The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 83

We all settled into my apartment, the tension in the room almost tangible. After I offered snacks and beverage, Penny wasted no time in getting down to business.

“Here’s what I’m thinking. Timothy, you need to address the rumors head–on. Go out there and admit that you weren’t ready to settle down. After the Evie and Alex situation, you realized it was time to get serious.

As I poured two glasses of water for them, I listened in to Penny’s highly animated. strategy. I bit my lip, my worry for Timothy’s reputation mixing with my own discomfort at the suggestion that we had been dating. But Penny was right – we needed a strategy that would stick, whether it aligned with our personal truths or

not.

I handed Penny her water as she continued, her voice steady. “And, Timothy, it wouldn’t hurt for you to get involved in some community service again. Clean up your image, make it more wholesome. The increased visibility will help put you back in a positive light.”

Timothy’s gaze remained fixed on Penny, a mixture of uncertainty and reluctant acceptance in his eyes. “And you think this will work?”

Penny’s smile was confident. “It’s a start. We can shape the narrative, but you’ll need to commit to it, Timothy.”

Penny’s expertise was undeniable, and she seemed trustworthy enough. Of course, time would tell if that was true or not, but it didn’t hurt to try. After the milkshake incident, I needed a popularity boost myself.

“What about their little romance angle?” I interrupted, placing my hands in my lap as I settled beside Timothy. “Will the love triangle disappear?”

Penny hummed thoughtfully. “Likely not. Stories like that stick harder than hot glue, but you can always twist the story a little. That’s why reframing Timothy’s redemption arc could help you both.” I nodded in understanding, deciding to stay quiet for the rest of the meeting. It would have been good to involve Timothy from the start, but thankfully he seemed more receptive to having a PR agent of

sorts.

If this was what it took to help Timothy regain control of his public image, then so be it. In the world of media and perception, sometimes the story that stuck was

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more important than the truth. And as much as it twisted my stomach to admit it, Penny was right – we had to do what was necessary to navigate this storm.

After Penny left, a sense of unease settled in the room like an uninvited guest. Timothy’s skeptical expression mirrored my own doubts about whether we could truly trust her. As we exchanged glances, he finally broke the silence.

“I don’t know about that Penny woman, Evie. Can we really trust her?”

shoulders slumping under the weight of our situation. “Timothy, we don’t have a lot

don’t like feeling like we’re putting our reputations in someone else’s

could respond, the front door swung open and Aria came storming

and dropped her bags on the floor. That was the moment she spotted Timothy on the couch, who was eyeballing the bags she had hauled inside.

and looked over at me.

that was when I realized how close we hd been sitting. I quickly stood up and brushed the non–existent dust off my pants. “No, you didn’t interrupt at

as she eyed us suspiciously. “Brainstorming?

were trying to think of ways for

as she joined the conversation. “Oh,

Aria’s enthusiasm lowered his guard. He knew how much I trusted her, which eased his fears far more than my uncertainty with Penny. “We were

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Chapter 88

she clapped her hands together. “Oh, that’s a great idea! Any thoughts

there are a lot to choose from. It definitely has to be

interests,” I

my knee with his finger. “Are you saying hockey isn’t wholesome?” Aria noticed the gesture and her eyes met

lose their teeth in hockey? Or

and leaned back against the couch. After pondering for a few moments, his eyes

together. We watched as her face shifted between looking conflicted and looking inspired. Eventually, she

amazing? If we did a dog wash fundraiser for the local animal shelter. People love

at Aria’s enthusiasm. “That’s

the idea, his expression less guarded. “A dog

hung in the air like a ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds. Timothy’s brows

excitement, her enthusiasm contagious. “Yes! It’s a win–win. We’ll raise funds for

in agreement, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips. “Aria’s right. Plus, it’s a cause that resonates with a lot of people. Animals always

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Chapter 83

on his

on social media. You know

into a half–smile, a glimmer of amusement in his eyes. “I never thought a dog wash would be the

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chimed in, my mind already racing with ideas. “I can design some eye–catching fliers for the event.