Page 88 of Boards & Betrayal

"No woman should have to suffer through that alone," I said, the words coming out with more conviction than I expected. "Even if you are a bitch. Even if I hated every fiber of who you are, you don't deserve that."

"It wasn't just me," she said, stepping forward. "It was your baby, too."

I looked away, the weight of her words pressing down on me.

"Why do you suddenly care?" she demanded, her voice rising. "Why? Because some girl half your age spread her legs?—"

"I swear, Janet," I interrupted, my fists clenching at my sides. "I've never hit a woman, but if you don't shut the fuck up about her?—"

"Why do you care about her?" Janet's voice was shrill now. "What does she have that I—" She cut herself off, realization dawning in her eyes.

"Ally never tried to force me to do anything," I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside. "She never tricked me or trapped me."

Janet scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest. "Oh please, spare me the romantic bullshit. She's just another distraction for you."

"No," I admitted, taking a step closer to her. "She's not just a distraction. But even if she were, at least she’s honest with me. She doesn't play games with people's lives."

"Games?" Janet's voice dripped with sarcasm. "You think this is a game? Everything I've done has been to survive in this fucked-up world you've created."

"And what about Nick?" I shot back. "Did you ever think about what your actions would do to him? Or was it always just about getting back at me?"

Her face hardened, and for a moment, we stood there in silence, the air thick with years of unresolved tension and bitterness.

"You always think you're so righteous," she finally spat out. "But you're just as flawed as the rest of us."

I took a deep breath, trying to steady the storm inside me. "I never claimed to be perfect," I muttered, my voice barely holding back the rage.

"Oh, bullshit," Janet snapped. "You know what's frustrating? Miscarriage is so much more common than you think. And you're sitting around, moping. Get over it, Tom. Okay? Get over it. Tons of women have suffered, not just her. And yet, you completely destroy your office because why? You found out?"

"Just because it's common doesn't mean it doesn't fucking hurt, Janet," I snapped back, my patience wearing thin.

Her eyes widened in mock surprise. "You're hurt now? Come on, Tom. You didn't even know?—"

"I love her," I interrupted, the words spilling out before I could stop them. "I love her, and she had to suffer through that alone. Because of Nick. Because of me, of what I'd done. And I can't... I can't fucking do anything about it now. I fucked it up."

"Fuck her and fuck it all," Janet said coldly. "You're acting like this is the first time?—"

"I never loved you!" The confession burst out of me like a dam breaking. "I never loved you. I don't know what else to say. I'm sorry, but I can't fucking change my feelings."

She started laughing, a cruel sound that grated on my already frayed nerves. "And you love her? When Nick introduced her, she wasn't even the prettiest girl he's been with. I was glad when they broke up and even happier when I found out about the two of you. You ruined everything with Nick. You know that, right? He hates you."

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut, but I refused to let her see the impact. "Nick is an asshole and never deserved her anyway," I said through clenched teeth. "But that doesn't change how I feel about Ally."

Janet's laughter faded into a sneer as she looked at me with disdain. "You think this is about feelings? It's about power, Tom. Control. And right now, you've lost both."

The truth in her words stung, but it also ignited something within me—a determination to reclaim what I'd lost and make things right with Ally, no matter what it took.

But for now, facing Janet was all-consuming.

"Get out," I growled.

"Gladly," she retorted before turning on her heel and strutting out of my office.

The door slammed shut behind her, leaving me alone in the wreckage once again.

Brooke stoodin front of the whiteboard, her gaze sweeping over the team. She had a natural command about her, even though she wasn’t more than nineteen. Her father's position as dean lent her authority, but it was her own no-nonsense attitude that made the boys pay attention.

“All right, listen up,” she started, her voice cutting through the locker room chatter. “The Halloween Masquerade is coming up, and as you know, it's not just a party. It’s a charity event, and your participation reflects on the entire university.”

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