And yes, I would be devastated to lose my job, humiliated and embarrassed. But if this fell on Clark, as well, how would he deal with that? This was his dream team to play for. He loved his teammates, he and my father were so close, and his heart was here with the Lions. His family lived just outside the city and attended all his home games.
That would all change.
We’d probably end up moving to different cities, and then where would that leave us?
There was so much to lose, and I was terrified to start that ball in motion.
I stared down at his note and started writing him back when a knock on the door had me looking up.
“Come in,” I called out.
Randall stepped into my office and moved to sit in the chair across from me. “You got a minute?”
“Yes, of course,” I said, noting the way his eyes moved to the notebook. I quickly closed it and slipped it into my top desk drawer before pushing it closed.
“What’s that you’re working on?” he asked.
“Oh, I just take notes on the progress of the athletes. I document everything in the portal for you to see, but I like handwritten notes for my own personal system.”
He nodded. “Never heard of that. It seems kind of silly to me, but if it works for you, I guess you should keep doing it.”
He had a way of always putting me on the defensive, but I didn’t bite this time. “What can I do for you?”
“I heard that Ryan Weston was asking you for some tips on cardio training during the preseason. Something that you did with Chadwick that wasn’t part of my training plan?”
My shoulders stiffened at his tone, and my heart raced as I tried to act unaffected. “He was asking about the cardio that Clark did, as he integrated both road runs and distance swims in the river over the past three months,” I said, tilting my head to the side. “Did Ryan come to you about this? I’m confused as to why you’re making it sound like I did something questionable. I recorded all of Clark’s workouts—the workouts that you requested as well as the addition of his cardio training. That was something he added, not me. I just advised on how not to overdo one over the other and how to build up mileage and speed,” I said.
He leaned forward. “I have ears everywhere, Eloise. And let’s just be clear, I am the team trainer. I know your father is the coach, and nepotism got you here, but it won’t keep you here. You best stay in your lane. I’ll advise the players on their training. You just focus on bandaging their injuries, okay?”
I was stunned at how he was speaking to me. I’ve never felt very welcomed by Randall, but this made me feel like we were at war. Like we were on opposing teams.
“I haven’t offered any training advice to anyone. Ryan asked me about Clark’s cardio this summer because he said he’d like to increase his cardio during the off-season next summer. I just shared what he’d done as far as building up his runs and swims over a period of time. Clark himself was standing there, and he offered the information, as well. It was not in any way undermining what you do as team trainer. I would never do that. I respect the training plan you have in place.”
“As you should. I’ve been doing this a hell of a lot longer than you have,” he snipped. “And don’t go running to your daddy about this. If you want to play with the big boys, then you better pull up your big-girl pants and handle it like a man.”
Was this guy for real?
I mean, he was a walking HR violation.
“Listen, Randall, I’m not the enemy. I am happy to be here, and I’m grateful for the opportunity. But don’t be mistaken, I am more than qualified for the position I’m currently in. I may have gotten my foot in the door because my father works for the team, but I’m here because I’m good at my job. I’m passionate about what I do, and I don’t appreciate you undermining my ability, nor do I appreciate the sexist comments you just made. I don’t need to ‘handle it like a man.’ I just need to handle it like a grown adult, which I’m happy to do.”
“Well, don’t get all worked up now. I’m just having a real talk with you. It’s what we do here. Real talk, Eloise. Man to man—or I guess you’d call it, adult to adult?” He chuckled, and it was arrogant and laced with sarcasm. “You’re in the big leagues now, kiddo. You’ve got to get a thicker skin.”
My phone alarm went off, and I was extremely relieved to have a reason to end this conversation. I turned it off and looked up at him. “I have a PT appointment I need to get to. Are we done here?”
“Sure.” He pushed to his feet when I stood. “Hey, how was that dinner with Sebastian? You two seem to be getting awfully cozy. You just want to be careful about rumors starting around here. Once they get going, they can take on a life of their own.”
This freaking guy.
I narrowed my gaze and squared my shoulders as I stood in front of him. “Sebastian requested to go to dinner with both me and my father to discuss some things that he noticed at the scrimmage. No one is getting cozy, although, from the rumorsthat I’ve heard swirling around, you might want to worry about your own issues before making something up about me. But thanks for the warning. Everything you’ve said today has been noted, Randall.” My voice came out harsher than I meant it to, and I wasn’t mad about it.
He could be a prick to me if it made him feel better. I wasn’t fragile, nor did I expect special treatment. I could take it. He was technically my boss, and I could handle whatever he wanted to throw at me. But I wouldn’t be accused of doing something that I wasn’t doing, nor would I be threatened by a guy who knew nothing about me.
His face turned a shade of red, and I noticed the way his hands fisted at his sides before he chuckled and narrowed his gaze.
“And you didn’t think the team trainer should be included?” He quirked a brow, and I saw the accusation right there in his cold gaze. “Be careful, Eloise. You’re playing a dangerous game.”
“It wasn’t my dinner. I didn’t plan it. I was just invited. I’m not trying to play any games. I assumed you two had a dinner of your own.”
