Page 80 of Icebound Attraction

The grades are unanimous, and I feel a new joy welling up inside me. It feels good to know that at least something in my life isn't going wrong!

It's all thanks to the hours I spent with Emily at the library when she patiently took the time to explain to me how to study better. Now, at least, I can see the fruits of all her efforts.

A bittersweet smile spreads across my face and I take a deep breath.

You're on the right track, Liam.

With every new challenge in training and every successful exam, I feel I'm growing - both as a hockey player and as a person. I just wish I could share it with her...

I hope Emily realizes how much I'm working on myself, not just in my career or studies, but in our relationship as well. I want to prove to her that I'm a good man, that I care about her. Now she just has to accept seeing me.

As I check my cell phone with the urge to send Emily a message, I receive several notifications that suddenly darken my mood.

What the hell?

Several students have shared an article from the campus newspaper, tagging me. My heart suddenly starts beating faster when I read the subject in question.

The title alone gives me a shock.

‘A ROCKY ROAD TO THE NHL: LIAM SCOTT'S DARK PAST REVEALED.’

I can't believe it! The article not only contains details about my childhood that I'd never made public, but also shocking statements about my past, about my exes, especially Sara. It's suggested that I've been in contact with drug addicts, that I've used drugs myself and even that I have been dealing!

It's completely crazy!

Anger wells up inside me. How can someone spread such lies? How can someone manipulate my past and slander me like that? I feel betrayed, as if my story has been stolen and distorted.

And then I see the author's name. Everything stops. I can feel the bile rising in my mouth. I want to throw up.

Emily Hansen.

I can't believe she's behind this rag. No, not her! There must be some explanation for all this. She can't be that mad at me for having ex-girlfriends, she can't be that mad at me for what Sara said when she was completely stoned, she can't blame me for the scene she made, damn it, to the point of jeopardizing my future! Especially since she was full of shit! And I never had a chance to explain myself, to tell her what was going on!

She, whom I believed to be honest and upright, has written an article exposing horrible lies. It's just insane!

My hands clench as I reread her writings. The words burn into my brain, and I feel helpless and hurt.

Why did Emily do this? Did she not trust me and our relationship enough? Did she want revenge? No... This is so unlike her...

I need to get some fresh air and try to sort out my emotions, which are spiraling in my head.

I make my way to the campus bar where Chase works. I can feel the stares coming my way, and this time they're not appreciative like the last few articles extolling my virtues.

Chase greets me with a smile, but quickly loses interest when he sees my face.

“What's going on, man? You seen a ghost?”

I hand him my phone so he can read the article. I can see the same shock on his face. His eyes scan the lines, and I can see the moment when his thoughts take the same direction as mine.

“Fuck, Liam... This sucks. It really does.”

I just nod silently, unable to find the words to express what's going on inside me.

“No but wait. She couldn't write that. Not Emily! Did you call her?”

I shake my head negatively.

“I'd rather calm down first,” I say.

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