Page 52 of Eight Count Heat
"Andrea Sloan," Reese says quietly. "Senior. Good with strategy, not great in rough water."
"You know her?" I ask.
"We rowed together." She takes a sip of coffee. "Before I transferred."
"Any insights we can exploit?" Gray asks, ever tactical.
Something dark crosses Reese's face. "She follows traditional patterns. Likes to push early, then coast on momentum. If you make her deviate from her plan, she gets flustered."
"Noted." Gray actually looks impressed. "Anything else?"
"She's close with Kinsley Adams," Reese adds. "They trained together last summer at Olympic development camp."
Gray's expression sours at the mention of his ex. "Irrelevant."
"Is it?" Reese challenges. "Because Kinsley seems to think I'm the reason you broke up with her, and Andrea will back whatever play she makes."
The table falls silent. Gray stares at Reese, jaw tight.
"Kinsley's personal issues have nothing to do with Riverside," he finally says. "And for the record, we broke up because she wanted an Alpha power couple more than she wanted me."
"Pretty sure she's still working that angle," Beckett mutters.
"Drop it," Gray snaps.
I step in to steer the conversation to safer topics. "Callahan, what's your take on the course at Riverside? You raced it with Westlake last year, right?"
She accepts the change of subject with visible relief. "Yes. It's tricky. Strong cross-current about 750 meters in, then a tight turn at 1500. Most crews lose time there."
"Any suggestions?" I prompt.
For the next twenty minutes, Reese breaks down the Riverside course with the meticulousness of someone who's analyzed every meter. The team listens attentively, even Gray setting aside his tablet to focus on her insights. It's moments like these when her value to the team is most obvious. Her experience. Her strategic mind. Her ability to command attention without relying on Alpha dominance.
As breakfast wraps up, Gray assigns final preparation tasks for Riverside. Extra erg sessions. Video review of previous races. Equipment checks.
"One more thing," he says as we prepare to leave. "Team dinner at the house tonight. 7 PM. Mandatory."
"What's the occasion?" Beckett asks.
"Team bonding," Gray says. "Coach's orders."
I catch the slight twitch in his left eye. Gray's telling a half-truth at best. Coach Bennett is big on team chemistry, but he rarely mandates specific activities.
"I'll make my grandmother's jambalaya," I offer. Cooking for the team is my way of contributing beyond the boat. My own version of team glue.
"I have a late lab," Tyler says.
"7:30 for you then," Gray concedes.
"I might have plans—" Beckett begins.
"Cancel them," Gray cuts him off. "Everyone attends. Including you, Callahan."
Reese looks like she wants to argue but thinks better of it. "Fine."
We disperse for morning classes. I fall into step beside Cameron as we head toward the parking lot, surprised when he doesn't immediately peel off on his own path as usual.
"Blake," I acknowledge.
