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

Shoot. I completely forgot about tonight! I check the time. I didn’t even have time to change. The game

Totally. I’ll just meet

bubbles appear.

didn’t

in an attempt to defend my

on my way.

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

“Hold—“

ya, Evie,” he calls. And the doors shut.

violent curse I could think of in my head, before darting down the emergency staircase. The

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

huff. “Step on

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

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

lot going

about work,” she groans. “I want to whisk my problems away by watching hot men beat each

it. The laughter just starts bubbling out of

go in together.

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

glass seats. I mean we were practically on the ice at

were these

deadpan look.

“Fine. Don’t tell

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

music began to play

says. “Here are your Thunderbolts!”

it. I was never much into sports, but I was here because my friend

was one name that pierced the quiet

captain— Timothy Hayes!”

than it already was. They were all chanting

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

Oh, no.

it was the hint of stubble or the look of him in

asked, nudging

fine,” I laughed

the game went on and Aria looked like she was

on the other hand, felt

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

Hayes! Fight him!”

brawl that broke out right in front of me. Twelve fully grown men were

no no… he was right

he wouldn’t recognize me. Whistles were blown and refs intervened, ripping the

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

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

It seemed like he picked up his game after that fight. He ended up scoring three goals for the Thunderbolts, ending the game with a score

mean, there’s nothing more dramatic than a

nod. “Yea,” I swallowed. “Hey, I have to go to the bathroom really quick. I’ll meet you

she grinned. “Go,

I laughed awkwardly.

an arena. The signage was so