Page 23 of Penalty for Boarding

But I paste on a brittle smile as I turn to him, arms tightening around my box like a shield. “Nothing you need to worry about, Holloway. Just...moving on to a new opportunity.”

His brow furrows as he takes in the box, the tight lines of my face. “Wait, are you serious? You're leaving? Just like that? Who’s going to help me through my recovery? We had a plan, Dr. Angelo.”

“My replacement will take great care of you, I’m sure.” I swallow hard, forcing the words past the lump in my throat. “But as of about ten minutes ago, I no longer work for the Fury.”

“But...but why? Is it because of that article? Because if someone's giving you shit, I swear I'll?—”

“It's fine, Beck,” I cut him off, touched by his concern even as I frantically blink back tears. “I’m fine. It...it’s just time for me to go. Nothing for you to worry about.”

He opens his mouth like he wants to argue, but something in my expression must convey how close I am to cracking. So he just nods, jaw tight.

“We're gonna miss you around here, Dr. Angelo. You're the best thing that ever happened to the Fury.”

A tear slips free at that, tracing a hot path down my cheek. I brush it away quickly, mustering a wobbly smile. “Thanks, Beck. That...that means a lot. Take care of yourself, OK?”

And then I'm walking away, vision blurred and heart shattered. But I keep putting one foot in front of the other, even as each step takes me further from the only life I've ever known.

By the time I reach the staff parking lot, I'm shaking so hard I nearly drop my keys. But I manage to unlock my car and carefully place my sad little box of belongings on the passenger seat before collapsing behind the wheel.

And that's when it truly hits me. I'm unemployed. My reputation is trashed. Everything I've worked for, sacrificed for, gone in an instant. Because I dared to fall in love.

A sob wrenches free from my throat, tears flowing unchecked now. I grip the steering wheel like a lifeline, knuckles white and shoulders heaving as I finally let myself shatter.

I don't know how long I sit there, crying in my car like a cliché. Long enough for the sobs to quiet into weak hiccups, for the tears to slow and my breathing to even out. Long enough for the doubts to start creeping in, dark and insidious.

Did I make a mistake? Throwing away my entire career, my whole identity, for a man I've barely begun to know? What if this thing with Calvin doesn't work out? What if I gave up everything for a doomed love affair?

But even as the questions churn in my gut, I know I can't regret my choice. Because Calvin is worth the risk. Worth the sacrifice. I love him with a bone-deep certainty I've never felt before. He's my future, my forever.

And if I have to rebuild my life from scratch to be with him, then that's what I'll do. Because a life without him in it is no life at all.

So I start the car with shaking hands, taking one last look at the Fury arena in my rearview mirror. The place that's been my home, my whole world, for so long. Now just a fading speck as I pull out of the lot and drive to the only thing that makes sense. Calvin.

CALVIN

The locker room is buzzing as I enter to clean my things, whispers dying as all eyes turn to me. News travels fast, apparently.

“Is it true?” Luc asks, hobbling over on his crutches. “You're leaving the team?”

I nod, not trusting my voice. Declan and Emile are there too, their expressions a mix of shock and concern.

“But why?” Emile blurts out. “We're so close to making the playoffs. We need you, man.”

“Yeah. Especially with Luc out at the moment,” Declan adds. “You can't just quit on us, man. Weneedyou!”

“And what about your contract? Your fans?” Emile presses. “You're just going to walk away?”

I take a deep breath, facing my teammates—my brothers. “Guys, I appreciate the support. Really. But the higher ups said I had to choose. And I’m choosing Olivia.”

Declan’s brow knits tight as he pulls his head back. “You’re seriously walking away over a girl? You couldn’t put a pin in it until after playoffs?”

I don’t even have the chance to open my mouth before Luc answers for me. “He’s in love, Declan. You can see it written all over his face.”

“It's not just about love,” I say, running a hand through my hair. “It's about standing up for what's right. The way they're treating her, treating us... it's not OK. And I won't be part of an organization that forces people to choose between their hearts and their careers.”

“But you're choosing,” Emile points out quietly.

“Yeah, I am. Because some things are worth fighting for.” I empty my locker, the familiar routine now tinged with finality. “Look, I know the timing sucks. And I hate letting you guys down. But Olivia... she's everything. My future. The kind of love you don't walk away from.”

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