I looked at Mac. “Are you saying I should’ve let him ride alone?”
He didn’t answer right away. He glanced down at his pen, turned it once more, then set it on the table. “No. I’m not saying that at all, actually.”
Ivy cleared her throat. She reached into her bag and pulled out a thick folder, then set it on the table. “I spent last night researching League policies, HR compliance documents, and medical exemption clauses.” She opened the folder and turned it to face Mac. “If a relationship is documented through internal HR protocol and the staff member removes themselves from direct care, it’s not a violation.”
Booth raised an eyebrow. “Seriously?”
“Page twelve,” Ivy said. “There’s precedent. Two cases in the past six years—different departments, smaller franchises—but it holds. As long as William signs off and I take over full lead for Oliver’s treatment, we’re covered.”
Mac didn’t move for a second.
William spoke again, quieter now as he faced me. “When you first joined this team, I didn’t think you were ready. You were methodical. Cold. Too idealistic. I thought you’d burn out before the first preseason ended.”
I blinked. “I know.”
“But I was wrong,” he said. “You’re the backbone of this department now. Ivy and I can take on Oliver, but we don’t want you gone, Sloane. You make this team better. Every part of it. And we are not the first, nor the last team to have to deal with something like this.”
Ivy nodded. “You’re the reason we even have a full wellness program now. And half the team only comes to psych check-ins because of you. If you leave, we lose more than a staffer.”
The lump in my throat grew. I couldn’t speak.
Mac rubbed his jaw, his gaze never leaving my face as he asked the group. “You’re both vouching for her?”
“Yes, we are.” William stood and walked over to me, holding out a fist for me to bump it. “There’s a way to figure this out without her having to resign.”
Mac looked at me. “You’d have to step back. No direct sessions. No involvement with Oliver’s clearance. He’ll be reassigned to Ivy and William permanently.”
“I understand,” I said, voice strained. “I want what’s best for him. I never should’ve let it get this far.”
Ivy touched my arm. “You didn’t do anything wrong, Sloane. You cared. That’s not a failure.”
Tears blurred my vision, but I didn’t let them fall. Not yet. Not here. I did do something wrong. I didn’t report our relationship to HR out of fear, knowing it broke the ethics clause. I loved that they stood up for me, but the guilt killed me. “No, I did mess up. I should’ve reported it, and I should’ve removed myself?—”
Mac tapped the folder once. “Enough. If they vouch for you, then I’m good. We proceed with the plan. You take administrative leave for ten business days. After that, you return under revised scope. No media coverage. No statements.”
I nodded again. “I can do that.”
Mac leaned back. “Then we’re done here.”
The meeting ended without any ceremony.
I stepped out into the hall and leaned back against the wall, my chest tight with something I couldn’t name. Ivy joined me a moment later. She didn’t speak. She stood beside me, shoulder to shoulder, like we always had each other’s backs.
“You didn’t lose your job,” she finally said.
“No,” I said. “And I owe you and William for that.”
Ivy nodded slowly. “Nah, that’s what we do here. We’re family and look out for each other. You think I don’t know what it’s like falling for a goddamn athlete? It’s exhausting.” She grinned before sighing. “You belong here. And Oliver belongs here. This is the way to make that happen. I’m not losing either one of you.”
“Thank you, Ivy. For… everything.” My voice cracked, and she pulled me into a hug, and I let myself feel it. The support, the team, the feeling like my entire life was meant to end up here.
She let go of me and laughed. “Hey, so I need a ride to Oliver’s place. Heard my husband showed up and kind of threw a fit?”
“Yes, he did.” I laughed, just as William joined us.
“Are you all heading to see Oliver? Can I join?”
“Damn, Benson, look at you breaking protocol now.” Ivy winked at him as he rolled his eyes. “But yeah, we’re tagging along with Mercer since my husband is also there.”
