The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 54

As the sun set, casting a warm glow over the city, I found myself sitting in my living room, nervously waiting for Lucas to arrive. I had invited him over to hang out, but I was also curious about how he was doing after taking a punch from Timothy.

My dinner with Aria had lifted my spirits a little, but I wasn’t prepared to be alone with my thoughts just yet. Lucas seemed more than willing to hang out, thankfully.

When the doorbell finally rang, I hurried to let Lucas in. He greeted me with a wide grin, but his expression quickly turned serious when he saw the worry

in my eyes. I flinched upon seeing the slight swell in his right eye, which had turned a nasty yellow.

“Hey, what’s going on?” Lucas asked, concern evident in his voice.

Taking a deep breath, I motioned for him to sit down. “I could ask you the same. How’s the eye?”

“Hurts a little less,” he muttered, sinking into the couch. He shut his eyes and leaned his head back.

“But it’s getting better. The swelling has gone down a bit, but I’ll survive.”

I sighed, still feeling guilty that Lucas had been caught in the crossfire of my complicated situation with Timothy. “I’m sorry you got dragged into all of this,” I said sincerely.

Lucas waved it off with a smile. “No need to apologize. I had a feeling something was off about Timothy, and now I know I was right. I’m glad I was there to see his undying devotion to you.”

“Yeah,” I replied bitterly. “He still shouldn’t have done that.”

“Love can make us blind sometimes,” Lucas said gently. “But it’s not your fault, Evie. I betrayed your trust, remember?”

I snorted at the obvious sarcasm in his voice. “Of course, I do, you dirty cheater.”

He laughed and shook his head. Then he opened his eyes and looked over at me, his smile wavering. “Really though, what’s up with you?”

Chapter 54

Lucas listened intently as I recounted what I had seen in the hallway Timothy and Linda together, their closeness, and Linda’s revelation that they were involved romantically. As I spoke, my emotions surfaced, and I couldn’t help the sting of the tears that welled up in my eyes.

“It’s not my business, but he told me himself that he wouldn’t do that anymore,” I whispered.

Lucas wrapped an arm around my shoulders comfortingly. “People can change, but they have to want to change. Maybe Timothy just isn’t ready to leave his old ways behind.”

I sighed, feeling a mixture of sadness and frustration. “I wish he had been honest with me from the beginning, instead of leading me on.”

“It’s his loss, Evie,” Lucas said firmly. “You’re an amazing person, and you deserve someone who will treat you right.”

I mustered a smile. “Thank you,” I said.

“Always, Lucas replied.

weird after everything we’ve been through. They’ve evidently been together for

thought crossed his mind. “You know what

sure where he was going with

mean?”

club just down the street and I’d be

in the idea. “That’s a bit

after punching me, and now, breaking

idea of seeking revenge, but the other part couldn’t help but feel a sense

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Chapter 54

trying to imagine how that would

further.”

glint of mischief in his eyes. “You could guilt trip him into coming out with us. Tell him

broken up,” I said with

offered. “Insist that we stay friends and that he take me out for a good time,

of Timothy’s reaction. “That’s diabolical!”

in good fun,” he said. “Besides, he shouldn’t have punched

I said, nodding. “He had no right to

can’t just treat people however he likes without consequences,”

of pranking Timothy and teaching him a

this is the right thing to

need at wake–up call to realize their actions have

was time for Timothy to face

my voice. “Let’s do it.”

A moment passed and I started wringing

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Chapter 54

21 Mar

he wanted me to give you some space,

“I wish he had talked to me

to protect you,” he said. “He didn’t want to hurt you by

let out a shaky breath, feeling a sense of resignation settling in. “I appreciate that he cares, but it doesn’t make

the couch, I felt a sense of relief knowing that I had Lucas as my friend. Whatever happened with Timothy, I knew I

steer the conversation away from me, curious about