But I'd take it.
Chapter 11: Liam
This wasn't the first time I'd been to the Riverside Club.
Both crews packed into the main room—Kingswell on one side, Riverside on the other, like we couldn't help but self-segregate even when we were supposed to be building bridges. Exposed brick walls, tall windows, and hardwood floors creaking under the weight of forty rowers shifting around. The place smelled like fresh paint and lemon polish—someone had cleaned for the occasion.
Coach Hale stood near the small stage at the front with Coach Eldridge, waiting for everyone to settle.
I stood with Tyler and Jace near the back, trying to look anywhere except across the room where Alex was standing with Derek and a few other Kingswell guys. He was in a dark hoodie, arms crossed, nodding at something Derek was saying. Not looking at me.
Good. Don't look at me.
"This place is actually pretty nice," Tyler said, craning his neck. "Better than I thought it'd be."
"Yeah. It's cool."
Jace crossed his arms, surveying the room.
Hale clapped his hands once. The room quieted.
"All right, everyone listen up. Thanks for coming. We know this is cutting into your afternoon, so we'll make it quick."
Eldridge stepped forward. "Next Saturday we're hosting a joint donor mixer here at The Riverside Club. Six to eleven PM. Dress code is business casual—slacks and a button-down, not jeans and your ratty crew hoodie. If you don't own appropriate clothes, talk to your captain."
Tyler leaned close. "I definitely need loaners."
"Same," I said.
"Your job," Eldridge continued, "is to talk to donors. Answer their questions about the program. Be articulate, professional, and appreciative. These are the people who make our programs possible."
"Volunteer crew is starting at four PM. But we also need greeters at the door. Sign-up sheet is going around. Huge thank you to Alex and Ethan for coordinating," Hale said.
A clipboard started making its way through the Riverside side. I passed it without signing up for anything.
Alex's presence across the room pressed against me like a physical weight. I knew exactly where he was standing—twelve feet to my left, slightly behind Derek—without having looked in his direction once.
"Now," Eldridge said, "the other reason we're here. Following the mixer on Saturday, we're hosting the Northeast Regional Invitational on Sunday morning. We'll be announcing boats for that this week. The turnaround is quick, but we're close to deciding."
The room stirred. That was the part that mattered.
Tyler grinned. "Please pair me with someone who won't make me look terrible."
"That's asking a lot," Jace said.
"Can we bring dates to the mixer?" Evan called out from the middle of the Riverside group.
My stomach dropped.
"Yes," Eldridge said. "Dates are welcome. Just let us know by Friday for the final headcount."
Tyler elbowed me. "You bringing Emily?"
The question came loud enough that people nearby could hear. A few heads turned.
"Yeah," I said. The word came out automatic. Reflex. Like a muscle that fires before the brain engages. "Yeah, I'm bringing Emily."
Tyler nodded. "Cool. I'm gonna ask that girl from my Econ class. The one who sits in front and always has the good notes."
