Expose on the Ice (Sparks on the Ice #1)

Chapter 30

CHAPTER 30

CARTER

I pull into the parking lot of the Frost Giants’ facility, my hands gripping the steering wheel so tight my knuckles are white. The familiar sight of the arena looming before me should be comforting, but today it feels like I’m walking into the lion’s den.

My phone buzzes with a text from Lily:

"You’ve got this."

A small smile tugs at my lips despite the knot in my stomach. The way she looks at me, touches me, loves me – it’s like she’s cracked open my chest and poured light into all the dark, broken places inside. And she’d still been there this morning.

But now reality is crashing back in.

The truth about Sarah’s death and the cover-up is about to explode, and I have to face the music. At least this time I’m taking the initiative rather than letting some newspaper choose how and when it lands.

I take a deep breath, inhaling the crisp morning air as I step out of my car. My legs feel like lead as I walk towards the entrance, each step bringing me closer to a conversation that could end my career and cause untold pain to my family... or what’s left of it.

As I push through the doors, I hope my face doesn’t betray the turmoil churning inside me. The familiar sounds and smells of the facility wash over me – the faint scent of sweat and ice, the distant clang of weights in the gym. How many times have I been here, carrying the weight of my secret?

Too many.

I spot Mark Turner speaking to Coach Carson near the locker room entrance. They both look up as I approach.

"Carter," Mark grins. "Good to see you."

I swallow hard. "I need to talk to you both. Privately."

Coach Carson’s eyebrows shoot up, but he nods. "Let’s use my office."

As I follow them down the hallway, my mind races, unsure how to even start a conversation like this. And after we’ve entered the office, the door clicking shut behind us, the office suddenly feels small. Coach settles behind his desk, while Mark leans against the wall, arms crossed.

"What’s this about, Knox?" Coach asks, his gruff voice tinged with concern.

I take a deep breath, Lily’s words echoing in my head. You’ve got this. "There’s a bigger story about to break. Something I’ve been hiding for years. It’s about Sarah’s death. The truth is... I was the one driving."

The silence in the room is deafening. Coach Carson’s bushy eyebrows furrow, while Mark’s usually impassive face shows a flicker of surprise, but he nods for me to continue, even as I see the gears in his mind turning over, figuring out how to manage the situation.

"I was drunk," I admit, the words tasting like ash in my mouth. "I thought I was fine to drive, but... I lost control of the car." I swallow hard, the memories flooding back. "My parents, they... they covered it up and said my dad was driving. The local cops went along with it to protect the town’s golden boy."

"Jesus, Carter," Coach mutters, running a hand over his face.

"I know I should’ve come clean years ago," I say, finally meeting their eyes. "I was a coward. I let my career become more important than telling the truth and my sister. I’ve kept it bottled inside and never revealed the truth to anyone. But now... now... I’m ready."

Mark pushes off from the wall. "Carter, what happened... it’s a tragedy. But you were a kid."

"A kid who killed his sister," I spit out.

Coach leans forward, his weathered hands clasped on the desk. "Son, we’ve all made mistakes. Terrible ones. But it’s what we do after that defines us."

I blink, surprised by their reaction. "You’re... you’re not going to cut me? Trade me?"

Mark shakes his head. "No. But you came to us. You’re taking responsibility. That counts."

"We’ll stand by you," Coach adds gruffly. "But it’s going to be a rough road ahead."

I nod, feeling a weight lift off my chest. "I know. I’m done hiding. Whatever comes, I’ll face it."

"Good," Coach says. "Now, tell us everything. We need to be prepared when this story breaks."

As I begin to recount the details, I feel a mix of dread and relief. The truth is finally out, and while the future is uncertain, I’m not facing it alone. I think of Lily, of the team, of Coach and Mark’s unexpected support. For the first time in years, I feel a glimmer of hope.

Maybe, just maybe, I can find a way to make things right.

For Sarah.

For myself.

And for everyone I’ve let down along the way.

When I’m done, the truth on the table, we decide I have to tell the team. I follow Coach Carson and Mark to the locker room, my heart pounding in my chest. The familiar scent of sweat hits me as we walk in, but today it feels different. The room falls silent as we enter, all eyes turning to us.

"Listen up," Coach barks, his voice echoing off the walls. "Knox has something to say."

I step forward and scan the faces of my teammates, my brothers on the ice. Some look confused, others concerned. Tank’s eyes dart away when I meet his gaze, the only one in the room who knows what I’m about to say.

"I’ve been lying to you all," I start, my voice steadier than I feel. "About my sister’s death and about who I really am."

The room is so quiet you could hear a pin drop. I take a deep breath and continue, laying it all out. The drunk driving, the cover-up, the years of guilt and anger. With each word, I feel the weight on my shoulders lighten, even as the tension in the room grows. When I finish, there’s a moment of silence...

Then all hell breaks loose.

"You’ve been lying this whole time?" someone shouts.

"It was an accident, man," another voice defends me.

But I’m not done. I turn to Tank, who’s trying to shrink into his locker. "And Tank has been leaking information about me, about us, to the press."

Tank’s face goes pale. "Carter, I?—

"Don’t deny it," I cut him off. "You stole Lily’s notes, broke into her apartment. You admitted to me you’ve been selling us out. Face up to it."

The locker room erupts again, this time with shouts of anger and disbelief directed at Tank. Guys are on their feet, some moving towards Tank, others holding them back. Even those who’d been yelling at me a moment ago have now turned on Tank, and I think fists might start flying.

"Enough!" Coach roars, bringing silence. He turns to Tank, his expression a mix of disappointment and anger. "Is this true?"

"It is, Coach," Tank says, nodding at the Coach, then turning to me. "I really am sorry, Carter. For everything."

"You’re suspended indefinitely." Coach Carson’s words cut into Tank like a blade. "Get out of my sight."

Tank nods, not meeting anyone’s eyes as he starts to gather his things and stuff them into his bag. The rest of the team watches in stunned silence, until Tank has shuffled out, then all eyes are back on me and Coach Carson.

I stand there, feeling drained but oddly liberated. The truth is out – all of it. No more secrets, no more lies. As I look around at my teammates, I see a mix of emotions on their faces. Anger, confusion, sympathy.

For the first time in years, I feel like I can breathe.

As the guys disperse, some pat me on the back, others avoid my gaze. I catch Echo’s eye, and he gives me a small nod. It isn’t forgiveness, not yet, but it’s something. But it feels like even those who are angry or disappointed at me are seeing me for the first time.

"We can’t let this story break, man," Echo says, letting out a loud sigh. "Not like this. It’s way beyond the line of what’s fair."

I shake my head. "It’s too late. Tank’s already leaked it. Lily’s editor is going to run it and fire her in the process."

"Maybe not," Mack chimes in, his veteran wisdom kicking in. "We’ve got connections all over the league. What if we got ahead of it?"

The energy in the room shifts as Mack explains his idea, a brief but brutal plan to get things back on our terms. Suddenly, guys are pulling out their phones, fingers flying over screens, sending emails and texts and social media messages.

"I’ve got buddies in the NFL," Mack says, already texting.

Kurt nods. "I’ll hit up my college teammates who are pros now."

Echo grins. "We can make this big, real big."

I watch in amazement as the locker room transforms into a war room. Phones are ringing, guys are shouting across the room, coordinating their efforts. We have a plan, and it might just save both Lily’s job, and mine.

And maybe get one back on Frank.