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

hall hit me. Maybe the hangover from the previous night’s celebration had temporarily wiped my memory of that unfortunate fact. Who knew how often I was going to

beside me with the bottle of syrup. She popped the cap

I laughed, attempting to snatch the bottle from her. She pulled it away and snapped the cap

rationing,” she said, her eyes narrowing with mischief. “I mean, you practically drink the stuff, and it never lasts

the behind, leaving me with my semi–dry pancakes, I shook my head and turned my attention back to the screen to see

for breakfast entertainment. There weren’t even any girls squealing

me as I scarfed down my pancakes. I set my plate down and grabbed my

familiar. I guess after his little show, not even a

frying pancakes despite the tall stack on the plate beside her. I took that

Chapter 42

violently in my hands, I debated

voicemail.

against my better judgement, I

voice sneered through the line, not even giving

want, Bruce?”

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

a surge of anger rise within me. Bruce was so predictable. “You’re wasting. your time, Bruce. I don’t

“Oh, you don’t owe me anything?

“I’m not giving you a cent, Bruce. Leave me alone,”

will, Coco. If you don’t give me what I want, I’ll make sure everyone knows your dirty little

glass shattering against the floor, and the warmth of fresh blood spraying along my arm. They imagery flashed before my eyes, and I had to brace the wall for

With a sigh, I relented. “Fine, I’ll meet you. But this is the last time,

up, Bruce sent the address over text.

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

app,

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

to leave the bathroom and go to my

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Chapter 42

When I walked back into the living room, Aria was seated on the couch eating pancakes. She gave me

then motioned to my plate. “You

told her, grabbing my keys from the hook by the door. “I gotta run

stopped chewing and

me. I bid her a quick goodbye and shut the door. If this

anymore.

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

pulled out of the parking lot. I always had to deal with Bruce alone.