Page 78 of Crew Girl

Josh dumped his bag and headed outside to check out the competition. To his surprise, he saw his father. “Dad? I thought you were with Mom and Grandad.”

“They’re finding a good spot to watch from. Your Aunt Karina’s with them, too.”

That explained his father’s annoyed expression. He and Aunt Karina were locked in the same kind of power play he and Ryder were. Always battling to be their father’s chosen one. Josh was sure it hadn’t been fun. Fighting a sibling for parental affection his whole life.

So why had he put Josh under the same pressure? Rowing in the same eight as Ryder. Jockeying to be stroke.

Coach still hadn’t told them who was sitting where today. Crabcatcher obviously knew where he’d be. Baloo and Teagan, too. But the rest of them? They’d have to wait and see.

“Son.” His dad steered him off the path, out of earshot of the parents and rowers heading down to the lake. “I have some hard news. Dad promoted Karina to President of Luxury Travel.”

Wait. What? “I thought that was supposed to be your job?”

Richard Regis had pretty much lived a golden life. Beating his sister at each professional turn. The fact his dad wasn’t completely losing the plot right now was a miracle. His dad flexed his neck like he was feeling the loss physically, then gave Josh a pointed look.

Oh shit. He knew that look. It was the one that meant, Over to you, son.

“I need a win here, Josh,” his dad said. “I spoke with Coach. You’re back in stroke.”

He felt a surge of elation that he knew wouldn’t—couldn’t—peak.

“If you win this race,” continued his father, “we’ll be back on top in Dad’s mind.”

“Right.”

Josh knew he should say something to his dad now. Talk to him the way a son was supposed to be able to talk to his father. Without fear of retribution.

But that’s not how the Regis family worked. The last thing he could say to his dad was that he didn’t want to row because it wasn’t fun anymore.

And if his dad knew what his request meant for him… how life-changing putting his all into this race could be… would he still ask him to do it? Josh was too scared to find out.

“Son? I’m counting on you. Both of our futures, your mother’s as well, they depend on your performance today.”

“Understood.” His dad headed off, leaving his future in the family business in Josh’s hands.

Pretty much the worst place it could possibly be.

TEAGAN

Cam walked through the clubhouse carrying supplies while she was posting the day’s plan on the board. Given the unexpected turn of events at the Formal… and what had happened afterward… Teagan should’ve just let him go past, but that wasn’t really her style. She liked resolution.

He hadn’t been giving her the silent treatment or anything. Earlier, he’d said “Good morning” and “The Crock-Pot’s in the kitchen if Coach asks where it is,” but that was it. No apology. No heartfelt revelations after a long, dark night of the soul. Nothing.

Like it or not, he wasn’t getting into that boat without clearing the air.

He deposited another box of things from Coach’s truck in the kitchen. When he came back out, she stopped him. “Anything you want to talk about?”

“No.”

“Wow!” She waved invisible pom-poms. “I got a whole word out of you. More communicative than your texts.” They’d never texted. Not their thing. Apparently joking around wasn’t either. She took things down a notch. He did not look happy. “Cam… I know you had a hard time at the dance and I’ve been trying to give you space, but we’ve got to go out there as a team soon. You can talk to me, you know?”

“Yeah.” He glanced at her, went back to rubbing a callus. “I know.”

She peered up at him. “Are we still friends?”

His face tensed. “Of course we are. Thanks.” Then he strode off to the changing room.

Not exactly the best heart-to-heart she’d had, but… it was a tiny step forward.