Contents
7. Stevie
Overview
On a rare night off in Chicago, Stevie’s plans with her twin brother collapse, pushing her to confront old wounds and upcoming stressors. She agrees to be Ryan’s gala date, dreads a Nashville trip, and revisits trauma from ex Brett. After researching the Raptors and Eli’s charity, Stevie heads to volunteer—only to collide with Evan Zanders in her building lobby, reigniting their charged dynamic.
Summary
With the Raptors home in Chicago, Stevie has time off and plans a movie with her twin brother, Ryan. She relaxes in his upscale apartment, fretting about next week’s road trip to Nashville, where old insecurities about not fitting in resurface.
Ryan returns, admits he forgot their plans due to a PR-arranged date, and asks Stevie to be his date for a black-tie charity gala. He insists she buy a new dress and teases her about hometown friends. Talk shifts to their mother and then to Brett—Ryan’s former teammate and Stevie’s ex—who wants to visit Chicago to network at the gala.
Triggered by Brett’s name, Stevie recalls their college relationship: repeated breakups, being treated as a placeholder, and the final humiliation when Brett boasted he’d drop her once he went pro. Stevie asks Ryan to house Brett elsewhere if he comes and refuses to detail the past.
Alone for the evening, Stevie plans to visit the Senior Dogs of Chicago rescue, where she volunteers, finding purpose in giving overlooked animals affection. She catches the end of a Raptors win on TV; Evan Zanders is named first star and answers a suggestive question with a smug quip, which she finds gross.
Researching teammates, Stevie notes Rio’s clownish persona and learns team captain Eli Maddison founded Active Minds of Chicago—the very gala Ryan is attending. She sees images of Eli’s family and the media’s fixation on Evan’s bad-boy image and nightlife.
Heading out in messy sweats to the shelter, Stevie takes the elevator down and, stepping into the lobby, collides with Evan Zanders. He steadies her and smirks, teasing, “You following me?” ending the chapter on their sudden, charged encounter.
Who Appears
- StevieFlight attendant narrator; spends a night off in Chicago, faces Nashville anxiety, recalls toxic ex, volunteers, collides with Evan.
- Ryan ShayStevie’s twin and Chicago Devils player; cancels movie for a date, invites her to Eli’s gala, discusses Brett.
- Evan ZandersRaptors winger; earns first star, gives cocky interview, then unexpectedly meets Stevie in her building lobby.
- BrettRyan’s former teammate and Stevie’s ex; seeks gala access to network, triggering Stevie’s painful memories.
- Eli MaddisonRaptors captain; researched by Stevie; founder of Active Minds of Chicago, the gala’s beneficiary.
- IndyStevie’s coworker; considered for a hangout as Stevie contemplates building road-life friendships.