“We don’t want to escalate,” Cam said. “But we also don’t want to sweep this under the rug.”
Another official leaned in. “Here’s what we propose. Ryder Blake is removed from his segment and placed on probation. He’ll issue a public apology.”
“And Walker?” Cam asked.
“He stays,” the official said. “But under probation. One more incident, and he’s benched indefinitely.”
I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.
Kieren didn’t flinch. “Fine.”
“And Ms. Sommers?” the lawyer asked, turning to me.
“I’m not pressing charges,” I said quietly. “As long as Kieren keeps playing.”
I didn’t care about the apology. I just wanted this to end.
Kieren finally turned to me then. His jaw was tight, his eyes unreadable.
But when his pinky brushed against mine under the table, I didn’t move away.
Not this time.
Just when I thought we were done, the league rep raised a hand. “There’s one more condition.”
My stomach tightened again.
Kieren stiffened beside me.
“You’ll be expected to refrain from any further altercations or confrontations with Mr. Blake,” the official said, slowly and clearly. “Regardless of what is said, regardless of context. Am I understood?”
I turned slightly toward Kieren, already feeling the storm building in him.
His jaw clenched. A slow breath left his nose, but it didn’t relax him. His fingers curled into fists on top of the table, and for a moment, I thought he might argue. Might throw it all away right there.
But then—he nodded.
“Fine,” he said, voice tight. “As long as he keeps his mouth shut, we’re good.”
The room stilled.
“But I’m warning you…” Kieren continued, his gaze cutting across the table, deadly calm now. “If he crosses a line again—if he says one more thing about her, if he even breathes her name in a way I don’t like—I don’t care about the consequences.”
Cam flinched beside me. The lawyer cleared his throat. The tension thickened like fog, pressing down hard.
Kieren didn’t blink. “There’s always Europe.”
He didn’t say it like a threat.
He said it like a plan.
The officials exchanged a look. They weren’t sure if he was bluffing, but I knew better. Kieren didn’t bluff—not when it came to people he cared about.
Not when it came to me.
I tried to swallow, but my throat was tight.
Cam jumped in quickly. “We all want the same thing here. To move forward. Clean slate. Let’s agree to that.”
