The first episode of Chicago Fire Season 13 has brought a lot of surprises

to viewers. After it seemed like Carver (Jake Lockett) and Violet (Hanako

Greensmith) had finally jumped into the abyss of attraction for each other

in Season 12, the new season finds Carver dating someone else after returning from a six-week sabbatical. Lockett spoke to Us Magazine about the slow-burn relationship between Carver and Violet that seemed to be working but then faltered. He shared the thoughts running through his character’s mind and why Carver rejected Violet when she was finally ready to explore what they could be.

Over the course of six weeks, Lockett said Carver has been “trying to figure out how to move past this” after his feelings weren’t acknowledged and reciprocated when he admitted them to Violet. “You’re sitting here trying to do the same old thing, where you’re just wading through it, not really [committing], like, half-heartedly talking about it,” Lockett says. Six weeks was enough time for Carver to decide that he didn’t want to “sit here and play around with the indifference of it anymore.” When Season 13 premiered, Carver had a new girl coming to pick him up, and they were very public about their affection. Lockett has spoken about Carver’s mystery woman, Tori (Holly Hinchliffe), but has remained tight-lipped about how the relationship has progressed, saying he doesn’t “want to give anything away.” He sees Carver’s relationship with Tori as Carver’s way of coping with not being with the person he wants. “Sometimes, it’s easier not to move forward than, you know, dealing with someone you actually [like],” he says. But will Carver and Violet find their way together? Lockett said, “In a world where they end up together, which I don’t know what that situation is — we don’t have that in the script — I think he just needs someone who’s willing to meet him where he is. I think she’s going to have to care more and be willing to be honest about where she is.” Lockett teased some drama coming up for the couple in Season 13. “There’s definitely some drama coming up. I’m looking forward to watching him grow as a person,” Lockett said.