The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 82

Another camera flashed in my face and a microphone approached my mouth. I waved them away as they began closing in.

The reporter with the cap had a wide smile, knowing he had caught me by surprise. “You and Alex looked pretty intimate in those photos. Was Timothy not énough?”

I held up a hand, attempting to regain some semblance of control. “Okay, I’m not dating Timothy, nor am I dating Alex,” I stated firmly, my voice tinged with frustration.

But they didn’t seem to hear me. Instead, they brandished their cameras, displaying a blurred image of me and Alex on a balcony overlooking a restaurant. My heart clenched as I recognized the scene from that night – probably the most embarrassing night of my life.

I hadn’t noticed the cashier ringing up my glue until I felt a plastic bag brush. against my fingers. I turned around, acknowledging her with a nervous smile.

“Thank you,” I said quickly, rushing away from the growing crowd.

I stepped out of the home improvement store, clutching the bag in my hand as I tried to shake off the reporters. With them held back by the afternoon lunch rush,. I was able to duck into the nearest convenience store. The hoard passed right by, still shouting my name to the rooftops.

“Stop running, Evie! The world will hear you story!” one of them shouted.

The noise decreased with distance, and I found myself able to breathe finally. The cashier at the register gave me a strange look and I realized how odd I looked crouched down by the candy section. Without a second thought, I snatched up at chocolate bar and made my way to the register. After taking the candy from my grasp, the employee tilted his head to the side and scratched the stubble on his chin. Suddenly, his eyes widened and he snapped his fingers.

“You’re Evie, right? Timothy’s new girl.”

I sulked, crossing my arms over my chest. “Just ring me up,” I huffed.

By the time I left the store, the paparazzi was gone, but it didn’t erase the tense

Chapter 82

atmosphere they’d left in their wake. Something told me that they would be coming back around, and I wouldn’t stay long enough to find out.

Their questions still echoed in my mind as I hurried down the busy street, a chorus of curiosity that I had tried in vain to deflect.

Is it true you’re dating Timothy…

us about your date

determined to fit my life into their narratives, regardless of the truth. I suppose Timothy delt with this all the time. The whole scandal with Linda was

it, perhaps I could as well. Although, having Linda break into my own

was something that still shook me. How many others would come

the bustling sidewalk, I fished my phone out of my pocket and dialed Penny’s number. It went on for a few rings before

her cheery tone lightening my mood. “Penny,

the other end was calm and collected. “I’ll be right over, Evie. We’ll sort this out.” She hung up abruptly and I stared at the phone screen, her number logging itself in my call history.

kitchen counter before the doorbell rang. I hurried to

Penny. Thanks for coming,” I said,

a reassuring/smile. “No problem, Evie. Let’s get down to

Timothy’s door swung open. He stepped out, temporarily distracted as he tapped at his watch. Finally, he looked

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Chapter 82

Penny and I standing there

turned to Penny. He considered her with a look of curiosity at first before shifting to one of

Timothy,” I said, breaking the

situation as my words reached his ears. He shook

her into my apartment.. For

to introduce me to your friend?” he asked. I paused to see his expression, which didn’t seem at all flirtatious. If anything, he

as she

before, haven’t I?” Timothy asked, ignoring her

hand. “You have, Timothy.

Timothy frowned. “Penelope…”

“And I’m here

then,

angrier, I stepped in. “Penny’s a PR expert. She says she’s willing to assist us

if we were pulling some weird prank. Perhaps I had overstepped my bounds in

said gruffly, crossing his arms. “Especially from some reporter, like your

voice firm. “Timothy, we’re in a tough