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

straight up. Shoot. I completely forgot about tonight! I check the time. I didn’t even have time to

Totally. I’ll just meet

text bubbles

didn’t

fly over the keyboard in an attempt to defend my

I’m on

the elevator. Only,

“Hold—“

ya, Evie,” he calls. And

curse every violent curse I could think of in my head, before darting down the emergency staircase. The backs of

out onto the bustling sidewalk. Hailing a cab, I

I huff.

my request and 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

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

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

work,” she groans. “I want to whisk my problems away by watching

The laughter just starts bubbling out of me. “Well,

in together.

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

mean we were practically on

much were these tickets,

a deadpan

“Fine. Don’t

before the start of the game. The national anthem was played.

Loud pounding music began to play and the announcer called

gentlemen,” he says.

called. I tuned out most of it. I was never much into sports, but

that pierced the quiet of

your team captain— Timothy Hayes!”

place could get any louder than it already was. They were all

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.

I had seen him. I wasn’t sure if it was the hint

Aria asked, nudging me.

jumped. “Yes. I’m fine,” I

didn’t look convinced. But the game went on and Aria looked like she was having the time of her life.

on the other hand, felt completely exposed.

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

Hayes! Fight him!”

right in front of

he

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

before slowly backing away. He was about to turn around, but

because he saw me doesn’t mean he’ll recognize me or

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 three

Aria squealed. “I mean, there’s

nod. “Yea,” I swallowed. “Hey, I have to go to the

thing,” she grinned.

Bolts,” I laughed awkwardly.

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