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

straight up. Shoot. I completely forgot about tonight! I check the time. I didn’t even have time to change. The game starts at seven and I’m too far out from the

I’ll just

bubbles appear.

forgot, didn’t you…

fly over the keyboard in

on my

into my purse and scramble to the elevator. Only, the doors were already

“Hold—“

ya, Evie,” he calls. And

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

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

Center,” I huff. “Step

I hand over the fare and ran towards the entrance. I knew Aria would wait for me near the planters before the security

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

lot going on

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

bubbling out of me.

go in

like a sore thumb in her charcoal gray pencil skirt and cream colored blouse. Everyone

I mean we were

much were these tickets,

deadpan look.

snorted. “Fine. Don’t tell me.”

The national anthem was played. The opposing teams

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

he says.

into roars of support as names were called. I tuned out most of it. I was never much

pierced the quiet

captain— Timothy Hayes!”

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

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

Oh, no.

even hotter since the last time I had seen him. I wasn’t sure if it was the hint of stubble or

good,” Aria asked, nudging

I’m fine,” I laughed

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

hand, felt completely

in my head about him being on that ice, that I completely missed the incoming swarm of bodies approaching

him, Hayes!

the brawl that broke out right in front of me.

he was

my breath hoping he wouldn’t recognize me. Whistles were blown and refs intervened,

shoving the player one last time before slowly backing away. He was about to turn around, but he did a double

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

he picked up his game after that fight. He ended up scoring three goals for the

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

to go to the bathroom really quick. I’ll meet you at the

grinned. “Go, Bolts!”

Bolts,” I laughed awkwardly.

a sigh. Now to navigate this maze of an arena. The signage was so confusing.