Cam
“We’re not getting into the boat until there’s a majority,” Ryder said to Noah and Perry. “Do you seriously want to row for Josh?”
They did.
Teagan, who’d just arrived, threw up her hands. “Why are you still fighting about this? We have a genuine shot at medaling today, and I for one do not want to tank this opportunity because of some stupid team spat.”
Ryder dug in. “Josh screwed the team, so the team gets to decide who they want to row for.”
“Stroke seat is Coach’s decision,” Teagan reminded them.
“Except,” Baloo cut in, “if we refuse to row for someone. If that’s the case? There’s nothing he can do.”
True, thought Cam.
Idiotic, short-sighted, and really pig-headed. But still true.
Their coxswain took charge like she always did. From the determined look on Teagan’s face, Cam could tell she was going to find a way to sort this out once and for all. “Fine,” she said. “Let’s get a decision. End this. Cam? In the kitchen.”
“Wow,” Quaid whispered in a dramatic voice. “She’s mad.”
“I like the fire,” Noah said.
So did Cam.
He followed Teagan as she marched into the kitchen.
“What’s going on with you?” Cam asked.
“Nothing.”
He waited. He sensed there was something besides the rowing drama going on.
“A lot, actually. Family stuff.”
Ah, now that he could understand.
She looked at him imploringly. “This team is the only thing that makes sense in my life right now. I don’t need this bullshit. One name. Make the call. Who’s it going to be, Cam?”
She was right; they were practically seniors. They should be mature enough to sort this out like… like… mostly formed adults.
It was almost funny. Having to choose between the two people who had done everything short of literally using him as a ladder to come out on top.
“There are no good options,” he said, as tired of it all as she was.
She glared at him.
“You really want me to choose between the one who bribed me and the one who sabotaged us?”
“Yes,” she said, voice clipped. “I do. ’Cause guess what? If you want to be a leader, this is what leadership looks like. Sometimes all you have in front of you are two bad options and you have to make a decision.”
“Fine.” He knew what to do. Which call to make. “Let’s go back in.”
The guys all snapped to attention when he walked in. No point in building more tension. You could already cut it with a knife. “Josh.”
They all looked shocked. Especially Josh.
“Right?” Teagan gave everyone a hard stare. Including Ryder. “Are we good?”
“The crew has spoken,” Ryder said, then stormed off to channel his zen or whatever. He was a dick, but he was also a good rower. He’d do some meditation and have it together before the race.
Quaid looked at Noah. “Hey, buddy. Will you take me back?”
Noah opened his arms. “Come here, you big lug.”
At least someone was hugging it out. Josh would have to make do with a nod. Everyone apart from him and Teagan scattered, getting their minds in the zone. He headed out to do the same, but Coach came in and stopped him in his tracks. “Cam? Teagan? My office. Now.”