The Hockey Star's Remorse novel Chapter 2

Evie

The night went on and I continued setting tables for a private event set for this evening. It was a nice little break from the constant stream of guests that would come through.

It was hard to tune out the highlight reels of the Thunderbolts Captain being the leading scorer in the league and becoming the rookie of the year.

How some people manage to become that successful amazes me. He must be the city’s favorite little hockey star.

I hummed quietly to myself as I moved around the dining room.

“Waitress,” a woman’s shrill voice squawked. “Waitress!”

My head snaps up at the signal. “I’m so sorry, mam,” I apologize carefully. “What can I do for you?”

“Well, for starters, why don’t you actually serve me,” she scolds. “I have been sitting here for ten minutes trying to get your attention!”

I looked around. My eyes were starting to turn towards where I stood.

“Absolutely, mam,” I stammer. “What can I get you?”

“I need a drink, but everyone in here seems to be too distracted by the craziness outside,” she says with a huff.

I looked down at her glass. “What kind of wine would you like?”

“Your most expensive bottle. Make it snappy,” she orders sharply.

“Anything else?”

“I have a super important guest coming. Bring two glasses,” she muttered.

I flashed a smile. “I’ll be right back with your drinks,” I say with forced cheerfulness.

God, people like this make me furious.

I grab the bottle of wine and bring two glasses back out to the table. The woman watched me with cold eyes as I popped open the bottle and poured her a glass.

“Anything—“

The sudden splash of fragrant red wine over my face shut me up quick. The entire restaurant went silent.

“Did that finally get your attention,” she laughed smugly. “That’s for being incompetent and ruining our night.”

“Stella, that’s enough,” a male voice said angrily, coming beside me. “Are you not embarrassed by treating another human being like this?”

“Ugh, but baby, it’s our night. I bought out the restaurant just for celebrating your win,” Stella pouted innocently. “We can do what we want. Isn’t that right,” she looked at my name badge, “Evie?”

The man froze - He is Timothy !!

I once again lost any and all ability to speak. “I— uh—“

“See? She’s fine,” Stella smirked. “I’d go get yourself cleaned, sweetie, before that stains.”

I quickly nodded, running off to the bathroom and locking myself in a stall. Forcing myself to take deep breaths, it brought me back to the torment of high school. It was brutal how some kids were just able to rip into their peers’ self esteem like it was nothing.

A few minutes later, I finally managed to calm myself down and I stepped back onto the floor.

My manager switched me sections after learning about my run in, and the rest of my shift went fairly smoothly. At least I made good tips tonight. Maybe it was the pity of the entire restaurant that filled my pockets. They all felt bad for the girl who got wine thrown in her face.