Page 77 of Expose on the Ice

"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.