The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 196

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The drive took us away from the suburban streets and into the sprawling countryside. The road stretched endlessly before us, and my eyes kept flickering to Timothy to see his expression. Every time I’d ask where he was taking us, my questions would be met with evasive answers and a growing sense of anticipation.

“It’s about an hour–long drive,” Timothy said finally, though the mystery remained. “You’ll see when we get

there, Evie.”

I sighed, glancing out of the car window at the passing scenery. Any anxiety that I’d been feeling previously had given way to an intense curiosity. “Can’t you at least give me a hint, Timothy?”

He smiled, a faint, enigmatic curve of his lips. “Not yet, Evie. You’ll know when we arrive.”

The anticipation gnawed at me, but I decided to enjoy the ride and let Timothy maintain the shroud of secrecy. I spent the peaceful silence taking note of the rolling hills, dotted with patches of wildflowers.

When the car finally came to a halt, I looked around, trying to decipher our location. My heart skipped a beat when I realized we were parked near a pristine beach. The golden sand stretched out as far as the eye could see, and the sound of the waves crashing against the shore filled the air.

My surprise was evident in my voice. “Timothy, we’re at a beach?”

He nodded, his eyes glistening with nostalgia. “This is where my mother and I were supposed to go on a trip. She had so many memories of this place, and we always talked about visiting together.”

The realization hit me like a tidal wave. Timothy had brought me here to honor his mother’s memory.

As we stepped onto the beach, a sense of serenity washed over us. The sand was cool beneath our feet, and the salty breeze carried the scent of the sea. I followed Timothy, each step taking us closer to the water’s edge, where the waves crashed with a relentless, rhythmic fury.

He gazed out at the horizon. “This was my favorite beach. Still is, actually,” he said. “She’d take me to it whenever I asked, and we’d just talk about anything.”

I glanced over at him. “She sounds like she was a lovely woman, Timothy.”

He turned to me, a warm smile on his face. “She was, Evie. She was my anchor, the one who always believed in

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gratitude for being here with Timothy, sharing in his memories and his love for his mother. “I’m honored that

gesture. “You’ve always been there for me, Evie. It felt right

the setting sun as Timothy and I strolled along the shoreline. The gentle lapping of the waves

and sandals. The idea of getting wet and sandy seemed

be dressed for the beach to enjoy it?” Without further explanation, he sprinted toward the water and, with a joyful whoop, jumped right in,

watched in amazement as Timothy emerged from the waves, water dripping from his soaked clothes. His laughter echoed through the salt–kissed

for me to join him.

sand beneath my toes and the cool breeze on my skin. The sight of Timothy splashing around in the waves, his sadness a distant memory, was irresistibly inviting. With a tentative smile, I kicked off my shoes and, taking a deep breath, I ran

ocean, I felt an exhilarating rush of both cold and warmth. The salty water enveloped me, and for the first time in a long while, I allowed myself to let go. We raced each other, our limbs propelling us through the water with an

while, Timothy had gotten slower, and unable to escape my grasp, I pounced on

could escape me, huh?”

I felt his hands slip around my thighs for support, and suddenly I was every bit aware of how close we were. I stared into

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he said in a whisper, his breath

trace the curves of my body, igniting a burning desire within me. The feel of his skin against mine only heightened the intensity as his muscles flexed beneath my fingers. He leaned forward, his forehead pressing against my own, and for a moment,

getting late,” I said quietly, my voice raspy with unquenched desire. I had to peel myself away, and his hands. were reluctant as they left my hips. “They have a

glanced, almost bitterly, at the sign that was propped

a shared urgency, we waded back to the shore, fingers interlocked, a trail of wet footprints marking our path. The beach was deserted when we finally made our way back to shore, our bodies

and his stomach growled soon after. “How about we find a place

of it was almost unfamiliar. “That sounds like

near the harbor, the soft glow of lanterns illuminating our path. The air was filled with the tantalizing scent of grilled fish and spices, and

effortlessly, as if this were the only important aspect of our

me today,” he said. “I needed

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