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,

tonight! I check the time. I didn’t even have time to change. The game starts at seven

Totally. I’ll just meet

bubbles

forgot, didn’t you…

over the keyboard in

I’m on

into my purse and scramble to the elevator. Only,

“Hold—“

Evie,” he calls.

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

bottom and run out onto the bustling sidewalk. Hailing a cab, I jump in and

huff. “Step on

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

across her face,

lot going on at

she groans. “I want to whisk my problems away by watching hot men beat each other

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

in together.

thumb in her charcoal gray pencil skirt and cream colored blouse. Everyone wore their Thunderbolt

mean we were practically on the ice

much were these

with a deadpan

Don’t tell

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

to play and the announcer

gentlemen,” he says. “Here

out most of it. I was never much into

that pierced the quiet of

captain— Timothy

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

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

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 him in his uniform, but it shook me to my

good,” Aria asked, nudging

fine,” I laughed awkwardly.

look convinced. But the game went on and Aria looked like she was

on the other hand, felt

swarm of bodies approaching

him, Hayes! Fight

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

no no… he was right there!

me. Whistles were blown

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

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

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

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

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

thing,” she grinned. “Go,

I laughed awkwardly.

around with a sigh. Now to navigate this maze of an arena. The signage was so confusing. I ended up