The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 53

I stood just inside my apartment, my hand gripping the doorknob tightly as I watched Timothy and Linda in the hallway. It was like I was frozen in place, unable to tear my eyes away from the scene unfolding before me.

“Were you waiting this whole time?” Timothy asked Linda, his lips in a flat line.

My heart sank as Linda responded, her voice light and flirtatious, “Well, hello to you too, handsome.”

“Sorry, I’m just really distracted right now,” Timothy replied, his eyes briefly flickering to my apartment door. My heart thumped rapidly, and I feared he noticed the small sliver where my eye was looking right back at him.

He wouldn’t have had time to investigate either way since Linda was leaning closer to him. “Oh, never mind that. What do you need, sweetie?”

I clenched my jaw, feeling a pang of jealousy and anger rising within me. Linda was being far too familiar with Timothy, and it was clear that she was trying to distract him from whatever business he had that was probably way more important than her.

“I need someone to take care of Duke for me,” Timothy said. “I’m going to be out all of tomorrow, so I need someone to walk and feed him.”

Linda’s eyes lit up with a mischievous glint, and she leaned even closer, practically. batting her eyelashes at him. “Oh, don’t worry about a thing. I’d be happy to take care of Duke for you.”

She placed a hand on his arm and gave his bicep a squeeze. She was shamelessly flirting with Timothy, but the expression on his face remained neutral. It was like. he didn’t even notice, or worse, he didn’t care.

Perhaps she was getting fazed out sooner than expected.

“And I can take care of you too while you recover,” she continued, her words. dripping with innuendo. “You shouldn’t even be up after what you went through.”

“I have help,” said Timothy, and he took her hand away from his arm. Instead of cupping it in his own, he let it fall back at her side. From there, he kept the conversation focused on his dog, completely indifferent to Linda’s blatant

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Chapter 53

flirtation.

O

If he wasn’t interested in her, then why was he spending time with her? As Linda continued to flirt, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness. Was I just like her him–a casual fling to pass the time? Had I waited too long to see him?

Before I could dwell on my thoughts any longer, I decided it was time to retreat. I didn’t want to be caught eavesdropping

on their conversation. It was clear that there was more to their relationship than I knew, and I didn’t want to intrude any further.

I took Linda’s phone and tossed it through the crack between the door and its frame. It slid across the floor, and I hoped that it would like she’d just dropped it.

As I closed my apartment door, I tried to shake off the hurt and confusion. Whatever was going on between Timothy and Linda should have been none of

of my business. That didn’t stop my heart from hurting

however.

Back in my apartment, I slumped onto the couch, replaying the scene in my mind. It was evident that my feelings for Timothy hadn’t faded, despite my attempts to move on. Seeing him with Linda stirred up a storm of emotions I couldn’t control.

Timothy had changed. I had wanted him to be a different person, but

something for him, of trying to be a friend while my heart. yearned for more, was too painful to bear. I couldn’t

needed to distance myself from the situation, to give myself the space and time. to heal. Making a cake for Timothy would only fuel the

chimed and I pulled it out to

got off work. Wanna get

to sit out and eat, I also didn’t

rest of the night. I typed my

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Chapter 35

said, Sure. Just let me know

n

the street. She had only been there once, but I took

to a waitress when I arrived. Right as she saw me, she gestured for me to come

the waitress as she collected some

“Follow me, please.”

woman as she led us to a booth in the middle of the room. The place had a subtle red glow with accents

telling us another waitress would come by to

menu, her eyes trained on me as she grinned. I lifted an eyebrow, slightly concerned about what she was prepared to say. She had

guess what happened at the spa today,”

on someone’s face again?” I asked,

to this one particular hottie. I guess the treatment was so good that he decided to slip

my purse on

the menu. It seemed like only yesterday, Aria was crying. about her break up with some guy he could barely remember. While I knew she was a romantic at heart, I wished she didn’t

great!” I said, forcing some excitement in

talk?”

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Clupter 53

yes!” she said chipperly. “He told me how lucky he felt to meet me, especially since he didn’t come

it out of my

“I didn’t

her arms over her chest and slid down in her seat, sulking. “I’m sure

it’s great you’re getting out there!” I added, but she was already dismsissing herself form the conversation right as a waitress approached our table. She took out a tablet and

Helen, and I will be your server for the night! Can I get you ladies. something to

her menu and twisted her lips. “I think I’ll just get

Helen. “And no appetizers

again tapped on the tablet and have us a short nod. “I’ll be right back

“Look, I had a really crappy day.

it off. “I just thought he was cute. I’m not

though!” I pressed. “You shouldn’t settle for less, especially when there’s someone out there that will give

back to her menu and started flipping

another woman today,” I confessed, my voice barely above a

she lifted them to finally meet mine. “What? Are

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