Page 124 of Puck Struck
"Did you disclose this to NHL scouts during the draft process?" another reporter asks.
"No. Because it wasn't relevant to my hockey ability. I broke no laws, violated no league policies. My personal choices don't affect my performance on the ice or my value as a teammate."
A blonde reporter near Logan raises her hand and I nod at her. "What about the recent attack? How does that connect to your past?"
My jaw tightens. "I was targeted by individuals who wanted to use my past against me. One was a former client who became obsessed and dangerous. The other was someone who saw an opportunity to manipulate that situation for his own gain."
"Are you referring to William Keating?" she continues.
"I'm referring to people who thought they could destroy my career by weaponizing my survival. They were wrong."
"Mr. Foster," another voice calls out, "do you think the league should investigate your eligibility?"
"I welcome any investigation. I have nothing to hide anymore." I lean forward slightly. "I'm not the first person to come from nothing and do questionable things to chase their dreams. The difference is, I'm not going to let anyone use my past to silence me or control me."
"What's your message to young players who might be facing similar situations?"
I pause for a long minute and let that question marinate. "That your circumstances don't define your worth. That sometimes survival requires difficult choices, and thatdoesn't make you less deserving of success. And that there are people who will try to tear you down, but if you own your story, if you refuse to be ashamed of surviving, they can't touch you."
The questions continue for another twenty minutes, but the hard part is over. I've said it. All of it. The truth is out there now, in my words, on my terms.
Rex finally stands up. “Okay, folks, we’re ready to wrap up.” He looks at me. “Cam, any final thoughts?"
"Yeah." I look directly at Logan, then at Ryan, then back at the flashing cameras. "I'm Cam Foster. I'm a professional hockey player. I earned my spot on this team through talent, hard work, and determination. Some people don't like how I funded the opportunity to prove myself. That's their problem, not mine."
Rex and Eli lead me out of the room and away from the crowd. I step into an empty conference room, sinking into a chair, enjoying the peace. I know it’s only temporary but I’m going to enjoy it for as long as I can. Logan finds me a few minutes later.
"How do you feel?" he asks.
"Lighter," I say, surprised by how true it is. "Scared as hell about the reaction, but so much lighter. I had no idea how weighed down I was by my past, how I was able to drag it along with me for so long."
"You were incredible out there. Fearless."
"I had good reason to be brave." I reach for his hand. "You were there."
He leans down and kisses me, his lips soft and sweet and full of promise. When we break apart, he rests his forehead against mine.
"Mike called during the press conference," he says. "James is being charged with attempted murder, assault with a deadlyweapon, and violation of the restraining order. He's not getting out anytime soon."
"And William Keating?"
"Three clients have already dropped him. The league is opening an ethics investigation. Ryan's testimony about his father's scheme is going to destroy what's left of his reputation."
I close my eyes and lean my head against the back of the chair, relief washing over me. "So it's really over."
"The threats are over. The hiding is over. The fear is over." Logan's thumb traces my cheek. "Now we get to figure out what comes next."
"Your surgery," I say. "How are the complications with your shoulder?"
His expression twists. "I met with Dr. Raja yesterday while you were sleeping. He’s an orthopedic specialist." He runs his good hand through his hair. "It's going to be difficult. They have to modify the whole surgical approach because of the damage from that final game."
"What does that mean?"
"They'll have to position me differently during the surgery, use different anesthesia protocols. The recovery will be longer and more complex because I won't be able to do standard physical therapy with my shoulder like this." Logan's voice drops. "There's also a higher risk of complications, like blood clots, infection, problems with the liver regeneration."
"Does the doctor feel confident about it?"
"Yeah, Dr. Raja thinks it's doable. Risky, but doable. He said the biggest challenge will be managing pain after surgery without compromising the liver healing process. And I'll need help with basic things for weeks longer than a typical donor would."
