“I’ve got to—” I start to say, but the rest of the thought dies as I sprint toward the dock.
Even though it’s not allowed, hazing happens. Nothing awful,nothing that leads to suspension or expulsion, but it’s humiliating, nonetheless. I have a strong sense that’s what this is.
My feet pound against the wooden slats as I draw nearer. It’s chillier by the water. Some of the senior crew guys unleash uproarious laughter. They’re gathered near a bobbing canoe, and that’s when I confirm William’s the one wearing the armor that’s usually displayed in Segner’s common room. Metal on metal clashes as he shifts, the canoe tipping dangerously at the motion. The protective visor clangs over his eyes and obstructs his view as his hands grasp either side of the swaying structure.
And then Luke Stelmak punts him away from the dock with a strong shove.
Without oars.
I push my way through half a dozen idiots until I’m standing at the very edge of the dock.
“Are youkiddingme?” I whirl around, eyes flashing. “How is he supposed to get back?”
Justin steps around me. “Who cares?”
“Don’t worry, Delaney.” Stelmak’s wicked grin expands. “All he has to do is take off the armor and swim.”
Out on the water, William peels the helmet away and lets it land with athunkby his feet. His frantic eyes find mine, round with panic.
Footsteps shuffle across the dock as the boys begin to leave.
“Where are you going?” I demand.
“Inside,” Justin calls over his shoulder. “Later.”
I withhold the urge to shove him in the water as William drifts further away. A two-seater practice boat is roped to one of the posts, dipping over tiny waves. I’ve never rowed in my life, but Ihaveseen plenty of people do it in movies. That counts, I decide. It can’t be that hard.
I’m working the knot in the rope when a shadow falls over me. “What are you doing?” Sumner asks, casual, as if we planned to meet here.
“Transcendental equations,” I hurl over my shoulder. “What does it look like?”
“It looks like,” he says, “you’re flipping classic fairy tales on their head and saving the knight in shining armor.”
My fingers continue to pry at the rope. I can’t do this with him right now.
Instead, he pushes it further. “He’s fine.”
I glance out into the water and see William attempting to stand. He wobbles, legs shaking, then sits back down. Sumner palms the back of his neck, as if questioning what he just said.
“And if he, I don’t know,drowns in that armor? Don’t you think that may impact the course of history based on what we currently know?” A frustrated exhale bubbles from my lips. “I mean, did you even ask if he knows how to swim?”
“Why are you acting like this is my idea?” Sumner volleys. “I had no part in this.”
“You’re here, aren’t you?”
The rope finally loosens. I start to lower myself into the boat, but before I can push off, Sumner steadies his hand on the bow.
“Carmichael.” His gray eyes are bright in the afternoon sunlight. “Have you even rowed before?”
“No,” I admit through gritted teeth.
A fed-up sigh escapes from the back of his throat, and the next thing I know, he’s shifting into the seat behind me.
I reach for an oar. “No way you know your way around one of these.”
He gets to it first, securing his hands in position. This, I realize too late, pisses him off. His eyebrows pinch together, mouth tightening. And before I can say anything else, we’re moving. Steadily. The oars cut through the water like butter. His motions are shockingly agile.
My brain can’t resist the urge to launch another pointed comment. “Did your new friends give you tips or something?”
