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 had been a necessary but messy decision. The extra

of Timothy resting just down. 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

over right then 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 pancake

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

mean, you practically drink the stuff, and it never lasts more than a

I said with a scoff. She ran away before I could give her a good quick to the behind, leaving me with my semi–dry pancakes, I shook my head

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

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

little show, not even a move

to me, still frying pancakes despite the tall stack on the plate beside her. I took that

Chapter 42

the phone vibrated violently in my hands,

voicemail.

better judgement, I

voice sneered through the line,

Bruce?” I asked,

much. Just wanted to congratulate you on that court win. I bet you’re

so predictable. “You’re wasting. your time, Bruce. I don’t owe you anything,” I said

you don’t owe me anything? We both know

you a cent, Bruce. Leave me alone,”

you will, Coco. If you don’t give me what I want, I’ll make

There was an echo of glass shattering against the floor, and the warmth of fresh blood spraying along my arm.

his thumb. With a sigh, I relented. “Fine, I’ll meet you. But this is the last time, Bruce.” “Perfect,”

sent the address over text.

It didn’t really have a set building there that I knew of; It was likely some seedy place on

app,

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

up the strength to leave

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Chapter 42

on the couch eating pancakes.

are you going?” she asked, then motioned to my plate. “You didn’t finish

the hook by

and

a quick goodbye and shut the door. If this

anymore.

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

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