Stuck With The Hockey god

Evie’s POV "Mom, what's the problem this time?" I held my phone to my ear with one hand and a mug of steaming coffee with the other. It was my first day in a bigger role at my workplace. I didn't need any distraction. And Mom was always a distraction. “Why do you sound like I'm bothering you?” Her voice was low. Well, she is. If I didn't know her better, I would feel guilty for making her feel bad. "Just tell me what's going on." “Evie, please. It’s the rent. We're two months behind. The landlord came last night. He was banging on the door. He said we'll be out if we don’t pay by Friday. I have tried everything. . ." My stomach tightened. Yeah, I knew she was about to burden me with another problem. I imagined the landlord throwing her things out and sighed. How would Tommy take that? He was only fifteen. . . "Mom, I’m sorry. I don't have any money to spare right now.” She took in a deep breath. "Please, Evie." "You know I would help if I could. I sent you money two weeks ago. I sent you half of my salary last month!" "This one is more important. Tommy and I will get thrown out." "Okay, I've just been made coordinator at my place of work, I'll be in a better position to help out in the coming weeks." "Coming weeks? The landlord will come in two days.“ “I understand but I don't have the money right now!” “Then f*****g look for it.” She spat. “I raised you with my blood and sweat. I was doing three jobs while your father spent everything he had on drinks. I gave up sleep, gave up dreams, gave up me so you and Tommy could have something. And this is what I get? A daughter who can’t help in hard times?" Her words struck me, but I couldn't do anything about the situation. “I have to go." “You want to hang up on me? You’re selfish, Evie. Selfish and ungrateful. Just like your cursed father.” I gripped the mug handle tighter. “Can you stop talking like that? "Of course, you'd want me to. You're useless, like him." She yelled curses, screaming about how I was the cause of her problems, how I never helped. "Okay, I've had enough. Bye." I hung up and sipped my coffee. It had gone cold. What a messed up way to start a new day! I tried not to think about everything Mom had said. What mattered was to get to work and do a good job. She was nothing but a distraction. My phone buzzed again. "Mom, please leave me alone," I groaned. I checked the screen. It was a picture with a long ass caption. And it wasn't even from her. It was Derek, my boyfriend. Him sat in a restaurant with his arm around the neck of a blonde woman he once told me was his colleague. Found someone who actually wants a future. You were too busy fooling around with kids to get serious with life. Enjoy your sad little life, hopeless girl. My chest tightened. Derek and I spoke two days ago and he still told me that he loved me. How did we go from that to him hanging out with another girl? I had no idea what I had done to deserve this from him. I thought about calling him to clear things up, but what was the point? He was already with someone else. The last thing I wanted to do was beg for anyone's love. I dumped the coffee in the sink and marched out of the kitchen. I couldn't wait to get to work now. Today has started so horribly. I hoped it wouldn't continue like this. Tears stung my eyes, but I blinked them back. Crying wouldn't solve anything. Why should I even shed tears because of Derek? He didn't deserve it. He couldn't even break up with me to my face. He had to it with this stupid text. What a coward! Fuck it all! Let me just focus on my work! I shoved my feet into heels, snatched my bag from the rack and picked up my new office badge. A tiny smile crept up my lips as I peered at the shiny new badge. Yeah, I worked hard to get this promotion. Nothing would ruin it for me. Derek can go to hell for all I cared. With a sigh, I headed to the door. It was cold and windy outside. Toronto was always freezing in February. I pulled my coat tighter and got on the first bus that came by. I sat next to the window and watched other people commuting to work in the freezing cold. Tears slid down my eyes. I couldn't even hold it back this time. I got to work half an hour later, and the first time did was to go to the staff bathroom and splash cold water on my face. The last thing I wanted was for the kids I coordinated to see me with a teary face. I fixed my ponytail, forced the corners of my mouth up into a sunny smile and stepped out. Riley was already on the ice, twirling a hockey stick in his hand. Mateo sat on the bench with his helmet on. His knees pulled up to his chest. Other kids were scattered across the rink. "Good morning little superstars. How are we doing this morning?" "Fine," they chorused. I crouched beside Mateo. “Did you sleep okay?” He shook his head. “Noisy dreams.” I squeezed his shoulder. “Sorry about that. We won't be noisy today." He nodded and smiled. I stood and called out to the kids. “Gear up, everyone! Five minutes till warm-ups. Coach Lila will soon be here." The kids put on their hockey gear and I inspected them. Lila came to the rink as I helped a kid tighten his loose laces. "Mr. Rogers wants to see you," Lila told me. "He says it's urgent." My stomach dropped again. Rogers was the director of this hockey center. He never called a meeting unless there was something big happened. "Any idea what it is?" "Honestly, I don't know." I wiped sweat off my brows as I watched Lila run over to the kids to start coaching. "I hope my day doesn't get worse," I muttered as I headed to Rogers' office. The office door was open. Rogers and two admin officers sat at the long table with grim faces. My eyes darted to the TV on the wall. There was a paused hockey footage on it. "Good morning, everyone," I smiled as I approached the table. “Evie,” Rogers said. “Sit.” No response to my greeting? That's not a good sign! Am I about to get fired before I even get into my new role fully? Why would they fire me? I didn't do anything. Crazy thoughts bounced around in my head as I sat. What the hell was happening today? Rodgers pressed up the TV remote and pressed play. A tall hockey player jumped at a kid holding up a camera, snatched his phone and smashed it hard against the floor. Pieces flew. I felt sorry for the kid, but as I watched, I wondered what this had to do with me. "That's one of the best players in the NHL. A kid said something to him after they lost a regular season game and he reacted like that. What do you think?" "It's horrible. A professional should have better control of his feelings." "Right. So the league has suspended him for six games. He wants to redeem his image, so he'll come here to mentor the kids. . ." The hockey player on the screen took off his helmet and his blond messy hair shook free. His blue eyes blazed with anger as his opponents surrounded him for attacking the kid. . . My eyes widened. That was Tristan Sterling. The same guy I used to study with back in college. I had a crush on him, and he never noticed me. No, this wasn't a good time to meet Tristan again.