Page 164 of Colliding with Ten

She set her mouth into a line. “I know the difference between a breaking point and a pattern, Ayla. And I believe that night was a breaking point. You know more than anyone else how much AJ has done for my family and me. I can’t just forget that.”

When Meadow met AJ, she was taking care of her two nephews on a server’s salary. AJ had stepped up in a huge way, but that didn’t permit him to behave poorly in front of her. AJ had been the one to confront her abusive brother, so he knew more than anyone else how much of a trigger it would have been for her. I stared at this woman, who had never once wavered.

She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “We’re good now. More than good.”

“I’m glad.”

For another hour, we ate what was left and talked about her job at the café and her nephews.

Before she left, we hugged at the door. We rocked each other back and forth, chuckling.

“I’m glad you’re back.”

“Me too.”

Then she left me alone with my thoughts.

After several phone calls, Hill contacted me the next day. He wanted to meet at a coffee shop close to the facility.

The place was small and packed at ten on a weekday morning. Hill was already seated when I arrived, a black coffee in front of him and another across the table that he’d ordered without asking what I wanted. He’d gotten it right. I had almond milk and lots of sugar packets.

Hill started, “I have to say something to you, and I’d like to get through it before you respond.”

I nodded.

“I didn’t pull my recommendation because I believed the allegations. I withdrew it because the front office gave me no choice. When the photos went public, the building went into crisis mode, and they asked me to suspend the fellowship while it was under review, so resisting would have made the situation worse for both you and me. I had to make a decision.”

He paused.

“Saying all of that, AJ and I did put some pressure on the team. The team has formally cleared the investigation,” he continued. “They reviewed everything with the league office, and the allegations were unfounded.”

AJ had helped? I thought he believed everything. I exhaled, my shoulders dropping as I realized I’d been holding my breath.

“Your fellowship can be reinstated for next season, with full access, and the same terms. But they’re not going to make an announcement. That’s not how these institutions work.”

“And the Flight Crew?”

“You’re confirmed for the rest of the season, effective immediately.”

I wrapped my hands around the coffee he’d ordered. The warmth seeped into my palms, relaxing me. It wasn’t justice and brought no satisfaction, but knowing this wouldn’t follow my career took a load off.

He fidgeted in his chair. “There’s more.”

My stomach tensed because I knew what was coming. Nothing was ever simple.

“If you come back to the fellowship next season, there will be additional agreements.” It was the first time I had seen him uncomfortable. “They haven’t given me the paperwork yet, but they plan to add tighter fraternization clauses and conflict-of-interest rules.” He paused. “They won’t take any chances with your access to medical information and internal conversations.”

Even though I knew this was coming, it still hurt that they questioned my integrity. “So I can’t see Lennox anymore.”

Hill nodded. “I suspected something was going on when you called me that night from Buffalo, but I didn’t ask because I didn’t want to know. If I’d known, I would’ve had responsibilities regardless of whether I thought you were doing anything wrong.”

Heat climbed my neck.

“I trusted you because you never gave me any reason not to. But I won’t be able to do that next season.”

I swallowed around a ball in my throat.

“If you continue the fellowship, they will expect you to certify that there is no relationship with Monroe.”