The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 75

I returned his smile, the corners of my lips curling up in response. “Just heading home,” I said. I suppose I should’ve recognized his car from last time, but that was also when he’d been stabbed by Bruce, so my senses weren’t exactly attentive.

Timothy frowned. “Walking alone in the city at this hour isn’t the safest option, you know. Hop in, I’ll give you a ride.”

His offer took me by surprise, but I couldn’t escape the previous unease that I’d felt. With a nod, I opened the passenger door and slid into the seat beside him. I reach for the seatbelt and start to pull it over my chest before it stops abruptly midway.

“What-“The belt shortened with each jerk as I attempted to pull it from the retractor. Eventually, I gave up and let it slide back into place, deciding that I’d embarrassed myself enough.

Suddenly, a long arm was reaching around me. Timothy grabbed the seatbelt above my head and began to tug at it. He was close enough that his breath fanned over my cheek, making the hairs on my skin grow erect with each warm exhale.

“These seats can be pretty tricky,” he said softly, not meeting my eyes as he pulled. the seatbelt over my chest. Pulling downward, his knuckles grazed the skin just above my breasts, a movement that seemed far too slow to be accidental.

For the briefest of moments, his eyes locked with mine and something curious lingered behind them. Before I could rationalize what, he was already moving away and placing his hands back on the wheel.

“All set?” he asked, his tone irritatingly casual.

I tugged a loose hair behind my ear, feeling the sweat start to coat the back of my neck at the thought of his painfully long touch. “Y–Yes,” I stuttered.

As the car merged back into the flow of traffic, a comfortable silence settled between us. The scent of iron had gone, replaced with the smell of pine needles and Lysol. It must have been a rigorous job, cleaning up all the blood he’d spilt in there. I could still picture his body, pale and slick with sweat, lying stiffly against the leather seats.

I shook my head, turning my attention to the cityscape as it passed by. The

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Chapter 75

buildings and lights created a tapestry of urban life.

I kept my eyes on the landscape as I spoke, “Thanks for this, by the way.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught the side of his mouth quirking upward. “No problem at all, Evie. Safety first, right?”

I nodded, feeling a warmth spread through me. There was a comfortable silence at first, and I reveled in it for as long as I could. Until, of course, Timothy opened his

mouth.

“So, why weren’t you answering my texts?” he asked, keeping his eyes averted from mine. Unfortunately, he had gained my full attention, and I turned to face him accordingly.

began, my voice hesitant. “I was going to respond, but I got a

gaze flicking toward me before returning to the road.

and I quickly changed the subject. “How about I make it up to you? Are

his head. “Don’t think so.

anticipation. “Well, my friend Aria was curious about you, and I thought it would be great if you could join us for

shifted from curiosity to genuine interest, a

his lips. “Aria? She

enthusiasm growing. “Yes, she really wants to get to know you

to meet her, Evie. It sounds

blinked at him,

delight. “Speaking honestly, I thought she

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Chapter 75

told me about her, I’m actually pretty interested in

51

with that information. Aria certainly wasn’t on Linda’s level of obsession, although she led quite a few fan sites of her own. She was way more

his throat, his voice breaking through the stillness. “So, how was work today? Assuming that’s why

face him. “Oh, you know, the usual,” I replied with a carefully subtle smile, my attempt at nonchalance. “Jasper was being a

into a wry smile, a hint of amusement glinting in his eyes.

simplicity of his response eased some of the tension that had been building within me, and a

apartment building, I felt a pang of disappointment that our time together was coming to an end. I had been so caught up in our conversation that I

pulled up to the curb, the car idling as he glanced at me. “Well,

are.”

suddenly heavy with a mixture of reluctance and gratitude. “Thank you for the ride,

gaze lingering on me for a moment longer than necessary. “Anytime, Evie.

mustered a genuine smile. “I

soft purr was the only sound

we are,” Timothy

though my heart felt heavier than I had anticipated. “Thank

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Chapter 75

ride, Timothy.”

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D

he said, helping me out of the car. We stood face to face for a while, as if we had both forgotten how

Timothy said,