Page 2 of Slick Trip

I wished he’d argued. I wished he’d laughed. I wished he’d called me an asshole, but he didn’t. He fucking nodded. He trusted me so blindly that he didn’t even hesitate.

I wished I could say I meant to take him home. I didn’t. I took him upstairs.

And then I made him cry.

Man Assaulted in Suspected Targeted Attack—Authorities Investigate A/B/O Motive

—Springfield, IL

A twenty-three—year-old man remains in stable condition following a violent assault that authorities are investigating as a targeted hate incident linked to the victim’s public role as an Omega spokesperson.

Illinois is one of the many states that has recently seen an increase in anti-A/B/O rhetoric, including groups promoting religious beliefs that frame Alpha, Beta, and Omega presentation as unnatural.

“Secondary gender is not a disease or abnormality,” said Dr. Willa Addison, a geneticist at Chicago Medical Research Center. “It is a biological trait present from birth, and every person has one.”

Dr. Addison added that presentation is a separate biological process. “The most recent data shows that only about five percent of Alphas and four percent of Omegas present.”

Quentin Ascott, a well-known Alpha advocate, pointed out in a recent interview that Alpha and Omega presentation still concerns hundreds of millions of people. “We need better public education to counter the false claims spreading online and to ensure everyone’s safety.”

Individuals experiencing secondary gender discrimination are encouraged to contact the A/B/O helpline for confidential support. The organization also provides guidance on scent management, suppressants, and workplace accommodations.

1

Plans

COOPER

“Please take a moment to admire the alphabetical glory of this list,” I told Mom, sliding her a piece of paper across the kitchen island. I had the same travel info saved on my phone, but Mom trusted paper more than technology. She even insisted on reading old-fashioned newspapers.

Today’s paper was on the island, the headline telling about yet another hate crime. Man Assaulted in Suspected Targeted Attack—Authorities Investigate A/B/O Motive. I rolled my eyes. Nothing made stupid people crawl out of their hidey-holes faster than someone whispering A/B/O. Some people thought secondary gender was unnatural because the Bible didn’t mention it. I snorted. Jesus had probably been an Omega—if he’d even existed.

“Cooper.”

Startled, I looked up.

Mom was watching me with a familiar mixture of desperation and fondness. She reached over to brush a stubborn curl off my forehead.

“You weren’t listening.”

“I was,” I lied, reaching for the coffee pot. “You told me to be careful out there.”

“A nice try, but not what I was saying.” Mom grabbed a pack of cookies from the pantry and ripped it open while I filled our mugs. “I was asking if you installed that app we talked about. The one that shows all the gas stations.”

“I’ve installed every possible app,” I assured her, taking a cookie and dipping it in my coffee. “Including Grindr.”

“Cooper.”

“I’m kidding. Grindr is gross.”

“What about the bear bell?” she asked.

Tilting my head, I grinned at her. “It could work, but I’m not really into hairy men.”

Mom sighed, but I could tell she was fighting back a smile. I loved to cheer her up. That was one of the few things I was good at—lightening the mood.

“I’ll buy bear spray,” I promised her. I had no idea why Mom thought I’d meet bears during my trip, but she’d always been overly protective. Maybe it was her dormant Alpha side. Mom hadn’t presented, but she belonged to the generation that had been tested by default.

“Good. I just want you to be safe. Actually, about that—”