The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Evie

Jasper is being Jasper again. He’s going around the office swearing up and down how he bagged the biggest client for the firm. The worst part is how people are eating up his antics. I, for one, am not finding his little parade cute.

He finally made his rounds, stopping at my desk. He leans against it casually. Victory is plastered on his face.

He sighs lazily. “How does it feel to be two days away from losing your job, Evie?”

“Bite me,” I mutter, typing away at my computer.

“Oh, come on,” he whines teasingly. “Don’t be like that. It’s a dog eat dog world here. Don’t hate the player, hate the game.”

“Oh, I don’t hate you Jasper,” I say sweetly, turning in my chair to smile. “I just think that nepotism is cheating. I mean come on. Really? Who is it this time? Daddy? Or was it your Uncle.”

Jasper looks over at my computer screen, sucking in a sharp breath. “Your email looks dryer than the Sahara. You better get on that, Eve.”

He pushes off my cubicle, swaggering down the row to his own office space. With his back turned to me, I gather the courage to flip him the bird beneath anyone’s line of sight.

A cough came from behind me. I froze.

“Evie,” the gruff voice of my boss spoke grimly.

“Mr. Erickson,” I squeaked. “I’m so sorry—“

“A word in my office please,” he said, striding off into that large perfect corner office.

I quickly stand up and scurry behind him. Just as I pass Jasper’s office, he gave an amused smirk and waved. Waved. The bastard waved!

My finger nails bite into my palms as I find my place before his desk.

“Shut the door,” he says grimly.

I quickly do as he asked. I turn back to him. His demeanor changed. He looked at me almost with pity.

“I know I need to find a client,” I began. “I’ve been working so hard—“

“I know,” he sighed. “It’s not easy starting from zero. And I know making those connections are hard. But I can’t keep making excuses for you, Evie.”

I nodded, my chest tightening. “Trust me. I know.”

“You have to bring me a client,” he says. “Otherwise I’ll have to let you go.”

“I’ll get you that client,” I promise. “And it’s going to be huge.”

He chuckled. “I can’t wait.”

Hours passed. Still no leads. I groaned, dropping my head to the desk tiredly. I felt the vibration of my phone against the surface. I threw my hand over, sliding my phone aggressively across the desk.

Lifting my head again, I looked at the notification.

From Aria.

still on for tonight, right?

time. I didn’t even have time to change. The game starts at

Totally. I’ll just meet you there.

text bubbles

didn’t

in an attempt to

I’m on my way.

and scramble to the elevator. Only,

“Hold—“

Evie,” he calls. And the doors

every violent curse I could think of in my head, before darting down the

bottom and run out onto the bustling sidewalk. Hailing a cab, I jump in and buckle my seat

I huff. “Step on it.”

pull up at the entrance. I hand over the fare

was. An amused look was spread across her face, and her arms folded

lot going

work,” she groans. “I want to whisk

laughter just starts bubbling out of me. “Well, don’t let

go in together.

her charcoal gray pencil skirt and cream colored blouse. Everyone

gotten glass seats. I mean we were

were these tickets,

looked over with a deadpan

Don’t tell

the game. The national anthem was

music began to play and the

says. “Here are your Thunderbolts!”

into roars of support as names were called. I tuned out most of it. I was never much into sports, but I was here because my friend

was one name that pierced the quiet of

team captain— Timothy Hayes!”

was. They were all chanting his name. Every single person was

pounding on the glass like a maniac as he appeared on the ice. His proud smile was prominent on his face as he glided around the rink, lifting his stick

Oh, no.

had grown even hotter since the last time I had seen him. I wasn’t sure if it was the hint

asked,

jumped. “Yes. I’m fine,” I laughed

convinced. But the game went on and Aria looked like she was having the time of

on the other hand, felt completely

the incoming swarm of bodies approaching the glass. The moment there was impact, I screamed, throwing

him, Hayes! Fight him!”

that broke out right in front

no… he was right there!

were blown and refs intervened,

away. He was about to turn around, but he did a double take. His eyes

was going to be fine. Just because he saw me doesn’t mean he’ll recognize me or

that fight. He ended up scoring three goals

“I mean, there’s nothing more dramatic than a

swallowed. “Hey, I have to go to the bathroom really quick.

thing,” she grinned. “Go,

I laughed

arena. The signage was so confusing. I ended up just