Page 111 of Dream Mates
“Better?” Kissing his temple, I stroked his hair.
“Much better, Hot Stuff.” He got cozy in my arms. “Tell me about your day? Anyone get in trouble? I love how that’s a thing.”
I told him about my day, and he let me know about other things going on at work.
“They want me to go through Crisis Response Team training. It would be amazing, but I’m not sure I want to leave being an advocate for that.” Sitting up, he grabbed a bag of chips, then laid back down in my arms again, opening it and taking one.
“They do? That’s fantastic. Would you have to leave your job, though? Couldn’t you just be on a roster for big crises or be on-call or something?” I took a chip. They were the in-the-field crisis-response workers for the Omega Center. They were often referred to as theBlanket Brigadebecause of their big duffels full of blankets and other comfort items that they always had with them.
“I’d do that in a moment. I like my job, but I’m happy to help in an emergency. They’re looking for people for their shelter roster, I think. If it was with your station, I’d take it in a moment.” He ate another chip.
“I’d love that.” I gave him a kiss.
“Yeah, if I could just be on the on-call list for disasters and big emergencies, I’ll do it. I might do it anyway. Just because you take the training doesn’t mean you’ll pass,” he told me.
“True. You’d be good at it.” It required a lot of complex problem solving. But they were crisis workers and didn’t maintain the long-term relationships advocates usually had with their clients. However, I could see why they’d want Evan in that position. He was magic in an emergency.
The Center’s Crisis Response Team came into often traumatic and volatile situations. They were trained in a lot of different things including crisis management, conflict resolution, and field medicine. Sometimes, especially in hostage situations, theywere our line inside. They also worked with shelters, hospitals, fire stations, schools, universities, jails, nursing homes, government agencies, the Department of Dependent Services, and so many other places. Also, they aided in emergencies, disasters, and humanitarian situations.
“Will they send you away for training?” That could be difficult, but if it was what he wanted, we’d work it out.
He shook his head. “It’s here. I’d have to lighten my caseload, but I could keep some of my clients and I’d get paid for training. I could also do it in modules. Though if I do that, I might have to go to other places to fill in what I miss. It’s a big commitment.”
“It is. But it’s amazing that they want you to do it. You’d be great at it.” Yeah, maybe I should see if I could get him attached to my station. We’d take good care of him and he’d be working a lot with Lexi and the Special Victims Unit.
“Thanks. It would be really good training to have. I’m just not sure I want to leave working with clients,” he told me.
There was a knock on the door.
“Come in,” Evan called.
Grace came in. Her eyes focused on us. “Oh. Sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“It’s fine, Peaches. We’re going to watch a movie–Drug Raccoons.Do you want to watch it with us? How did your event go?” Evan held out his arms.
Oh, yes, she had a Daedalus society thing tonight.
“The nice people weren’t there, but the speaker was good. Rami and Katie dropped me off. Spencer and Wes are still working.” Her eyes stayed on the ropes.
I got a little fear and apprehension in her peachy scent.
Evan looked down. “It’s pretty, right? He’ll untie me before we start the movie.”
Oh. Brennan said someone tied her wrists when they hurt her.
“Here, touch.” I took her small hand in mine, nails sparkly, and ran it along the ropes. “See, they’re soft so they don’t hurt him, and thick so they don’t cut him.”
“This makes me feel better. It’s like being smooshed by an alpha without the smooshies,” Evan explained.
“They are soft.” She bit her lower lip but allowed me to guide her hand along it.
“They’re not too tight. I take a lot of care to make sure he’s comfortable. Everything is done with consent here. Promise,” I reassured.
“It is pretty. I didn’t know it could be like that–like art or over your clothes.” Her voice was soft.
“Yeah, they can make people feel safe. They can be beautiful and healing, and not just used to hurt,” I explained, just like I had to both Evan and Brennan. It had been a lot easier to convince Evan. For Brennan it was a step in helping him reclaim himself.
“He can do something on you if you want to try, maybe your arm or leg,” Evan offered.
