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.

need to move on, but it’s still weird after everything we’ve been through. They’ve evidently been together

eyes gleamed with mischief as a thought crossed his mind. “You know what

him questioningly, not sure where

mean?”

strip club just down the street and I’d

finding some relief in the idea. “That’s a bit extreme, don’t

shrugged, “Maybe, but he deserves it after punching me, and now, breaking

of me hesitated at the idea of seeking revenge, but the other part couldn’t help but

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Chapter 54

to imagine how that would play

further.”

a glint of mischief in his eyes. “You could guilt trip him into coming out with us. Tell him that he owes me after what he did, and you also want us to

we’re broken up,” I said with

offered. “Insist that we stay friends and that he

laughing at the thought of Timothy’s reaction.

clearly pleased with my reaction. “It’s all in good fun,” he said. “Besides, he shouldn’t have punched me

I said, nodding. “He

now he needs to know that he can’t just treat people however he

a mixture of emotions. On one hand, I loved the idea of pranking Timothy and teaching him a lesson. On the other hand, a part of me

you sure this is the right thing to

to realize their actions have consequences. This prank is harmless,

that Lucas was right. It was time

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

we have to be tactful,” I said seriously. A moment passed and I started wringing my hands, a

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Chapter 54

21 Mar

he wanted me to give you some space, and he didn’t think I was good enough

he had talked to me directly instead of

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

sense of resignation settling in. “I appreciate that

quietly on the couch, I felt a sense of relief knowing that I had Lucas as my friend. Whatever

decided to steer the conversation away from