45. Jeremy
Chapter forty-five
Jeremy
Logan doesn’t waste any time getting down to business in the Human Resources office. “So glad you’re up on your feet and looking a lot less pale today.” He pulls a chair out for me to hobble over to.
I ease my ass down, not even feigning pain since driving was rougher than I expected. Probably wasn’t the best move, having sex with a sprained groin.
Logan holds up a sheet of paper. “Now, I’ve got your medical records back from the hospital, and the specialist recommends two weeks of leave followed by four weeks of light duties.”
I nod. “Sounds like a reasonable timeframe, assuming I’m healing.”
“Yes, we’ll do progress reports along the way. What I wanted to talk to you about was the light duties program. Do you have any experience with administration?”
“Some general stuff, but not really customer service.”
A flicker of doubt crosses his face. “I see. The administrative roles here are quite complex. How would you feel about being an observer then?”
I blink at him. “A what?”
“Some omegas like to have a non-contact third party in the room to ensure the practitioner never crosses their boundaries.”
“So, I’d just . . . watch?”
“That would be your primary duty, but you’d also take over the recording and liaising with our office. There are a few situations where that becomes necessary, like if there’s more than one omega in the heat.”
I think back to Willow’s heat. Recording her temperature and markers wasn’t always easy with exhaustion setting in and the omega herself clinging to me. An uninvolved co-worker would take that load.
Logan clears his throat. “I’ll be upfront with you. It’s a simpler job, but can be rather boring. More than that, it takes a special kind of person to be present without intruding, able to preserve the omega’s dignity . . . and their own.”
He holds my gaze, making sure I understand.
Right. It would be like a constant stream of live porn, complete with omega slick and pheromones. The idea of anyone watching me have my way with Willow makes my stomach cringe inward.
“The alphas don’t mind?”
He smiles tightly. “It’s a requirement of the employment contract.”
Which means if Willow had requested it, someone like the alpha I met in the staffroom, Simon, would’ve been watching me.
“Are there any other duties I can do?”
Logan sighs and leans back in his chair. “That’s the problem. The medical department has a lot of manual handling. Cleaning isn’t any easier with an injury.” He shrugs. “We’re a hands-on business.”
The phrasing makes me chuckle. “Yeah, we sure are. Can I have a couple of days to think about it?”
“While I’d love to give you all the time in the world, the truth is, we’re short staffed right now, which is why we got you certified so fast.” He picks up a pen and taps it on his notebook.
“We also line up our personnel weeks in advance, due to the shifting rosters. If you can take over as an observer, one of them can be freed up to do the service officer work.”
Logan rubs one knuckle into his forehead, his stress palpable.
“We have a couple of omegas booked in two weeks, one of them with special needs due to a recent bad breakup. I’m sorry to put the pressure on you, but I need to know sooner rather than later what you can do.”
My throat closes up.
I applied for this job to help omegas, but I never dreamed I’d be in this situation where I’d fall for my client. Leaving the company that gave me a chance puts a bad taste in my mouth, but the idea of anything that might feel like cheating on Willow is far worse.
“I . . . there’s a reason I’m hesitating.” I link my hands in my lap, pain and nerves mixing in an uncomfortable cocktail. “Um, I’m not sure how to start this, but maybe I need to disclose that I’m pursuing a relationship with the omega I helped.”
He stiffens. “Has she indicated an interest in this?”
“Yes. We’ve been texting back and forth since my accident. As far as I can tell it’s not against the company rules?”
If it is, well I guess I won’t be employed here anymore.
Logan shakes his head. “Not against the rules, so long as the omega instigates it.” His gaze sharpens. “Our staff aren’t permitted to stalk and harass them, of course.”
“No, absolutely not.” I hold up my hands. “Everything’s been consensual.”
The manager slumps, lips moving in a silent curse. “And now you’re not sure about working here anymore?”
“Well . . . her trauma’s pretty deep. The application hinted at it, but it runs deeper than we knew. I don’t want to do anything that goes against her interests.”
Logan stares at me, tapping his fingertips together in front of his chin. Probably calculating the wasted investment—if I don’t continue working here.
My skin crawls as a clock on the wall ticks away long moments.
“Well, at least I know it’s not because of the injury,” he murmurs finally.
“Yeah, that’s definitely not the problem. Um, can I think things over and let you know tomorrow?”
He checks his watch. “Sure, one night should be fine. And while I can’t make the choice for you, I really hope you decide to stay with us as a service officer. You’ve got the calming vibe omegas always looking for.”
I nod reluctantly.
Logan stands and brings me my crutches. “Let me know what you come up with. I wish I had more options to offer you.”
“Thanks.”
A chill erupts in my chest. Two weeks ago, the idea of helping omegas through their heats excited me. Now all I feel is a choking dread.
When I get out of the Heat Wave office, the darkening sky boils with an incoming storm. Icy air blasts across my face as the storm chases the cold front into the city, falling rain and flashing lightning already obscuring the outer suburbs.
I’ve always loved summer storms, but today it feels like an ominous portent. A job I’m no longer certain about, a leg barely working, and a twin brother who’s resisting his fated mate.
I growl under my breath as I yank my door open. “Since when were you the pensive type, Jeremy?” I ask myself. Things always work out in the end. If they’re meant to be.
But if things with Willow aren’t meant to be? That’s what scares me the most.
I jam the key in the ignition and turn. Nothing.
I stare at the steering wheel for a moment, my brain scrambling. I turn the key again. The mechanical beast doesn’t even cough. That’s more than a dead battery. Most likely the starter motor’s gone.
Lightning flashes, looking like it’s right behind the Heat Wave building. Thunder booms a moment later.
Why today of all days?
Huffing, I grab my crutches and drag myself out of the driver’s seat to pop the hood. The first spits of rain patter on my shoulders as I lean in, checking the leads are all in place. Oil and coolant are good, although the oil needs topping up.
I should’ve known the new-to-me car would need a bit of TLC, but there hasn’t been time.
More thunder rumbles, echoing my annoyance, and the rain comes harder. Slamming the hood closed, I shuffle back to the cab. I’ve got no roadside assistance insurance, and not enough dollars in my account to pay for a tow truck.
I phone Joel but he doesn’t answer. Water droplets splat on the windscreen and a moment later the view disintegrates into a gray curtain as the rain hammers down in thick sheets. I grab my hat with a sigh and lean my seat back. May as well try to grab some shuteye until I hear back from Joel.
I just hope Alessendro’s taking good care of Willow. A storm like this would be the perfect opportunity to snuggle.