Page 56 of Expose on the Ice

The softness in her eyes when I’d opened up.

And I’d thrown it all away because I was scared. Scared of being vulnerable, of letting someone in. It was easier to be angry, to push her away, to hide from the past, to fuck a stranger. But now, in the cold light of day, I realize that anger is fading, leaving behind a hollow ache.

For her.

LILY

Under the hot spray of the shower, the warmth seeps into my muscles, but it can’t wash away the knot of anxiety in my stomach. I close my eyes, trying to focus on the sensation of the water rather than the mess my life has become.

"So, any ideas on who might’ve taken your notes?" Jess’s voice carries over the sound of the water.

I sigh, reaching for the shampoo. "I’ve been racking my brain, but I just can’t figure it out."

"Well," Jess says, her tone shifting into problem-solving mode. "Who had access to your notes?"

I lather up my hair, considering her question. "Anyone near my bag could have?—

"What?" Jess says.

I freeze, my hands still tangled in my soapy hair. "That’s it…"

"What?" Jess presses.

"The stuff that leaked… it was all from my work bag," I say slowly, my mind racing. "None of the stuff here, in the apartment, was in the story."

I can practically hear the gears turning in Jess’s head. "So, the leaked information came specifically from the notes you had with you at team events?"

"Exactly," I say, a chill running down my spine despite the hot water as the realization hits me. "Which means…"

"It had to be someone on or around the team," Jess finishes my thought. "But who would do that to Carter? And why?"

I step out of the shower and take the towel Jess hands to me. "I don’t know, but I’m going to figure it out."

"And then get the guy?" Jess smirks.

As I dry myself, I laugh, the first time since I’d been crushed at the charity ball. "You should have seen our dance, Jess. It was the hottest thing…"

"I could think of a few hotter things," Jess smirks. "Carter’s tongue in your mouth…"

"Jess…" I say.

"Carter’s tongue in your?—

"Jess!" I squeal.

I throw the towel at her, both of us erupting with laughter. But despite the lighthearted moment, my mind is already working overtime. I grab my robe and cinch the belt tight, feeling a new sense of resolve.

The hurt and betrayal are still there, lurking beneath the surface like a bruise, but a fierce determination to uncover the truth overshadows them. For the first time in days, I feel my reporter brain shift out of neutral and into gear.

Someone had used my work, my trust, to hurt Carter and potentially derail my career. The thought makes my stomach churn and my fists clench. I’m not about to let them get away with it, no matter what it takes to find out who’s responsible.

I take a deep breath, steadying myself. No, whoever is behind this – whoever on the team had wanted to hurt Carter and undermine me – is going to learn that they’d picked the wrong bitch to mess with, even if it costsme.

The game is on, and I’m ready to play.

CHAPTER 22

CARTER

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