My face presses into his chest, and the tears come harder now, messy and unfiltered. His hand cradles the back of my head, holding me like I might fall apart without him.
“Hey,” he murmurs, kissing the top of my head. “Talk to me.”
His comfort is steady. Familiar.
Dangerous.
Because it’s exactly what I’ve come to need.
And I’m suddenly terrified that the thing making me feel safest is also the thing that could destroy everything.
I stiffen.
Reality slams back in.
We’re at the stadium.
Anyone could walk by.
I pull away abruptly, swiping at my face. “Not here,” I hiss.
He doesn’t argue. He grabs my hand, firm but careful, and leads me down the corridor, up the narrow stairs, to his spot overlooking the field.
The quiet up here feels sacred.
The grass stretches out below us, empty for now.
He turns to face me, hands settling at my waist.
“What is going on?” he asks, searching my face.
The vulnerability in his eyes makes my throat tighten all over again.
I draw in a shaky breath.
“Susan told me about an intern she had,” I say, voice unsteady. “One who slept with players. It ended her career.”
His jaw tightens.
“She said Kamden tried to get me fired when I first got here,” I continue. “Because he was afraid I’d get hurt. Especially by you.” My voice cracks. “He said he was worried you’d make a move on me that I’d be foolish enough to fall for.”
The word tastes bitter.
“I’m risking everything, Wilder,” I whisper. “My career. My brother’s trust. The league. All of it. And I don’t know if I’m being brave or stupid.”
The wind shifts slightly around us, lifting a strand of my hair.
“I don’t regret us,” I add quickly, meeting his eyes. “But I am scared.”
Scared of losing everything.
Scared of loving him.
Scared that both might happen at the same time.
I can see it the second the words leave my mouth.
He’s shaken.
