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.”

can start tomorrow. Let’s check out that luxury apartment downtown again and see what

She clapped her hands and pumped her fists in the

A fresh start

TIMOTHY POV

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

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

irritable than he would have liked. They had all been looking at him

Timothy removed his earbuds and attempted to smile at

was strained. “Hey, man,

Chapter 39

today. Is everything alright?”

O

the sweat

good. Just with everything going on…it’s got me

his water before setting the bottle down beside his foot. “I’ll bet. If I were you, I’d

at his shoes and sighed. “I feel like garbage anyway. I may have won the case, but that doesn’t fix

an

It would’ve been hopeless though, as inquisitive as Ethan could be. He took the towel from the chair beside him and

this incredible woman, and I screwed up hard. Now I

to be that stunning lady we all saw

hist court hearing all week. Evie had become a popular subject amongst his teammates, who speculated that

attempt at squashing the rumor. Even if he wanted it

can’t fix what you don’t try to mend. You

I apologized, and I even gave her gifts. She still can hardly look at

eventually broke the silence with a grunt. “What did you

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Chapter 39

pinching the bridge of his nose. Even recalling that terrible moment left a bad taste in his mouth. At times, he could hardly

it,” he said, choosing his words carefully. It was a story he kept

it a secret on her end. Her friend and boyfriend had seemed harmlessly friendly toward him, as

sat and considered him for a moment. Suddenly, he snapped his fingers and nudged Timothy

brag all about how good his friend is. You just need someone to credit you, and I’m

fighting back a smile. “What is this, the

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

mix of gratitude and nervousness evident in his expression. “You’d really do

a tough situation or two. Figure I could return the favor after all