Page 45 of In Doubt

“How about a tour then?” He gives Jake a hard look which tells him this suggestion is not for fun, but for his own good.

Jake glances anxiously at Giorgie. I know what he’s thinking. He doesn’t want to leave her out here on her own. I feel exactly the same way. It’s isolated in this part of the site and when the omega’s scent is this vivid, it activates all those ridiculous alpha instincts.

“I think I’ll stay here,” I say pointedly. “It’s too hot for a tour.

Giorgie’s gaze flutters between the three of us. “Is it me or is it even hotter today?” she fans her hand in front of her face.

“Alright,” Jake says to Dylan. “I’ll show you around.” He seems almost a little relieved as if an excuse to remove himself from the omega’s presence is exactly what he needs.

I’m beginning to understand why he’s been bitching about this situation for so long. The plane ride was tortuous. I can’t imagine having to sit in class day in, day out with an omega who smells this good. Damn.

My two packmates trudge off towards the main temple site, leaving me with her and the digger.

She fidgets on the hard ground beside me, rolling her shoulders, fanning her face and scratching at her neck.

“Did the mosquitos get you last night?” I ask her, although to be honest I haven’t seen any since we arrived.

“I guess,” she mutters, fiddling with her glasses.

I stretch my legs out in front of me, leaning back on my elbows. The woman continues to fidget.

“You keen to get started?”

“Huh?” she says.

“On this dig, or whatever the correct phrase is?”

“Uh huh,” she says.

I regard her. She doesn’t seem pissed off today, more … distracted. I wonder if it’s to do with the work going on or whatever the hell is going on with her and Jake.

I decide to do some digging of my own. It may piss Jake off but someone’s got to take a grip of this messed up situation. To understand what the omega is actually thinking. Jake’s always been convinced she’s toying with him, trying to throw him off his game. It’s the way some of the opposing teams play things. Taunting and bad-mouthing us. Trying their best to get a rise out of us, hoping we’ll lose our concentration and fuck up.

I don’t think Giorgie’s like that. I think there’s something more going on.

“So you and Jake are friends now or something?”

She turns her head to look at me, swiping at her damp brow. Her eyes are wide with surprise. “We’re partners … I mean, Professor Weaver paired us up … for this dig. We’re not … We’re…”

Clear as day.

She gulps. The little wispy pieces of hair around her forehead look even damper.

“I think he’d like to be friends,” I say, keeping my eyes locked on the digger as the driver swings the arm around and dumps more earth on an already growing pile. “This rivalry thing you two have going on is sort of ridiculous.”

Her tone is a little tighter when she speaks again, “Is it ridiculous that we both want a spot on Professor Weaver’s research team? She’s renowned in her field. There isn’t anyone elseI’dwant to work for. Plus she’s at Crestmore which means I get to stay in Studworth where all my friends and family are.”

It’s hard to argue with all that. It’s what Jake wants too.

“You can compete without getting right up each other’s noses.”

“He said that?” she asks, sounding perhaps, maybe, just a little … hurt?

Shit!

“No.” She frowns at me. “Not in so many words. Are you saying he doesn’t irritate you?”

Her face flushes a pink and she snaps her eyes away from me. “No, he irritates me.”