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

to change. The game starts at seven and I’m

I’ll just meet you

text bubbles

forgot, didn’t

fingers fly over the keyboard in an attempt to defend my honor.

I’m on my

scramble to the elevator. Only, the

“Hold—“

he calls. And the doors

think of in my head, before darting down the emergency staircase. The backs of my heels were stinging with

the bustling sidewalk. Hailing a cab, I jump in

I huff. “Step on it.”

request and hit the gas. It took about thirty minutes to pull up at the entrance. I hand over the fare and ran towards

was. An amused look was spread across her face, and her arms folded casually. “Didn’t

“I had a lot going on at

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

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

in together.

gray pencil skirt and cream colored blouse. Everyone

were practically

these

over with a deadpan look. “You

snorted. “Fine. Don’t

national anthem was played. The opposing teams starting lineup

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

says. “Here are

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

one name that pierced the

team captain— Timothy Hayes!”

didn’t think this place could get any louder than it already was. They were all chanting

She was screaming and pounding on the glass like a maniac as he appeared on the ice.

Oh, no.

had grown even hotter since the last time I had seen him. I wasn’t sure if it was the

Aria asked,

fine,” I laughed

went on and Aria looked like she was having

on the other hand, felt

missed the incoming swarm of bodies approaching the glass. The moment there was impact, I screamed, throwing my arms over my face.

him, Hayes!

watching the brawl that broke out right in front of me. Twelve

no no… he was

my breath hoping he wouldn’t recognize me. Whistles were blown

was about

because he saw me doesn’t mean he’ll

picked up his game after that fight. He ended

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

to go to the bathroom really

thing,” she grinned. “Go,

Bolts,” I laughed awkwardly.

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