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 tonight, right?

even have time to change.

I’ll just

text bubbles

didn’t you…

the keyboard in an attempt to defend my honor.

I’m on my

elevator. Only, the doors were already

“Hold—“

Evie,” he calls.

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

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

huff. “Step on it.”

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

her face, and her arms folded casually.

had a lot going on

groans. “I want to whisk my problems away

help it. The laughter just starts bubbling out of me. “Well, don’t let me stop

in

a sore thumb in her charcoal gray pencil skirt and cream colored blouse. Everyone wore their Thunderbolt jerseys. Some had painted faces.

were practically on the

these tickets, Ari?”

looked over with a deadpan look.

“Fine. Don’t

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

music began to play

and gentlemen,” he says. “Here are

I tuned out most of it. I was never

there was one name that pierced the

captain— Timothy

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

on the ice. His proud

Oh, no.

him. I wasn’t sure if it was the hint of stubble or the look of him in his uniform, but it shook

good,” Aria asked, nudging me.

jumped. “Yes. I’m fine,” I laughed awkwardly.

the game went on and Aria looked

on the other hand, felt completely

on that ice, that I completely missed the incoming swarm of bodies approaching the glass. The moment there

Hayes! Fight

right in front of me. Twelve fully grown men were

no no… he was

recognize me. Whistles were blown and refs intervened, ripping the players

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

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

up his game after that fight. He ended up scoring three

game,” Aria squealed. “I mean, there’s nothing more dramatic than a bench-clearing

swallowed. “Hey, I have to go to the

she grinned. “Go,

I

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