The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 19

Chapter 19 Evie

While | was enjoying the luxuries that came with first class, the experience was quickly soured when Timothy started getting noticed. The stewardess went on her usual rounds, asking if we’d like refreshments or food. She was in a haste to get my order out of the way before getting to Timothy.

knew | recognized you!” she said, her voice high-pitched with excitement.

From across the aisle, | had trouble seeing Timothy’s expression. The stewardess. was blocking my view as she leaned over him, closer than necessary.

“You're that famous hockey star!” she continued. “Could | have your autograph, Timothy?” She tore a sheet out of her notepad and handed it to him along with a pen. “It would mean the world to me.”

As she moved to the side, | caught a glimpse of Timothy’s tense expression as he scribbled his name on the torn sheet. With a forced smile, he handed it to her with.

a wink. “Thank you!” she chirped, folding the sheet. She tucked it into her breast pocket before wheeling her cart away.

She paid him a few more visits throughout the trip. As she pushed him to discuss. his time on the team, | was growing more irritated with her voice. It was only when we were prepared to land that she had to return to her station.

As we retrieved our luggage, | nearly gawked at the sight of her writing her contact information on her scarf before slipping it into Timothy's pocket. | didn’t think he had noticed at first the way he continued with his task. It wasn’t until he reached the exit that | saw him snatch the silk scarf out of his pocket and toss it into the nearest garbage bag.

| found myself snickering a little before cupping a hand over my mouth, surprised that it had slipped out.

After checking into the hotel, we dropped our things off at the rooms and settled. in. There was a brief discussion on which trails we would take before Timothy

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decided on the most advanced one.

“This one looks the most exciting,” he said with a nod. “Unless it’s too intense for you guys?”

The boss shook his head quickly. “Well, certainly not too intense for Evie.” He gave me a harsh pat on the back, making me wince. “Right, Evie? You know I’m afraid of heights, so this type of trip would be the death of me!”

| tried my hardest not to glare at him. Of course, he would chicken out of it and leave me alone with Timothy. It didn’t help that | was pretty inexperienced myself when it came to hiking.

This news didn’t seem to disturb Timothy, who simply smiled in earnest. “Ah, that’s all right. Evie and | should be okay on our

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| felt his gaze land on me and | resisted the urge to meet it. Instead, | started. packing my things in preparation for the trip. It was going to be a long one.

The hotel wasn’t far from the trails. By the time we reached the entrance, we were already wrapped up in our jackets. Despite the cold, Timothy seemed ready to

press on.

This thrill-seeking side of him was awfully familiar. His life came second when it came to finding some excitement in his life. That motorcycle he rode in high. school was just one of vices in an overall careless lifestyle.

As we walked forward, | decided to fill in the silence.

“Why don’t you ride your motorcycle anymore? | haven’t seen you with it since we’ve been working together.”

Timothy snorted, shaking his head.

“What? | mean, you were this crazy motorcycle loving teenager before. You and that bike were practically married,” | explained.

His amusement faded and he gave me a look that | couldn’t quite gather. “What's there not to understand, Evie? | haven't ridden a motorcycle since that bad bet | made when | was 18.”

Oh. | hadn’t expected that to come up again, and so suddenly. It was like the past was constantly on his mind, ready to invade every conversation we had.

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“For me, that motorcycle represented a troubled time in my life. It was the mark of my irresponsible teenage years. Since | sold it off a while ago, I’ve been better off,” Timothy explained.

| couldn't help but stare at the expression on his face, so filled with passion and an even greater remorse. The guilt from betraying me must have been consuming him for him to go and sell his motorcycle.

We decided to keep the chatter to a minimum. | was mor concerned that casual. talk would lead to something more serious. From the way he kept glancing at me, | could tell he had the urge.

Thankfully, the trail required some deep concentration. Timothy navigated it like the professional he was, climbing short cliffs and squeezing through narrow spaces. He would try to catch me whenever | slipped, but I’d snatch my hand away and cling to the trees branches for support.

Eventually, we stopped at a spot near a small stream. Without hesitation, Timothy filled his water bottle to the brim with it. | wasn’t sure how sanitary that was, but he clearly had more survival skills than | did.

| was preserving my water, only taking small sips when necessary. | was more tired. than thirsty. All the climbing and jumping had worn out my muscles.

Timothy finished and screwed the top back on his bottle before heading back to where | was.

“Should we get going?” he asked. | scowled at the healthy glow he had on his cheeks, clearly finding the exercise exhilarating. Meanwhile, my limbs felt jellified.

“Uh, you go on ahead,” | said breathlessly. “I'll catch up.”

Timothy frowned, his skeptical eyes tracing over me. “You sure? You look a little...flushed.” “Just a little out of shape. Don’t let me slow you down.” | forced a laugh, trying to be convincing. He stood and watched me for a moment. When it was clear that | was moving any time soon, he relented with a huff. 3/6

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Ss

“Fine. I'll try to keep a steady pace until you keep up, all right?” he said, continuing forward.

| gave him a thumbs up and slumped down on the ground. | shut my eyes and listened as his footsteps grew more distant and eventually nonexistent. A few minutes passed before | felt some of my stamina return.

| got back up and continued the trail. Without Timothy, | was forced to navigate the rocky terrain on my own. By then, the evening was setting in and a bright orange sunset was taking over the horizon.

| still hadn’t caught up with Timothy, and it was getting more difficult to see much of anything with the loss of daylight. | kept my hands outstretched, fumbling around f

stable objects to hang onto.

This wasn’t as affective when | got to a steep slope. There was nothing but ridges. on the rock to work with. | had no knowledge of how to handle flat areas like this, but | didn’t have any other options.

| was able to get about midway up the slope before my hand slipped on one of the rocks. When | felt the rock under my foot slip out of place, my heart was struck with panic. | tried to remain vertical, using my legs for impact, but | soon realized the flaw behind that logic.

As soon as | hit the ground, my ankle exploded with a white—hot pain. | cried out, the rest of my body collapsing into the dirt and dangerously close to the cliff's edge. My vision was blurred with tears and my breath was frantic as | patted around for my phone.

found it sticking outside of my pocket and pulled it out hastily. My hands were trembling so hard, | could hardly get a good grip on it. | cried out when the phone slipped out of my hands and fell over the edge of the slope.

“No!” | beat my fist against the rock and looked at my surroundings. It was getting late, and the darkness was beginning to close in.

| didn’t like the night. All sorts of things crept around in the dark. It brought me back to those terrible times back at that house.

There was always a pair of eyes watching me, hands grabbing me. Those nasty whispers swept past my ears, even as | was climbing out the window to escape the torment. The flash of his toothy smile and beady eyes made me shiver.

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A blistering cold followed the approach of night. It felt like hours had passed since. I'd fallen there, my ankle thumping in pain without the proper care. | hadn’t encountered any passersby for assistance, despite holding out hope that someone would.

I started to shut my eyes, ready to give up for the night, but then there was a loud shout.

“Evie!” | heard feet crunching against fallen twigs in the distance, growing louder as they got closer. When | opened my eyes, Timothy was running in my direction, his face cast in shadows. “Evie, there you are!”

He came to a screeching halt and kneeled by my side. Right as he placed a cold hand over my throbbing ankle, | quickly pulled away. “What happened?”

“| fell,” | said hoarsely. | licked my dry lips and reached for my water bottle. “I think | sprained my ankle.”

“Looks pretty bad,” said Timothy, and he moved his hand away. “I had to give up on this one myself. This was the most challenging path I’ve ever done.”

My eyes widened. “You didn’t finish?” “No. I’m glad | didn’t honestly. Would’ve taken me longer to get to you.”

| went to drink some of my water before being met with empty air. With a pout, | let the bottle drop from my hands. Timothy didn’t hesitate to hand me his own, popping the top off before pressing the rim to my lips.

It was more desperation than anything that convinced me to drink from his bottle. There was some relief as the cool liquid poured down my throat and | didn’t feel so parched. Suddenly, his arm is looping under my legs as he hoists me up.

“T-Timothy!” | tried pushing against his chest, but he kept a firm grip on me. “We need to keep you off that ankle,” he explained. “We'll take the beginner’s trail back. Should be back this way.” He couldn't possibly carry me the whole trail!

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