“Amelia,” she says quietly. “We talked about professional boundaries.”
“I know,” I whisper.
Coach Carson runs a hand over his face. “This is exactly the kind of distraction we cannot afford.”
“It’s not a distraction,” Wilder fires back.
“You punched your catcher in the mouth last night!”
“He punched me.”
“And why was he punching you?” Coach roars.
“Because he found out I’m in love with his sister,” Wilder says without hesitation.
The room goes silent.
Susan looks at me, hurt etched across her features. “You let me compliment your professionalism yesterday.”
Guilt crashes over me.
“I didn’t plan this,” I say, my voice breaking. “It just happened.”
“It always ‘just happens,’” she replies softly.
Coach Carson points at Wilder. “Do you understand the position this puts the team in? The league?”
“Yes,” Wilder says. “And I told Amelia last night I’d request a transfer if that’s what it takes.”
My head snaps toward him. “Wilder.”
“No,” he says firmly. “I’m not letting her take the fall for this.”
Coach stares at him. “You’d walk away from this team?”
“If it protects her career,” he says without hesitation.
Susan’s eyes flick between us.
“You both understand,” she says slowly, “that if the league deems this inappropriate, it’s her license and internship on the line first.”
The words hit like a punch.
Coach exhales. “This is a mess.”
“It’s not a mess,” Wilder says. “It’s two people who fell in love.”
“And fell into a professional conflict of interest,” Susan counters.
I feel small. Exposed. Torn between defending us and defending my career.
“I can step down,” I say suddenly.
Both of them turn to me.
“What?” Wilder says sharply.
“I can transfer to another team,” I continue. “Another department. I won’t let this destroy everything.”
