“No,” Marsh answers, and for the first time all afternoon, something in me unclenches. “You don’t deserve to ask him for anything right now. The fact that you think a mere apology will do anything for him tells me you still don’t understand the gravity of your actions.”
I merely just watch as the security guard guides Tate outside, letting myself relax for a second before Marsh nods toward the door. The athletic director slips out and then pulls Reece in. He arrives irritated, not scared, and that tells me plenty. His warm-up jacket is unzipped, hair damp from the pool, expression already set into the bored mask he uses when he thinks everyone else is moving too slowly for him. He looks at Tate’s empty chair, then at the monitor, then at me.
“Is Tate having a breakdown?” he asks.
Marsh points to the chair. “Sit down.”
Reece sits, but does it like a favor.
Marsh tells him Tate gave a statement. He tells him the footage shows Tate switching Jude’s blocker. He tells him Tate said Reece supplied the tube and ordered him to make the swap.
Reece laughs once. “Tate said that?”
“He did.”
“Tate would say anything if he thought it made him look less pathetic.”
Marsh doesn’t react. “Did you give him the tube?”
“No.”
“Did you discuss Jude’s blockers with him?”
“No.”
“Did you have access to Jude’s bag last year?”
Reece’s eyes move to me for half a second before returning to Marsh. “I don’t know what Tate told you, but you’re reaching. Jude had a public meltdown last year, and everyone’s desperate to pretend it was some conspiracy because he swam one decent heat and got himself a little fan club.”
The athletic director says, “Reece.”
Reece leans back, smiling now because he thinks he found the soft place in the room. “What? We’re all supposed to act like he wasn’t unstable? Like he didn’t make half the team deal with his Omega shit because he couldn’t manage himself?”
Marsh stands slowly and the smile fades from Reece’s face.
“You are barred from team activities pending investigation,” Marsh says. “You will not enter the ready room, locker room, pool deck, supply areas, or team meetings. You will receive written notice from the athletic office and conduct office before the end of the day.”
Reece looks at the athletic director. “Based on Tate lying?”
“Based on Tate’s statement, current sabotage of another athlete’s medical safety protocol, and your conduct in this room,” the director says, sounding like she has finally remembered what her job is supposed to be.
Reece’s gaze cuts back to me. “You’re captain. This looks bad for you too, standing here like his boyfriend with a badge.”
I count to three before answering, refusing to give Reece the last word. “I’m not here as his boyfriend. I’m here as the team captain, trying to figure out why teammates are pitting themselves up against each other. Adding scent enhancer to someone’s blockers is a criminal offense, Reece, and I can’t stand for that on my team. If I was really here as his boyfriend, my arm would be at your throat as I demanded the truth.”
Reece huffs and heads back out, the athletic director giving us nod and disappearing as well. I push to my feet, ready to leave when Marsh’s voice stops me in my tracks.
“I should have asked more questions last year,” Marsh sighs, running a hand down his face. “However, I only got hired right around that incident and the evidence was compelling. Jude insisted that it just happened, that it was a mistake but it never made sense.” He frowns at the open tab on his computer. “I don’t understand why they’re still so mad at him.”
“Because they’re arrogant and believe they should be at the top. I’m going to tell Jude where we are with this but I know for a fact Reece isn’t letting this go. He’s going to try something else or slip up somewhere and I’ll be right there showing everyone.”
Coach Marsh just shakes his head. “There’s no point in asking for you to handle this responsibly, is there?”
“That has long since passed. He’s not just my teammate or an Omega anymore and I don’t want him to be afraid of the one thing he loves. He still flinches around the sounds, the whistles, and the chaos, all because someone thought he wasn’t worthy of being in the water. When I catch Reece, everyone is going to know what he did.” A sly grin spreads across my face. “And yes, there will be criminal charges.”
For a moment, I wonder what will happen to the swim team but in the end, it doesn’t matter. Jude’s safety and happinessmeans more to me than that. Coach Marsh seems to understand that and just nods.
“I think we’ll be seeing a lot of changes over the next few weeks when it comes to this program, Bishop. I, for one, will be happy for them.”
