Chapter Thirty-One.

Ca.s.s and Yanmei gently set the long, sleek boat on the padded wooden cradle, carefully holding it until it was balanced properly. She quietly thanked the sweet security guard, making a mental note to sign a team cap for her later in the week. Ca.s.s had talked Coach into letting her take the van out after dinner, needing to have some quiet time before tomorrow's doubles finals. The medals races for the eights had been pushed back two days, meaning that Ca.s.s and Sarah were finally racing in the morning, after a two-day delay.

Ca.s.s couldn't really believe it. They'd blown through the semifinal heats almost too easily and it all seemed...surreal. She mentally reviewed the teams she and Sarah would face. They would be up against the best tomorrow, and she wanted to give their scull one last once-over before the morning's races.

Gently sliding the bow seat up and back along the slide, Ca.s.s closed her eyes and felt for any unevenness in the movement. She added a bit more light grease to the left runner and ran the seat again. This time there was no hesitation in the seat's progress. She did the same for the stern seat, adding grease where it was needed.

She worked in the near-darkness, tweaking the sh.e.l.l, making minute adjustments, lit only by the lone bulb glowing high above the racks of stacked and prepped boats. The single light cast harsh shadows, and she had to lean sideways to see what she was doing. The boathouse was nearly empty, just one or two other athletes or team a.s.sistants quietly prepping their equipment before tomorrow's races.

Ca.s.s worked methodically, letting her mind wander. She could feel her nerves rising and to combat them began to build the day ahead in her mind. Piece by piece she added elements, beginning first with the water. It always started there. Then came the boathouse. The undulating shape of the roof, the gentle sweep of the natural bank leading to the water, the perfect man-made straightaway that was the venue for their final qualifying heat in the morning.

Tomorrow is it. That thought winged its way through her thoughts. Shaking her head, she closed her eyes and added details to her visualization. The lap of water against the sides of the sh.e.l.l, the slap of oars. .h.i.tting the water in near-perfect synchronization, the thunk and slide, point-counter-point of the seats and the oarlocks accompanying the rhythm of the boat's movement through the water. She even added the tangy, salty air, the flavor of it scratchy against the back of her throat as she sucked in air. She saw the vee they cut through the water, pointing them on toward victory.

Ca.s.s's vision was so complete, so detailed, that she lost herself in the moment. She was no longer in the darkened boathouse, but instead living in the s.p.a.ce she'd created in her mind. Her boat, she and Sarah charging down the lane to the finish. She let herself imagine the relief and the joy she'd feel as they swept to victory. And a tiny part of her added one last element to the fantasy. She imagined the joy and pride on Laura's face as she, along with the rest of the U.S. squad, watched Ca.s.s's boat triumph. So intently was she focused on her own preparations that she lost track of time and those around her. She was startled by a voice coming from someone immediately behind her in the dark.

"Back again? Why do I always find you here alone?"

"Excuse me?" Ca.s.s peered into the darkness, trying to locate the speaker. She shaded her eyes from the overhead light and moved away from her boat. "Oh, for cryin' out...Sh.e.l.ly? What do you want?"

"Just came to give you a message." The shadows shifted and Sh.e.l.ly stepped out. She casually pulled a towel from the side of the sh.e.l.l and wiped her hands. "Stay away from Laura."

Ca.s.s grabbed a towel of her own, wiping the excess grease off her hands. She stepped around the boat, putting some distance between herself and Sh.e.l.ly. s.h.i.t, the woman's nuts. She took another step, trying to figure out how she could attract Yanmei's attention, or anybody's for that matter. She watched as Sh.e.l.ly stepped closer and stopped, resting her hands on the dark blue hull of her boat.

"Get your hands off my boat."

"What?" Sh.e.l.ly looked down, then shrugged as if to say the sh.e.l.l was of no importance to her. "Fine. Whatever. Did you hear what I said?"

"Yes, I heard you. I don't know what you're talking about."

"I said, stay away from Laura."

"Yeah, I got that. I don't see how that's any of your business."

"It is my business. Laura is my business. If you're smart, you'll stay clear of her."

"I don't believe this." Ca.s.s shook her head, tucking her hair behind her ears. "Are you threatening me? You have got to be kidding."

"It's no threat, it's a promise. If you know what's good for you, you'll stay away from her."

"Right, then. That's it. Yanmei!" Ca.s.s called out suddenly, startling Sh.e.l.ly into stepping back. She nodded to the small security guard who raced around the corner and slid to a stop before her.

"Yes, Miss?" Yanmei's breathless voice was high, and she glanced nervously between Ca.s.s and Sh.e.l.ly.

"Yanmei, this woman should not be in here, she is not a member of any team."

"Oh! But she say-"

"Oh, be quiet," Sh.e.l.ly snapped. She waved her press credential and gestured to the now fl.u.s.tered security guard. "I have every right to be here."

The security guard grabbed it and examined it carefully. She flushed bright red before giving it back.

"No, Miss. Your pa.s.s not for inside. Please, come?"

Yanmei placed her hand on Sh.e.l.ly's arm and attempted to lead her toward the door. Sh.e.l.ly yanked herself free and raised a hand to strike the young guard. Suddenly, her hand was caught in a vise-like grip.

"I don't think so." Ca.s.s's voice was low, angry.

Sh.e.l.ly struggled for a moment before swearing and relaxing her arm. Ca.s.s nodded and slowly released the woman's hand, keeping her body between Sh.e.l.ly's and Yanmei's. "I guess I'm in better shape than you expected, hmm?"

Sh.e.l.ly yanked her shirt straight and spun around, heading for the exit. "This isn't over, b.i.t.c.h. I warned you."

Oh my G.o.d, the woman really is nuts.

Ca.s.s waited until Sh.e.l.ly was out the door before turning to Yanmei. She was trembling now from the adrenaline and she could see the little security guard was in the same shape.

"Yanmei, are you okay?"

"Yes, Miss. I so sorry. She has badge, and I see her with you and others, so I think..." She wrung her hands together in distress. "Please, I am sorry. I will be sure she does not return in here."

"Thank you, Yanmei."

"Yes," another voice said out of the darkness. "Thank you, Yanmei for your help."

Laura stepped from the shadows, concern on her face. She watched Yanmei return to her post, then turned to Ca.s.s.

"Are you okay?"

Fl.u.s.tered, Ca.s.s simply nodded. She'd spent a laughter-filled evening with Laura after the eight's win three days ago, but since then had barely seen her. Laura could-and did-disappear for hours at a time, a habit that in turns frustrated and intrigued Ca.s.s. She looked up to find Laura staring at her intently. "How much did you hear?"

"Enough that I'm worried. What was she doing in here?"

"I don't know. She came out of the dark and basically told me to stay away from you."

"Ca.s.s, you know she's not my girlfriend, right?"

"Oh G.o.d, I hope not. You'd have to have your head examined to be with-" Ca.s.s stopped, realizing what she was saying. "d.a.m.n, Laura, I didn't mean that."

"Yes you did, but it's okay. She wasn't always-" Laura stopped and shook her head. She looked over the boat and then up at Ca.s.s. "About finished here?"

At Ca.s.s's nod, the two women lifted the sh.e.l.l back into its storage cradle. They gathered up the wax, grease and oil and tucked it into the storage box at the end of their team's section. Together they walked out to where Ca.s.s had parked the van. Ca.s.s started to get in, but stopped when Laura put a hand on her arm.

"Ca.s.s, look. Maybe it would be better if we..." Laura stopped, her eyes shadowed by the night, her voice reflecting her struggle. "We've gotten to be friends and I, um, like that. Like you. But maybe it's better if we...if you stay away from me for a while."

The humid night air seemed suddenly thicker to Ca.s.s. She struggled to get a deep breath...Laura's words had knocked the wind out of her. I...she...no. She's going to let that woman mess up this thing we have. That we might have.

"Laura," she said softly. "No."

"Yes, Ca.s.s. I mean it."

"I don't get you, you know? You run hot, then cold. One minute you're hugging me like...like it means something-"

"It-"

"No, let me. Then...you just disappear. I don't know whether I'm coming or going. Or whether you're coming or going."

Laura ran her hands through her hair, tangling the red waves into disarray. She opened her mouth and then snapped it shut again. She waved a hand between them, "See? This is what I mean. This is why I..."

"What, because I'm frustrated with you? No. You want to back off because your ex is here and she's stirring things up." Ca.s.s took a deep breath and stepped forward. "Look, I like you. I think we make a pretty good team. Whatever else, we're friends, Laura. You can't let her do this to you, to our friendship." Ca.s.s took both of Laura's hands in hers, noting how cold her fingers were. "You can't. I won't let you."

Laura pulled her hands free and stepped back. Ca.s.s could see that she was trembling, and ached for her.

"It's not your decision. There's something broken with her, and I won't let that touch you."

She stepped out of the ring of the streetlight, leaving Ca.s.s alone near the van. Her softly spoken, "I'm sorry," drifted back on the damp night breeze, bringing Ca.s.s little comfort.

Chapter Thirty-Two.

Amy glanced again at the door to the room she'd shared with Ca.s.s. Ca.s.s had retreated there to dress earlier, and Amy had given her time alone to prepare for the day's race. Today's event was the final medal round for the double sculls and Amy knew Ca.s.s was nervous as a cat this morning. She'd watched as Ca.s.s tried to settle herself with some stretching exercises before giving up and going to change. Amy had hoped that Laura would be able to settle her friend down. It seemed as if the two had grown closer, especially following the Eight's spectacular finish in the repechage. The two had been inseparable at dinner that night. But Amy frowned as she realized that she hadn't seen the two together since then. Now that she thought about it, she hadn't seen Laura with Ca.s.s for several days. d.a.m.n. She grabbed her sneakers and knocked on the dorm door.

"Hey, can I come in?"

"Sure. I'm almost ready."

Amy bounced over to Ca.s.s, reaching to grab her gym bag as they left their room.

"How do you feel?"

"Good. Fine. Okay."

Amy chuckled, then said, "Um, wanna pick one?"

Ca.s.s's wan smile stretched a bit further. "Sure. I'll go with okay."

"Hmm, have to do something about that."

She watched Ca.s.s's surrept.i.tious check of the main room, knowing that she was looking for Laura. They were the only ones left in the common room, the rest of the squad having gone ahead to the venue. Amy led Ca.s.s to the elevators.

"She left a little while ago."

"Who?"

"Come on, Ca.s.s. I know you're looking for Laura. What happened?"

"Nothing."

Outside, Sheila waved them over to the team van, checking her watch one more time.

"All set?"

"Yeah."

"Good. Sarah's with Pam and Josh," she said, referring to Ca.s.s's double scull partner and two of the a.s.sistant coaches. "They're getting the numbers from the referee. There's been some last-minute rearranging or something. Computer glitch."

Sheila's speech was as choppy and short as Ca.s.s's, and Amy knew it had to do with today's medal round. She knew that when the Eight went later in the week she'd be just as nervous and short. Amy said nothing for a moment as the coach began the drive to the boathouse, then tried again with Ca.s.s.

"You know, she's just as miserable as you are."

"She's got a funny way of showing it. s.h.i.t, Amy, she cut me off. I thought we had something...something good. She let that...that b.i.t.c.h decide for us." Ca.s.s shrugged, resigned. "I resent it and I'm hurt."

The two watched the scenery slide by in silence. Finally, Ca.s.s turned to Amy.

"You know what, Amy? That's what really gets me. She decided for us. Laura simply decided that since Sh.e.l.ly threatened to make things tough for me, it would be best to stay away from each other. No discussion, no alternatives. It makes me wonder if that's the real reason, you know?"

"What do you mean?"

"What if...what if Sh.e.l.ly's just an excuse? G.o.d Ames, I was really falling for her. What if she just didn't feel the same way? G.o.d, I'm such an idiot sometimes."

Amy reached out and caught Ca.s.s's hand in her own. This wasn't the time for any of this and she didn't know any other way to offer comfort. She simply sat there and held her friend's hand, wishing for the right words.

Sheila pulled the van into the reserved slots and waited for Amy to get out. She caught Ca.s.s's arm before they left the van.

"Ca.s.s. Put it aside for now and focus. I need you to do that. Sarah needs it too. Okay?"

Ca.s.s nodded reluctantly, and they joined Amy on the sidewalk. As the trio made their way down to the launching area, a red-jacketed official approached Sheila, accompanied by Josh, one of the team's a.s.sistant coaches.

"Uh-oh." Amy pulled Ca.s.s to a halt.

"What?" Ca.s.s's voice was tight with tension.

"I don't like the look of this."

Amy and Ca.s.s watched the official confer with the coach. After a minute, the official left and Sheila turned to Ca.s.s. She ran a hand through her close-cropped hair and frowned.

"Ames, run down and get Sarah, okay? Meet us at the course referee's office."

Amy nodded and ran off. Whatever was going on was not good.