The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 43

Bruce walked closer, a wicked smirk on his face as he greeted me with false pleasantries. “Well, well, look who decided to show up. How have you been, Coco?”

My jaw clenched as my anger simmered just below the surface. I had hoped to avoid

any unnecessary small talk, but I couldn’t ignore the taunts. “Cut the act, Bruce. You called me here, now state your demands,” I demanded, trying to keep my voice steady.

Bruce’s smirk widened, and he leaned in closer, reveling in my discomfort. “I have to admit, I didn’t think you’d ever amount to anything. But seeing you on the news, winning that court case, made me realize you might have something to offer me,” he said, his eyes glinting with greed.

My blood ran cold at the mention of the court case. “And now you want my earnings?” I asked, not masking my irritation.

Bruce chuckled darkly, circling around me like a predator closing in on its prey. “Yes, Coco. I want a share of your winnings. You owe me after what you did,” he said, his words coming out in a hiss.

“You seem fine,” I said, looking him over. “Still dodging you daily showers, it seems.” Bruce chuckled. “I always did enjoy your humor, Coco.”

“Don’t call me that.”

“Why not, Coco?” he persisted, his eyes darkening. “Hell, I don’t speak a lick of French, but damn are you as darling as the word suggests.”

“God!” I huffed and forced my hands to my sides, suppressing the need to strangle him. “What have you even been doing alll these years, Bruce? I mean, I besides extorting people.”

Bruce glanced around and shoved his hands in his pockets, “I’ve been trying to get back on track. Especially after you left home so suddenly. You really broke my heart, you know?”

“Didn’t know you owned one of those,” I muttered. “And you barely answered my question.”

His eyes narrowed. “If you’re wondering about your dear ‘ol stepmom, she’s doing

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Chapter 431

little shaken

body shook at the mention of my father. I had almost forgotten about Laura, although she wasn’t exactly receptive

asked. I wanted to add if they were still in my father’s house, but I

changed the place up quiet a bit. With your dad gone, she figured

hadn’t planned on returning to that house, but the thought of Laura tossing out his belongings, and likely my own, disturbed me. I had left so abruptly that I hadn’t had the

hadn’t even reached out after I

in various odd jobs around town,” Bruce continued. “After paying for all those hospital bills, it’s been a little difficult trying to get my life

expect me to feel bad for you? Sorry you

twisted into a sinister smile. “Believe what you want,

made my life a living hell, and I’m

the naive one, Coco. Thinking you could

to maintain my composure. “I’m not naive anymore, Bruce. I’ve

me with a heightened curiosity, my stomach churned with unease. Coming out here was starting to feel a little less sensical, but part of me wanted to know. He had survived after all, but he was returning with

vengeance.

Chapter 43

would his intentions have been then? He had been contacting me even before then. Of course, I shouldn’t fool myself into believing that his interest in me was strictly

after everything you put me through?” I spat back,

Coco. That little knock to the head you gave me left some personal scars that need

you didn’t deserve!” I snapped. “And it seems you lost a few brain cells after the

was being slammed against one of the storage units. My vision flashed white as my head hit the sheet siding of the building and I groaned

I see.” His finger

act like you didn’t miss me,” he whispered. “That little

sending him stumbling backward. “I’d rather douse myself in fire than let you touch

his shoulders hunched over. I took a

not giving you any money,” I stated. “So go crawl back into whatever gutter you came

in Bruce’s eyes, and he lunged