This Love

39

The next few weeks I focus my attention on work, covering my tattoo now a daily routine before going to the office. My co-workers don't say anything but I see the change in their eyes when they look at me or talk to me. I ignore the change and keep working on the marketing required for the rest of the season hoping that it will shove my thoughts to the back of my mind. After a long day at work I get back home, sighing as I kick off my shoes next to the door. "I'm home!" I say loudly, "in the kitchen" Jill replies I put my bag down before going there. Lexi is sitting at the counter a glass of wine in her hand when I walk into the room. "How was work Cal?" I shrug, "good, still getting those looks of pity from everyone" I tell them as I sit next to Lexi, "it'll blow over, things like this always do" Jill tells me and gives me my own glass of wine with a smile, "I hope so because I'm not made of glass, and they know that" I take a sip from my drink and my two friends continue their conversation about the latest WNBA scores.

Me, Lexi and Jill get comfortable on the couch once we've eaten dinner, I'm leaning back into the cushion as Jill browses through Netflix to find something to watch. My phone vibrates in my lap so I pick up the device, I'm surprised to see that I just got a new message on LinkedIn (okay kids make sure to get a LinkedIn when you get to university, such a great resource for job hunting) I open the app curiously. A smile comes to my face when I see the name of a former classmate from University waiting in my unread messages.

I hope that you're doing well Callie. I'm reaching out because the NHL is hiring and the Director of International Marketing and Sponsorship position seems like just the thing for you. The deadline is January 10th so send over a resume and cover letter if you're interested.

My mouth drops open in shock, "oh my god" Lexi and Jill turn to me concerned, "what?" "what happened?" they ask. I grin at my friends, "Emily, who I went to school with and is at the NHL right now sent me a message" they nod still not sure what to expect, "they're hiring and she thinks one of the positions is for me" Lexi squeals before throwing her arms around me in a hug. I laugh returning the hug, "it's a director of international marketing and sponsorship position" I add when she pulls away from me. "Babe this is what you've been waiting for since grad" I nod while biting my lip, "but I love the Colts, they're my family" Jill places a hand on my arm, "we know that but don't you think they would want this for you?" I shrug looking down and away from her, "call your mom, give it some thought" I nod but put my phone to sleep, "movie night first,
worrying about the future later" I mumble making them laugh.

——

After a restless night of sleep due to my mind working overtime I get up when my bedside clock hits 7am. I grab my phone where I left it to charge last night. Pulling out the charging cable before going to my contacts, tapping my mom's info bring the device up to my ear. "Good morning darling" I smile at her comforting voice, "morning mom" I reply as I sit on my desk chair while playing with the ends of my hair. "How are you doing sweetheart?" I sigh, "I'm doing good, work is work" her end goes silent, "Callie you know what I mean" I bite my lip looking down, "yeah, but I'm actually okay, it hurts less everyday" my eyes go to the black tattoo on my wrist, "do you still cover it?" I tilt my head up towards the ceiling, "yes, but I hope that there will be a day where I won't feel the need to" she sighs, "me too darling".

I bite my lip not sure how to bring up the NHL position, "I can hear you thinking all the way over here, tell me what's bothering you" I laugh not knowing why I thought I could hide anything from the woman who raised me, "I got a message from Emily, you remember her right?" I start, "of course she's such a lovely girl" my mom replies, "well she reached out to me yesterday and the NHL is hiring a Director of International Marketing and Sponsorship, she thinks that I'm the one for the job" I explain. "That's fantastic Cal" I sigh, "I don't know if I'm ready, I love the Colts and this is such a big step in my career" I voice my concerns, "oh sweetheart that's a part of working, you're never ready when the opportunity comes but sometimes the best thing to do is to take a chance" I smile my gaze on my lap as I play with a stray thread coming from my shorts, "I would have to move to New York" I add, "and we would visit you there" she tells me. "What do Lexi and Jill think?" I laugh, "they think that I should apply" I explain, "see we all support you, and I know that you've been waiting for a long time for this kind of opportunity" I bring a hand up pinching the bridge of my nose, "we will support you no matter what you decide Callie remember that okay" I smile at her statement, "I know, thanks mom" I can picture the smile on her face, "you're very welcome, now have a great day and don't over analyze this darling" I chuckle, "love you" she says the same back and I hang up.

——

Another day goes by of me thinking about this dream job that is waiting for me. I finally sit at my computer and open my resume making the necessary adjustments before typing up a cover letter. Once i've finished the documents I go to my LinkedIn messages, I stare at Emily's message biting my lip still unsure as I attach the files, I type up a quick response and I move the cursor over the send button. My finger clicks the mouse before I can think too much about what this could lead to in the next few weeks. I sigh and get up leaving my bedroom to de-stress after being so tense in my desk chair for such a long time. "It's done I sent it" my friends look up from where they're cooking, they grin and run over to me squealing, bringing me into a group hug, I laugh bringing my own arms around them. "This is going to be great for you Cal" Jill says as we let go of each other, "I haven't gotten the job yet so relax" I mumble as I move to the kitchen counter, "we gotta think positive babe, no point thinking negatively" I shrug and watch them resume their cooking letting them distract me from my nerves.

A week later I get asked to come in for an interview. Days later I get the call that I'm hired and to get to New York to sign my contract. After the contract is signed I go to work to find somewhere to live, which doesn't end up being too difficult when Emily asks me to move in with her. I hand in my two weeks notice at the Colts and with many tears and a big party to conclude my career in junior hockey I set off to my new job in professional hockey.

A/N omggggg ONE MORE CHAPTER, I don't think I've ever written a fic with this many chapters so this is kinda huge for me 👀 also thanks for reading friends hope this has been as good as I feel about it 🥰