Chapter 5
CAELIA
“This is really extensive,” I whisper, sitting in Dad’s office. It was easier to reconvene here while I was waiting for Friedrick to send me the run down of my duties and what I’d be expected to do. “Is a physical normal for all employees?”
“It was for me,” Dad says. “The job comes with full medical benefits, Cae. They want to know what they’re walking into.”
“I’m overwhelmed. I never expected I’d get the same kind of benefits that you do,” I explain. “It says I’ll have to take a drug test, which isn’t a big deal.”
“I would hope not,” he grumbles, making me suppress a grin. He doesn’t need to know about Addie’s pot brownies. It’s been over a year since we’ve had any, so I know the drug test won’t pick it up either.
I’m in the clear there.
“I know. I don’t have an issue with taking the drug test,” I shrug. “I’m still nervous about my fight or flight instincts, but I really like the new toys I’ll be able to play with.”
“Shiny toys apparently work for twenty-four year old omegas too,” he snorts, leaning back in the chair across from me. “We have an intern starting soon too. I’m going to check on him and see if I can turn the kid into your shadow during games.”
“That’s not very nice,” I chuckle. “I doubt that’s what he’s signing up to intern for.”
“No, but it’ll mean he gets front row seats to the hockey games. I think it’s a favorable trade off,” he says.
“Mmhmm. Sure, Dad. I’m surprised you’re going to agree to a male being anywhere near me,” I say.
“I didn’t say that. I said I was going to check him out first,” Dad reminds me.
“The fear of the great Curtis Freedman?” I tease him.
He snorts as I go through the information Friedrick sent to Dad’s email since he didn’t ask for mine. It was efficient.
“There’s nothing I can decline outside of my own issues,” I finally admit. “This is a really great job proposal.”
“So give it a try and see what you think,” Dad suggests.
“Is there a dress code?” I ask suddenly.
“Not that I’m aware of,” he says. “Keep your bits covered is probably the only thing they’ll ask.”
“I always do,” I say, rolling my eyes. “Okay. Yeah. I can handle this. I’m still interested in anxiety medication for at least the games.”
“I’ll take you to a doctor,” he says immediately.
At my surprised look, he shakes his head.
“This isn’t a small thing, Cae. I’ve witnessed you shaking like a leaf several times in just the last couple of days.
I don’t want you numb, but curbing the terror of your anxiety is something worth looking into, okay? ”
“I can do this,” I murmur, forcing myself to believe it. Fuck, I’m pretty sure I’m in for some rough seas, but I want my life back.
Maybe I can use this experience to get another job down the road if this becomes too difficult.
With that promise in my mind, I hit reply on the email and tell Friedrick I’d very much like to accept the job.
“Well, I guess that’s that,” I decide. “This is surreal.”
“Sometimes the right place and time is all that’s needed. Let’s get out of here and I’ll let you know when Human Resources needs you back,” Dad says.
Standing, I nod and follow him out of the office, watching as he locks up his office.
“Curtis?” Friedrick calls out.
“I’m about to head out,” Dad says, walking in his boss’ direction. “Did you need something?”
“I wanted to save you the trouble of having to come back here to formally fill out paperwork with Human Resources,” he explains, leaning against his office door. “I’m going to have Barb come in if you can hang around?”
“Oh. I didn’t realize you’d want to get moving so quickly on this,” Dad says, glancing at his watch. “We still have time before practice. We can do that.”
“Good. I want Caelia to start as soon as possible,” Friedrick explains. “I’ll have the team doctor come by as well after she is done with Barb.”
Let no one say that this man doesn’t know what he wants.
“Sounds good,” I squeak, trying to control my face.
“Looks like I’m ordering lunch in,” Dad says. “You’re gonna need it, Caelia. We’ll be in my office whenever Barb gets in, sir.”
“Thanks. I’m sorry if I’m derailing your day,” he says.
“Not at all. Just a bit of a pivot,” Dad shrugs.
I have a job!
Chugging down water, I wait for the results of my blood tests while Dad runs practice with the team. I’ve been at the stadium all day, but it hasn’t been too bad. I’ve mostly bounced between offices and the medical room.
On the upside, I haven’t run into Clarice again. Friedrick apologized for her rudeness earlier, saying that she isn’t typically at the stadium. His secretary’s on vacation until the end of the week, and his daughter is pitching in to help.
I’m well versed in this, so I’ll let it slide. Mean betas seem to be something I’m being plagued with this week.
“Are you ready for these results, Caelia?” Dr. Jones asks, popping his head into the room I’m in. He’s a beta, and is really kind. Barb follows him in, which immediately makes warning bells ring in my head.
Is it normal for the head of Human Resources to be here for something like this?
“Yes,” I say, slowing capping my water bottle.
“You’re not in trouble,” Barb says.
“It kind of feels as if I might be,” I admit. “There’s either something really wrong with my blood tests, or I am in fact in trouble.”
“Not at all,” she says.
“You have really high levels of several types of blockers in your blood, and I’m concerned,” the doctor chimes in.
“They’re prescribed by my doctor and legal,” I add, wrapping my arms around my waist.
Breathe. I follow my own advice, knowing that I feel on edge. It’s something I was a little worried about. Dad mentioned it wasn’t sustainable for me to be on all these blockers for long periods of time, but they’ve been my safety blanket.
“I know,” Dr. Jones says with a nod. “You’re absolutely correct. The issue is that they can cause permanent damage over time at the levels you have in your system.”
“Really?” I ask, forcing myself to take another breath. “There’s a reason I take scent blockers. I’m a menace.”
“Why do you say that?” Barb asks, confused.
“When I was eighteen, I made a team play like shit and lose,” I sniff, blinking hard. “I can’t work here if I’m going to mess with the way the Dragons play.”
“I believe you believe that,” Dr. Jones says gently. “You aren’t responsible for the way grown men lose their minds. If you were in heat and came to work, then I’d be inclined to change my mind.”
“I’ve never had a heat,” I say, wincing. “I went on heat blockers pretty immediately after presenting. I use descenting sprays as well.”
“I think you can continue to use the descenting sprays, but my professional advice would be to go off all of your medications,” he says. “I’d recommend weaning off them so you won’t suffer any ill effects though.”
“That scares the hell out of me,” I sigh.
“It’s against company policy that we accept anyone as a new hire who goes against medical advice,” Barb explains. “Dr. Jones is concerned about the levels of these medications in your blood stream.”
“When is the last time you’ve had a blood draw?” the doctor asks.
Bringing my cool fingers to my temples, I begin to rub them.
“I haven’t. I mean, I was never told by the doctor that I’d need any,” I say. “What are the possible side effects of this?”
“Really high anxiety, jumpiness, nausea, low appetite…” Dr. Jones continues to list things, and I realize that I have at least half of those side effects.
“I just thought my anxiety was normally this high,” I explain. “It’s something I’ve had for years. I was actually thinking about anti-anxiety meds.”
“It’s possible you’d have some anxiety naturally, but the medications I’m seeing in your tests indicate that these are exacerbating the symptoms,” he says.
Shit on a peppermint stick.
“I guess I’m going off my meds,” I whisper, feeling lightheaded.
What the fuck, am I going to go into heat next?
“How long will my medication stay in my system?” I ask. “I’m kind of envisioning going into heat without any warning.”
“They won’t immediately cycle out,” Dr. Jones reassures me. “You should look at figuring out a plan soon for it. There are clinics in New Orleans that could help?”
“Heat clinics?” I ask, blinking hard. “I have trust issues. I don’t know if I could handle something like that.”
“There are also dating groups in this city where you could reach an understanding, sex toys, etc,” Barb adds, ignoring the heat in my cheeks.
“Okay,” I say, hoping to end this conversation.
Sex is normal, I know that, I joke with my best friend about it. That’s more like hypothetical sex. It’s hard to wrap my mind around having consensual sex with anyone. I’m not sure that’ll ever be in the cards for me. I’ll have to figure something out.
I should probably start with making a nest in my room. Have I mentioned how terrible an omega I am?
“Now, if we’ve quite convinced you…” Barb drawls, waiting for me to nod. “Then you’re hired! Welcome to the team. You can start as soon as tomorrow actually.”
“Thank you,” I say. God, this hiring process has been a whirlwind. I don’t even remember leaving my purse in my dad’s office, but it has to be since I don’t currently have it. “It’s hard to believe this is real.”
“Believe it,” Dr. Jones says with a grin. “I know we came off really strong just now, but this is a great team to work with. I hope you stay with us for a while.”
Nodding, I walk back with Barb to find my dad, sitting with her while I watch the practice in the stands. I’m itching for my phone as I notice the way the players interact, and how well social media is going to enjoy it too.
“Is there anything I’m not allowed to do while creating content?” I ask, chewing on my lip. “What are my parameters for this?”
“Are you asking me if you can video tape that exercise?” Barb laughs, watching as a player thrusts into the ice as he lays down on the ground. It almost seems as if he’s having sex with the ice.
“Yes,” I say, blushing.
“It’s refreshing that you’re this shy,” she says. “Yes, you can post exercises like that. Hockey is sexy, and you can lean into the fantasy in some respects as long as you also showcase how hard they all work.”
“I understand,” I say.
To all the little steps, let’s fucking do this.
MILES
“This stadium is insane,” Levon mutters, fully dressed in the visiting team locker room.
“It’s overkill,” I mutter. “Scorpions! You can dress up a Dragon, but it’ll still look the same when we beat them. What are we going to show New Orleans?”
“Scorpions win!” the room roars. There’s excitement and determination in their eyes as the buzz begins to build.
Dr. Diaz leans against the wall, watching the team alongside the other support staff, deep in thought. The medical professionals always see more than just a sport, plays, and wins. They also are cataloging the different injuries that could crop up with each player.
Any game could potentially be someone’s last, which is why I push my team so hard. Anything could happen, and regrets fucking suck. Ask me how I know.
I wonder if I would have made the same decisions with a different coach, one that gave a shit and didn’t sacrifice me to a particularly nasty D-line that knocked me off my skates. Our team still scored, but my back was done after that.
It’s what ultimately ended my career. I love coaching, don’t get me wrong. It’s just that I still remember the days of cheering crowds, skating like my life depended on it, and the rush of excitement on game days.
I experience it in a different way now, and trust me when I say that it’s not the same.
“Let’s go!” I roar, watching as my team heads down the tunnel onto a rival team’s ice.
This is an important game. Heading out to the bench, I lean forward as I watch my players get announced. We have a few die hard fans who are here, but we are very much in enemy territory. My eyes narrow as I glare at Coach Freedman, noticing how he leans forward to talk to his players.
There’s a girl dressed in a black and red dress with leggings, along with a sweatshirt pulled over it all as she gazes around. Who the fuck is that?
I haven’t seen her before to my recollection, and there’s definitely never been a woman on the Dragon’s bench. I just don’t understand what her purpose is when she isn’t wearing their colors or jersey.
As the lights come up from the previously darkened mood lighting, I get sucked into the game and forget about her. I don’t need any distractions. Whoever she is, I hope she gives them bad luck.
It may not be healthy, but I definitely have unresolved issues when it comes to this coach and anyone that he works with. He doesn’t deserve the privilege of leading anymore.