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.

on for tonight,

completely forgot about tonight! I check the time. I didn’t even have time to change. The game

I’ll just meet you

bubbles

didn’t

over the keyboard in an attempt to defend

I’m on my way.

Only,

“Hold—“

calls. And the doors shut.

down the

run out onto the bustling sidewalk. Hailing a cab, I jump in

Center,” I huff. “Step on it.”

up at the entrance. I hand over the fare and ran towards the entrance. I knew Aria would wait for me

spread across her face,

had a lot going on at

I don’t want to hear another word about work,” she groans. “I want to whisk

it. The laughter just starts bubbling out of

in

sore thumb in her charcoal gray pencil skirt and cream colored blouse. Everyone wore their Thunderbolt

were

much were these

a deadpan look. “You don’t

“Fine. Don’t tell

start of the game. The national anthem was played. The opposing teams starting lineup was

pounding music began to play

says. “Here are your

most of it. I was never much into

name that pierced

captain—

any louder than it already was. They were all chanting his name. Every single person

maniac as he appeared on the ice. His proud smile was prominent on his face as he glided around the

Oh, no.

had grown even hotter since the last time I had seen him. I wasn’t sure if it was the hint of stubble or the look of him in his uniform,

Aria asked, nudging me.

fine,” I

look convinced. But the game went on and Aria looked like she

the other hand, felt

swarm of bodies approaching the glass. The

him, Hayes! Fight him!”

my arms, watching the brawl that broke out right in front of me. Twelve fully grown men were pressed against the

he

breath hoping he wouldn’t recognize me. Whistles were blown and refs intervened, ripping the

before slowly backing away. He was about to turn around, but he did a double take. His eyes set on mine.

be fine. Just because he saw me doesn’t mean he’ll recognize

continued on. It seemed like he picked up his game after that fight. He ended up scoring three goals for the Thunderbolts, ending the game with a

mean, there’s nothing more dramatic

I have to go to the bathroom really quick. I’ll

grinned. “Go, Bolts!”

I laughed

a sigh. Now to navigate this maze of an arena. The signage was so confusing. I ended up just turning wherever