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Just… certain.
The room goes quiet around us.
Boone doesn’t interfere.
Smart man.
Scout studies me for a long second.
Weighing.
Measuring.
Looking for the edge.
The control.
The push.
She won’t find it.
Because this isn’t about control.
It’s about her.
“You don’t get to sideline me,” she says.
“I’m not sidelining you.”
“You’re pulling me out.”
“I’m protecting your baseline.”
That lands.
Different.
Her eyes narrow just slightly.
“Explain.”
I step closer.
Lower my voice.
“You’re still compensating,” I say. “You’re holding, but it’s costing you.”
A beat.
“And if you burn through that now, you won’t have it when it matters.”
Silence.
She knows I’m right.
I can see it.
The way her shoulders shift just a fraction.
