I remind myself that I’d have more company if I didn’t keep firing my personal trainers. There aren’t many with enough experience training alphas to really push me to my limit. It doesn’t help that alphas, as a rule, don’t do well with being told what to do. All the trainers I’ve tried so far were either exhaustingly sycophantic or obnoxiously bro-y. I can figure out my own training, anyway.
I crank the rowing machine to the max setting, missing the specialized one back at my place in LA that hits double this resistance. It’s for the best, though. I’m just here to pass the time and I need to keep my muscles fresh for shooting.
The view, which looks through clear floor-to-ceiling glass past the azure-tiled lap pool and out over the sapphire harbor lined with silvery towers, was compelling for the first week.
The rowing machine itself is incredibly boring, but that’s sort of the point—an easy activity I can use to occupy my body while my mind wanders to other things.
Lately it only wants to wander to:What if this is a terrible mistake and you’re stuck forever?
I pause rowing and snap a pic of the pool, then text it to Morgan.
Tell me how to swim laps. I wanna use this cool pool
She’s the CEO and founder of Artemis Pharmaceuticals, the company responsible for bringing alpha and omega suppressants to market.
A little ironic that I don’t partake despite her being a close friend, but most Hollywood alphas don’t, and I have to stay sharp enough to defend my territory. Not that Morgan has anytrouble doing so, but not all of us have her gift of resting-bitch-face. Some of us are too charming for our own good.
Morgan’s reply is prompt as always. She gets up at five every day, or some ungodly hour, to keep that stick-up-her-butt schedule of hers. Though she’s relaxed a bit since marrying Jamie. That’s been nice to see.
Morgan
Do you seriously think I can tell you how to swim over text?
Me
yeah :) ur the best
Morgan
Just swim back and forth and don’t look like an idiot
Me
Yep, teacher of the year
Morgan
It’s not rocket science
Me
is it a crime to want to text my good friend?
I follow up with a pleading face emoji.
Morgan
Do you actually need something?
Me
Oooh. Business busy? Or sexy busy?
This one gets a smirk emoji.
Tiny grey text appears with a little checkmark.Read.
I leave my phone open for a few minutes, but Morgan never replies.
