The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 30

Timothy's jaw tightened, his disappointment evident. “I understand. | just... | care about you, and seeing you in so much stress, it's hard not to want to help. But I'll back off.”

As | looked into his eyes, | saw a warmth and affection that made my heart ache. “I’m sorry, Timothy,” | said, my voice trembling with sincerity. “I should have been more open about that with you. | appreciate your care, though. Really.”

Timothy's shoulders relaxed, and a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “It’s no problem at all.”

The tension slowly began to ebb away, and we found ourselves sharing a genuine, if somewhat bittersweet, moment. But | knew that it was time to go. The encounter had left me emotionally drained, and | needed some space to gather my thoughts.

“| should head home,” | finally said, rising from my seat. “It’s been a long day.”

Timothy nodded, his eyes filled with understanding. “Of course, Evie. But at least let me walk you home. It’s getting late, and | want to make sure you get there safely.”

| hesitated for a moment, torn between my desire for some time alone and my awareness of the concern in Timothy’s eyes. In the end, | agreed, not wanting to hurt him any further.

“All right,” | said, “but you don’t have to. | can manage on my own.”

He rose from his seat and picked up the basket of supplies, his gaze never leaving mine. “I know you can, but | want to. It’s the least | can do after all this.”

My head was spinning by the time | got home. | spent most of the walk with. Timothy trying to imagine all the different scenarios that could have come out of it had I said “yes*. My body was still hot from his touch.

By the time | reached my apartment entryway, it didn’t take long for me to spot. the reporters at my doorstep. They were still camped out, tents and all. | took a deep breath, recalling all the cameras and microphones that had been shoved in my face on the way out

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A

My phone chimed and buzzed in my pocket. The screen lit up as | pulled it out and | squinted at the bright screen. I can see you, Coco. There’s no hiding now, it read.

“Bruce?!?” | nearly dropped the phone in my haste to look around. There was nothing but small trees and tall buildings surrounding me. | shifted my focus to the paparazzi, wondering for a moment if maybe he was among them.

None of them looked familiar. However, they had certainly noticed me standing there. “Evie!” The man with the camera was rushing over, waving his notebook. “Where were you? Were you just with Timothy?”

“Leave me alone!” | shielded my head from them as | ducked through the crowd, not caring who | bumped into. | stepped on a few toes and elbowed a few accidentally, but | eventually made it to the front door.

“Don't be coy, Evie!” Another blinding flash. More scribbling. “Have you two made up? Did you forgive him?”

| finally found my keys and shoved them into the lock. There were hands patting my back, begging for attention, but | shimmied away. Before they could pester me some more, | slammed the door in their faces.

“Evie!” | heard another voice behind me, and | turned wearily to see who it was.

Over on the couch, Aria and Lucas were seated comfortably with a computer between them. The sight of them made my worries slip away, almost miraculously. | rushed over and wrapped Lucas in a warm armed hug.

“| didn’t think I'd see you so soon!” | said, smiling. Lucas hugged me back. “Good to see you again, Evie! | see you've already gotten your fame and fortune since we last met.”

| rolled my eyes. “That would be the paparazzi clawing for any news on Timothy and me,” | told them. Aria patted the space between them for me to sit and | obliged. She removed the laptop and placed it on her lap.

“All press is good press, my dear,” said Aria, and she gave my shoulder a squeeze. 2/4

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Lucas reached over to the coffee table and picked up his cup of what looked like some of the lemonade from the fridge. The smile on his face told me that he certainly believed that.

“| would say otherwise,” | said drearily. “Bad press will surely tarnish my reputation. It’s not like I’m some pop star that can get a few deals in with the extra drama. I’m supposed to be a professional, no-nonsense lawyer.”

Lucas sipped from his cup, then placed it back on the table. When he saw me hunch over, he scooted closer and started smoothing the hair away from my eyes. “Fair enough. How is Timothy handling it?”

“There’s not much he can really do,” | said. “This type of press could hurt his reputation in the long run if we don’t act quickly. If only | wasn’t distracted with competing with my own colleague.”

They went quiet, and | could see the gears grinding in their minds. Eventually, Aria turned her laptop around and placed it on my lap. There was a large, L-shaped sofa on the screen that came in a pea green color.

“What's this for?” | asked, scrolling down to see the other options. “Oh, you know...” Lucas flicked his wrist. “We figured it wouldn’t hurt to look around.” “Why?” | shot Aria a look and she simply shrugged.

It wasn’t like we needed a new couch. Any bigger and we’d barely have room to walk around the living room, and | didn’t want to risk losing the comfort of the one we had. It was a modular style couch, colored a nice salmon and decorated with fluffy pillows.

“You two are up to something,” | said evenly, maximizing the image. They gave me some expectant glances and | heaved a sigh. “| like this one.”

As they gushed over my choice, | began to ponder over it all. With them browsing through the catalog, discussing various furniture options, | thought of the paparazzi that seemed to be constantly lurking outside my windows, as well as from the persistent threats from Bruce.

Maybe it was time for a more significant change?

“You know,” | began, giving them a sideways glance, “Maybe we need more than

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just a new couch.”

They both turned to me in awe, processing my words. Aria leaned in closer, her eyes filled with anticipation. “What do you mean?”

| shrugged. “I mean, what if get a new place?” Aria nodded urgently. “I’ve been thinking the same thing!”

Anew location, a new beginning-it sounded like a dream come true. The more | thought about it, the more it made sense. It would mean leaving behind the prying. eyes of the paparazzi and the constant meddling of Bruce, and maybe even a chance to rebuild my life on my own terms.

“We could find a place that’s safe, away from all the chaos, | added. “Somewhere peaceful and quiet.”

Aria’s face lit up with excitement, and she clapped her hands together. “I’m so glad you feel that way, Evie! Let’s start looking for a new place right away.”

“Yeah.” | hesitated for only a moment before nodding, feeling more secure with this decision. A little change never hurt too much. “Let's do it!”

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