The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 52

Her words caught me off guard, and I realized that there was more to Linda and Timothy’s relationship than I had initially thought. The shock of the revelation left me momentarily speechless.

“I–I didn’t know that Timothy was seeing someone,” I finally managed to say, my voice slightly shaky.

Linda looked a bit surprised at my response. “Oh, I’m sorry. We haven’t been together for very long, and we’ve been keeping it low–key.”

“No, it’s okay. I’m just surprised,” I replied, trying to compose myself.

Linda smiled warmly. “Thank you for understanding. People are usually territorial when it comes to Timothy.”

I shook my head, trying to dispel any misunderstandings as well as the shock that still lingered. “No, we’re just neighbors.”

Linda looked at me with a sympathetic smile. “Oh, good. We wanted to keep it private for a while. We met on a social networking site and have been seeing each other for a few months now.”

Hearing that they had been physically involved for months felt like a punch to the gut. A part of me felt envious of Linda, as much as that emotion stung. Another part of me also wondered how long Linda would last, considering Timothy’s track record.

I had always doubted that Timothy had truly changed from his player ways, but this was a shocking confirmation. Everything that had happened between us seemed like a foolish dream. One where he waxed about how sorry he was and how much he cared about me.

I had wanted to care too, but reality had its way of shattering expectations. If only I had kept my distance, the way I had planned to from the start. Yet I couldn’t get those striking eyes, the warmth of his touch, nor tenderness of his words out of my mind.

As we continued to talk, Linda expressed how much Timothy meant to her, and I couldn’t help but see the genuine affection in her eyes. It was clear that their connection ran deep, and that unsettled me. Still, Linda’s warmth and kindness.

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were undeniable, and I found myself opening up to her.

It felt strange discussing him with his current lover, but Linda was understanding and genuinely interested in knowing more about his past.

“So, you’re Timothy’s lawyer?” Linda asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

I am. It’s a long story, but we’ve known each other

forward, eager to hear more. “High school? That’s quite a connection. Tell

as possible. “Timothy and I were just classmates though. Occasionally

her shoulders and gave

I winced. “N–No. Homework.”

past, then took another sip of her

feeling compelled to entice her more, “We went our separate ways, and I thought I would

reached out and gently squeezed my hand, offering silent support. “But fate. has a funny way

“It does ndeed.

an eyebrow.

trailed off, my eyes searching the room as if a sly explanation would jump ut of thin air. “He was a

a lot of changes in him,” Linda remarked, her

aine.

over me. “He has changed, no doubt about it. ut sometimes, it’s hard to forget the

comforting hand on my shoulder. “Change takes time, and people an grow in unexpected ways. If he’s with you

23 Thu,

Chapter 32

friendship, right?”

right. He has been kind and caring, and

She seemed like a sweet woman, but I couldn’t shake the idea that Timothy had kept her on the back- burner while cuddling up to me. I wasn’t even sure if those moments between us meant

her eyes filled with affection. “Thank you, Evie. I feel

in her hands, watching the water as it trembled under her

over for dinner at my place?” she

rapidly, taken back by the offer. “Oh!

Her smiled widened. “We can get to know each other a bit more. I might be seeing you

seemed heavily interested in getting information about me, and I wouldn’t lie and say that I wasn’t intrigued about her

love to join you for

bell. Linda’s ears perked at the tell–tale slid of the doors and suddenly

into my hands. She then took a pen out of her back pocket, and to my surprise, started writing her

barely get out my shock before she was

later. It was so nice talking to you though, Evie!” she said quickly,

and left my apartment, a sense of urgency