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.

but it’s still weird after everything we’ve been through. They’ve evidently been together

with mischief as a thought crossed his mind. “You know what would be fun? Let’s

questioningly, not sure where he was going with

mean?”

a fancy strip club just down the street and

some relief in the idea.

it after punching me, and now, breaking

the other part couldn’t help

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Chapter 54

to

further.”

into coming out with us.

broken up,” I

offered. “Insist that we stay friends and that he take me out

Timothy’s reaction. “That’s diabolical!” I exclaimed. “But I

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

“He had no right to do

know that he can’t just

and teaching him a lesson. On the other hand, a part of me still cared.

you sure this is the right thing

sometimes people need at wake–up call to realize their actions have consequences. This prank is harmless, but it will make him think twice before hurting others in

Lucas was right. It was time for Timothy to face the consequences of

I said, determination in my voice. “Let’s do it.” Lucas grinned

I said seriously. A moment passed and I started wringing my hands, a new curiosity emerging. “Did he really say to break up with me

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Chapter 54

21 Mar

“He said he wanted me to give you some space, and he didn’t think I was good enough for you,”

wish he had talked to me directly

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

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

I had Lucas as my friend. Whatever happened with Timothy, I knew I wasn’t alone. And Lucas knew how to

conversation away from me, curious about Lucas‘ time at the