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, right?

have time to change. The

just

text bubbles

forgot, didn’t

the keyboard in an attempt to defend my honor.

I’m on my

into my purse and scramble to the elevator. Only, the doors were already shutting. And Jasper was the

“Hold—“

Evie,” he calls. And

head, before darting down the emergency staircase. The backs of my heels were stinging with every

onto the bustling sidewalk. Hailing a cab, I jump in and buckle

Center,” I huff. “Step on

hit the gas. It took about thirty minutes to pull up at the entrance. I hand over the fare and ran towards

look was spread across her face, and her arms folded

had a lot going on

work. I don’t want to hear another word about work,” she groans. “I want to whisk my problems away by watching hot men beat each

bubbling out of me. “Well, don’t let me stop

go in

a sore thumb in her charcoal gray pencil skirt and cream colored blouse.

I mean we were practically on the ice at that point.

much were these

with a deadpan look.

snorted. “Fine. Don’t tell me.”

things occurred before the start of the game. The national anthem was

began to play

and gentlemen,” he says. “Here are

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

pierced the

captain— Timothy Hayes!”

it already was. They were all chanting his

and pounding on the glass like a maniac as he appeared on the ice. His proud smile was prominent on his

Oh, no.

sure if it was the hint of stubble or the look of him in his uniform, but it shook me

good,” Aria asked,

“Yes. I’m fine,” I

didn’t look convinced. But the game went on and Aria looked like she was

other hand, felt completely

so in my head about him being on that ice, that I completely missed the incoming swarm of bodies approaching the glass. The moment there was impact, I screamed,

Hayes!

right in front of

no… he

breath hoping he wouldn’t recognize me. Whistles were blown

backing away. He was about

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

after that fight. He ended up scoring three goals for the Thunderbolts, ending the game with

game,” Aria squealed. “I mean, there’s nothing more dramatic than a bench-clearing brawl!”

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

grinned.

I laughed

to navigate this maze of an arena. The signage was so confusing. I ended up