Page 106 of Crew Girl

“No. It’s nothing like that. The money’s for the family. We can save the shop.”

“That’s not your job. You don’t have to save anything.”

“But I want to!”

“No, Cam!” His father shook his head. “I’m your father. That’s my job.”

Cam saw it now. The mistake he’d made when he’d blown up at Teagan. He’d hidden his shame in a mask of frustration and anger when all she’d been trying to do was help.

“Dad, I learned everything I know about how to take care of a family from you. That’s why I did it.” If his dad told him to return it today, he’d do it, but only if it meant the two of them would be good again. “Was I wrong?”

“No, son.” His dad’s frustration had ebbed away. And the shame. Cam could see he understood now that he’d done this out of love. “Cam, it’s just… I never wanted this to be your burden.”

“Is the money enough?”

“It’s enough, Cam. It’s enough.” He stood, gestured to Cam to do the same. He pulled him into a tight hug. The kind where you could feel the other person’s heartbeat. His dad’s was steady and true. Just as it had always been. When he released him, his dad was smiling, but all business. “And, son? Never do that again.”

It was too late to head out on the water, but after talking with his dad, Cam still felt restless so he did some work. Tinkering with a car that had a mystery knock or malfunction was his way of calming his mind. He puzzled over the fault, figured it out, realigned this part or that, ensuring every element of the vehicle worked in harmony… like a rowing team. Only made of metal, not attitude. So, no high-drama shouting matches.

As he lifted the car’s hood, he thought about everything that had happened today. His dad’s shop had been on the line. The only way he’d had to fix it would have destroyed his Olympic dream. Teagan had stepped in to fix it, the way he had with his dad. He needed to apologize, find a way to thank her for what she did. She’d risked her future for his, the same way he’d risked his for his dad.

They were both idiots. Idiots with big hearts and the best of intentions. But Teagan had come to his rescue in an emergency. It’s who she was. Someone who saw possibility where others only saw insurmountable brick walls. And it was time to let her know how he really felt about her.

TEAGAN

It took a minute to get her bearings. She was in Josh’s car. Her head hurt. They weren’t moving. Josh had been driving like a maniac— “Josh!” He was alive, groggy, and confused, face covered in sweat, but he was alive. Thank god.

“What happened? Where are we?” muttered Josh.

“You blacked out and we went off the road.”

“What?” He was out of it. Staring at her like something was— She put her hand to her forehead. It felt sticky. Blood. Not much. She’d live. Josh, on the other hand, looked ashen.

“Are you okay?”

“Your head…”

“I hit it on the dash, but I’m fine.” Her heart was racing and she was terrified, but he didn’t need to know that. “Are you okay?”

“I’m so sorry, Teagan.”

He was talking like he was drunk. But alcohol didn’t explain whatever was going on here. “I think you need to go to a hospital.” This was not a problem she could fix. If the car wasn’t too damaged, she could drive them there. No. That was stupid. She was a nervous wreck. “I’m calling 911.” She climbed out of the car. Josh got out, too.

“No.” He stumbled toward her. “Wait.”

“Josh, this is serious.” She wasn’t talking about the car. It wasn’t great either. But it was the least of her worries.

“Oh shit.” Josh had worked his way around to where they’d hit the tree. “It’s really bad.”

Not as bad as he was. He was spiraling. She’d never seen anyone like this before. Was this how her dad had felt when he realized the FBI was onto him? Powerless to stop his life from being stripped away in front of his wife and daughter.

Josh stumbled again. She caught him, then lowered him to the ground. “Josh, we’ve gotta call someone. If you black out again—”

“No!” He crawled away from the car, propping himself up on the curb.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m thinking!”