Page 50 of Expose on the Ice

I let out a bitter laugh. I should have known better. Trust no one. That had been my motto for years. I’d told myself to be careful around her, and I’d been an idiot. The one time I’d let my guard down, and it might have cost me everything.

The sound of the party filters through the door again, reminding me where I am. I can’t hide in here forever, as much as I want to. I have to go back out there, face the music, plaster on a fake smile for the cameras.

But first…

I pull out my phone. It’s filled with dozens of messages from my mother, from my agent, from teammates wondering where I’d run off to. I ignore them all. I want nothing to do with any of them right now.

My fingers hover over Lily’s name in my contacts. I know I should delete it, block her number and cut all ties. But that wouldn’t be enough. I’d also have to refuse to work with her, no matter how much Mark huffs and puffs at me.

Instead, I type out a message:

"Hope you got what you wanted."

I know it’s petty, but it makes me feel a little better. That done, I push through the bathroom door, my jaw clenched so tight it aches. The cacophony of the charity event hits me like a wall. It grates on my nerves, amplifying the rage coursing through my veins.

I need to get out. Now.

I make a beeline for the exit, pushing past well-wishers and rich assholes, my eyes fixed on the double doors that promise escape. I think I might make it, too, nobody powerful enough to stop me in my tracks managing to intercept me, until–

"Carter! There you are!" A hand claps my shoulder. It’s Mark, our team manager, his smile strained as he leans in close. "Where have you been?"

I grunt, shouldering past him. "I’m leaving."

"Carter, wait?—

But I’m already moving, pushing through the crowd. I can feel eyes on me, hear the whispers, sense the unease. They all know. They’ve all read that article already. They all know things about me I’d tried to keep hidden.

"Mr. Knox! Can we get a statement about?—

"Not now," I growl.

I’m almost there, freedom just steps away, when I see her.

Lily.

She stands near the entrance, talking to someone on the phone. Her eyes go wide as they meet mine, and she quickly terminates the call she’s on. The sight of her ignites a fury in me and, before I know it, I’m advancing on her, my vision tunneling until all I can see is her face.

"How could you?" I snarl, my voice low and dangerous. I’m vaguely aware of people around us stopping, staring, but I don’t care.

Lily takes a step back, her hands raised placatingly. "Carter, please, we should go somewhere quiet and I can explain?—

"Save it," I spit, cutting her off. "This is exactly why I keep people at arm’s length."

The words taste bitter on my tongue, laced with pain and betrayal. I can see the hurt flash in her eyes, but it only fuels my anger. How dare she act wounded when she’s the one who’d stabbed me in the back?

"I didn’t write that article," Lily protests, her voice barely above a whisper. "I swear, Carter, I had no idea?—

"No idea?" I laugh, the sound harsh and humorless. "You’ve been digging into my past for weeks. Talking to my teammates, following me to my mom’s house, talking to my ex…"

Lily flinches at my words, and I see tears welling in her eyes. Part of me wants to stop, to hear her out, but the larger part – the part that’s been betrayed and exposed – won’t let me. I’m incandescent with a fury fueled by fear and sorrow, and she’s the best possible target.

"I trusted you," I hiss, leaning in close. "I let you in, and this is how you repay me? By airing my dirty laundry for the world to see? My family and I have suffered enough for that accident. My sister – the greatest person I’ve ever known – deserves to be spared your tabloid bullshit."

I clench my fists, my whole body shaking with rage as I glare at Lily. Her eyes are wide, the tears now starting to spill over, but I can’t bring myself to care. The pain of betrayal burns too hot, evaporating any drop of sympathy.

"Carter, please," Lily pleads, her voice barely above a whisper. "I would never?—

"No!" I bellow.

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