Page 178 of Tangled up in You

“Little bitches like you don’t belong on the ice,” Trent said coming up behind them. “If you tell anyone what happened, no one will believe you over me.”

Sasha froze. Her stomach knotted and her blood ran cold. She closed her eyes unable to stand the sight of Trent being anywhere near her. Why? Why now? Why was he standing there while she was trying to answer questions she hadn’t even expect to rehash?

“Mr. Holden,” James said, placing the pen on his notebook. “I don’t remember requesting your company for this interview.”

“No, sir,” Trent answered. “However, I wanted you to hear the truth from me.”

“Surprise you even know what telling the truth means,” Sasha said.

“I deserve that,” Trent muttered. “Actually, I probably deserve being kicked off the team.”

“So, it’s true what Miss Rhett has said?” James turned sideways, crossing his arms. “You injured her on purpose because Coach Jones told you to do it?”

Trent nodded. “Yes, sir. I’d like to say I was a stupid boy. But I also understood the ramifications of hurting Sasha, and I didn’t care. I was angry they let a girl on the ice. More so because she was so damn good.”

“And you’ve lied as has Coach Jones for the last ten years?” James pressed.

“We have. Though, I’m sure if you press Coach, he’ll deny everything. It’s how the incident got swept under the rug to begin with, sir.”

“Why now?” Sasha snapped. “It’s been ten years, Trent Holden. You had the ability to tell me or the league or anyone over the years. Instead, you stayed silent. What fucking changed?”

“Do you think it’s been easy being in the same room with you for the last three fucking days?” Trent snarled. “Knowing every time, you look at me, it makes you sick? To know you’re so fucked up in the head, you changed your name, so no one knew it was you out there?” He took a step forward and James stood. “I realized the minute I did what coach wanted I’d be the most hated player on the team. I changed leagues to get away from it. I’ve had Coach hang the whole situation over my head for years, Sasha. So, I fed into it. I became the person everyone thought I was. Not who I really am.”

“Guilt is something,” Sasha muttered. “Do you know how much damage you did to me? How long it took for me to get back out on the ice? Years, Trent! Years! Every time I tried to step out there, I panicked. What you’ve witnessed over the last few days is mild compared to my life before Kai and Wyatt and Jenny. You even stole my best friends from me.”

“I know!” he yelled. “Sorry won’t begin to fix this. So, I just told the team I’m going home when the weather clears.”

Sasha swiped away angry tears while rage ate at her insides. “No. You don’t get to be a martyr, Trent. You don’t get to fall on your sword and have people pity you. You should face everything you’ve done head on.”

“Babe?” Wyatt came out of the locker room still in his practice clothes. Concern marred his expression as he looked from her to Trent then to James. “What the fuck are you doing here, Trent?”

“Something I should’ve done ten years ago,” he said. “Told the truth.”

James gathered up his things. “I have the info I need for now. He pointed to Trent. “You might have told the team you’re done, but you won’t get away with this. USA Hockey will be opening a separate investigation, and Coach will be suspended from his duties effective immediately.”

Sasha should’ve been relieved to hear Trent would go down for what he did to her that day, however what she felt was disappointment. Impressionable kids did stupid things when they wanted an adult to like them or in some cases love them. Trent did Coach Jones’ dirty work to earn his praise. Something Sasha had a feeling, never materialize. Why else would Trent come clean?

“I understand,” Trent said. “I take full responsibility and will cooperate.”

The itch at the back of her neck kept her on alert. His confession spilled out a little too easily for her liking. “What else are you playing at Trent? Who do you have recording this, so you can use it later as a prank or something equally ridiculous?”

He held up his hands. “No one. I guess being stuck in an area where I know what’s happening in other rooms got me thinking about everything we’ve been through, you know? Thatfirst night, when you were sick? I’ll never get how pale your skin was or how afraid you were of me out of my mind. I have a niece who looks up to you. I can’t even call her and say I know you, because she’ll ask how that’s possible.”

“The look in your eyes when you made sure to ruin my knee...”

“I had to make it look good for coach,” he muttered.

“Yeah, well, I hope it was worth losing everything over,” she said, taking Wyatt’s hand. “Come on, I need a shower and food. Today has been exhausted.”

Wyatt wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “I got you, bestie. Let’s get you cleaned up. I’ll text the guys and let them know.”

“Sound wonderful.” She stepped into the locker room and let the door close behind her. Her past stood on the other side, and she was ready to keep looking forward.

CHAPTER 10

Sasha and Wyatt left before Archer and the others got up in the morning. The mood in the suite was subdued. After Trent’s announcement, things went fast. Administration put Coach Jones on leave and Coach Richman took charge of the team. Later, a member of US Hockey’s investigation division interviewed Archer. He might not have been on the ice near Sasha to hear everything Trent said to her that fateful day, but he also knew nothing about the incident had been an accident.

Nothing.

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