Page 58 of Expose on the Ice

Before I can figure it out, Coach Carson’s whistle cuts through the air like a knife. "Knox!" His bellow roars across the ice. "My office. Now."

I skate off the ice, feeling the weight of everyone’s stares. As I pass Tony, I want to say something, anything, to take back what I’d said. But the damage is done. His confidence is shot, and so is my reputation and standing with the team.

I trudge behind Coach Carson, my skates feeling heavier with each step. I can feel the heat radiating off him, which had been building since the incident with Frosty, and the silence between us is deafening. Suddenly, it feels like my position on the team is in real jeopardy, star player or not.

As we reach his office, Coach jerks his head towards the door. "Wait in there, Knox. I’m getting Mark."

I nod, not trusting myself to speak. I head inside, and the door clicks shut behind me, leaving me alone with my thoughts and the overwhelming smell of stale coffee and dry-erase markers. Careers are ended in this office – guys cut, coaches fired, veterans told they’re too old – and I wonder if I’m done.

My eyes land on the small locker mirror. Christ, is that really me? The guy staring back looks like he’s aged ten years overnight. Dark circles under bloodshot eyes, a clenched jaw that looks ready to snap…

I barely recognize myself.

I run a hand through my sweat-damp hair, tugging at the roots. This is spiraling out of control, fast. A second later, the door opens, and Coach Carson walks in, followed closely by Mark. Their faces are grim, and I brace myself for the lecture I know is coming. And if that’s it, I can count myself lucky.

"Knox," Coach starts, his voice low and measured. "What happened out there?—

"I know," I cut him off, surprising myself with how steady my voice sounds. "I messed up. Bad."

Mark raises an eyebrow, clearly not expecting me to admit it so readily.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself. "I need to get ahead of this. All of it."

Coach and Mark exchange a look.

"What are you thinking?" Mark asks cautiously.

I meet his gaze, my resolve hardening. "I want you to set up a press conference. Today, if possible."

Mark’s eyes widen slightly. "Carter, are you sure that’s?—

"Yes," I say firmly. "I’m sick and tired of the secrets and the whispers."

Coach Carson leans back against his desk, arms folded across his chest. "You realize once you do this, there’s no going back? Everything will be out there."

I nod, feeling a strange mix of terror and relief at the thought. "I know. But it’s better coming from me than letting everyone else tell my story."

Mark pulls out his phone, already tapping away. "I’ll get it organized. Give me an hour to get all the reporters here."

As Mark leaves the room to make calls, Coach fixes me with a stern look. "This doesn’t excuse what happened on the ice, Knox."

"I know, Coach," I say, my shoulders sagging. "I’ll apologize to Tony and the entire team. I was out of line."

Coach nods, his expression softening slightly. "Good. Now go hit the showers and get your head on straight. You’ve got a big afternoon ahead of you."

CHAPTER 23

LILY

Pausing to take a deep breath, I smooth down my blouse and then walk into the Frost Giants’ facility. My heart is racing, but I force a smile as I nod to a few familiar faces.

"Hey Lily," Ethan Hale calls out, giving me a friendly wave.

"Hi Echo," I reply, studying his expression carefully.

I search for signs of guilt, or for any indication that he might have been the one to leak my notes. But his affable, goofy grin reveals nothing suspicious at all. For a defenseman, he’s just about the nicest guy in the building, so I’d be shocked if he’d been the one to leak my notes.

But I have to suspect everyone.

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