Page 15 of False Catch

"But he's giving us a chance," Eli points out. "He could report it himself. Instead, he's warning us."

"Because he's protecting the program," Gray says. "If we go down, the whole team suffers. JV gets no varsity positions to move into. The four-man crew loses funding. Sable Ridge Crew becomes a cautionary tale."

"So what do we do?" Cameron asks.

All eyes turn to Reese. She's been quiet, processing, that strategic mind working through possibilities.

"We row," she says simply. "Tomorrow, we get on that water and we row like champions. We show Carmine that whatever concerns exist are unfounded. We prove that a mixed team can function professionally."

"How?" I ask, the word sharp and accusatory. "We can barely hold it together when it's just us."

She meets my gaze steadily. "By remembering what matters. You all have dreams beyond this boathouse. Olympics. National team. Professional careers. Don't let my presence cost you those dreams."

"Your presence isn't the problem," Bo says firmly.

"No," she agrees. "But my designation is. And if we can't figure out how to manage that, Coach is right. We're done."

The weight of it settles over us. Tomorrow isn't just another practice. It's a trial. And if we fail, everything ends.

"We should strategize," Tyler suggests. "Create protocols for tomorrow."

"Physical distance," Gray says immediately. "Minimize contact. Professional interactions only."

"I'll double my suppressant dose," Reese adds, though something in her expression suggests that comes with a cost.

"Jackson and Cameron take the launch to practice," Eli suggests. "Remove the most sensitive variables."

"No." The refusal comes from my mouth before I can stop it. Everyone looks at me in surprise. "We're a full crew or we're nothing. Carmine needs to see all nine of us functioning."

"Even if—" Eli starts.

"Even if it's hard. Even if it's risky." I look at Reese. "I won't be the reason this team fails. Not again."

She nods, understanding passing between us. We both have history with designation disasters. Both have scars from teams that couldn't handle the biology.

"Then we should practice," Gray decides. "Evening session. Work out the kinks before tomorrow."

"Coach won't approve extra water time," Tyler points out.

"Then we use the tanks." The rowing tanks—indoor practice stations that simulate water training. "Two hours. Until we can maintain steady state without falling apart."

Everyone agrees, the plan giving us something to focus on besides tomorrow's threat.

As we file out, Reese catches my arm.

"Thank you," she says quietly. "For not bailing."

"I'm not doing it for you."

"I know." She releases me. "You're doing it for them. For the team. That's what makes it matter."

She walks away, leaving me with the uncomfortable realization that maybe Eli was right. Maybe this time could be different.

Maybe I could help write a different ending.

But first, we have to survive tomorrow.

CHAPTER FIVE