Page 48 of Fumbling Forward
“Why not?”
“Because I’m the one who’ll lose everything!” My voice cracks. “You’re Carter Storm. You’re untouchable. But me? I’m replaceable. The second this gets out, I’m done.”
Pain flashes across his face. “You really think I’d let that happen?”
“You might not have a choice.”
Silence stretches between us, heavy and suffocating. Carter’s hands drop from my shoulders, and the loss of his touch feels like a physical ache.
“So, what are you saying?” His voice is quiet now, carefully controlled. “That we just… stop?”
The word hangs in the air between us, sharp and final.
“I think we have to.”
Carter stares at me for a long moment, jaw working. Then he nods once, sharp and bitter. “If that’s what you want.”
“It’s not about what I want—”
“Isn’t it?” He steps back, putting distance between us. “Because it seems like you’ve already made up your mind.”
Tears burn behind my eyes, but I refuse to let them fall. “I’m trying to protect both of us.”
“No.” Carter shakes his head. “You’re trying to protect yourself. And I get it, Olivia. I do. But don’t pretend this is for my benefit.”
The accusation cuts deep because there’s truth in it. Iamscared. Terrified of losing everything I’ve built. But I’m also terrified of what happens if I let myself fall completely for a manwhose career could end any day. Whose life exists in a spotlight I’m not sure I can handle.
“I should go,” I whisper.
Carter doesn’t try to stop me as I head for the door. Doesn’t say anything at all until my hand is on the handle.
“For what it’s worth,” he says quietly, “I think you’re worth the risk.”
I close my eyes against the sting of tears. “Goodnight, Carter.”
The drive home is a blur of streetlights and regret. By the time I pull into my driveway, the tears I’ve been holding back finally fall.
I sit in the dark car, crying for what I just walked away from. For the man I’m already missing. For the professional wall I’ve spent years building that feels more like a prison than protection.
My phone buzzes. Carter’s name appears on the screen, but I can’t bring myself to read the message. Not yet. Not when I’m barely holding myself together.
Instead, I wipe my eyes, grab my bag, and head inside. Tomorrow, I’ll go back to being Olivia Rivers, PR specialist. Professional. Untouchable.
Tonight, I let myself break.
Chapter Fourteen
Carter
The game ends with confetti raining down and my teammates mobbing me on the field. We won. Another W in what might be my final season. The crowd roars, cameras flash, and I’m supposed to feel victorious.
Instead, I feel hollow.
Derek slaps my shoulder pad hard enough to rattle my bones. “Hell of a game, Storm! That throw in the fourth quarter was insane!”
“Thanks.” The word comes out flat.
He frowns, studying my face. “You, okay?”
