Josh
“There are only five boats in our heat,” Teagan said. “If we beat two of them, we’ll get bronze.”
“But all of them have taken home the cup before.” His dad was counting on him to bring it back to Easton.
She shrugged. “We’ll go out there and do our best. Okay?”
When they got into the boathouse, the crew were all lined up like a firing squad.
Perry took the floor. “Baloo says you have something to tell us.”
Shit. It was a firing squad. He glanced at Teagan. She wasn’t going to say anything. He had to do the talking.
“Well?” Perry prompted.
Josh nodded. He owed it to Baloo, to all of them, to tell the truth. “The oar that was sabotaged? It was me. I did it. I’m the reason we lost the Head of the Harbor regatta.”
There. He’d said it. By the looks on the guys’ faces, it’d landed about as well as he’d thought it would. Badly.
“Why would you make us lose?” Quaid asked, bewildered.
“Family pressure, clearly,” Noah said, surprising Josh with the astute observation. “Being a Regis comes at a price.”
Ryder didn’t agree. “Or…” he sneered. “Josh choked.”
He knew Teagan was looking at him. Wondering which way he’d go with this. She already knew what a dickhead he was, so what harm would confirming it do? “Yeah. You’re right. Our family was watching and I was scared I wouldn’t cut it as stroke. So I sabotaged my oar to get out of the race.”
Crabcatcher filled the silence that followed. “So, Baloo… does that mean your Westvale boyfriend…”
“Logan had nothing to do with it,” Josh said. “I let him take the blame because I was a coward. And I’m really, truly sorry for that.”
Baloo’s face made it clear Josh wouldn’t be getting a bear hug anytime soon.
Ryder was loving this. “So you got scared and bailed. Is that what we can expect tomorrow?”
“No.” He was solid on this.
Ryder wasn’t. “Why should we believe you? Guys, we need someone we can count on. All you have to do is tell Coach you want me back in stroke seat. I’ll take us to victory.”
“Look,” Josh cut in. “I know trusting me after what I did is a big ask, but I can get us to the podium.” He had to. Tomorrow was the last time he’d climb into a boat with these guys. Ever. And he would get them a medal, no matter the cost.
Perry wavered. “Josh, you definitely messed up. But our practice today was phenomenal.” He crossed the room and stood by Josh and Teagan, addressing the group. “I’m with him. He’s our best shot at medaling.”
Baloo shook his head. “Sorry. I can’t row for him.” He stood beside Ryder.
“Josh owned up to what he did.” Noah went to stand by Josh. “That has to count for something.”
Quaid looked torn. He didn’t cross the room. “Sorry, Noah. Ryder was stroke when we won.”
“Teagan won that race,” Crabcatcher said, his head turning back and forth between the two groups. He stayed where he was. “But it was the winning boat.”
Cam, as ever, had his neutral face on.
“Cam?” Teagan nudged him. “You’re the tiebreaker. Who gets your vote?”
All eyes fell on Cam. He took his time, stroked his chin, then held up his hands. “Neither of you.” He headed to the main door. “I’m not taking part in this vote, thanks.”
Noah was still reeling from Quaid’s decision. “You really picked Ryder?” he asked Quaid.
“His only crime is ambition,” said Quaid in his defense.
They both looked torn. Like they didn’t know how they were going to be friends anymore. Which was not at all what Josh wanted. Not that he wanted any of this.
He could understand why his teammates were conflicted. Ryder was a dick, but he worked hard. Ambitious, like him. Put in the hours. Didn’t have to fight his own body to build strength and stamina.
One more day, Josh. All you have to do is keep the eight seat and survive the regatta.
Baloo came over when the team hit the showers. “Didn’t think you had it in you to own it like that.”
“Me neither. And like I said, I’m really sorry. For what it’s worth, I DM’ed Logan and told him everything. I didn’t hear back.” Not a surprise. “But he knows the truth anyway.”
Baloo nodded. It was as close to a thank-you as Josh was going to get. “You’re still not getting my vote.”
“Fair.” Stung like hell, but he held out hope they’d find a way to be friends again. Get crushed in a bear hug. Maybe at their twentieth reunion. If he lived that long.