Page 114 of The Bittersweet Bond

Images cascaded through his mind—his friends’ judgmental stares, whispered criticisms over beers; his father's icy disapproval, each thought a tightening chain around his chest.

In a surge of exasperation, Bas unleashed his frustration on the punching bag, slamming his fist into its synthetic surface with a thud that reverberated through the gym. The raw, damp air seemed to pulse with his anger and confusion.

"Why does everything have to be this complicated?" he muttered, the question lost amid the rhythmic thumps of the bag. Why couldn’t the simple act of following his heart be free from the crushing weight of expectations?

Yetthen, as if on cue, a memory of Evin’s dazzling smile broke through the tempest of his thoughts—a fleeting vision that made all the external pressures seem trivial. For that brief, shimmering moment, it was only about her and nothing else mattered.

With renewed determination, he stuffed his towel back into its worn gym bag and took one final, pensive glance at the mirror, watching his tired reflection morph into the image of a man caught between duty and desire. The workout had drained his muscles, but his mind remained entangled in webs of worry and longing.

A deep, measured sigh escaped him as he pulled out his phone, the screen illuminating a text from Bellamy:

Bellamy

Meet at my place before the party. Pre-drinks before we hit The Pearl.

A slight smile tugged at Bas’s lips—at last, a plan with a clear destination. It was perfect.

__________

Bas slumped back into the couch, clutching a beer bottle as the guys around him riffed off each other’s jokes. The conversation buzzed with a carefree vibe—until Dominic swiveled towards him, a smug grin plastered on his face.

"So, Montgomery," Dominic drawled, his voice dripping with venomous mockery. "Back at it with Miss Drama, huh? Looks like you just can’t get enough of the chaos."

Bas's jaw clenched tight.Miss Drama. That condescending tone, as if Evin was just a whirlwind of trouble.

Dominic had never liked her. That much was obvious. And for a split second, Bas could swear he almost seemed nostalgic—like he missed the days when he didn’t like her either. When it was easy to roll his eyes at her sharp comebacks, to make fun of the way she always had an opinion, always stoodher ground.

A flicker of something bitter twisted in his gut.

There were moments—moments he wasn’t proud of—back in their middle years, when he’d been just as bad as Dominic. When he let himself get swept up in the laughter, mocking her just because she never shut up, because she always had something to say.

He remembered last school year —Mr. Smith had made some snide comment about Milka’s skirt, loud enough for the whole class to hear. Everyone had laughed. Everyone but Evin.

She’d stood up, chin raised, and said, “Maybe don’t comment on teenage girls’ bodies if you want people to respect you.”

It went dead silent.

Bas had felt it in his chest—that flash of awe. But still, when someone said loudly, “drama queen,”.

He’d laughed. And she saw it.

Evin had always been outspoken, as far back as he could remember. She had this certainty about her, a fire in her voice that made him feel like he was standing on shaky ground. It had irritated him back then. Maybe even intimidated him.

She had been stronger than he ever was.

Back then he hadn’t been 6’3". And she hadn’t looked fragile next to him. Not like she did now.

And maybe that was what pissed Dominic off the most.

Maybe he wanted those days back. The version of Bas that didn’t give a shit. His wingman—the one who didn’t hesitate before taking whatever he wanted.

Bas felt the frustration coil in his chest, ready to snap.

A surge of fierce protectiveness flared within him—a burning need to shut Dominic up, to crush his smugness into dust. But before he could fire back, Bellamy cut in like a blade.

"Shut the fuck up, man," he said coldly, lighting a cigarette with a practiced flick. "You and I both know Evin’s got more backbone than you ever will."

Chris chimed in, shaking his head in agreement. "Dominic, cut the bullshit. That topic’s ancient history. If we start listing all the crap Bas has put Evin through, we’ll be here till dawn."

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