Page 47 of Over the Moon (Rosewood River #3)

thirty-four

. . .

Eloise

“Okay, thanks for coming. I love you guys so much,” I said, as they stood at my door with their bags.

My stomach was in knots because I was heading to meet with Dylan Wayburn this morning.

My father had told me that he and Clark had both attended practice and that they received an apology for the way the situation was handled. He said there was no mention of anything further. I didn’t press because I already knew that Randall would be returning, and he would not want me on staff.

I was at peace with it.

Henley thought I could plead my case about the notebook being taken from my office, but I had no way to prove it, and I wasn’t looking for a fight with Randall.

I couldn’t work for a man who so blatantly disrespected me.

The writing was on the wall.

I would need a new job.

What I was hoping to negotiate was that I would receive a letter of recommendation from the Wayburns so I could find employment elsewhere.

My chest ached because I didn’t know what that meant for me and Clark.

But I also felt relieved that Clark and my father hadn’t had any fallout regarding their positions with the Lions.

I could live with this.

I couldn’t have handled it if I’d been the cause of them having to walk away from a team that they both loved.

“Love you. Call us immediately after the meeting, okay?” Lulu said.

I agreed and waved goodbye.

I drove the short distance to the Lions’ training center.

I knew the team would all be on the ice now, which was why it was so quiet when I walked in.

I rode the elevator to the top floor. My stomach twisted as I remembered being here just two days ago and not being prepared for what was coming my way.

Today, I was prepared.

They could fire me. Yell at me. Threaten me.

None of it mattered.

I wouldn’t cry, and I wouldn’t crumble.

I only made one mistake, and that was keeping my relationship a secret. In hindsight, I didn’t care that everyone knew that Clark and I were together.

I loved that man madly.

I thought about the words my mom had said that last year of her life.

Make sure you’re over the moon for whoever you give your heart to.

There was no doubt that I was completely over the moon for Clark Chadwick.

So I’d already won in the short time that I’d been a part of this team.

And I should have realized that two days ago when I thought my world was ending.

I hadn’t lost the man that I loved.

What I’d lost was a job. It was just a job.

I’d find another one.

One that appreciated me.

One that wasn’t snooping through my desk for leverage against me.

I blew out a breath when I paused in front of Dylan’s office, and I knocked on the door.

“Come in,” she called out.

I stepped inside, and Dylan Wayburn strode towards me with all the confidence in the world. I hadn’t met her before, as this was my first run-in with the legal department.

“Eloise, it’s lovely to meet you. I’m Dylan Wayburn. Thank you for meeting me here today.” She motioned for me to sit in the chair across from her desk, and she surprised me when she didn’t go around to take her chair and instead sat in the seat beside me.

“It’s lovely to meet you, as well,” I said.

“Okay, let’s get right down to it. On behalf of the Lions team and the Wayburn family, I apologize for what happened here two days ago,” she said.

“I didn’t fill your father or Clark in on the details about Randall, and I’m going to trust you with this information because I think you deserve to hear it.

But I’d appreciate it if you’d keep it between us.

Of course, I understand that you will be sharing it with your father and Clark, but I’d like to spare the rest of the team all the dramatics involved here. ”

I nodded, surprised by how this meeting had started. “That’s not a problem.”

“I spoke to Talia, Randall’s assistant, yesterday,” she said, one brow arched, which told me that she knew their relationship ran a bit deeper.

“She was all too happy to spill her guts and tell me that Randall did indeed go into your office, into your desk, and take the notebook out. He then proceeded to have her make copies of everything in the notebook so he could present it at his ridiculous attempt at a coup.”

“I was fairly certain that had been the case, but I wasn’t so sure I could prove it.

Not that it matters, because how can I work for a man who is willing to stoop so low to get me fired?

But I’m relieved to know that I’m not imagining this and that he really did do the things that I thought he did.

” I shrugged. “I wasn’t after his job. I was happy to be in the position I was hired for.

Sure, it is a long-term goal of mine to be an athletic trainer, as well, but I wasn’t going to step on any toes to get there. ”

“I understand that. Sebastian tells me that you are doing an amazing job and that the team loves you. And we’d like you to stay on here at the Lions organization,” she said.

I sighed because obviously, it would be the best option for me, considering my boyfriend lives here, but I didn’t see how that could work. “I appreciate the offer to stay, but I work directly under the athletic trainer, and I don’t think that would be a good situation for anyone on the team.”

“I think you’re aware that I met my husband while employed by this team, am I right?” she asked.

“Yes. I think it’s great.”

“Well, loving someone isn’t a criminal act, Eloise, but sneaking into another employee’s office and rifling through their desk and stealing personal materials is actually a crime.

As is making photocopies of private property and dispersing them with malicious intent.

Randall is no longer a part of this organization. ”

My eyes widened, and I’m sure my mouth was gaping open. “Randall is leaving?”

“He was given the opportunity to resign, which I feel was more gracious than he deserved. But we aren’t here to destroy anyone’s future, just to build a positive and supportive work environment, which he was not providing.

” She held her hands up when I started to panic that I caused the man to lose his job.

“This did not start two days ago. Sebastian was not a fan of Randall, and he’d already spoken to Wolf about your credentials and qualifications before any of this happened.

He witnessed some very petty behavior, and Wolf had noticed it last year, as well.

It was time for him to go. This team is ready for change, which is why my brother-in-law has stepped into this new role.

We would like to offer you the position of athletic trainer as well as physical therapist. We will have you interview candidates to assist you, but we’d like you to head up the entire department if you’re willing. ”

My breath caught in my throat, and I shook my head, trying hard not to cry. “I didn’t expect this.”

She pushed to her feet and grabbed a box of tissues from her desk. “Let it out, girl. I’ve got four sisters, and we love a good cry. You’ve earned it. You were treated unfairly, and that type of behavior will not be tolerated on this team.”

I blew my nose and buried my face in my hands and did exactly what she said.

I let it all out.

She sat right there with me until my breathing slowed, and I wiped my face.

“It’s not easy existing in a man’s world.

Randall was threatened by you, and he went after you in the most appalling way.

I am sorry about all of it. I didn’t want anyone to know about Randall until I shared it with you first. I felt you deserved to know the whole story.

We will let the team know that Randall has moved on, and you are stepping into this new role.

I don’t expect any pushback, but if you receive any, you know where to come, moving forward. ” She smiled.

“Thanks, Dylan. I really appreciate it.”

“So, what do you think about the offer? I think it’s time we get some more badass women in this company in high positions. Are you game?”

“I am. I’d be honored,” I said. “But I need to make it known that Clark and I are very much together. I mean, he probably thinks I’m running away from him after how I behaved when all of this went down, but we’re together.

And if that’s a problem, please let me know that now, because I’ll find another place to work if that’s the case. ”

A wide grin spread across her face. “I’m so happy to see that you’ve got it as bad as he does.”

I chuckled. “I definitely do.”

“It’s not a problem. I’m sure you can both behave like professionals in the workplace, right?”

I had a brief flashback of the day that Clark dropped down to his knees in my office, and I could feel my cheeks heat, but I shook my head and smiled. “Of course.”

“But how about this… seeing as we put you through hell two days ago. You get to be a little unprofessional for one day and go tell your man that you’re staying on this team.

And then you can go back to being a professional tomorrow.

” She winked. “I know Wolf needs me to show him a little love after I push him away when I’m upset. ”

My head tipped back in laughter. “All right. I’ll try to remain as professional as possible when I tell him the news.”

“Just know that no one is watching or judging,” she chuckled. “Happy you’re staying on board. I’ll have your new contract sent over to your office later today. And we’ll be taking out that ridiculous clause. We’re all grown-ups here.”

I pushed to my feet and shook her hand. “Thank you for everything. I’m so grateful.”

“Of course. I’ll see you later.”

I hurried out of her office, my heart slamming against my chest, and I reached into my bag and pulled out the notebook. I leaned against the wall and jotted down a quick note.

Hey Chadwick,

I’m sorry the last few days have been rough. Thanks for giving me my space. But I thought you should know that I’m still working here…

I’m over the moon for you, Clark Chadwick.

I love you,

Weeze

The doors opened, and I stepped off the elevator, making my way down the long hallway and out to the ice rink.

I wasn’t walking anymore. I was jogging.

Then I was in a full-blown run.

I couldn’t stop myself.

I yanked the door open, just as the buzzer went off, and the guys finished their scrimmage.

I continued running down the stairs toward the door to the ice.

I couldn’t get there fast enough.

I searched the ice for him.

“Hey, Chadwick, I think your girl might be looking for you,” I heard Weston yell out, and I didn’t even care.

I pulled the short door open, remembering I was in heels and slightly uncoordinated, so I held on to the wall and took a few steps, which was not a good idea at all. Before my ass hit the ice, I was scooped up on a whoosh. He hugged me against him, and I didn’t fight him at all.

Because my boyfriend was a hotshot on the ice, and he saw me coming before I could make a fool of myself and fall.

“Hey, Weeze,” he whispered in my ear. “You okay?”

I pulled back, smiling down at him. “I’m okay.”

“Yeah?”

“Yep. I wrote you a note in our notebook.”

“How about you just tell me?” he said, his eyes searching mine.

“I didn’t handle things well. I was just embarrassed and scared that I would derail your career. And terrified that I ruined everything,” I said, as a tear streamed down my cheek.

“If you go, I go. That’s how this works.”

“Well, we aren’t going anywhere.” I smiled.

“You’re staying?”

“I’m staying.”

“I don’t want you working for Randall,” he said. “Not after what he’s done.”

“Randall has resigned. He’s no longer here. But that stays between us for now, until they announce it to the team. I’m the new trainer, as well.”

“You’re fucking with me.”

“I am not,” I chuckled. “Apparently, loving you is not a crime.”

“Well, if loving you is a crime, they can lock me the fuck up. Because I love you, Weeze.”

“I love you, too.” I sighed as he set me on the edge of the wall and stroked the hair away from my face. “I realized something today.”

“Tell me.”

“What we have is rare. It’s special.” I shook my head. “It’s everything.”

“Agreed.” He kissed the tip of my nose.

“This is what matters. You and me. I thought back to how my mom told me never to settle when I gave my heart away, and I get it now. Because you complete me, Clark Chadwick.”

His lips turned up in the corners. “You complete me, too, baby. It’s you and me moving forward. No more running.”

“No more running,” I said.

He took my bag from my hand and dropped it onto the ice, lifting me back up and skating past the guys.

“I got the girl!” he shouted, and they cheered. My head tipped back in laughter when I saw my father shaking his head and telling everyone to get to the weight room before he smiled and winked at me.

We just skated around the ice, kissing and laughing after everyone was gone.

I decided that tomorrow I could go back to being a professional.

But today, I was going to enjoy being in love with my hockey player.