Page 32 of Knot So Fast
She starts to turn away from the podium, clearly considering the announcement complete, when one of the broadcast journalists calls out a question.
"What about the current world champion? What if he can't find an Omega partner willing to race with him?"
The woman pauses, and when she turns back to face the cameras, her smile is sharp enough to cut glass.
"Whether you're the current champion or a rookie driver fresh out of the junior leagues, the deal is the same. No Omega partner, no access to the track, no championship eligibility." Her voice drops to a tone that somehow manages to be both conversational and absolutely terrifying. "So I suggest all these Alphas climb down from their high horses and find the Omega who will ride alongside them to victory."
She dismisses herself without taking any other questions, leaving the regular news broadcasters to scramble for commentary that suddenly seems completely irrelevant compared to what just happened.
The three of us stand in complete silence as the broadcast shifts to talking heads discussing the "unprecedented development" and "revolutionary changes to motorsport." But their words feel like background noise compared to the ringing in my ears and the strange, hollow sensation spreading through my chest.
I slowly walk to the kitchen island and sink onto one of the stools, my legs suddenly feeling unreliable. My mind is trying toprocess what I just witnessed, but it's like trying to solve a puzzle when half the pieces are missing.
Why does this matter? I'm not involved in Formula One racing. I'm not going to be competing…again—I can't even remember why I would want to.Or if I even had?But my heart is pounding like I've just received life-changing news, and there's something deep in my blood that feels like recognition, like coming home.
I don't realize I've been staring blankly at the marble countertop until a hand starts waving in front of my face, and I hear Kieran calling my name with increasing urgency.
"What?" I ask, blinking up at him in confusion.
He's frowning at me with the kind of concerned expression that suggests I've been unresponsive for longer than I realized.
"Did you eat anything today?"
It takes me far too long to process that simple question, my brain feeling sluggish and disconnected.
Luke notices my delayed response and frowns as well.
"She hasn't," Luke answers for me, "unless you count those dumb energy gel things that runners drink while they're exercising."
I blink and pout, feeling defensive about my nutritional choices.
"It's good stuff! Quality fuel. What's wrong with that?"
But even as I say it, I can tell something is off.
My words feel slurred around the edges, and there's a strange tingling sensation in my fingertips that's getting stronger by the minute.
Kieran is frowning more deeply now, and before I can ask what's wrong, my head is tilted back and his lips are pressing against mine in one smooth motion.
I'm completely confused by the sudden kiss until I taste the sweet orange juice flowing from his mouth to mine. He'sliterally feeding me, forcing me to swallow the liquid while our lips are connected. It should feel invasive or weird, but instead, there's something comforting about it, like muscle memory my conscious brain can't access.
When he breaks the kiss, his face is still close to mine.
"When was the last time you checked your blood sugar?"
I blink at him, trying to understand why he would ask such a random question.
"Why would I need to do that?"
Luke and Kieran exchange a look that makes my stomach drop, and they speak in unison:
"Because you have diabetes, Auren."
I'm about to argue, to insist that they're wrong, when something clicks in my brain like a lock turning.
They're right.
I do have diabetes, which means I should be monitoring my blood sugar levels and definitely not allowing them to drop dangerously low, like they apparently just did.
