The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 52

Her words caught me off guard, and | realized that there was more to Linda and Timothy’s relationship than | had initially thought. The shock of the revelation left me momentarily speechless.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“|-I didn’t know that Timothy was seeing someone,” | finally managed to say, my voice slightly shaky.

Linda looked a bit surprised at my response. “Oh, I’m sorry. We haven't been together for very long, and we’ve been keeping it low-key.”

“No, it’s okay. I’m just surprised,” | replied, trying to compose myself. Linda smiled warmly. “Thank you for understanding. People are usually territorial when it comes to Timothy.” | shook my head, trying to dispel any misunderstandings as well as the shock that still lingered. “No, we’re just neighbors.”

Linda looked at me with a sympathetic smile. “Oh, good. We wanted to keep it private for a while. We met on a social networking site and have been seeing each other for a few months now.”

Hearing that they had been physically involved for months felt like a punch to the gut. A part of me felt envious of Linda, as much as that emotion stung. Another part of me also wondered how long Linda would last, considering Timothy’s track record.

| had always doubted that Timothy had truly changed from his player ways, but this was a shocking confirmation. Everything that had happened between us seemed like a foolish dream. One where he waxed about how sorry he was and how much he cared about me.

| had wanted to care too, but reality had its way of shattering expectations. If only | had kept my distance, the way | had planned to from the start. Yet | couldn’t get those striking eyes, the warmth of his touch, nor tenderness of his words out of my mind.

As we continued to talk, Linda expressed how much Timothy meant to her, and | couldn’t help but see the genuine affection in her eyes. It was clear that their connection ran deep, and that unsettled me. Still, Linda’s warmth and kindness.

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were undeniable, and | found myself opening up to her.

It felt strange discussing him with his current lover, but Linda was understanding and genuinely interested in knowing more about his past.

“So, you're Timothy's lawyer?” Linda asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. | nodded. “Yes, | am. It’s a long story, but we’ve known each other since high school.” Linda leaned forward, eager to hear more. “High school? That’s quite a connection. Tell me about it.”

| took a deep breath, prepared to keep it as vague as possible. “Timothy and | were just classmates though. Occasionally exchanged notes.”

Linda wiggled her shoulders and gave me a grin. “Love notes?” | winced. “N—-No. Homework.” She shrugged, already bored of our past, then took another sip of her water.

“After high school,” | continued, oddly feeling compelled to entice her more, “We went our separate ways, and | thought | would never see him again.”

Linda reached out and gently squeezed my hand, offering silent support. “But fate. has a funny way of bringing people back together, doesn’t it?”

| smiled faintly, acknowledging the irony of our paths crossing once more. “It does ndeed. It felt like the universe was playing a cruel joke on us.”

Linda quirked an eyebrow. “Why cruel?”

He...” | trailed off, my eyes searching the room as if a sly explanation would jump ut of thin air. “He was a different person back then, interest-wise.”

You must have seen a lot of changes in him,” Linda remarked, her eyes searching aine. nodded, a mix of emotions washing over me. “He has changed, no doubt about it. ut sometimes, it’s hard to forget the past.*.

inda placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. “Change takes time, and people an grow in unexpected ways. If he’s with you now, it means he values your

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friendship, right?”

| couldn't deny the sincerity in her voice. “You're right. He has been kind and caring, and | hope it works out between you two.”

Maybe saying it enough would make me believe it eventually. She seemed like a sweet woman, but | couldn’t shake the idea that Timothy had kept her on the back- burner while cuddling up to me. | wasn’t even sure if those moments between us meant anything anymore.

Linda smiled warmly, her eyes filled with affection. “Thank you, Evie. | feel lucky to have him in my life as well.”

| shifted in my seat, growing steadily uncomfortable. Linda had her eyes trained on the glass in her hands, watching the water as it trembled under her clutch. Suddenly, she looked over at me and pursed her lips.

“How about you come over for dinner at my place?” she asked suddenly. | blinked rapidly, taken back by the offer. “Oh! Dinner?” “Yeah!” Her smiled widened. “We can get to know each other a bit more. | might be seeing you more often, after all.”

| clenched my jaw. She seemed heavily interested in getting information about me, and | wouldn't lie and say that | wasn’t intrigued about her and Timothy.

Finally, | said, “I’d love to join you for dinner!”

Right at that moment, we both heard the ding of the elevator bell. Linda’s ears perked at the tell-tale slid of the doors and suddenly her interest was elsewhere.

“Sweet!” She stood up and drank the rest of her water before shoving the cup into my hands. She then took a pen out of her back pocket, and to my surprise, started writing her number on the back of my hand.

“Wha-” | could barely get out my shock before she was capping her pen and jetting. toward the door. “I'll give you the address later. It was so nice talking to you though, Evie!” she said quickly, swinging the door open.

As Linda bid me farewell and left my apartment, a sense of urgency struck me

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So)

when | noticed her phone resting on the couch. Without a moment's hesitation, | grabbed the phone and dashed towards the door to return it to her.

Just as 1 reached the door, | heard Linda’s voice mingling with Timothy’s in hushed tones. My heart pounded in my chest, torn between respecting their privacy and the curiosity gnawing at me. It was a moment of weakness, but | couldn’t resist the temptation to eavesdrop on their conversation.

Carefully, | leaned closer to the door, trying to muffle the sounds of my breathing. My hand hovered over the door, and | tried to suppress the guilt welling up inside. me. “This isn’t right,” | scolded myself silently, but my curiosity won over my conscience.

Linda’s voice was soft and tender, filled with affection. “Timothy! | was wondering when you'd be home!” Timothy's reply was barely audible, but | strained my ears to catch his words. “Linda? What are you doing here?”

My heart skipped a beat at the sincerity in his voice. He sounded content, and a part of me couldn't help but feel livid that he sounded fond of Linda. But another part was still wrestling with the emotions stirred up by their conversation.

Linda chuckled playfully. “Oh, | was just checking up on you, silly!”

My nails dug into the doorframe, scratching into the white paint. | could hardly. bear to listen, but the curiosity was already eating away at me. | shouldn’t be this. involved considering Timothy and | were pretty much done in every way.

Yet, | found myself leaning in to hear. What had Timothy done to me?