“No,” Wilder says immediately.
Coach Carson studies me carefully. “That might be the cleanest solution.”
My chest tightens.
Susan looks conflicted. “Amelia is one of the best interns I’ve ever had.”
“Then don’t let her sacrifice it,” Wilder says. “If anyone moves, it’s me.”
“This isn’t your call alone,” Coach snaps.
Silence settles thick and heavy.
Finally, Coach Carson points at both of us. “Until I speak with league officials, this stays quiet. No public displays. No distractions. You two focus on your jobs.”
His eyes harden. “One more incident like last night and I make the decision for you.”
He turns and walks out.
Susan lingers.
“I believed in you,” she says to me quietly.
“I didn’t lie to you,” I whisper. “I just fell in love.”
Her expression softens just slightly.
“Love doesn’t exempt you from consequences,” she says gently.
Then she leaves.
The room feels hollow.
Wilder turns to me, searching my face.
“Why haven’t you called me?” I ask before I can stop myself.
His jaw tightens. “I was trying to handle this. Talk to Coach before you walked into it blind.”
“You could’ve told me.”
“I didn’t want you worrying more.”
A humorless laugh escapes me. “Too late.”
He steps closer now, lowering his voice.
“We’ll fix this,” he says.
I don’t know if that’s true.
But when his hand brushes mine, it's subtle, hidden from cameras and doors and watching eyes.
I realize we just went from a secret romance to a public problem.
And there’s no going back now.
TWENTY
