Page 184 of Red Zone
She sits back in her chair, her eyes steady on mine.
“I’m going to give you the weekend,” she says finally. “Think about what you want. Come Monday, I expect you to have a decision. This internship or your…relationship with Carter Hayes. You cannot have both.”
I nod faintly, even though my chest feels like it’s caving in.
And when she dismisses me, I stand on shaky legs, clutching my bag as I slip out of her office.
Because no matter which way I choose…
Someone’s going to get hurt.
By Sunday afternoon, I know what I need to do.
The apartment is quiet, the sunlight through my bedroom window the only light needed as I sit on the edge of my bed, staring at my phone.
The message is already typed out.
Can you come over? We need to talk.
I stare at it for what feels like an hour before finally pressing send.
The three little dots appear almost immediately, then disappear, and then:
Quarterback: On my way.
I set my phone down and bury my face in my hands, trying to steady the nervous thrum in my chest.
When the knock finally comes, I feel like my legs are made of lead as I force myself up and open the door.
Carter stands there in a hoodie and joggers, his hands shoved in his pockets, his hair slightly mussed like he’s been running one too many hands through it today.
But the second his eyes land on me, his easy expression hardens.
“You okay?” he asks, stepping inside, his brow furrowing.
I close the door behind him, hugging my arms around myself.
“I…” I trail off, searching for the right words. “We need to talk.”
That’s all it takes.
His jaw tightens. He doesn’t sit, just stands there in the middle of the living room, watching me with a guarded look.
I motion toward the couch, and we both sit—though not as close as we usually would.
I stare down at my hands in my lap, then force the words out before I lose my nerve.
“Megan called me into her office Friday morning,” I say quietly. “Someone came forward. They…filed a formal complaint.”
Carter stiffens.
I can feel his gaze on me, but I keep my eyes on my hands.
“They claimed we’re…romantically involved,” I add. My voice is thin, shaky now. “She gave me until tomorrow to decide. The internship…or you. I can’t have both, Carter.”
The silence between us feels like it could split the room in two.
I can feel him staring at the floor, his jaw tight, but the silence between us is suffocating.
