Kailyn
“So, he just pulled you into a supply closet and kissed you? Where was I during all of this?!” Emilia exclaims as she takes a big gulp of her wine.
“I mean, obviously you were off doing your literal job, while she was getting all hot and heavy with her man,” Hannah teases, and all the girls burst out into fits of laughter.
It’s been a couple days since the last game, the team having a couple days off from practice and games, so the girls and I decided to have a girls day at my place and treat ourselves to charcuterie and wine while we all catch up.
While I shouldn’t really be eating this much cheese and drinking wine with my PMOS, since it makes me feel bloated, there’s always moments for a cheat day and with my girls, I’m glad to indulge in some of the simpler pleasures life has to offer.
Of course, the minute the wine started flowing and our lips started moving, Hannah had to spill about my heated looks with Jake. That leads us to now with them all gossiping and squealing like lovesick fools, while I feel like my face is on fire from all of the attention I’m getting.
“Come on Kay, you know it’s all in good fun. We're really happy for you.” Bellamy leans her head on mine and snuggles me under the blanket.
We’re in my living room, which has a U shaped sectional backed up to a wall of sliding glass doors that lead to the patio and overlooks the beach down the road, where I watch the sunrise most days.
I also have a smaller couch that is on the opposite side and one love seat.
It’s spacious enough for my large family and friend group, while not feeling too cramped and clustered.
“Just don’t forget about your girls when he whisks you off into the sunset,” Hannah teases.
The girls all nod in agreement, laughing along, and it makes me so grateful to have them.
“I know that you have your own insecurities and have gone through so much to get here. I’m so proud of the woman you’ve grown into and the work that you’ve done.
You’re a fighter and I love you so much, sis.
” Lainey snuggles me from the other side, and the tears that I had tried to stop come out in full force, her words hitting right where I needed them.
“Thanks, baby sis.”
“Couldn’t have said it any better myself.” Emilia cheers, her wine glass lifted in the air.
Hums of agreement come from the group.
“Alright, alright.” Sitting up, I wipe the tears from my face and try to turn to a new topic. “I’m glad that you all are happy for me, but I can’t be the only one who’s the focus of attention tonight.”
“Yeah, but your love life is so much more interesting than anything I have going on right now.” Hannah sips her wine.
“I mean, I’ve got nothing new. I’ve been too busy with competition season for anything other than hookups,” Bellamy adds in.
“When has that stopped you, Miss Popular?” I tease.
“What can I say, everyone loves me because they know they’ll have a great time.”
Bellamy has always been proud of who she is.
She knew that she was bisexual by the time we reached middle school and Lana Harris asked to sit next to her in class.
In seventh grade, I caught them making out under the bleachers of the football stadium.
The following week, I caught her making out with Lana’s brother, James.
I’ve always loved her for who she is and that she embraces herself in a world that can be cruel and hurtful, especially in competitive figure skating.
“Oh trust me, I know. The amount of times I facetimed you while I was away and you had someone in your bed, or when you came and visited me and still managed to bring someone back to my apartment. You, my love, know exactly what you’re doing.”
“Good for you, Bellamy. Honestly, the more the merrier, I say. Sometimes dick is overrated. Like, just because you have one doesn’t mean you need to be a dick,” Emilia says as we all agree in unison.
“Cheers to that!” Hannah raises her wine glass in cheers as the liquid sloshes over the edge. It’s not enough to make a mess, but her hand is definitely covered in wine now. “I’m glad at least three of us are getting some, because the only way I’m getting any action is with my trusty vibrator.”
“Honestly, sometimes you’re the best action you can give yourself. There’s nothing wrong with using your hand or a magical friend to spice things up. Trust me.” Emilia winks.
“Guys my age just don’t get women. It feels like every guy I meet around my age is either trying too hard or not hard enough.
Why can’t I just meet someone who is a decent guy, good looking, has a good head on his shoulders, and treats me well?
” Hannah looks deep in thought, her eyes trained on her glass.
“And I’m not saying he has to have his life figured out, because sometimes I feel like even I don’t, but it would be nice if he wasn’t just sitting on his mom’s couch playing video games all day.”
“Or in our case, a man who isn’t intimidated by a strong independent woman who knows sports better than most men, is smart, and successful.” Emilia and Hannah clink glasses as they share a knowing look and sip their wine.
Bellamy nods along, smiling in agreement. “Listen, I’ve known who I am for as long as I can remember. And with the way my life is with competitive figure skating, I know that settling down right now isn’t for me. Maybe one day it will be, but until then I’m gonna do me and be proud of it.”
Her words are so simple, and she’s probably said them thousands of times, but it isn’t until right now that I fully understand the magnitude of the weight they carry.
I may falter sometimes and still struggle to see myself and my body the way everyone else sees me, but I have so many things in my life to be grateful for.
I’m proud of how far I’ve come and how hard I've worked to get here.
Emilia stands from her seat, grabbing the empty bottle. “I’m gonna go get us another bottle or two.” She laughs as she trips over her own feet on the way to the kitchen. I should probably put an end to us drinking, but I’m happily buzzed and honestly in a great mood, so why kill the vibe?
I feel a buzz on my lap and pull out my phone to see a text pop up.
Jake
I miss you, baby girl. I hope you’re having a great day with the girls.
Baby girl.
He started to use my nickname again, and it still sends shivers down my spine and butterflies fill my stomach.
I think we’re all a little buzzed on wine and full of cheese, so it’s been an interesting evening.
And I miss you, too, handsome.
Jake
I’m glad you have them. After everything, you deserve a group of girlfriends to be there for you and make you feel loved.
His words have my heart melting and a smile lighting up my face.
When did you go all soft and sweet on me?
Jake
I’ve always been sweet.
And you’ve got it twisted baby, I’m never soft around you, if you know what I mean.
That has a snort coming from my nose, and I look over to see the girls all looking at me. Emilia is back on the couch with two more bottles of fresh wine.
“Sorry.”
“Do not apologize for being happy, babe. We love to see it.” Em raises her freshly refilled glass at me and winks.
I hope to test that theory sometime soon.
Jake
When are they leaving?
They’re spending the night, so you’re out of luck, handsome.
But I promise, you’ll see me again soon.
Jake
I can wait a little longer to have you. Go enjoy your girls night, you deserve it
Emilia refills the rest of our glasses before we all settle into mindless chatter. After a while, I know that I need to broach the subject of Eric with them, especially Hannah, but I make sure to tread lightly.
I turn my attention to Hannah who’s looking right at me. “So, I hate to shift the topic to something not so fun, but I wanted to talk to you girls about something that’s been going on at work.”
They each shift slightly, the air feeling more somber now, even with the wine flowing through us.
I turn my attention to Hannah, whose eyes go slightly wide, body stiffening before she’s resting back into the couch. “Before the game on Tuesday, you said some things about Eric that raised some questions for me.”
“You picked up on that, huh?” She sighs, fidgeting with the blanket in her lap.
“I don’t know if I’ll ever be ready to talk about this, but watching you be brave and tell Coach about what’s been going on has me wanting to be brave as well. It’s the only way to start healing and to hold him accountable for his actions.”
Bellamy gets up and crosses over to sit next to her as Emilia slides over and offers their support and comfort.
“The verbal shit he spews has been going on from day one. I tried once to report him to HR, but they basically said that unless I had documented proof there’s nothing they could go off of, because it would be a “he said she said.”
This has my blood starting to simmer with rage, but I hold my tongue, giving her room to speak before I say anything.
“At first, that’s all it ever was, verbal shit.
He’d talk down to me, make passes at me, whistle at me, and make cat calls when no one was around.
It was normally when I was alone, so I started to only walk around in large groups, making myself small and never being alone.
It was fine, until the end of last season when it escalated. ”
“What do you mean?” Emilia asks, concern written all over her face.
“It happened during one of our final home games against New Jersey. The team was in the playoffs, so I was scared to say anything and take focus off of that and afraid no one would believe me.” She pauses, and we all sit in silence, while she gathers herself.
“After the game, the staff was cleaning up and putting things away. I had taken a box to the supply room to collect all the tape and equipment, and I was alone. I felt a presence behind me, and when I turned, Eric was walking in the room and closing the door. He had started flirting with me a few weeks prior, but I had turned him down more than once. He obviously wasn’t taking no for an answer, so he felt like he had to corner me.
I tried to get around him to leave, but he was too fast and he grabbed me, shoving me into the table and bending me over it.
” Tears are falling down her cheeks and her breaths are becoming more ragged, but she doesn’t stop to wipe them, she just keeps going.
“He had one of my hands trapped underneath me and the other one pulled behind my back in a firm grip.” Hannah rubs at her wrist absentmindedly, as if she can still feel his hands on her.
“I tried to push him off, but he leaned his whole weight on top of me and started to use his free hand to glide up my sides. I felt so scared, and all I remember thinking was that he was going to assault me. So I did what I had to. I screamed really loud, and started to kick my legs. He shoved my face into the table and told me if I screamed again he would make me regret it.” Shudders rack her body as she tries to keep her composure.
“I felt him lift me up as he reached for the button on my jeans, but before he could do anything, the door handle was being turned and he quickly released me. Connor walked in and said he heard something, and Eric played it off and left the room.”
“Did Connor see or say anything?” Lainey asks softly.
“He asked if I was okay, and I lied, because I was so scared that it wouldn’t matter because no one had believed me before.
While he told me he didn’t see anything, he could tell that I was riled up about something.
He warned me that Eric was a sleazy bastard and if I ever had issues with him, I could trust him to protect me.
And after that day, Connor has basically become a mini shadow for me.
I’m just grateful he came in when he did.
” By the time she’s done telling her story, I think it’s safe to say there’s not a dry eye in the room.
This monster thinks he can get away with hurting my friend, talking down to me like I’m garbage, and just generally treating women like they are beneath him.
“He has to pay for everything he’s done.” My tone is strong despite the pain and frustration I’m currently feeling.
“I agree. Coach Davenport and Coach Johnson know what happened to Kailyn, but I never told anyone else. We just need a plan, because even according to HR, they need actual proof of an incident occuring,” Hannah adds.
“I cannot believe HR is taking this sick fuck’s side.
If someone tells you they are in a hostile work environment, you should listen and actually investigate.
” Emilia’s rage is felt across the room, her voice booming in anger.
I’m just as baffled and disappointed as her, but if this is how it is, then we have to play by their rules and find another way.
“Like Hannah said, I already talked to Coach, but he hasn’t said anything since the game.” I tell them.
Emilia chugs some of her wine, sitting up like she’s going into full PR mode and ready to tackle this mess.
“So, here’s the game plan. We know that Coach Johnson and my dad are aware of everything.
Since we have the away series starting tomorrow, we hold off until we get back.
If my dad says he will come up with a plan, let’s trust him. ”
“And if Eric tries something in the meantime?” Hannah asks.
“We pull them aside when we get back and demand answers.”
“I don’t know him, but please be careful, ladies. From what you’ve described of him, Eric has the potential to try something super sneaky if he finds out that you all are going after him like this,” Lainey adds, and we all nod.
Knowing that Eric has done this to Hannah makes me wonder how many other women, maybe even men, he’s hurt or bullied. How many times has he gotten away with this behavior? We have to stop this asshole before he goes any further and hurts someone even worse.
“Then, it’s settled. Operation Eric Pays is in full force. He may think he won the battle, but he has no idea who he’s messing with. He’s about to lose this war for good.”