Page 35 of Knot So Fast
I settle into the comfortable chair at my desk, phone pressed to my ear as I dial a number I know by heart even if I can't remember learning it.
The familiar sound of Rory's voice answering makes me smile despite the chaos swirling through my head after this morning's revelations.
"Hey, babe," I say, unable to keep the amusement out of my voice as I whistle low. "So tell me, how bad is it out there?"
Rory Lane my bestie spends her time trackside—grease-stained, scent-masked, and hiding in plain sight just so that people don’t realize she’s an Omega in disguised as an Alpha for years just to survive in the testosterone-fueled world of Formula One, playing the part of just another nameless pit tech.
"The mayhem hasn't fucking stopped," Rory groans, and I can hear the exhaustion in her voice even through the phone. "I swear I'm going to get a migraine from all the frustrated testosterone saturating the air. These Alphas are losing their absolute shit because they're not getting what they want for once in their privileged lives."
I burst out laughing, the sound echoing through my quiet apartment.
"Christ, I wouldn't want to be out there working with those fuckers when they're having their collective tantrum. Sounds like a nightmare."
"It's getting harder and harder to blend in as an Alpha when I want to tell half these assholes exactly what I think of their precious egos," Rory admits with a laugh that sounds slightly manic around the edges. "But if I have to keep playing my part as the Mulan of racing, so be it."
"Oh, how heroic of you," I tease, grinning at her dramatic tone. "Truly inspiring stuff. I'm sure Disney would love to option your life story."
"Hush, you're not helping," she shoots back, but I can hear her smiling through the mock irritation. "I'm having an identity crisis over here, and you're making jokes."
We're both laughing when her tone shifts to something more serious and concerned.
"How are the memories going? Any breakthrough moments, or are you still floating in that frustrating fog?"
I groan and let my head fall back against my chair.
"Going absolutely nowhere, and I'm just thankful I at least remember my best friends because fuck, it's hard out here when you can't trust your own brain."
"Want to talk about it?" Rory's voice softens with genuine concern. "What's eating at you today?"
I pause for a moment, organizing my thoughts before diving into the mess that's been my life lately.
"I'm still riding that toxic ex who doesn't see eye to eye with me about literally anything. You know, the one who makes me question my sanity on a daily basis."
Rory groans so loudly I have to pull the phone away from my ear.
"Auren, Wren warned you that he was trouble both the first time you met the fucker and again when you couldn't remember him after the accident. And what do you do? Make him your regular fuck buddy like that's going to end well for anyone involved."
"Hey, third time's the charm, right?" I offer weakly, knowing how pathetic that sounds even as the words leave my mouth.
"Fuck no," Rory says emphatically. "Third time is when you finally learn your lesson and find someone who doesn't make you want to commit homicide on a daily basis."
I shrug even though she can't see me, walking over to my desk where there's a stack of mail that the concierge delivered earlier.
I settle into my chair and lower my cup of herbal tea—some special blend that's supposedly designed to help with mental stability and memory loss. It's probably bullshit, but at this point I'm willing to try anything that might help me piece together the fragments of my missing life.
"Look, I know we're toxic as hell," I admit, taking a sip of the earthy-tasting tea. "But I can't lie—I'm completely addicted to his cock. Like, embarrassingly so."
"God, I'm so jealous," Rory sighs dramatically. "I can't be riding anyone's cock right now, and it's slowly driving me insane."
I raise an eyebrow at that confession.
"What about that guy you've been seeing at that masked bar? The one with all the tattoos who you said was hung like a horse?"
Rory huffs, and I can practically hear her rolling her eyes.
"I'm taking a break from him because he was getting possessive and clingy. Even though he's basically a walking canvas of ink and knows how to use what God gave him, he was starting to get too comfortable with my scent. I didn't want himgetting attached and figuring out what I really am, so I've been avoiding that whole situation."
"Trouble in paradise?" I tease, sorting through the pile of mail absently.
