The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 39

The clock struck midnight, and the moon cast a gentle glow through the window of Lucas‘ living room. I lay restlessly on the couch, tossing and turning for the right position. My mind was consumed by memories of Timothy of all things.

His words at the restaurant flooded back to me. He called me inspiring and compassionate, two words I’d never heard go alongside my name. I found myself reaching for my phone, tempted to call him, but I hesitated.

Even if I was insane enough, calling Timothy was not a good idea. Parting ways at the restaurant had felt like a breakup for a relationship that never happened. With the solitude of the night, the nostalgia of it crept in, tugging at my heartstrings.

His bright eyes, so filled with regret as he stared down at me when I said I’d keep in touch. He already knew what that meant for us. I touched the pendant he’d gifted me, nestled warmly against my chest, and its inscribed words, flashed in my

memory.

Say the right thing…What was the right thing?

I glanced at my phone, my thumb hovering over the call button. Would it be so wrong to hear his voice one more time? To know that he was okay and to feel that sense of connection again?

With a sigh, I set my phone back on the coffee table. I wrapped my arms around myself and looked over at Aria, bundled up in blankets as she snored peacefully. I slid out from beneath my blanket and crawled over to her on all fours.

I reached over and tapped her on the head a few times. It took a moment for her to realize, then she was twisting around. Fresh slobber was smeared across her cheek and I fought back a laugh.

“The right thing,” I said abruptly.

She blinked slowly. “Huh?”

“It’s the right thing,” I repeated. “I thought some more about the new apartment. I’d be ready to make some serious readjustments if you’re up for it.”

Even in her tired state, a large smile spread across her face and she squeezed her eyes shut. “Really? But you were worried about the budget…”

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Chapter 39

I smiled. “I know, but no budget is worth risking our lives when we don’t have to. Besides, a life of luxury doesn’t sound so pretentious from where we’re standing.”

Aria looked away, her eyebrows creasing. She sat up and wiped her face on her sleeve. “But what if we really can’t afford it? I had my head in the clouds when I said all that stuff.”

“We won’t know unless we try. And besides, we’re not alone in this. We have each other, remember?” I took her hand and patted it for assurance.

The apprehension in her face slowly melted away, replaced by a newfound sense of Hope. Finally, she returned the smile.

“You’re right. I think we could make it happen.”

smile widened. “We can start tomorrow. Let’s check out that luxury

fists in the air. “This could be our chance for

fresh start

TIMOTHY POV

was alive with the sound of clanging weights and the grunting of gym–goers engrossed in their workouts. Among them, Timothy stood at the bench. press, his muscles flexing with cach lift. He had decided to raise the

former teammates and friend, Ethan, looked over at him. Timothy got through ten more reps before Ethan set down his own set of

made Timothy more irritable than he would have liked. They had all been looking at him strangely ever since the trial. It was as if they expected him to never return to the light

removed his earbuds and

back, although it was strained.

Chapter 39

today. Is everything alright?”

O

barbell down, his breaths heavy as he wiped the sweat from his

Just with everything going

and took a swig of his water before setting the bottle down beside his foot. “I’ll bet. If I were you, I’d be sitting at home trashing myself after everything you went through. You

“I feel like garbage anyway. I may

an

hopeless though, as inquisitive as Ethan could be. He took the towel from the chair beside him and wiped his

up, Ethan,” Timothy admitted, his hoarse. “I met this incredible woman, and I screwed up hard.

wiggled his eyebrow. “Would this woman happen to be that stunning lady we all saw

week. Evie had become a popular subject amongst his teammates, who speculated that more was going on between

people think,” Timothy said, with a sudden attempt at squashing the rumor. Even if he wanted it

“Look, bud. You can’t fix what you don’t try to mend. You should talk to her face

even gave her gifts. She still can hardly look at me

eventually broke the

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Chapter 39

terrible moment left a bad taste in his mouth. At times, he

and she wound up hurt because of it,” he said, choosing his words carefully. It was a story he

Evie felt obligated to keep it a secret on her end. Her

in any disgusted manner. He only seemed intrigued as he sat and considered him for a moment. Suddenly, he snapped his fingers and nudged

brag all about how good his friend

failed at fighting back a smile. “What is this, the

nudged him again. “This is science, man! Look, we’ll figure out a plan together, okay?

nervousness evident in his expression. “You’d

tough situation or two. Figure I could return