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?

I didn’t even have time to change. The game starts at seven and I’m too far out from the

Totally. I’ll just

bubbles

didn’t

keyboard in an attempt to defend my honor.

I’m on my

to the elevator. Only, the doors were already shutting. And Jasper was the

“Hold—“

ya, Evie,” he calls. And the

before darting down the emergency staircase.

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

huff.

hit the gas. It took about thirty minutes to pull up at the entrance. I hand over the fare and ran towards the entrance. I knew Aria would wait for me near the planters before the security checkpoint.

was spread across her

was practically wheezing. “I had a lot

another word about work,” she groans. “I want to whisk my problems away by watching hot men beat

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

in together.

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

I mean we were practically on the ice at that

these tickets, Ari?”

a deadpan look. “You don’t

snorted. “Fine. Don’t tell me.”

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

out. Loud pounding music began to play and the announcer called everyone

gentlemen,” he says.

tuned out most of it. I

name that pierced

your team captain—

could get any louder than it already was. They were all chanting his name.

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

Oh, no.

him. I wasn’t sure if it was the hint of stubble or the

asked,

fine,” I laughed awkwardly.

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

on the other hand, felt completely

I completely missed the incoming swarm of bodies approaching the glass. The

him, Hayes! Fight

that broke out right in front of me. Twelve fully grown men were pressed against the glass.

no… he was

wouldn’t recognize me. Whistles were blown and refs

time before slowly backing away. He was about

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

the game 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 score of

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

nod. “Yea,” I swallowed. “Hey, I have to go to the bathroom really quick. I’ll meet you

thing,” she grinned. “Go,

Bolts,” I laughed awkwardly.

maze of an arena. The