I move off, but not too far.
Because if there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s that Bronwyn versus Bronwyn is a fight I don’t want to miss.
I lean back against the row of lockers across the room, pretending to scroll through my phone while keeping one eye onthem. I give them space, mostly. But there’s no way I’m walking out completely. Not when Kamden looks like he’s about to either hug his sister or lose his damn mind.
Amelia steps closer to him, folding her arms, not defensive, more like she’s bracing herself.
“You look like you’re mad at me,” she says quietly.
Kamden exhales, dragging a hand down his face. “I’m not mad. I’m frustrated.”
“That feels worse,” she replies.
He huffs a short laugh. “Yeah. I know.”
I watch as he shifts his weight, shoulders tense in a way I’ve seen a thousand times. Kamden Bronwyn doesn’t get rattled easily. Hell, I trust him with my career every time I throw a pitch. But put his sister in front of him, and suddenly he’s a mess.
“I didn’t know you were going to be here,” he says finally. “If I had, I would’ve told you not to?—”
Her chin lifts. “Not to what?”
“Not to put yourself in this position.”
She shakes her head, a soft scoff escaping her. “Kamden, I didn’t come here because of you.”
“I know,” he says quickly. “I know that. It’s just this team, this locker room it’s my safe place. It’s the one place where I don’t have to worry about you.”
Her expression softens. “You’ve worried about me my whole life.”
“Because it’s my job.”
“No,” she counters gently. “Because you’re my brother. But I don’t need protecting the way I did when I was sixteen.”
That lands.
Kamden looks at her, and something in his face shifts. Pride. Guilt. Maybe a little fear.
“I worked my ass off for this,” she continues. “I earned it. Susan didn’t pick me because of our last name. She picked me because I’m good at what I do.”
“I know you are,” he says, quieter now.
“And I won’t let anyone think I’m here because of you,” she adds. “Not the team. Not the staff. Not you.”
I bite back a grin.
Damn.
Kamden lets out a long breath, then nods slowly. “I just don’t want this place to chew you up.”
She steps forward, resting her hand on his arm. “You taught me how to stand my ground. Remember?”
He snorts. “Yeah. Might’ve overdone it.”
“Maybe,” she says, smiling. “But it worked.”
There’s a beat of silence before he finally pulls her into a hug, squeezing her tight. She hugs him back just as fiercely, and I feel something warm settle in my chest.
When they separate, Kamden looks steadier. Calmer.
