High Risk by Vivian Arend

where the guys
     got hung up.” Alisha moved away from Becki to stare up the expanse of the wall. “Unless
     you have a magic pill for me?”
    “I have something better.” Becki shook her head, turning to take in the team one by
     one. “You’ve all worked under Marcus for a while, and you still can’t figure out what
     I’m looking for in this exercise?”
    They blinked at each other sheepishly.
    “Or do I blame Marcus?” Becki inquired.
    “Me?” Marcus stepped forward. “How did I get called into this mess?”
    “Just double-checking something. You still as fond of lists these days as”—Becki paused
     for such a split second, he was probably the only one who caught it—“as before? You
     teach these guys your four rules for surviving and thriving?”
    “Of course he taught us. They’re plastered on the staff room walls,” Xavier said.
     “Be patient, move decisively—”
    “Oh, God . . .” Alisha dropped her head into her hands. “Rule Three. Trust your team?
     Is that all you were going for?”
    “All?” Becki barked out the word. “Do you have any idea how quickly you could have
     gotten this task over and done with if
all
you’d done is worked as a team with your partner? And I don’t mean looking for pretty
     holds for him to grab. I mean brainstorming and thinking outside the box.”
    Marcus’s admiration grew as Becki stepped forward and pointed at individuals in turn.
    “Right off the bat Xavier attempted an innovative move. But because the distance was
     impossible for individual success, he gave up instead of sharing it with the rest
     of you. His idea could have triggered others.
    “Tripp—you’ve got more sheer upper body strength than anyone else here. Devon, your
     agility set you into a starting position fast and easy. Alisha—you will be able to
     hit that hold, and once you’re there you’ve got the flexibility for moves these guys
     can only dream of. Since you’re the lightest, you also have other advantages.”
    “So we can’t complete this challenge on our own?” Tripp asked.
    Becki shrugged. “Maybe you could, but as a team
maybe
goes all the way up to
yes
. And if that’s the difference between saving someone’s life or not, which is more
     important? Getting to crow as an individual, or sharing the celebration among the
     team?”
    She moved to face them all, her back toward the climbing wall. “I’m going to make
     some wild assumptions right now, but I doubt I’m wrong. When you heard that Marcus
     had asked me to come train you, I bet what instantly came to mind were things like
     Devon mentioned that night at the pub.
Becki James’s
reputation as a climber extraordinaire. My solo records here at the school, my famous
     single-handed rescue last year. Am I wrong?”
    Tripp shook his head. “Can you blame us?”
    “Not for it being the first thing you thought of, but I’ll be damned if it should
     have been the last thing you focused on.” Becki planted her fists on her hips. “This
     isn’t school boot camp. You’re not trying to win a job placement; you have one. You’re
     no longer six individuals, but a team. Every single training exercise should be done
     with that in mind, even if your instructors fail to emphasize the fact.
    “Don’t try to be me. I got lucky. You guys are the ones who got attention for your
     joint skills, your teamwork. You’re all incredible individuals, but as Lifeline, you’re
     a whole lot more. Don’t forget that. You fought for that honor. You deserve that honor.
     Now don’t let yourselves slack off—don’t let your teammates take the easy way out—fight
     to keep making
the team
stronger.”
    Alisha’s chin had lifted. Devon grinned. Someone clapped and the entire team joined
     in, the staccato sound echoing off the walls and ringing in his ears. Becki’s cheeks
     flushed red, but she smiled.
    Marcus wanted to give her more than a standing ovation.
    “Go on.” Becki waved them off. “You’re