Even the distant stadium noise feels muted.
Kamden’s expression shifts for just a second.
Then hardens again.
“Bullshit.”
“It’s not,” Amelia whispers.
He looks at her like he doesn’t recognize her.
“You were supposed to be smarter than this,” he says, and somehow that hurts her more than anything else.
I see it in the way her shoulders cave slightly.
“You don’t get to talk down to her,” I say, stepping beside her instead of in front of her this time. “She didn’t fall into anything. We both did.”
Kamden shakes his head slowly.
“So what? You’re just going to parade this around? You think Coach is going to be cool with it? The league? You think this doesn’t blow back on her?”
“I already told her I’d request a transfer if that’s what it takes,” I shoot back.
That makes him blink.
“You’d leave?” he asks.
“For her?” I don’t hesitate. “Yes.”
Amelia turns her head sharply toward me, but I don’t look at her.
I look at him.
“You think I’d risk my career for someone I don’t love?” I continue. “You think I’d take your punch and not swing back if this wasn’t real?”
His breathing slows slightly, anger still simmering but less explosive.
“She’s not another girl,” I say quietly. “And I’m not the same guy I was before her.”
Kamden looks between us, jaw working, eyes wet but furious.
“You should’ve told me,” he says finally.
“I know,” I reply.
And that’s the truth.
Amelia steps forward carefully.
“I didn’t tell you because I was scared,” she says. “Not because I don’t trust you. Because I didn’t know how you’d react.”
He laughs hollowly. “Well, now you do.”
The air between the three of us is thick with years of friendship, family, loyalty, all colliding at once.
“I need space,” Kamden says finally, backing away. “From both of you.”
He points at me. “You stay the hell away from her until I figure this out.”
