The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 213

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As Timothy and I stood outside the venue entrance, Jasper was thrown out right after us. As he stumbled past us, he seemed intent on glaring the whole way to his car, then gave us the middle finger as he sped off.

I had every urge to hit him, but from the way his right eye was swelling, Timothy had gotten him well enough.

Timothy sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry about all this, Evie. It was supposed to be a fun evening.”

I shook my head, reaching to caress the bruise already blossoming on his cheek. “Don’t apologize, Timothy. This wasn’t your fault. Jasper’s just a jerk.”

He looked at me and smiled before wincing, blood leaking from his busted lip. “Life has a way of throwing curveballs, doesn’t it?”

“Or fists,” I said, swiping my thumb over his lip. “Let’s get you cleaned up, huh?”

As we reached Timothy’s car, I could see the bruises beginning to bloom on the side of his face. His jaw clenched with every step, a visible effort to downplay the pain. I frowned, my anger toward Jasper escalating.

“I still can’t believe he punched you. What an asshole!”

Timothy managed a weak smile. “It’s just a couple of bruises, Evie. I’ve had worse on the hockey rink.”

I couldn’t shake the sense of responsibility that settled over me. “I’m so sorry. This wasn’t how I imagined the night going. None of this should have happened.”

He shook his head, dismissing the apology. “It’s not your fault. That guy was drunk and out of his mind. I would’ve been surprised if he didn’t try to fight.”

I touched his cheek, but jerked my hand away when he winced. “Still, he always thinks he’s owed something. When he can bribe it out of you, he’ll just try to get rid of you.

Timothy’s gaze met mine, and I could sense a shared understanding. “You’re going to have to deal with him now. As his senior, he’ll be your responsibility.”

I took a deep breath, the weight of my new role sinking in. “I know. And I’ll handle it. If anything, this gives me

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Chapter 213

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tried to find a comfortable position. I sighed and

those cuts for you,” I

nodded. “Sure, if it

began to disinfect the cuts. on his face, the closeness of the moment felt overwhelming. The soft glow of the

focus on the task at hand but my mind elsewhere. “You

“Evie, it’s fine. And it’s not the first time I’ve been in a fight. And

the mood. “True, but I still feel

a mixture of gratitude and something I couldn’t quite place. “You don’t have to apologize. I’d do it again if I

worst of the cuts. The touch of my fingers against

Timothy said, his voice

“You’re welcome, Timothy. We’re a team,

eyes that made the night air feel

the parking lot, just inches apart. Timothy’s hand cupped my cheek and I leaned into the

in a soft, hesitant kiss–a moment suspended in time. I wrapped my arms around

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passed over his eyes, and the tenderness of the moment gave way to a subtle

he said, his voice low, “I want things to stay good between us. It feels like I’m always screwing things up, and I’m

do you mean? Why

“I know what I did in the past. I hurt

wounds of the past, scars from a time when trust had been shattered, still haunted him. In that moment, I saw the lingering doubt in his eyes,

reached out, my fingers gently tracing the bruises on his face. “Timothy, I don’t hate you. We’ve both grown since then. I don’t want the past to define

relief passed through his eyes, but the tension lingered. As he pulled away, a sense of disappointment washed over me. Even as he squeezed my hands

me drive you back,” Timothy offered, breaking the heavy silence that

sinking into the passenger seat of his car. As Timothy started the car, the engine’s hum was the only

words. Timothy parked the car,

eyes. “Anytime. I mean, could’ve done without getting punched, but everything else was

started to grin. “Maybe mini golf would be

he said with a