“Just say it.”
Susan folds her hands. “Wilder, we’ve spoken with league officials.”
That’s not a good start.
Coach crosses his arms. “This relationship is a conflict of interest. It puts Amelia’s internship at risk. Her future licensing at risk.”
“I already said I’d request a transfer,” I reply.
Kamden finally looks at me.
“You think that fixes it?” he says, voice flat. “You think the league doesn’t look at timelines? At power dynamics? At perception?”
“I didn’t manipulate her,” I snap.
“That’s not the point!” he fires back.
Susan speaks calmly. “Wilder, optics matter. Even if this began organically, it will be viewed as inappropriate.”
“Inappropriate?” I echo.
Coach steps forward. “If this gets out publicly, it doesn’t just become gossip. It becomes a liability.”
“And?” I challenge.
“And Amelia loses everything first,” Susan says quietly.
That hits.
Hard.
“She’s an intern,” Coach continues. “You’re an established player. The narrative will not favor her.”
Kamden leans forward, elbows on his knees.
“If you love her,” he says, voice rough, “you’ll walk away.”
The words hang in the air like smoke.
My jaw tightens. “You don’t get to define love for me.”
“I don’t,” he agrees. “But I know what it looks like to protect someone.”
Coach sighs. “This doesn’t have to be permanent. Amelia gets a permanent position somewhere else, another organization, another team. Then revisit it.”
“So I just what?” I ask. “Drop her?”
“Step back,” Susan corrects gently. “Create distance. Let her build her career without your shadow over it.”
“You’re killing her career,” Kamden says bluntly. “Every day this continues.”
Anger flares hot in my chest.
“She’s not some fragile thing you all have to protect from me,” I say through clenched teeth.
“No,” Susan replies. “She’s a young professional in a male-dominated field who will be judged harsher than you ever will.”
Silence.
