Page 118 of Finding the Forward: Part Two
He didnotjust bring me into it. Reporters clamored for his attention. The other man gave him an unhappy look when he saidother owners.
“You’re going to block him from playing based on his designation? That is illegal. Not to mention there are other omegas in the PHL,” another reporter replied.
“Not enforcers.” He shrugged. “Look, I’m simply carrying a message from the owners–”
Several people came up around him, including the assistant general manager, who looked ready to murder someone.
“I’m sorry, but this press conference is over,” the Knight’s assistant manager ordered. “Anyone who doesn’t disperse now will be banned from future press conferences.”
Mr. Longfellow fought the security. “Don’t touch me. I’m allowed to fire someone for dishonesty.”
“Other owners? Are the rumors true and Cal Daugherty has been secretly trading away bits of the team to pay off his gambling debts,” another reporter asked, chasing after him and the other older man.
“While I know you have questions, this press conference is over,” the assistant GM said as everything went black, then cut to two very confused commentators.
“Well, then,” one said from behind their desk with the Knights and Royals logos in the background. “I’m not sure that’s legal? They could buy him out, trade him, give him away, but I don’t think they can outright fire him for simply being another designation. I mean, we don’t even have official confirmation.”
“The fans won’t like that either. I just hope Grif Graf is okay,” the other commentator said. “In all my years in this sport, I’ve never seen anything like this.”
Kylee looked like she was about to have a panic attack, scent sour. Her phone rang, and she answered it. “I saw that. Yes, I’m with his pack now. I’ll be right there.”
AJ came back in and looked at Kylee. “Our lawyers are on it. This is illegal.”
“Good. I have to go. Thank you for sharing everything with me.” She stood and hurried out of the room, phone ringing again.
“My advocate from the Center is calling.” Dean sighed as he held up his phone. “Fuck. Grif was outed. What do we do?”
“Talk to your advocate to see what resources the Center can offer. But right now we confirm nothing publicly.” AJ hit the wall with his hand. “Chet needs to be stopped.”
“Yes, he does,” I agreed. Anger rose up in me. How dare he?
“That part about the team being sold off bit by bit to pay off Mr. Daughtry’s gambling debts is weird,” Dean said, answering his call and going out into the hall.
AJ sucked in a breath, realization in his eyes. “No, that makes perfect sense. Bertie makes it his business to know everyone else’s, then uses that knowledge to his advantage.”
“I want to hurt someone for Grif.” My hands fisted, my purple painted nails digging into my palms. So much anger coursed through me.
“I know, Little Alpha. I know.” Jonas held me to him. For a long moment we just stood there.
Dean came back into the room and the four of us settled down to wait.
A small, older, omega doctor came in. “You’re all Griffin McGraff’s? Hi, I’m Dr. Arya. I’m his personal physician.”
“I’m Dean, his husband. I called you. Please tell me he’ll be okay?” Dean rushed over to her. “Does he need a kidney? Because I’d give himanything.”
“It’s an infection, a bad one, but not kidney failure. The infection is an indicator of problems to come, problems I’ve been speaking to him about,” she told us, consulting her tablet.
AJ nodded, look grim. “We’re aware.”
“Infection. So you’re pumping him full of antibiotics and taking him off blockers?” Dean asked. “We’re his family. We all know.”
“For now. There’s a bigger problem. We’re going to have to note his designation in his file to get him the proper care. Especially because he’s spiraling. Given he’s unconscious, we need to get him out of it if he’s to make a full recovery.” Dr. Arya’s expression went serious.
Full recovery? I liked the sound of that. We’d deal with everything else a little at a time.
“You’re moving him to the omega unit so you can better treat him?” Dean leaned into Jonas.
“It’s your choice. They can treat him here, but it would be better to move him. Reporters are here and it will be harder to hide his designation from them if he’s in the omega ward,” she told us. “But it’s also more secure.”
