so, feel free to make all the fun you want," he advised her with a quick and easy wink, "I can hack it." However, the smile he offered then was one of appreciation, that she had so respectfully acknowledged his store as something worthy. "Thank you.. I'm pretty stoked about it," it was another, as easy as the rest, but the way he, too, stared around the shop was anything but.
Gray's smile lingered, shaking her hand properly and giving an extra, intimate squeeze of her fingers before relinquishing it, "Evie.. you know, that suits you." He couldn't quite explain how or why, but it did. She just looked like an Evie. It was a soft, cute name for a soft, cute woman. "Let's end the debate and state, definitively, then... I am your type, gargoyle label or not," he wiggled his brows in a playful way, making the bold statement. "Ah, if only my mother was here to hear this, she'd be so proud I've moved up in the world," he laughed loudly.
Teasing with her felt natural.
"I admit, I am a serial flirter," he confessed, simply being honest. "I can't help it, I just -- I enjoy people, I love making them smile." His gaze lowered down to hers, as if to remind himself why, because she looked beautiful with one. "But despite that, I'd hope you feel special anyway because you, dear Evie, certainly are and don't you ever let anyone teach you otherwise." The man booped the air just shy of her nose, though there was something firm in these flattering words that said Grayson stood ten toes down on them. "Are you here to surf?" he asked, brows raising. "I've got the boards.. We have a jet ski outside, too. How about parasailing? Be my guest, tell me what your heart's desire is today, my new friend, and I will see that I can make it come true." Then, his lips curled into a smirk, leaning in closer as he whispered, "My treat." If he kept treating these people, he would go out of business quickly, but he couldn't help himself! At least the tourists were giving great business.
Evie's laugh came easy, bright enough that she had to glance away for a second just to hide the grin threatening to take over her whole face. Dangerous, she decided. Not the surfboards, not the jet ski—the smile. Guys who smiled like that always turned out to be trouble. The kind you swore you weren't going to entertain, only to find yourself standing in their shop twenty minutes later still talking. Which was exactly what she was going to end up doing standing here with him. She pointed at him accusingly, blue eyes narrowing with mock suspicion. ❝ Oh, wow. You're good. You just admitted you're a serial flirt like it was some kind of public service announcement. ❞ Her head tilted, studying him for a beat before the corner of her mouth curled again. ❝ I should probably run while I still have the upper hand... but now I'm curious if you're actually this charming or if you've just had a lot of practice. ❞
Flirting was like second nature to her, seeing people smile and being there for them was simply what she became. She rocked back on her heels, letting her gaze drift toward the boards before looking back at him, up and down mind you. ❝ Oh you are my type hmm? I'll be the judge of that by the end of this little.. thing we got going on. ❞ She reached out without really thinking, lightly catching the sleeve of his shirt between her fingers before letting it go again with an amused shake of her head. ❝ Though, if your goal is making people smile, congratulations. You got me smiling, beach gargoyle. ❞ The nickname came out softer this time, more fond than teasing, and she caught herself smiling again before she could stop it.
His whispered my treat earned an exaggerated gasp, her hand pressing dramatically to her chest. ❝ Free? Grayson... are you trying to impress me or bankrupt yourself? ❞ she teased, stepping just a little closer with that effortless, sun-soaked confidence she carried everywhere. ❝ Tell you what... I wasn't planning on surfing today, but I was planning on wandering wherever the day took me. So... if you're offering a local's recommendation instead of your best sales pitch, I might let you convince me. But if I end up face-first in the ocean? I'm leaving a very honest customer review. Five stars for the flirting... pending the survival rate. The jet ski idea does sound pretty appealing though. ❞
ext. carroll park - late night, july.
@eviescore @angstfactory (grayson)
discord
Evie
After about the fourth drink and blunt, Evie stopped keeping track of who she was texting and what she was smoking or drinking next. Laying in the grass she had her knees up pointing toward the sky to herself after dropping her phone into her face. ❝ Ohp!! ❞
-
Ashton
Ash had gotten the burger for Evie, hoping to help his friend sober up and was ready to take her home, he immediately drove out of his house late that night, not even willing to take the chance for Evie to be drunk and in danger, and even if she was safe and with friends, at least he would be able to see it with his own eyes. He parked the car nearby and followed the live location map pin to exactly where Evie laid down, not moving as she promised. "there you are, burger delivery," Ash's worries melted away seeing her alone and safe, even if it a lil out of it lying in the grass, phone falling on her face. He chuckled passing her the burger still warm in one hand as he picked up her phone for her in with the other, "cheese and pickles, as requested." He stood beside her first, looking around the park, those sex noises must be loud for Evie to run so far, "you doing okay?"
-
Grayson
it had been a relaxing day for gray, a slow one at the store. was able to get it closed up by 7pm and when he got home, a sandwich got him tired and fallen into a few hours nap. thats life in your forties for you. eventually, he turned over and the light from his phone got the man groggily cleaning out the sleep from his eyes and seeing that evie had been texting. and was drunk, somewhere in carroll. gray had too much experience with this to feel comfortable leaving the woman out by herself this late. so he got up, took one of his hoodies for her, and headed out to find her at the park. he wasn’t expecting someone else to be there with her and from this distance, he wasn’t sure what was going on or if he liked that much. “heyo,” gray alerted to his presence, jogging the rest of the way to come across evie laying on the ground. and some other guy that he did a double take of, a smile coming in as he pointed towards him, “i know you! .. uhh.. hockey player, right? yeah, the la knights,” he said, totally unaware he had gotten the team name wrong — wouldn’t have cared anyway, because he had been rooting for the other team. “you two know each other?” gray asked then, surveying the scene with a keener eye, noting the food and that evie didn’t seem to be in distress. just drink. “hey,” his smile soft, he squatted next to evie to check on her, “you want to put this on? it’s cold out tonight.” he held out the hoodie.
-
Evie
Evie blinked blearily up at the two figures looming over her, squinting like they kept multiplying before a crooked grin spread across her face. ❝ Ashhhh... y'came. ❞ She reached for the burger with both hands like it was the greatest treasure she'd ever seen, nearly dropping it before hugging it to her chest. ❝ I love cheeseburger... an' you pickles. You're, like... the besht. ❞ She hummed with that little happy smile she almost always had on her lips. Her attention drifted to Grayson when she heard his voice now. ❝ Gray! Hi... you found me too. Everybody's findin' me now. ❞ She giggled, then pointed lazily between the two men. ❝ An' it's Kingsss. LA Kings. No the... no t... who was it? I know 'cause Ash does the hockey thingy and we met a long time ago now. ❞ It was sweet of Grayson to bring her a sweater, as she didn't even noticed the temperature outside anymore, accepting the hoodie with clumsy hands, sliding it on her small body to then flop back into the grass. ❝ M'fine. The ground's comfy... but y'guys are way prettier than the stars right now. ❞
-
Ashton
"course I did- careful," he gently spoke, making sure the burger made it to her hands without dropping. How did she get this wasted? The question was lingering in his mind. "Once you eat a lil let's get you h-" Before Ash could finish his sentence, some other voice came up, and one that was off the bat unrecognizable which made Ash tense up at the sound of it. He stood up straight up, raising an eyebrow at the familiar face but never around here in Carroll.. Evie at least seemed to know him. Ash stared him down for a second or two as it clicked, "you?"
The irk of a face and that smile had him in a small mild annoyance but nothing truly antagonistic, in all the times they've been in random cities.. he's always felt like.. a house fly, harmless but annoying. Evie was the sweetie to even help him correct his hockey team before he could as he chuckled, "yeah, hockey player, constantly judged by this one Sharks fan." He's seen him in teal before, running around San Jose. "And yeah, we're old friends." Ash said it quickly before he could have any ideas on what he walked in on, or what he himself might be planning with her. even if Evie knew him, Ashton didn't. And he wasn't going to trust another man's intentions with her. Ash squat down opposite of this Gray to continue keeping an eye of him. "And how do you know each other?" He had promised Evie he'd look after her in this town, no way he was going to let anything happen to her. His concerned gaze glanced back down to the obliviously happy dazed girl lying on the ground with these two men beside her, honestly the optics are not great from the outlook, "Evie, you wanna go home?"
-
Grayson
“right, kings,” he corrected with a quiet smirk, more than aware that it might chafe the hockey player some. ash? the guy was hot, gray clocked messing with him from the moment they met and had a relatively friendly rivalry going on. “gotta stay loyal to my sharks, being a water man myself,” gray claimed with a wink in ash’s direction. did he honestly care that much about hockey? not particularly, but he had gone out to games now and then, with his nephew in tow, to keep the younger man entertained. “ah, that’s easy,” now his smile directed down onto evie with a softer expression, “i am her gargoyle, she pulled me out of the shadows at the reception and hasn’t put me back since.” now it was her he was giving the wink, because damn, he was just a terrible flirt with everyone. he liked evie, though! as a friend, definitely, and she was more than just that by now. they had their fun but — tonight wasn’t the night for that, with her blitzed out of her mind. ash and his goals aligned here, get her someplace she could sleep it off safely. “yeah evie, you should come sleep it off.. i feel like you probably texted half the town here,” gray actually looked over his shoulder from where he squatted, as if expected other men to come out of the shadows to play knight. giving that she was a dancer, he was lowkey concerned about who some of those might be.
-
Evie
❝ I… I did not text that many people… ❞ Evie mumbled, pouting as she fumbled her phone inches from her face, squinting at it for a beat before letting out a tiny gasp. ❝ …Oh. Maybe I did. Tha’s… a lotta names. ❞ She dissolved into giggles, dropping the phone onto her stomach this time. Her hazy gaze drifted between Grayson and Ashton before she pointed at them with absolutely zero coordination. ❝ M’gargoyle… m’hockey man… y’both came to me. ❞ She smiled so wide her cheeks hurt, hugging herself in the warmth of his sweater. Shaking her head she took a big ol’ bite of the burger to devour it. ❝ Mm… but Ash, brought me cheeseburger… I could just kiss y’for that… ❞ she slurred absentmindedly through a mouthful of food before blinking at Grayson. She flopped back into the grass with a content sigh. ❝ I don’ wanna go yet, we gotta eat my burger and watch the sky. ❞ her hand touched Grayson bicep to keep him near. ❝ Then house boat. ❞
-
Ashton
he rolled his eye lightly, knowing the other man could care less about his hockey, even if he did care about hockey on the occasions, it wouldn't be for him. "her.. gargoyle..?" Ash mumbled in confusion mostly to himself, blinking at the unconventional way to describe your relation to someone. So during the reception, Ash was well.. busy. He hadn't noticed or met many people there. Ash sighed endearingly looking at Evie giggling to herself, with her phone, her sweater, and her burger. "of course I came, no kisses needed, you should sit up to eat.." he lightly nagged, but resigning to sitting down on the grass beside her since she didn't want to leave yet. However words caught his ears that made his sharply turn his gaze like daggers to gargoyle Gray, "house boat?" His tone darkened waiting for an explaination from either of them. No, Ashton wasn't going to let her go sleep in some other man's house while she was drunk. He pulled out a bottle of water from his bag that he got alongside the burger, twisting the cap and holding it out for Evie whenever she needed it. "Why are you even here in this town? Touristing? This is kings territory, shark man."
-
Grayson
"maybe no kisses until you're feeling more up to it," gray suggested, giving a quick glance towards the hockey player. did these two have something going on too, then? well, that was fine -- evie was her own woman, could do what she wanted, of course. but didn't mean gray felt it was appropriate to happen while she was too plastered to remember come morning. "my home," he cleared the question up, not even clocking the sudden sharpness from the other because his attention was mostly on evie. grayson, too, finished lowering his bottom to the ground and sat there, knees to his chest. "just got me and my nephew on it but, it's home." for now, anyway. so long as carroll stayed good for them. gray was enjoying himself and the shop so far. "i opened a surf's shop down by the pier, so we're here for the forseeable future.. promised trist i'd give him a stable place for once so.. maybe i'll change my colors," he smirked over at ash.
-
Evie
❝ Huh…? ❞ Evie looked back and forth between Ashton and Grayson, her brows knitting together like she was trying to solve the world’s hardest riddle before giving up with a lazy smile. ❝ S’pretty goat. It floats an’ everythin’. ❞ She took the bottle of water from Ashton with a clumsy little grin. ❝ Thank yewww… ❞ she slurred, taking a sip before immediately reaching for another bite of her burger. ❝ M’not goin’ hoome tonight. Dom might still be nakey there. ❞ She loud whispered like it was a secret. She wasn’t realizing the tension between the men as she was in her own little world. ❝ Whoaaa… Trist is your nephew?? ❞ She stayed sitting up before leaning her head toward Ashton’s shoulder
-
Ashton
"no kisses at all, tonight." Ash felt like if Evie isn't coherent enough to say no, he will lay down that boundary for her. Doesn't matter if they're madly in love and he's just cockblocking right now, he was her friend and he'll do what he thinks is right when she can't. He slowly let his shoulders release some of the tension as they both explain, at least his nephew is around and... it.. floats. Weirder that they're staying here, of all places. "Didn't know people stayed on boats around here," the bite in his words had simmered away though as was still being wary of this Gray guy. He murmured it's nothing to Evie's thanks, stabilizing her bottle once she was done. But he frowned her a reluctance to go home, "maybe they're asleep by now, y'know?" perhaps an understandable logical reason, but still going to this man's boat home didn't sit well with Ashton either.
Evie was still in her entire world as they waited for the food and water to help sober up a little, letting her lean onto him more comfortably, so she wouldn't choke on her burger, "think I've met your nephew before.. right? somewhere around with you," they conversed tensely, keeping Evie in the conversation could also help her not crash out to sleep. Blues turn their gaze to Gray, to meet the smirk unamusingly, "never known a sharks fan to ever become a kings, but be my guest to prove me wrong." Interesting that they were trying to find somewhere stable. Those guys hopped around more often than Ashton travelled to different cities for away games. But he took a short beat, absorbing what he was saying before the dots finally clicked, any warmth that might've built up in his voice dissolved again. "Oh. So you're that Grayson." Surf Shop Grayson. That he knew.
-
Grayson
he merely gave the other man a look that said, plain as day, duh. hadn't that been what grayson said? in his eyes, surely. clearly when she was more up to it would imply she needed to sober herself first. the shop owner that that was common sense here. "you must not visit the pier very often." they weren't the only pair living on the water, that much gray had noticed. but, there weren't many, no. "dom?" his brows lifted, wondering who this person was now and why were they naked at evie's apartment. "maybe this dom ought to go back to his own place.. you shouldn't be muscled out of your apartment," he was already a bit annoyed by dom. "ah, you know trist too, do you?" gray's voice came in a murmur now, assessing evie for a moment as he wondered if they had something going on, as well. evie was having her fun, as grayson did, but potentially with his nephew? that made things.. a bit weirder for him.
"have you met every sharks fan?" he asked, faint amusement over the thought. there was something going on with this ash guy. his vibes weren't the same friendly rivals that grayson was used to. "that grayson?" his arms came to rest over his knees, staring at ashton. "something bothering you, friend?"
-
Evie
Evie let out the smallest little whine, pressing her forehead dramatically against Ashton's shoulder as if the conversation itself was exhausting her. ❝ M'head's so... spinny... ❞ she mumbled, squeezing her eyes shut before peeking back up at the two of them, sitting upright as she looked between the two of them. ❝ Why're y'both... doin' the scary guy stare thing? ❞ A giggle escaped her as she took another bite of her burger almost finishing it now, chewing with far too much concentration. ❝ M'ya... It's Nio... Naomi's place, he's there with her ❞ She rubbed at one eye with the sleeve of Grayson's hoodie, softly laughing about getting her own friends name almost wrong. ❝ Y'know... y'look kinda cute when y'get bein' a liiiittle grumpy. ❞ She poked as Grayson's arm, sitting upright, crossing her legs, holding her arms outwards to try and so called balance herself.
-
Ashton
"I'm more of a solid water kinda guy," Ash shrugged, though it wasn't true, he loved the beach, just never really one in the higher society of life corner of carroll. "Maybe it's time to sleep soon, hm?" he gently nudged Evie as she whined, hand lightly patting her head to hopefully soothe the spinning. But she was quick to move on to look at them and focus on her burger. "We're just.. talking, don't worry Eves," he sighed, knowing at least if he stayed by her side, nothing bad would happen to her, Ash dropped more of his guard down then. He kind of knew of Dom, more of mom's circle, none of his business to really get into it, other than the fact that he definitely did not want to imagine him naked. So he let Evie explain. "I agree, maybe you should chase naked Dom out so you can sleep," he chuckled dryly, agreeing with the other man sounded strange.
"I've met enough sharks fans that have wished me an early grave," he still had jokes in him before the dawned fact soured on Ashton's impression of this man. The way he got defensive seemed guilty to him, friend had never sounded this hostile. "A little birdie told me you broke her heart, and I don't take kindly to people that break my friends' hearts." He answered as a matter of factly, as if implying or questioning if history was going to repeat itself here with Evie. Ash helped her stabilize with a hand gently to her shoulder as she sat upright properly, letting her oogle over this Gray guy for a second before asking, "Evie, if you don't want to go home, then do you wanna come stay at mine? My mom is home right now too, we got a spare room and she can lend you some clothes."
-
Grayson
grayson's brows merely sank together like he didn't quite understand what either of them were on about. he was literally just sitting there, picking up on a couple of signals that the hockey player wasn't too happy with him for some reason. "i'm not grumpy right now, evie," he advised her gently, the corner of his mouth up in a small smile. she was a cute drunk, but he still didn't understand why she was out drinking herself stupid just over a naked man at her apartment.
"it's just a game, i'm not that diehard a fan," the surf's shop owner made a small gesture, to brush aside the thought. "besides, i keep the rivalry at the games, where it's all good fun." then ashton mentioned about a birdie, the reference fairly specific as there's only been one person he's theoretically broken the heart of recently. "that birdie assumed a lot of things she wasn't promised and never asked about," gray returned in an even and polite tone. "i can't control what someone else assumes." this man had only one half of the story from winnie's very biased side, so grayson wasn't too bothered to understand that's where the friction came from. he didn't even blame ash for it -- the guy was obviously just being a good friend. like he was with evie. gray gave a minor shrug, to show he was fine with the change of plans if that's what evie decided.
-
Evie
Evie sat there for another moment, the cool grass beneath her hands feeling oddly comforting while the conversation around her blurred in and out. She could tell Ashton and Grayson were talking about someone, no idea who as it all just zoomed right over her head, and even through the haze of alcohol she didn't whatever weird tension was happening. Her head felt light, her cheeks warm, and every time she moved too quickly the world seemed to sway just a little before settling again, like everything was three seconds behind her. The water and burger helping soothe her stomach though as she finished the food.
❝ Oooook. ❞ she mumbled with a crooked smile, waving a hand lazily between them. A soft laugh escaped her as she planted her palms on the ground and pushed herself to her feet. She wobbled immediately, catching herself with a quiet ❝ Whoa... okay... ❞ before breaking into another giggle at her own lack of balance, flipping her long blonde hair back. Standing still for a second, she blinked until everything stopped spinning quite so much, then looked over at Grayson. ❝ I already told you I'd crash on the boat... didn't I? ❞ she asked, more to confirm it than anything else. Her eyes drifted to Ashton, her expression gentle despite the alcohol making every emotion feel a little bigger than normal. ❝ I don' wanna im..impose. ❞
-
Ashton
The venom was dissolving with time, a light scoff at Grayson's logic for their rivalry, makes sense. Probably. "Fine, guess it is the off season," he lightly shrugged, grumbled without bite, "you can hate me again when September comes." If Grayson lasts long enough to stay here. Honestly the Sharks are having insane lucky and it's super unfair and incredibly terrifying with their top draft picks in the draft lottery luck. Doubt he'll wanna switch teams at what seems like an incredibly strong young team next season. He frowned at his reasoning regarding Winnie, "well, would've been nice to have had an open conversation about it then, wouldn't it?" Sounded like a player alright. Though he was curious, what his side of the story was, or what he thought it was. He seriously hoped he wasn't playing with Evie either.
Though Ash took note of the willingness from Grayson for a change of plans, Evie however did not. "Eves.." Ash was helping her stabilize herself as she got up, more afraid she was going to fall and hit her head or back. He lowered his voice mostly for her to hear only, "I'm not gonna leave you alone on a boat." with this guy or without this guy. One wrong slip and if she felt into the water, that was it. But he didn't want to push her if she didn't want to. He glanced over to Gray, concerned gaze looking through the different scenarios, "I drove here, I much rather stay with her, if she wants to go to your place."
-
Grayson
“sounds like a song,” he cracked a joke, ashton’s words reminding him of that blue october band. gray only inclined his head towards the assumption he should have spelled things out for winnie, because at that moment evie hoisted to her feet. / he, too, decided to get to his feet. “sounds like your friend here would feel better if you went and hung out with him and his mother tonight, evie,” gray said. fine to let that be the end of it, so long as ashton wasn’t doing exactly what he clearly suspected him of. taking advantage of a drunk woman. “though, gonna need some insurance here that you are taking her back where you got your mother watching out, too… no offense.”
-
Evie
Evie blinked up at the two of them, lips pursed in exaggerated concentration like she was trying really hard to keep up. Her gaze landed on Ashton, lingering there as she swayed a little on her feet before letting out a tiny sigh. Her bosy appretiative of him helping her keep her balance. ❝ Y'know... you're both bein' all... responsible 'n so sweet n' stuff... ❞ she mumbled with a sleepy little smile at this point in time now. ❝ M'brain can't think much t'argue... ❞ She reached out without thinking, slipping her hand onto Ashton's arm. ❝ Okay... I'll come home with y'... say hi t'your mom... n' sleep sleep sleep the night away. ❞ She giggled at herself, then leaned her weight against him with a dramatic huff. ❝ But y'have t'carry me if the ground starts movin' again... 'cause it's bein' really rude tonight. ❞
She looked over at Grayson with a crooked grin, lifting her free hand in a wobbly little wiggle of her fingers. ❝ Sorryyy, gargoyle... rain check on th'floaty house, okay? Her eyelids drooped as she rested her cheek against Ashton's shoulder again, mumbling almost to herself. Her stomach felt more full, starting to absorb the alcohol and drugs.
-
Ashton
"maybe you can write it, a big summer hit," Ash scoffed back at the joke, the silence to his words for Winnie said enough in his opinion, even as Evie gets up and takes both their attention. The tension escaped him in a long exhaled breathe though, as both parties seem to agree to the idea. "Of course, no offense taken, I expect nothing less of a friend of Evie's," honestly Grayson making that request made Ashton feel the best about him so far. "Mom would love to say hi to you, and catch up in the morning after you've slept, 'kay?" He shifted his hold of her to be steadier as she leaned onto him, "I will, might as well put my summer training to good use." Ash chuckled at the request, whatever that would help her cooperate to rest safely at home. He looked over to Grayson, to answer regarding his insurance he wanted, "did you drive? if you didn't, I could send us back all to mine first, make sure she's settled in with my mom, then send you back home." That was the best insurance Ash felt like he could give a friend.
-
Grayson
his eyes swept over evie and the way she continued to touch and lean in against the other man. most of her interest, in fact, was in ashton, with grayson being a secondary act that was sort of in everyone’s way. he physically took a step back. a natural instinct to distance himself from caring about that and whoever ash was to evie, whatever he meant to her. they looked quite chummy and he distinctly ignored the minor irritation at seeing it.
“that’s alright, trist is home tonight, would have had questions,” gray said with a casual shrug over evie’s apology. the flirtation going back and forth between the other two made him squint, just enough. now he was going to carry her? “i got my car, I’ll follow you guys.” as soon as he saw that ash was bringing evie back somewhere with another female presence, gray would be on his way and not think more on it. why she had texted him when she already asked someone else to show, he didn’t know. was it to make him jealous? was he jealous?
-
Evie
Evie let out a soft little hum, her fuzzy brain only catching about half the conversation. They were talking about cars... moms... Trist... insurance? Why they were talking about their insurances didn't make sense to her but it all sounded important, but the words floated around her head like bubbles she couldn't quite grab. She blinked slowly toward Grayson just as he stepped back, her smile faltering for the briefest second.
❝ Don't be all... over there... ❞ she mumbled, pointing at him with absolutely no coordination before abandoning the gesture entirely. With surprising determination, she stumbled the couple of steps separating them and threw both arms around him in a clumsy, alcohol-fueled hug. ❝ M'sorry I can't come see your floaty house... ❞ she slurred into his shoulder, giving him an extra squeeze that lingered a second longer than it probably could have. ❝ Rain check... I promise... ❞ She giggled quietly before swaying on her feet, immediately deciding standing was overrated. Turning back toward Ashton, she reached both arms out toward him without a shred of shame, fingers making little grabby motions.
❝ Okaaay... carry me now please. M'legs are on strike... an' the ground's still bein' rude. ❞ A dramatic sigh escaped her throwing her head backwards, not a smart idea as it made her stumble back.
-
Ashton
"That works too, I'll show you to my car first, and text my mom while you pull over," Ash nodded, taking this more of a rescue operation at this point, working together rather than against Grayson. Guess in a way it's also because he did get his way on ensuring Evie's safety the best way he knew. Not saying that it would, but if Ash simply trusted that she'd be okay and something happened to her, he'd never live with himself. This was more than okay of a compromise for Grayson to come over and see the safety conditions of his home with his mom around.
Feeling a lil bit better about Grayson, Ash lets Evie stumble over to the other man for a hug, simply making sure she didn't fall over in the process. He could only look at her and her grabby hands with an amused and endeared sigh, "okay," Ash can rarely say no to his friends' requests, even more so like this. "Okay okay okay.." he was quick to move and catch her in her mid stumble, "up we go, time to sleep, 'kay?" he mumbled before gently bringing his arms around her shoulder and under her knees to lift her up without much problem, looking back to Grayson, "my car's just parked down there, let's go."
-
Grayson
the woman was coming his way so he met her halfway, just to prevent further risk of her falling. “some other time, you’ll have the grand tour— not that it’s anything special,” he promised, knowing it was an old boat in need of plenty repairs but was fine enough for both Tristan and himself.
gray naturally reached out to catch her before evie stumbled back, but ashton was quicker, saving the woman in the nick of time. she had asked for him anyway. “im parked this way, i’ll meet you over there,” gray gestured an opposite direction and headed off, with a look over his shoulder. hoping he wasn’t taking some risk in leaving her for the two minutes it would take to pull around. he found his vehicle and pulled around behind the one he saw them getting into, ready to follow.
-
Evie
Evie’s head felt pleasantly light, the kind of dizzy where everything seemed just a little softer around the edges. She caught bits and pieces of the conversation still, Instead, she simply watched the two of them move around her, an absent little smile lingering on her face as the cool night air brushed against her very flushed cheeks.
She barely had time to register herself tipping backward before Ashton was there, effortlessly scooping her off the ground. A laugh bubbled out of her, instinctively curling into his hold as one hand loosely gripped the front of his shirt to steady herself, head leaning against him. The world stopped swaying quite so much when her feet weren’t on it anymore. Her gaze wandered over his shoulder until it found Grayson heading toward his own car, and she lifted her hand in a lazy little wave. ❝ …See you soon my gargoyle… ❞ she hummed out as she rested back against Ashton.
"I'd be honored, I work well under pressure," perhaps a lil too well, sometimes he didn't know how to function without pressure. They melt away from their jokes as Evie shared her sincerity. "You don't have to thank me for anything. The town be brighter having you around, I'm sure of that." She had already seemed so much happier than she was years ago, a little bit more free. Any town with her lovely soul would be lucky to have her.
Ash laughed though slightly despondently, "yeah she really is. Don't google my name if you don't wanna know what it was." He was assuming people don't know because that was easier to get through the day. "This town does love to gossip though, so.. be careful about that." He narrowed his gaze with morbid curiosity over who Naomi is but he chose to believe her if she was her friend, "I guess I'll just have to meet this Naomi then to decide." Love or hate, if it was a friend of Evie who looks out for her, Ash can't be too much of a hater.
"I think you'll love some of my friends too. Aggie is a dance teacher here, Ruth's like a sister to me, doctor, figure skater extraordinaire, we went to the Olympics together this year. March is my boyfriend, he's in Tennessee now but.. he's the sweetest soul you'll ever meet," he softened his smile as he continued listing some of the most important people in his life, "Winnie works in the Mayoral office if you ever need help there, Asher just came back too to open up the records store, Claude's helping him out too, and there's.." Ash stopped himself from rambling, his melting ice cream an indicator that he's been talking for way too long, too much talking not enough eating listening. "-well, I'll introduce the rest of them to you along the way," Ash sheepishly grinned, "sorry, that's too many names at one go."
Ashton hummed in agreement as they teased, mocking a seriousness over the logistics of winter ice cream, "mmm yes we're gonna need to do a hoard for the winter, like hibernation." There's a winter them problem, for now, they can have all the ice cream she wants. "Do you have anything going on already? Work, hobbies- I heard there's an audition for a musical."
Evie's smile only seemed to grow the longer Ashton talked, quietly content to let him ramble. There was something comforting about hearing someone speak so fondly of the people they loved and it just made her in more awe about having him in her life. From one meeting all those years ago, to being the one person she trusted the most. ❝ I like listening to you talk about them, you know. It just shows how happy you are. ❞ She laughed softly. ❝ I've actually met Aggie once before—she was really sweet. And Asher and Claude have kind of become my people already. Kept Asher fed for awhile with how much I ever ordered or made. ❞ She laughed about the joke
❝ And March already sounds wonderful. Anyone who can make you smile like that has to be doing something right. ❞ She looked up looking into his eyes, her own soft as he had a smile that could make anyone happy seeing it before she started grinning. ❝ Oh I have to Google your name every so often to know what you're up to and watch any of your interviews or press work. ❞ There was a slight tease in her voice about it but really she wasn't going to let the drama of whatever happened tell her who Ashton was, she knew.
❝ Right now it's mostly just working at Eden during the night uh.. Birch's as well during the daytime and figuring life out one day at a time. Hobbies have become more of just exploring the town and enjoying a day. ❞ She glanced over at him with an easy smile, soft laugh about what she'd been up to. ❝ Oh yeah! The Rocky Horror play, I originally wasn't going to try out for it, but Naomi talked me into it pretty easily so I'll be auditioning. I figured why the hell not you know! ❞
"I just got a couple interesting pictures in my inbox. Seems like like other night, Birch and Sada's girl Evie Fields was out having herself a messy messy time. Turns out maybe she had three men coming to her rescue after she got herself all stumbly and shit. Grayson AND Tristan Kasnoff, and then ultimately going home with Ashton Ryder of all people. I thought he was still with March Carter, isn't he? Maybe he's a hot bi-sexual hockey player? Who knows. Though, knowing boring Ashton, he probably didn't even hook up with her. Either way, good for you, GIrlie. Have these men rushing to your rescue."
he chuckles in return. this has pretty much been his aesthetic his whole life, even when he wore uniforms, or was forced to dress a certain way by his family. "okay, and that's so valid, but also, anyone can melt into the sidewalk right now regardless of clothing. aren't we at over a hundred degrees? it's brutal out here." that wasn't all too surprising though, and just felt like a typical summer in california, even if it was scorching hot. sonny nods his head in agreement at her statement. "exactly! it's like... a milkshake without the cherry on top. i never eat the cherry, but i want it there for decorative purposes. it feels cheap without it." the sweet, bright red, canned cherries were gross in his opinion, but they felt needed in a milkshake, even if he was going to throw it away in the end. "heavy on the consenting adult, though my mind feels stuck at like, nineteen sometimes." or fifty. depending on the day and the struggle he was facing.
Evie laughed, pointing at him as if she'd just caught him admitting defeat. ❝ See? You already sound like you're preparing your excuse. When you inevitably start complaining about the heat, I'm just gonna remind you that you willingly dressed like you're attending a very fashionable funeral. ❞ Her grin stayed bright, teasing rather than judgmental, before she nodded with far too much enthusiasm about the drinks. ❝ Exactly! Give me the tiny umbrella, the little wedge of fruit, the unnecessary sparkly sugar rim—if I'm paying cocktail prices, I want it to look like someone put their whole heart into making it. But those cherries.. I love them, You ever not want it? Gimmie. I'll eat it. ❞ She hummed as she grew a liking for them over the years. She wasn't that picky when it came to food or drinks, though that could have been how she grew up, trying almost everything a million different times it felt like.
The pole was already in place and tested, dangling securely from the think branches of a tree that was partially submerged in water. This area was a bit further away from the main beach, where less people frequented because of how much rockier the landscape got. But, that worked out great for their purpose, as nobody would be around to disturb the two. Even still, they wore a long-sleeved wet shirt and swim trunks, to be comfortable in front of Evie.
"The water only goes up to about.." they paused, where it lapped around their thighs, "here, so keep that in mind." It would at least serve as their 'pad'. Claudio had always felt learning over water was an easier time, as one got more comfortable, and then you could switch to hard surface and pads. "And I think you're going to know all the basic moves already," they went on, "from what I saw while you were dancing the other day.. It's all the same, it's just.." They gave the pole a tiny whack, allowing it to swing. "Your pole is going to move with you now... So, it'll be harder because of that, but, I think you'll pick it up."
They held the pole. "Do you know the spin and climb into cupid's pose?"
Evie followed Claudio into the quieter stretch of shoreline, squinting toward the pole hanging from the tree before looking down at the water around their legs. A grin tugged at her lips as she waded in after them, rolling her shoulders. Most of her work clothing was more revealing which was why she opted for a bikini, especially now that any mark on her body from bruising was gone right now, hopefully never coming back. ❝ Well... if I eat shit, at least my dignity drowns before I do. That's comforting. ❞ She laughed, giving the water a small kick before her attention settled back on the pole as it swayed. The dancer in her couldn't help but study the movement, already imagining how different it would feel compared to the fixed poles she was used to. ❝ Well thank you, it was a lot of bruising and long days training. I'm happy you were there to see me. ❞
Tilting her head, she thought for a second before giving a small nod. ❝ Cupid? Yeah... spin, climb, hook the knee, outside hand, chest up. ❞ She gestured vaguely as she talked through it, then looked back at Claude with an amused smile. ❝ Doing it while the pole's trying to escape me, though? That's probably where you're gonna get your entertainment today. ❞ She sucked in a breathe as she touched the pole, feeling it give that movement.
asher nodded, looking far too proud of himself when evie congratulated him on the restraint it took not to reorganize the records for a fifth or sixth time. honestly, it had been difficult. he had carried so much nervous energy in his body before the shop opened that he had not known what to do with himself. apparently, what he did with himself was rearrange the same bins over and over again until claude probably considered staging an intervention. but after the fourth time, asher had decided this was the best possible organization. hopefully.
his gaze moved around the shop, landing on his friends one by one. all of them scattered through good frequency, talking and laughing and helping make the place feel less like a business and more like something alive. evie was right. he had needed them. maybe more than he had realized. he had needed every person who showed up, every hand that helped, every voice that told him he could do this when his own nerves got too loud. “i know i couldn’t have done it without everyone else,” he said, softer now. “my friends are truly the most important people to me.” then he looked back at evie, grin returning as he gave her a wink. “you’re included in that, by the way.”
he followed her to one of the bins, watching with interest as she flipped through the records and considered what she might spend her discount on. asher could not help laughing when she threatened him with a tip. “fine, fine,” he said, lifting his hands in surrender. “but you’re getting the discount.” when she narrowed it down, he glanced between the two records and nodded thoughtfully. “oh, those are both good choices.” he made a face like this required serious professional consideration, then tapped the fleetwood mac record. “i’d have to give it to fleetwood mac, though. that’s more my vibe than zach bryan.” his grin tilted warm and decisive. “so, as your very qualified record store owner and personal music consultant, i think you should get rumours.”
Evie's smile softened almost immediately at his words, the teasing giving way to something more genuine. She reached over without thinking, giving his forearm a light squeeze, going and pecking his cheek. ❝ Well good, after all the free food and hang outs... you're stuck with me now, Ash. No take-backs. ❞ Her gaze drifted around the shop again, taking in the laughter and the steady stream of people, before settling back on him. ❝ Seriously, though... I'm really happy for you. This will probably my favourite part of today. ❞
She looked down at the two albums in her hands before holding Rumours up with an a nod to her head. ❝ Well, I guess it'd be pretty stupid if I ignored the professional recommendation of Good Frequency's highly esteemed owner and resident vinyl expert. ❞ She laughed, tucking the Fleetwood Mac record under her arm. ❝ Rumours it is! ❞ It was sweet of him wanting to give her the discount, it made her friendship with him feel more important and that meant everything to her, maybe make her heart swell as well as she held the record to herself.
