The Hockey Star’s Remorse

hapter 41
My heart pounded in my chest as I stood face to face with Timothy. Confusion
didn’t begin to express how I felt.
“What are you doing here?” I gasped, looking him up and down
The smile on Timothy's face fell as he took a deep breath before answering, “I
live here too. In fact, I'm the owner of all the property on this floor.”
My mind raced to connect the dots. Timothy lived here of all places? Sure, the
place was nice, but I never would have guessed.
Then suddenly, the realization hit me like a ton of bricks. I was already aware that
Aria and Timothy had orchestrated this entire setup. However, they had
completely left out the part where it was Timothy that had cheapened the price.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked, my voice cracking.
Timothy looked at me with the utmost sincerity in his eyes. “I knew you wouldn't
have taken this chance if you'd known it was connected to me. I wanted to give
you the freedom to make your own choices without feeling weird about it.”
His explanation left me feeling a whirlwind of emotions. I was caught between
feeling gratitude and guilt, even if I had unknowingly fallen for his and Aria’s
scheme.
“It's not much of a choice without knowing all the options,” I muttered. “You may
not have lied, but you weren't completely honest either.”
This seemed to draw him into silence at first, and he looked down at his shoes.
My situation had been desperate enough not to think twice about the price drop.
either. Perhaps this was my karma for not being more strategic, as if things.
couldn't get any worse.
“You didn't have to do this,” I murmured, still trying to process it all.
“I wanted to,” Timothy replied, his gaze unwavering. “That apartment was doing.
you guys any good, I heard.”
That sentence made me pause and look back at Aria, who was still swaying to
the slow song on the stereo. I bit my lip, wondering if Aria had told Timothy about
Bruce breaking in. Just the possibility of that made me more frustrated than
Chapter 41
having Timothy as a neighbor.
“I promise not to disturb you though,” Timothy added. “I just want you to be
comfortable.”
I sighed and tugged a strand of hair behind my ears, suddenly feeling more
exposed than ever. We were going to have to see each other on a more
consistent basis, but Timothy seemed determined to get me a new place to live.
So much so that he was willing to go behind my back for it.
There wasn't much I could do from here. Running back to our old place was out
of the question, and Timothy seemed genuine enough. I also couldn't shake the
slight feeling of relief at seeing his face, especially after our depressing departure
at the
restaurant.
“Did you want some cake?” I asked him, pointing my thumb behind me. “It's
vanilla flavored, if that's your thing.”
The smile returned to Timothy's face and he nodded. “Sure.”
1 smiled back. “Just a second.”
As I walked to the kitchen counter and lifted the lid on the cake box, I saw Lucas
waltz by with a bottle in hand. He approached Timothy and slung an arm around
his neck.
“Congratulations, man! You nailed it!" Lucas exclaimed. “How's it feel to be a free
man?”
Timothy winced and turned his head away, probably smelling the alcohol in
Lucas’ breath. “Thanks.”
“Did you want to join?” asked Lucas. “We've got plenty of champagne to spare.
Cake too!"
I finished slicing a piece of cake and set it on a paper plate. Then I set down the
knife and rushed over. Timothy was trying to detach himself from Lucas right as I
placed myself between them and handed Timothy the plate.
“I don’t want to intrude on your fun,” Timothy said, sounding hesitant. He glanced
at me, his expression unsure, and I wasn't certain about my own answer. I don’t
know if it was any fairer for me to stand there silently as Timothy waited for my
input.
A
Chapter 41
Eventually, he shook his head and stepped back through the doorframe, holding
the plate close to his chest. He gave me a grateful smile, but still looked torn.
“It's fine, really. I need to get some work done tonight anyway. Glad you're
enjoying the place though.”
My heart sank as he walked out the door, feeling guilty once again as I watched
him retreat into his apartment. It could've been nice to have him stay, to share in
the joy of our success together, but the weight of our relationship was
overbearing.
tried to come to Timothy's door and re—invite him.
“I take it you're a fan?”
I flinch and turn around at the deep, playful voice behind me. I found myself
being towered over by a man in a hockey uniform. He had fiery red hair that was
familiar to any long- time hockey fan.
It was the club’s most famous hockey star, Alex.
I was stunned to be in the presence of yet another hockey star.
“Oh!” I shook my head and stepped away from him. “No, I'm not a fan. I mean...
they're good, but-"
Alex chuckled, his eyes tracing over my body suggestively. “You don't need to
explain yourself. Are you one of Timothy's wives?”
“His wives?” My voice cracked over the words. “Heck, no!”
Alex laughed and shook his head. “I'm joking. Jeez, I guess that answers my
next question. “He has this whole fanbase, but you'd think they were married to
the guy with how dedicated they are to him,” he said cheekily.
“Well, I'm not the type to fall into parasocial relationships,” I told Alex. “They seem
very unpredictable, and I'm not exactly a Timothy fan. At least, not to the extent
my friend is.”
Alex tilted his head to the side and narrowed his eyes. He seemed to favor this
news.
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« EET . >

Good for you.” His eyes twinkled, like

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111
Chapter 41
him. That's why I'm here.”
“Do you two talk a lot?” I asked. “I mean, I know you're not on the same team,
but-"
“Oh, we bump into each other from time to time,” said Alex. The corner of his
mouth lifted, and he gave me a lopsided smile. “Off the rink, that is.”
“That's nice,” I said, watching as he slipped off his gloves and checked the time
on his watch. He noticed me staring and chuckled a little.
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« 7; . »

I don't think I caught your name,” he
said smoothly, stepping closer.
Despite just comingogbof ane,

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he qari ig light smell of cologne
that was gentle and non-invasive. I
found myself leaning close, intrigued
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“Uh,” I shook my head, brushing away the distraction. “It's Evie.”
“Evie,” my name caressed his tongue as he said it aloud. “Beautiful.”
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A raging blush rose to my cheeks,
and I turned away, hoping he
p

wouldn't see. He merely)chickidd at
this hishg ved Fand finding the wall
beside my head. I kept my eyes low,
still too embarrassed to meet his
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chapter there!
“I think I heard about you, Evie. Timothy certainly talked about you with his
pleasant little public apology,” he said.
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