The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 42

Despite the smile on his face, that sentence alone produced a certain edge to his

voice.

“Oh, those rumors!” I placed my hands on my cheeks, hoping my cool hands would thaw them somewhat. Alex was still towering over me, closer than before. “Yeah, don’t pay any attention to those.”

He laughed. “Oh, believe me. I don’t. I’m past my juvenile years.”

The next morning, I woke to the scent of batter and cinnamon drifting through the air. I lifted my head and peeked my eyes open to see the time on my digital -clock. It was only nine, but it felt like I’d slept for ages in such a comfortable bed.

I was almost too reluctant to slide out of it and put on my slippers, but I wasn’t so prepared to sleep the day away when breakfast was waiting in the other room. With a yawn, I shuffled out of the room and into the kitchen where Aria was flipping pancakes on a skillet.

She noticed me after a few seconds and gave me a tired smile. “Morning!”

“A working stove?” I smiled and drifted away. “Hallelujah.”

“You should see the working toaster!” she announced as I walked into the living room and plopped myself onto the couch. I switched on the TV and flipped to the local news channel. There was mention of an athlete that had been taking performance enhancers, and that headline on its own reminded me.

“Timothy’s conference!” I hissed, snatching the remote back up. I flipped through channels, frustrated that I hadn’t even thought to check which channel the conference would be on. Fortunately, Timothy’s face flashed on the screen for the briefest of moments and I was able to backtrack just enough to find him again on

ESPN.

He stood confidently in front of a red and white backdrop with an odd number of microphones pointed at him. He looked handsome as always, his hair combed back neatly and his face shaven smoothly for the occasion. He adjusted his tie and gave the microphones a quick tap to ensure their functionality.

“I believed it would be a great disservice to the public if I didn’t address my

current situation openly,” he began, his expression grave. “From this day forward, I

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will no longer be playing with the Thunderbolts.”

There were gasps and murmurs amongst the crowd. Cameras flashed as the reporters begged him for questions, but Timothy continued over them.

“Now, it won’t be an immediate switch. The change will take place in about three weeks, but I plan on taking a break in the meantime.”

amongst the crowd, I felt a wave of relief at his words. Timothy’s departure from the other club

was short–lived as the reality of Timothy resting just down. the hall hit me. Maybe the hangover from the previous night’s celebration had temporarily wiped

with a plate of pancakes and set them beside me with the bottle of syrup. She popped the cap and started pouring syrup over

the bottle from her. She pulled it away and snapped the

“I mean, you practically drink the stuff, and it never lasts more

much?” I said with a scoff. She ran away before I could give her a good quick to the behind, leaving me with my

entertainment. There weren’t even any girls squealing in the background

my pancakes. I set my plate down and grabbed my phone from the coffee table. As soon as I saw the screen, my heart

had become all too familiar. I guess after his little show, not even a move could deter

tall stack on the plate beside her. I took that

Chapter 42

phone vibrated violently in my hands, I debated letting it

voicemail.

my better judgement,

line, not even giving me the chance

do you want, Bruce?” I asked, gritting my

wanted to congratulate you on that court win. I bet you’re swimming in cash now,” he said,

surge of anger rise within me. Bruce was so predictable. “You’re wasting. your time, Bruce. I don’t owe you anything,” I said

“Oh, you don’t owe me anything? We

mind began to race. “I’m not giving you a cent, Bruce. Leave me alone,” I stated, my voice

want, I’ll make sure everyone knows your dirty little

terrible night flooded my mind. There was an echo of glass shattering against the floor, and the warmth

other line. He knew he had me under his thumb. With a sigh, I relented. “Fine, I’ll meet you. But this is the last time, Bruce.” “Perfect,” he purred. “I’ll send you the

Bruce sent the address over text.

set building there that I knew of; It was likely some seedy place on the

app,

phone away and stared ahead at the blue wall. Somewhere along the way, I must

to leave

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Chapter 42

room, Aria was seated on the

asked, then motioned to my plate. “You didn’t finish

I told her, grabbing my keys from the hook by the

stopped chewing and pursed

bid her a quick goodbye and shut the

anymore.

shoved the keys in the ignition. The engine roared to life and I tightened my grip on the wheel, the adrenaline pumping through me a mile

going to talk,” I told myself as I pulled out of the parking lot. I always had to