The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 39

The clock struck midnight, and the moon cast a gentle glow through the window of Lucas‘ living room. | lay restlessly on the couch, tossing and turning for the right position. My mind was consumed by memories of Timothy of all things.

His words at the restaurant flooded back to me. He called me inspiring and compassionate, two words I’d never heard go alongside my name. | found myself reaching for my phone, tempted to call him, but | hesitated.

Even if | was insane enough, calling Timothy was not a good idea. Parting ways at the restaurant had felt like a breakup for a relationship that never happened. With the solitude of the night, the nostalgia of it crept in, tugging at my heartstrings.

His bright eyes, so filled with regret as he stared down at me when | said I'd keep in touch. He already knew what that meant for us. | touched the pendant he’d gifted me, nestled warmly against my chest, and its inscribed words, flashed in my

memory. Say the right thing...What was the right thing?

| glanced at my phone, my thumb hovering over the call button. Would it be so wrong to hear his voice one more time? To know that he was okay and to feel that sense of connection again?

With a sigh, | set my phone back on the coffee table. | wrapped my arms around myself and looked over at Aria, bundled up in blankets as she snored peacefully. | slid out from beneath my blanket and crawled over to her on all fours.

| reached over and tapped her on the head a few times. It took a moment for her to realize, then she was twisting around. Fresh slobber was smeared across her cheek and | fought back a laugh.

“The right thing,” | said abruptly. She blinked slowly. “Huh?”

“It's the right thing,” | repeated. “I thought some more about the new apartment. I’d be ready to make some serious readjustments if you’re up for it.”

Even in her tired state, a large smile spread across her face and she squeezed her eyes shut. “Really? But you were worried about the budget...”

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I smiled. “I know, but no budget is worth risking our lives when we don’t have to. Besides, a life of luxury doesn’t sound so pretentious from where we're standing.”

Aria looked away, her eyebrows creasing. She sat up and wiped her face on her sleeve. “But what if we really can’t afford it? | had my head in the clouds when | said all that stuff.”

“We won't know unless we try. And besides, we’re not alone in this. We have each other, remember?” | took her hand and patted it for assurance.

The apprehension in her face slowly melted away, replaced by a newfound sense of Hope. Finally, she returned the smile. “You're right. | think we could make it happen.”

My smile widened. “We can start tomorrow. Let’s check out that luxury apartment downtown again and see what we can do!” “Let's do it!” She clapped her hands and pumped her fists in the air. “This could be our chance for a fresh!”

Exactly. A fresh start was all we needed.

TIMOTHY POV

The weight room was alive with the sound of clanging weights and the grunting of gym—goers engrossed in their workouts. Among them, Timothy stood at the bench. press, his muscles flexing with cach lift. He had decided to raise the intensity that day, hoping it would silence his thoughts.

As he groaned through the workout, his former teammates and friend, Ethan, looked over at him. Timothy got through ten more reps before Ethan set down his own set of dumbbells and walked over.

There was concern etched on his face, which made Timothy more irritable than he would have liked. They had all been looking at him strangely ever since the trial. It was as if they expected him to never return to the light of day.

Frustrated, Timothy removed his earbuds and attempted to smile at Ethan. Ethan smiled back, although it was strained. “Hey, man, you're really pushing it Chapter 39

today. Is everything alright?”

[e)

Timothy set the barbell down, his breaths heavy as he wiped the sweat from his forehead. He looked at Ethan, hesitating before finally speaking up.

“Nah, I’m good. Just with everything going on...it’s got me on edge.”

Ethan sat beside him anyway and took a swig of his water before setting the bottle down beside his foot. “I'll bet. If | were you, I'd be sitting at home trashing myself after everything you went through. You chose the healthy route.”

“Healthy.” Timothy stared down at his shoes and sighed. “I feel like garbage anyway. | may have won the case, but that doesn’t fix other things.”

Ethan raised an eyebrow. “Oh.”

Catching himself, Timothy wanted desperately to snatch the words back into his mind. It would’ve been hopeless though, as inquisitive as Ethan could be. He took the towel from the chair beside him and wiped his sweating face.

“| messed up, Ethan,” Timothy admitted, his hoarse. “I met this incredible woman, and | screwed up hard. Now | don’t know how to fix it.”Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

Ethan’s wiggled his eyebrow. “Would this woman happen to be that stunning lady we all saw on the news?”

Timothy cringed. The sports center had been playing that news coverage of hist court hearing all week. Evie had become a popular subject amongst his teammates, who speculated that more was going on between her and Timothy.

“It's not what people think,” Timothy said, with a sudden attempt at squashing the rumor. Even if he wanted it to be true.

“Sure.” Ethan started to grin, nudging Timothy in the arm. “Look, bud. You can’t fix what you don’t try to mend. You should talk to her face to face, and let her know how you feel.”

Timothy shook his head. “I tried that. | apologized, and | even gave her gifts. She still can hardly look at me most of the time.” Ethan rubbed his jaw, deep in thought. He eventually broke the silence with a grunt. “What did you do exactly?”

35

A

Timothy groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. Even recalling that terrible moment left a bad taste in his mouth. At times, he could hardly bear to look at himself because of it.

“| made a stupid dare and she wound up hurt because of it,” he said, choosing his words carefully. It was a story he kept to himself.

He had the suspicion that Evie felt obligated to keep it a secret on her end. Her friend and boyfriend had seemed harmlessly friendly toward him, as if they truly didn’t know.

Fortunately, Ethan didn’t look at him in any disgusted manner. He only seemed intrigued as he sat and considered him for a moment. Suddenly, he snapped his fingers and nudged Timothy in the shoulder.

“Tell you what, | can be your wingman!” he announced brightly. “A wingman is meant to brag all about how good his friend is. You just need someone to credit you, and I’m your guy!”

Timothy failed at fighting back a smile. “What is this, the 90's?”

Ethan nudged him again. “This is science, man! Look, we'll figure out a plan together, okay? It'll give you a chance to show her you're serious about making things right.”

Timothy's eyes met Ethan’s, a mix of gratitude and nervousness evident in his expression. “You'd really do that for me?”

Ethan smiled. “Hey, you’ve gotten me out of a tough situation or two. Figure | could return the favor after all this time.”

Suddenly, the gym’s entrance door swung open and in walked Stella Fitzgerald, the fiery daughter of Mr. Fitzgerald. Her entrance immediately commanded the attention of the whole room as she marched forward, clad in bedazzled, designer clothing.

Stella’s eyes locked onto Timothy, and with a determined stride, she approached. him. Her red hair cascaded around her shoulders, and her eyes burned with fury.

Without hesitation, she raised her hand and delivered a sharp, stinging slap across Timothy’s face. The sound reverberated through the gym, and the other players. turned to watch the scene unfold.

4

Timothy's check stung, and he held it as he stared at Stella, who was seething with rage. “What the hell, Stella?” he exclaimed. “You,” Stella spat out, “you’re the reason my father lost his job, you pathetic shit!”

Timothy sat up straight, taken aback by her aggression. “Stella,” he replied evenly, “your father had it coming. He was involved in some pretty shady stuff.”

Stella’s nostrils flared, and her voice was a seething whisper. “This isn’t over, Timothy. Nobody screws with the Fitzgeralds and lives to tell it!”

Timothy stood up, towering over her. Her threats meant nothing to him anymore. “Stella, your father’s actions were his own doing. | had to stand up for what’s right, and Evie fought hard to make sure that happened!”

Stella clenched her fists in frustration, her anger mounting. She leaned in close, her words barely more than a hiss. “That skank could never replace me, you know. Have your fun now, but it won't last.”

Timothy stared at her, a mix of disbelief and anger coursing through him. He couldn't let Stella's insults stand. “You could never compare to Evie, Stella. She’s got more class in her little finger than you do in your whole body.”

Stella’s face reddened with a flush of rage, and her voice took on a shrill tone. “You arrogant, ungrateful jerk!”

In the gym, the atmosphere had shifted from silent attention to suppressed laughter. Timothy’s teammates, who had been overhearing the heated exchange, couldn't contain their amusement any longer. Laughter erupted as Timothy stood. up and walked out of the lounge, leaving a seething Stella behind.

Ethan followed Timothy, trying to stifle a grin. “Well, that was quite a showdown.” Timothy, still boiling inside, shook his head. “I can’t let things end like this. between Evie and me. | won't.”