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

have time to change.

I’ll just meet

bubbles

didn’t

fingers fly over the keyboard in an

I’m on my way.

scramble to the elevator. Only, the doors were already shutting. And Jasper was the only one inside.

“Hold—“

calls. And the doors shut.

think of in my head, before darting down the emergency staircase. The backs of my

sidewalk. Hailing a cab, I

Center,” I huff. “Step on 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

there she was. An amused look was spread across her face,

a lot going on at work,” I explain

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 other up.”

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

in

charcoal gray pencil skirt and cream

had gotten glass seats. I mean we were practically on the

much were these tickets, Ari?”

looked over with a deadpan

snorted. “Fine. Don’t tell

national anthem was

pounding music began to

gentlemen,” he says. “Here

arena erupted into roars of support as names were called. I tuned out most of it. I was never much into sports, but I

pierced the quiet of

captain— Timothy Hayes!”

it already was. They were all chanting his name. Every single

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

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

good,” Aria asked, nudging

“Yes. I’m fine,” I

and Aria looked like she was having the time of

hand, felt completely exposed.

incoming swarm of bodies approaching the glass. The moment there

him, Hayes! Fight him!”

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

he was right there!

recognize me. Whistles were

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

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

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

a game,” Aria squealed. “I mean, there’s nothing more

go to the

thing,” she grinned. “Go,

I laughed awkwardly.

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