Page 88 of The Ripple Effect

“You want to do the podcast,” he says, finally.

“Is there a thought of mine you can’t eavesdrop on?”

He nudges through my undercut with his nose. “I’ve tried to stop, but you think very loudly.”

I sigh. “That’s probably true. Yes, I want to do the podcast, but it’s not about what I want.” I don’t own a piece of this company yet. Even if I did, Lyle’s shares plus Tobin’s proxy vote would still make his word law.

And he has the most at stake. I spent a little over two weeks at the Love Boat; Lyle spenta yeargetting this business off the ground. Countless hours. It’shis, in every way that matters. If he thinks it’s time to close it down, only an asshole would oppose him.

“Tell me why you want what you want, then.”

I turn my face against his chest. “Your way is smarter. More strategic. Financially sound. We’d live to fight another day.”

“And you want to fight today.” His voice rumbles underneath my back. There’s so muchcarein it. He loves me for being angry and wanting to fight.

He loves me.

“Yeah. I want to fight today. Fisher won’t go away just because his crimes have been exposed. He’ll come after us with every handful of mud he can sling. The podcast is the only thing that could help us tell our side of the story in time to save the Love Boat. And I’d like to think if we gave Renee a chance to do the right thing, she’d take it.”

It’s a very Lyle thing to say. I also happen to believe it’s true.

He makes a considering sound.

“And,” I say, before he can jump in, “it’s the only thingIcan do right now. I can’t do chores or paddle or even ride in a canoe. I can’t ask you to save the Love Boat if you’ll end up doing all the work. Especially if you’d rather let it go and start over. That leaves the podcast.”

He tenses underneath me. “And what if Renee comes after your reputation? What if they withdraw your job offer at Grey Tusk General?”

“Well, first off, I alreadyhavea job I love. I wasn’t looking for another one.”

His soft laugh sends breath shivering down the back of my neck.

“And second, they have alotof convincing to do before I get back on board.IfI take their offer…” I draw in a shaky breath. “I’d rather go back because I want to. Because they’re lucky to have me, not the other way around. I want the power to choose who I work with, and I want to not choose assholes.”

“You should go back if you can,” he says, his voice thickening with emotion. “If they’re not assholes. You said the podcast was our chance—well, this isyourchance. Anyone can see how much you love being a doctor, Stellar.”

I tighten my mouth, trapping a sound I’m afraid may be a sob if I let it go. “Yes, and medicine hurt me, too.” Some of the assholes are gone, but there are still people at Grey Tusk General who saw what was happening to me, and knew it was wrong, and didn’t speak up.

He tenses his arms fractionally, holding my broken pieces together. “We only hurt when we care. Avoiding it won’t stop the pain or the caring. You have to confront it sooner or later.”

“Later, then,” I say. “I want to focus on the Love Boat now, when it needs us. I care about this, too.”I care about you, I think, as loudly as I can.

“All right,” he says. “We’ll do the podcast. On one condition: I do the interview. Alone. Renee keeps your name out of it or we don’t play.”

“No! No way. Then you’re still doing everything, and I’m doing nothing.”

“We need you in the wings, Stellar. If the Love Boat goes down, at least one of us should come out of this with a job and an income. It’s not possible for me, but it is for you, as long as you can keep your reputation intact.

“And… I owe you one. You managed a dangerous situation alone last night. You gave Petra a way to leave Trevor and help us. You saved mydog. It’s my turn to protect you for a change. Take one for the team.”

It’s strange, but I flinch at the idea of scorekeeping when it’s coming from him. It feels like a river flowing in the wrong direction.

“I don’t like—”

“That’s the deal, Stellar J. That’s what I’m prepared to give. Take it or leave it.”

His heart beats steadily underneath my back, his chest rising and falling. If I close my eyes, it feels almost like we’re two souls in one body. Two sides of the same coin, always connected.

I don’t like his argument, but that doesn’t mean he’s wrong. He’s hearing me out and compromising even though he doesn’t have to. Classic Lyle—powerful enough to give his power away.

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