The Hockey Star's Remorse novel Chapter 6

Evie

I quickly pull myself together, laughing at her imagination. “Do you know how many people are named Evie in this city, Aria? Like hundreds of thousands. Obviously, he wasn’t talking about me.”

“How amazing would that be though,” she laughs, falling back against the couch. “I know its crazy to dream about that stupid cheesy romance, but I can’t help it with him.”

I groan. “You need to take a break from men,” I tease.

“And you need to get off the sidelines, girlie,” she teases right back.

The rest of the night, my thoughts were solely consumed with his very public apology.

Timothy thought about that day too. I knew I still couldn’t trust a single word out of that man’s mouth, but the thought was nice. To be thought about and longed for was once the highlight of my dreams. Now, I hated the very thought of being reduced to a feeling of hopelessness.

I felt sick again.

“I mean, out of all the names for unrequited lovers,” she sighs dreamily. “It’s like a fairytale.”

I winced. I gave up on fairytales the day I found out I was a bet.

“Fairytales aren’t real, Aria,” I groan. “If you want something you actually have to put in work. Not just wish upon a star and hope it comes true.”

“Boo,” she shouted, throwing a french fry at me. “You need to loosen up and live a little.”

I threw a french fry right back. “You need to stop throwing food at me when I don’t agree with you,” I laugh.

It turned into a fry fight.

“You’re helping me clean this up,” I mutter, picking a french fry off my lap and popping it in my mouth.

She yawned. “Thanks for making it up to me, Evie,” she grinned, sprinting to the door.

“Hey,” I shouted. “Come back here– ugh. Fine. Whatever.”

---

The next morning, I was back to my anxious self. I turned on the tv and every single news station was covering the breaking news story of a hockey star who, all but admitted, he had some unresolved feelings for a girl he had once known.

None of them had a single clue who I was and I was grateful. I was actually finding the hunt pretty entertaining. The gossip surrounding this mystery girl had taken so many wild twists and turns.

It started with a Belarusian model named Evelyn. Apparently, Timothy had dated her for a few months a while back. It ended very badly. And very publicly. Several sources claim she had thrown a bottle of champagne at his head.

Honestly, I didn’t blame the girl. I probably would’ve done the same thing.

Now, another source claims that it was the team manager and close personal friend who just recently got married, that’s why he kept her full name out of the apology.

I was never one for gossip, but I was truly finding an entertaining hobby to keep my mind off of the impending doom, which is my career.

It was pretty funny walking down the street and knowing the dirty little secret of the city’s beloved hockey captain. I feel powerful. Untouchable. I could ruin him if I wanted, but I didn’t care enough about him to do anything nasty like that.

I pick up a magazine from one of tabloid stands.

Apologetic Hockey Pro Lawyers Up

I frown, picking it up. I started reading the first couple sentences.

…Thunderbolts captain, Timothy Hayes, was spotted walking into Law offices of Brooke and Payne later that evening…

No way. How did he find my place of work?

I slam down a five-dollar bill on the counter, tucking the tabloid away. Once I got back to my apartment, I read it all the way through.

There were some pretty outrageous claims in this article. Nearing defamation. He was a jerk to be sure, but to be an absolute monster?

I hear my phone go off. I knew it was Aria.

Why does your location say you’re at home?

I started to type, but her knock came first.

“Open up,” she shouted. “I know you’re in there!”

I shut the article, hiding it beneath a stack of unopened envelopes on my kitchen table, and open the door. Aria walks right in like she owns the place.