Chapter 93


    The aftermath of the confrontation with Evie left Timothy adrift in a sea of remorse and regret. He


    had never anticipated that his thoughtless actions would reemerge in such a dramatic fashion. His


    rtionship with Evie was already hanging in the bnce, but that video might have severed any


    chance they had at reconnecting. The weight of regret hung heavy on Timothy’s shoulders as he


    retraced his steps, his mind consumed by the need to uncover the truth. He was determined to find


    out who had stolen the video that had shattered his rtionship with Evie.


    He could think of the few guys he’d shown that video to. Bill and y had been enthusiastic about


    seeing it, which had increased Timothy’s doubts about


    Timothy sighed and dialed Josh’s number. He needed answers, needed to know who had screwed


    this up for


    him, as if he hadn’t enough damage on his own.


    It had been a while since he’d spoken to Josh. Their friendship was highly situational, and its depth


    was shallow at best.


    Suddenly, the ringing was cut off and a groggy voice answered.


    “Hey, man,” Josh greeted. “Long time no talk.”


    Timothy’s tone was measured, his words chosen with care. “Hey, Josh. It has been at


    while.”


    There was a moment of awkward silence. Timothy wasn’t feeling particrly nostalgic. He didn’t


    have the luxury of dwelling on the past.


    He needed answers, and he needed them now.


    “Did you want to hang out?” Timothy asked.


    you want to


    Josh snorted. “What? Grown so bored of your life of stardom that slum it up with an old bud?”


    “Perhaps,” Timothy said matter of factly, shrugging a shoulder. “Don’t act like you wouldn’t be up for


    it.”


    This made Joshugh aloud. Timothy cringed at the sound, but he knew he had to


    1/5


    Head Top Metal Stamping? Get 10% Discount (Start Now)


    12-26 Fri, 22 Mar


    remain cordial for the time being. Once he had Josh cornered, he’d


    pounce.


    After a moment, Josh finally took the bite. “All right. I’ll send my address.”


    As he stood before Josh’s apartment door, he hesitated for a moment, his hand poised to knock.


    Josh had wound up in a rough part of town. It was simr to where Evie and her friend had been


    situated, very rundown and abandoned in appearance.


    Taking a deep breath, he rapped his knuckles against the door, the sound echoing in the hallway.


    The door swung open, revealing Josh’s face. There was a flicker of surprise in his eyes, quickly


    masked by a forced smile. “Tim! Hey, man. Long time no see.”


    ||


    Timothy managed a tight smile, his emotions a jumble beneath the surface. “Yeah, it’s been a while,


    hasn’t it? Let me in, will ya?”


    Josh stepped back, gesturing for Timothy to enter. “Sure thing,e on in.”


    As Timothy stepped into the apartment, he couldn’t help but feel difort. The familiarity of the


    space, with its worn–out furniture and moldy odor, all brought back memories of his less polished


    days. But there was an underlying tension in the air as well.


    “Can I get you something to drink?” Josh asked, his attempt at hospitality a thin veil over their


    unspoken tension. Timothy shook his head, his focus squarely on the matter at hand. “Thanks, but


    I’m good. Actually, I wanted to talk to you about something.”


    Josh’s smile faltered slightly, his eyes narrowing with curiosity. “Yeah? What’s up?”


    Timothy’s gaze met Josh’s, his expression serious. “Remember that video I showed you? The one


    with me and Evie?”


    Recognition flickered in Josh’s eyes, followed by a grin. “Oh, right, that video. Yeah, I remember.


    “I need to know if anyone else had ess to that video, Timothy said, his voice steady despite the


    turmoil within.


    2/5 Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    12:26 Fri, 22 Mar


    Josh’s brow furrowed, confusion evident in his expression. “Why? Is something wrong?”


    Timothy hesitated for a moment, grappling with how much he should reveal. “Yeah, something’s


    wrong. That video got out, Josh. It’s causing a lot of problems.”


    Understanding dawned on Josh’s face, his eyes widening with surprise. “Wait, seriously? How did


    that happen?” “That’s what I’m trying to figure out,” Timothy replied; his frustration seeping out. “I


    need to know if anyone else could have seen it, if anyone else had ess to it.”


    Josh scratched his head, his expression thoughtful. “I mean, I don’t think so. You sent it to me, but


    I’m pretty sure I didn’t share it with anyone.”


    Timothy nodded, his mind racing with possibilities. “But did you ever show it to anyone else, even if


    they just nced at it?”


    Josh shook his head, his gaze locked on the floor. “Nah, man, I kept that to myself. I wouldn’t want


    that kind of


    thing getting out there.”


    Timothy pinched the bridge of his nose and leered at Josh. He couldn’t afford to give up, not when


    everything he cared about was on the line. Josh had to know something.


    “Did you release the video?” Timothy asked again.


    Josh blinked. “What? Dude, no!”


    “I’m not ying games with you, Josh,” Timothy growled. “You were the only one who got the video,


    but you’re telling me someone else somehow got their hands


    on it?”


    Josh kissed his teeth and ran his hands threw his hair in frustration. He walked to the fridge and


    swung open the door, cursing under his breath. When he came back. out, he pulled out an open


    can of beer and chugged it down.


    Timothy kept his eyes trained on the other man, which didn’t go unnoticed. Josh turned back around


    and wiped the corner of his mouth with his wrist. “I did it, all right. That what you wanted?”


    “Why?” Timothy’s voice was sharp as he spoke. “What the hell what you do that


    12:26 Fri, 22 Mar


    for?”


    Josh’s shoulders sagged, his voiceced with remorse. “I’ve been going through at tough time


    lately, man. Someone got to me, threatened me.”


    Timothy stood up and crossed the room, towering over Josh as he pressed. “Who?”


    Josh hesitated, fear flickering in his eyes before he finally spoke, his voice barely above a whisper.


    “It’s someone dangerous, Timo. I don’t know their name, but they made it clear that they make good


    on their threats. They’ve been watching me. stealing some of my money.”


    A sense of dread settled in Timothy’s chest as he listened to Josh’s words. The realization hit him


    like a punch to the gut–someone had been orchestrating this entire nightmare. Someone with


    enough influence to manipte and threaten someone who had been in his life.


    As the truth settled in. Timothy felt a little helpless. He had unwittingly be entangled in a


    dangerous game, one where the stakes were higher than he could have ever imagined. His mind


    raced with questions.


    With a heavy heart, he stepped away from Josh. I have to go, Josh. I need to figure this out.”


    Josh’s gaze held a mixture of fear and regret. “Be careful, Tim.”


    Leaving Josh’s apartment, Timothy’s mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. The pieces of


    the puzzle were finallying together, but the picture they painted was more sinister than he


    could have ever anticipated. He couldn’t shake the feeling that Bruce was somehow involved, that


    his actions had set off a chain of events that now threatened not only his rtionship with Evie but


    their safety as well.


    As he walked away from Josh’s apartment, the weight of the truth settled heavily on his shoulders.


    The danger was real, the stakes higher than he could have ever imagined. The scar on his


    midsection was proof of that. He was going to get to the bottom of this.


    12:26 Fri, 22 Mal