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.

for tonight, right?

have time to change. The game starts at seven and I’m too far out

just

bubbles

didn’t you…

over the keyboard in an attempt to defend my honor.

on my

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

“Hold—“

ya, Evie,” he calls. And the doors shut.

down the emergency staircase. The backs of my heels were stinging with

out onto the bustling sidewalk.

huff. “Step on it.”

It took about thirty minutes to pull up at the entrance. I hand

An amused look was spread across her face, and

practically wheezing. “I had a lot going on at work,”

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

help it. The laughter just starts bubbling out of me. “Well, don’t let me stop you, Ari,” I say.

in together.

charcoal gray pencil skirt and cream colored blouse. Everyone wore their

glass seats. I mean we were practically

much were these

with a deadpan

Don’t

The national anthem was played.

out. Loud pounding music began to play and

gentlemen,” he says. “Here are your

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 had asked me.

that pierced the quiet of my mind.

team captain— Timothy Hayes!”

was. They

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

Oh, no.

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,”

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

other hand,

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, throwing

him, Hayes! Fight

the brawl that broke out right in front of me. Twelve fully grown men were

no no… he

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

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

he saw me doesn’t mean he’ll recognize me or even see me after this. It will all be

He ended up scoring

“I mean, there’s nothing more dramatic than

to the bathroom

she grinned.

Bolts,” I laughed awkwardly.

of an arena. The signage was so confusing. I ended up just turning wherever it felt right.