Justin just brought both kids into bed and collapsed at the sofa with a beer in his hand. Then his cell suddenly started ringing. It was Josh. Being completely surprised about that fact, he put his beer at the coffee table and picked up. 

„Hi.“ He said carefully. 

„Where is Eve?“ Josh asked eagerly. 

Justin was irritated.

„Well, at home, I believe.“

„She isn’t home.“

„How do you know?“ 

„Because I’m here. And she isn’t.“

„Oh. Ehm, maybe she went out with Mat or something.“

„She packed her stuff, Justin! But she left my ring and the watch…“

Justin’s heart skipped a beat.

„She did what?!“

„Very obviously she left me!“ 

„Oh shit… I didn’t see that coming…“

Josh and Justin didn’t know that Lucy kept her apartment and that Eve was still having keys. That’s why it didn’t come into their minds, she might be there. 

„Just let me call for the baby sitter and help you finding her.“ Justin suggested. 

„No, it makes no sense. I don’t know where to start looking…“

„Did you try to call?“

„I did, but I just get a busy tone.“

„What about Mateo?“

„I called him. He swore that he have no idea where she is. He offered his help to find her, but I said I talk to you first.“ 

„Maybe I should try calling her?“

„Ya, let’s give it a try. She didn’t pick up when Mateo called. But maybe she will when you do.“ 

„Okay.“

Josh and Justin hung up. Justin dialed Eve’s number right after. 

„Why is everybody calling me when I eat dinner?“ Eve asked with full mouth, answering Justin’s call. 

He was brutally relieved that she picked up. 

„M, for god’s sake. Where are you?“

„Home.“

„No, you’re not.“

„Yes, I am.“

„Eve. C is in the Hills and he’s not happy about the fact that you left…“ Justin explained. 

Eve stopped chewing and processed the information. 

„He’s home?“

„Yes, he is.“ 

„Since when?“

„Guess he just arrived.“

„So, you and him are talking again?“

„The only reason he called me was to ask where you are.“

„As I said, I am home.“ 

„Stop that silly games, okay? Where the hell are you?“

„Lucy’s apartment.“

Justin was surprised. 

„Oh. I didn’t know she kept it.“

„She did. And I moved back in.“ 

„Why?“

„Really, Justin? You want me to explain?“ 

„Is this because pictures showed up from Jen and Josh?“

„Yes.“

„Eve. He came back home to see you. And he’s really desperate about the fact that you left your ring and the watch.“

„It’s him who left me, Justin! He left me for two weeks, ignoring all my calls and messages. I never got the chance to explain myself!“

„Listen to me. He needed time to get over the whole shit we did to him. But now he’s back and you really need to grab the chance to make things right.“

„No.“

„Why not?“

„Because he’s seeing Jen again!“

„You don’t know that! All you know is that there are some pictures online. Give him the chance to explain.“

„No, Justin! I’m done!“

„Stop being that stubborn! You don’t mean it and you know it!“ 

„You know what?"

„What?“

„My pizza is getting cold.“

„I can’t believe you act like this.“

„But I do. And for the record: Hell will freeze before I open up my door for him or anyone else!“

Eve hung up in the next moment and blocked Justin’s number, as she did with Josh’s. 

Justin shook his head and sighed. Then he called Josh. 

„And???“ Josh asked impatiently.

„She’s in Santa Monica.“

„You mean, Lucy’s place?“ 

„Yes, she kept it. Eve moved back in.“

„Okay, I need to go.“

„C, please wait a second.“

„Why?“ He asked annoyed. 

„Tell me what happened between you and Jen.“

„This is non of your business.“

„Come on, man. The pics are all over the social platforms. People believe you got back together.“

„You really think this is what happened?“

„No, but… there must be a reason you two met, right?“ 

„We met because I was asking for the dog as I wanted some company. All I do in that damn pics is returning him to her. We met half way at the beach.“ 

„Really? This is just about Bronson?“ Justin said with relief. 

„It is!“

„However, Eve is really pissed off about that pics and she don’t wanna talk to you.“

„I still need to go and try!“

„Listen, C. Give her some time to calm down because right now, she’s not in the mood for making peace.“

„Justin! I want my girl back! And I want it now!“

„But you ghosted her for two weeks, dude. She was a mess. And now there are these pics from you and Jen… it’s too much…“

„So, you’re saying I should just leave her alone?!“

„I’m saying take your time to make a smart plan, instead of going to Santa Monica without any strategy how to get her back.“