Chapter 16: Behind the Mask
956 Words
The first thing Sophie noticed on Friday morning was that Liam Carter wasn't on campus.
That was unusual.
Every Friday, without fail, he would be at the athletics building before eight, coffee in one hand and his hockey bag slung over his shoulder. Even students who didn't know him knew his routine.
Today, his usual spot was empty.
For reasons she couldn't explain, it bothered her.
"You're staring again."
Emma slid into the seat across from her in the campus café, balancing two muffins and an iced coffee.
"I'm not staring."
"You've looked out that window six times in the last five minutes."
Sophie sighed.
"I was just..."
"Looking for Liam?"
Sophie looked down at her untouched coffee.
"I don't know what's happening to me."
Emma's teasing smile softened.
"I do."
"No, you don't."
"You like him."
The words settled heavily between them.
Sophie wanted to deny it.
She wanted to laugh it off and insist it was just curiosity.
But she couldn't.
Because somewhere between late-night texts, sarcastic jokes, quiet conversations outside the arena, and the way Liam always made sure she got home safely...
She had stopped seeing him as Ethan's enemy.
She had started seeing him as Liam.
"I think I'm in trouble."
Emma reached across the table and squeezed her hand.
"No."
She smiled gently.
"I think you're finally letting yourself make your own decisions."
───
Practice that afternoon was closed to the public.
The NHL scouts had arrived, and security kept students away from the arena.
Even so, a crowd gathered outside, hoping to catch a glimpse of the players.
Sophie wasn't planning on going.
Yet somehow...
She found herself standing among the crowd anyway.
The arena doors finally opened.
Players filtered out in groups, laughing and talking.
Then Liam appeared.
His hair was damp, his hoodie pulled over his head, hockey bag resting over one shoulder.
The moment he saw her, his tired expression softened.
He excused himself from his teammates and walked straight toward her.
"You came."
She smiled.
"I was curious."
"Liar."
She laughed.
"I was."
"You worry too much."
"I learned from my brother."
Liam chuckled quietly.
"I can't argue with that."
For a moment they simply stood there.
Watching people pass.
Neither of them seemed in a hurry to leave.
Finally Sophie spoke.
"How did it go?"
He shrugged.
"They watched."
"That's all you're going to say?"
"I don't like talking about myself."
"I've noticed."
He smiled.
"You notice a lot."
"I had a good teacher."
That earned a genuine laugh.
One that reached his eyes.
"I've missed talking to you."
The confession slipped out before he could stop it.
His expression immediately changed.
Like he'd revealed too much.
"So have I."
The words left Sophie's mouth just as quickly.
Silence.
Neither of them looked away.
It felt so natural.
So easy.
And that frightened them both.
───
Across the parking lot...
Ryan watched everything.
He sat inside his truck with the engine off, fingers tightening around the steering wheel.
He had seen Sophie smile at Liam.
He had seen Liam smile back.
Most of all...
He had seen the way they looked at each other.
Like nobody else existed.
His jaw clenched.
"This isn't over."
His voice was barely audible.
He reached for his phone.
One contact.
Ethan.
He hesitated.
Then typed.
We need to talk. It's about Sophie.
He didn't have to wait long.
Ethan replied almost immediately.
What happened?
Ryan looked through the windshield toward Sophie and Liam.
His thumb hovered over the screen.
Then he typed the one sentence he knew would change everything.
I think she's falling for him.
───
"So..."
Sophie tucked her hands into her coat pockets as they walked across campus.
"What happens if the scouts offer you a contract?"
Liam looked ahead.
"I don't know."
"You haven't thought about it?"
"I've thought about leaving."
His answer surprised her.
"But not because of hockey."
She stopped walking.
"What do you mean?"
He turned toward her.
"I've spent three years trying to outrun one night."
The words were quiet.
"So maybe it's time."
Her heart tightened.
"You'd leave?"
"If staying keeps hurting people..."
He gave a small shrug.
"Maybe."
Something inside Sophie refused to accept that.
"You don't get to decide what's best for everyone."
A faint smile appeared.
"You've said that before."
"Because you keep trying to carry everything by yourself."
He laughed softly.
"You really don't give up."
"No."
She took one step closer.
"I don't."
For a long moment, they simply looked at each other.
The winter wind swept between them, carrying tiny flakes of snow across the empty pathway.
Liam slowly reached into his jacket pocket.
"I was going to wait."
His voice was almost nervous.
"But..."
He pulled out something small.
Worn leather.
Faded blue thread.
A friendship bracelet.
Sophie's breath caught.
It looked old.
Very old.
"I've had it since my first year."
She looked up at him.
"Who gave it to you?"
Liam stared at the bracelet in his palm before answering.
"The only brother I ever had."
Sophie's heart stopped.
Because she already knew the answer.
Ethan.
Liam noticed the realization on her face.
He closed his hand around the bracelet.
"I never threw it away."
Before Sophie could respond—
"LIAM!"
Coach Reynolds' voice echoed across the parking lot.
He jogged toward them, looking unusually serious.
"Liam."
"What is it?"
The coach looked between Liam and Sophie before lowering his voice.
"You need to come with me."
"Why?"
Coach Reynolds hesitated.
Then quietly said the words that made Liam's face drain of all colour.
"Someone reopened the investigation."
Liam froze.
Sophie felt the world tilt beneath her feet.
Investigation?
What investigation?
And why...
After three years?
End of Chapter 16
- Writer
