The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 11

Evie

I was horrified. He had gotten himself a private investigator to find me. There was no other plausible reason for him to know where I was in the first place.

“Answer the question, Mister Hayes,” I order, my tone becoming icy.

He continues fumbling over his words. “I- I can explain.”

That was all the confirmation I needed.

“Well, then. Please go ahead and explain yourself. I’m dying to hear what excuse you have in your incredibly expensive–looking suit jacket you have on,” I scoff.

He shakes his head, laughing tiredly.

“You practically vanished overnight,” he says defensively. “You didn’t text. You didn’t call. Hell, Evie. You had every reason to come and yell at me for what I did. But you just left. And no one in your family knew a thing. They didn’t even care. All of your stuff was just tossed on the front lawn.”

“I didn’t want to see you,” I explain flatly.

“I get that,” he says. “But seeing you the other night at the restaurant and bumping into you after the game, I had to set things right.”

“To make yourself feel better,” I laugh bitterly. “I’m not mad. I should’ve known better. You didn’t hide the fact that you were involved with other girls.”

“I wasn’t,” he says firmly. “I cut it all off before I even started talking to you. I wanted things with us to be different. I thought you were inexperienced.”

Fury burns through my veins now.

“You wanted things to be different, Timothy,” I ask, my voice shaking from pure unadulterated rage. “Did you really? Is that why you made that bet? I was just that special?”

“Evie,” he says, guilt filling his eyes again. “I didn’t-

“No,” I say sharply. Inhaling deeply, I start gathering my things. The workday wast

A

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Chapter 11

over at this point. I could call it quits and Mister Erickson wouldn’t mind. “I think this conversation is over. And I don’t know. I might not even take the case. I don’t care if I’m thrown out of this firm.”

jolts at the words. His body was frozen. The space goes silent between us. It

big of you to even hear me out,” he

Timothy

look at me so softly had become dangerously frosty. Why did I

want it.

night, I was, and still

break me out of my headspace. I move to the leg press, setting myself up for a personal

back up into resting position. About halfway through my set, my headphones are ripped from my head. I almost get up to fight whoever had just done that, except, the moment I see who it is, I lay my head back against the

Evie,” she asks sharply. “Who is

annoyed by the interruption to my therapeutic workout session. “Hello, Stell,” I sigh, performing another leg press. Maybe

question,” she snaps

huff, locking up

stomping her foot like a child denied a piece

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Chapter 11

down the bottom of her skin–tight neon dress that left little to the imagination. “I mean, I don’t understand

I scoff. “I said what

lunges at me, pushing me back into

tell me,” she hisses,

say tiredly. “I’m

“Her?”

being ridiculous,” I

me it’s Evelyn,” she says

I say, smirking slightly for my own

its Emma Monroe,” she says, disgust evident on her face. “For your sake, I hope not.

louder than I intended. Stella goes still for a second. “I’m not telling you

tossing her hair over one shoulder. “You know I’m going to find out

laugh. “Don’t lie

you like someone else to make me like you, Timothy,” she says, folding her arms across her chest. I know my dad is still putting you through the ringer, but since you got the best captain thing, he has to let us bet together. And

hopping back off the leg press and heading to leave.

is

almost unnaturally.

Stella,” I say, grabbing my towel and wiping

would really be a

of the league,” she sighs. “I mean,