chapter TEN #2
Bo's eyes track to where Reese stands with Gray, reviewing notes in her notebook. "Because of her?"
"Maybe," I answer honestly.
"Save the maybe. My gut says she's changing things."
"Your gut has no cognitive function."
Bo rolls his eyes. "Sometimes I forget you're actually funny under all that nerd stuff." He shoulders his gym bag. "Team breakfast at The Griddle in thirty. Make sure Callahan knows."
I nod, watching him head to the showers. Bo might not have formal training, but his instincts are usually right. Yes, Reese is changing things. The question is how much, and whether it'll be good or bad for the team.
In the locker room, I observe another unusual interaction.
Eli and Jackson, who usually keep public distance despite their private arrangement, standing close together near Jackson's locker.
Their voices are low, but their body language speaks volumes.
Eli gesturing emphatically, Jackson shaking his head, arms crossed.
Zane approaches me as I change. "You notice Reed and Stone?" he asks quietly. "Something's up."
"Not really our business," I reply, though I've been cataloging every detail.
"Since when do you not analyze everything?" He grins. "Come on, what's your theory? Relationship drama?"
I give him a warning look. The team acknowledges Eli and Jackson's arrangement without talking about it directly. Zane gets too close to that line sometimes.
"Fine, keep your theories." He pulls on a clean shirt. "But something's definitely happening with those two. And it started when our new cox arrived."
Zane notices more than people give him credit for, despite all the joking around. Another thing to consider.
I finish changing quickly, planning to head back to my room before breakfast to process everything I've observed. As I exit the boathouse, I spot Reese already leaving, walking quickly toward campus.
Making a quick decision, I jog to catch up.
"Wu," she acknowledges, slowing slightly but not stopping.
"Bo wanted me to remind you about team breakfast. The Griddle in twenty minutes."
She nods. "Thanks. I remember."
We walk in silence for a few steps before I ask, "How's your shoulder? I noticed you favoring it during the dismount."
She glances at me, surprised. "It's fine."
"Repetitive stress injuries can be tricky. Early treatment usually helps."
"I'll ice it," she says. "Thanks for noticing."
Another silence. I calculate the odds that my next question will confirm what I suspect.
"The medication you're taking," I say casually. "Is it helping?"
She stumbles slightly, then catches herself. "What medication?"
"The pills Eli gave you this morning at the coffee cart."
She stops walking, face going blank. "You were watching us."
"I notice patterns. It's what I do."
"That's called stalking where I come from."
"Just observation from a public place," I correct. "The coffee cart isn't exactly private."
Her eyes narrow. "What do you want, Wu?"
"Nothing. Just confirming what I suspected."
"Which is?"
I meet her gaze directly. "You're an Omega on suppressants."
Her face goes pale, the only sign that I've hit the mark.
"That's quite an accusation," she finally says.
"Not an accusation. A conclusion based on evidence."
"And what do you plan to do with this conclusion?"
"Nothing," I answer honestly. "Your designation doesn't matter to me. Our performance has improved since you arrived. The data supports keeping you as coxswain, regardless of what you are."
She studies me, trying to figure out if I'm telling the truth.
"Why would I hide being an Omega?" she asks carefully.
"University policy SRU-478.3," I respond immediately. "Prohibits bonded athlete teams because of the 2019 Concordia scandal. Female Omega around unbonded Alpha athletes creates high probability of bonding. Your previous school probably discovered your designation, making your situation impossible."
She stares at me for several seconds.
"How did you figure it out?" she finally asks, which isn't confirmation but doesn't deny it either.
"Multiple things. The complete lack of scent. The precise distance you keep from all Alphas, especially Jackson with his sensitivity issues. The pill exchange with Eli this morning—probably an emergency suppressant. And your reactions to designation-related conversations."
"You've been watching me that closely?"
"I observe everyone. Family business makes designation stuff particularly relevant."
"Your family business?" she asks, clearly trying to change the subject.
"Wu Technologies. Designation-specific medications and therapies."
"Including suppressants?"
"Among other things. My father expects me to join the Omega Wellness Division after graduation."
"But you don't want to."
Perceptive. "I prefer pure research to commercial applications. But family expectations are hard to ignore."
"Tell me about it," she murmurs.
She glances around, making sure no one's nearby. "Look, I'd appreciate it if you kept this between us."
"You know you can't hide this forever, right? Suppressants become less effective with continued use. Eventually, your natural designation will show up regardless."
"Thanks for the lecture," she says dryly. "But I'll handle it."
"With Eli's help?"
Her eyes narrow again. "My arrangement with Eli is none of your business."
Interesting word choice. Arrangement. The same term I use for Eli and Jackson's relationship.
"Fair enough," I concede. "Though you might want to think about contingency planning. When your designation becomes known to the team (and it will), having a plan would help."
She studies me for a long moment. "Has anyone ever told you that you have a weird way of offering help?"
"Frequently. My father calls it my 'bedside manner problem.' One reason I prefer research to dealing with people."
A small smile touches her lips. "Well, your secret's safe with me."
"I don't really have secrets. I prefer being direct."
"Everyone has secrets, Wu." She glances at her watch. "We should head to breakfast. Being late will just raise questions."
We reach The Griddle, where most of the team is already at our usual table. Gray watches our arrival with narrowed eyes. Eli glances between us, clearly calculating. Jackson stares at his menu.
"Wu was explaining the physics of optimal catch timing," she says smoothly as she sits down. "Fascinating stuff."
Gray's suspicion eases slightly. Eli's expression shifts to cautious neutrality. Jackson continues avoiding looking at her directly.
I take my seat, adding new observations to my mental database.
The variables keep shifting, the situation becoming more complex with each interaction.
But one thing remains consistent: Reese Callahan's presence has fundamentally changed our team dynamics, and the full impact hasn't been realized yet.
For someone who prefers the certainty of numbers, the unpredictability should be unsettling. But I find myself curious about how this will play out. What new patterns will emerge. What might result from this disruption of our usual routine.