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,

check the time. I didn’t even have time to change. The game starts at seven and I’m too far out from the arena to add another stop.

Totally. I’ll just meet you

text bubbles

forgot, didn’t you…

fly over the keyboard in an attempt

on my

purse and scramble to the elevator. Only, the doors were already shutting. And Jasper was the only one inside.

“Hold—“

calls. And the

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

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

huff. “Step

up at the entrance. I hand over the fare and ran towards

across her face, and

wheezing. “I had a lot going on at work,”

want to whisk my problems away by watching

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

in together.

skirt and cream colored blouse. Everyone wore their Thunderbolt

had gotten glass seats. I mean we were practically on the ice

much were these tickets, Ari?”

a deadpan look. “You don’t wanna

“Fine. Don’t tell me.”

national anthem was played.

music began to play

he says.

tuned out most of it. I was never much into sports, but I was

pierced the quiet of my

your team captain— Timothy Hayes!”

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

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

Oh, no.

I had seen him. I wasn’t sure if it was the hint of stubble or the look of him in

asked,

jumped. “Yes. I’m fine,”

convinced. But the game went on and Aria looked

hand,

missed the incoming swarm of bodies approaching the glass. The moment there was

him, Hayes!

right in front of me. Twelve fully grown men were pressed against the glass.

he was right there!

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

before slowly backing away. He was about to turn around, but he did

because he saw me doesn’t mean he’ll

game continued on. 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

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

go to the bathroom really quick.

grinned. “Go, Bolts!”

I laughed

navigate this maze of an arena. The signage was so confusing.