Chapter 2: Locker Room Talk

2

Among the crowd, a cocky young guy let his gaze roam over me.

He looked like the type who played varsity football but never made captain. His smirk was pure arrogance, hands jammed in cargo shorts—a swagger only bored, privileged boys could manage.

That look seemed to strip away my wet clothes, seeing right through to what was underneath.

He grinned at Derek, making a show of nudging his shoulder. "Derek, man, you’re lucky! Bet you can’t wait for the honeymoon, huh?"

His words sliced through the hush, a few people laughing nervously, trying to play it off like typical locker room talk. My cheeks burned hot.

Though I’d always been proud, a woman’s reputation is everything. To be seen like this by so many people left me deeply humiliated.

Anger and shame churned inside me.

I could only wrap my arms around myself, searching for a friendly face. My gaze was fragile, full of hope. "Derek..."

I scanned the group, desperate for someone—anyone—to toss me a towel or just say something kind. The silence pressed down, heavy as the dripping fabric on my skin.

At that moment, I just wanted someone to take me away and shield me from all these leering eyes.

But Derek wrapped his jacket tightly around Aubrey, using his own body to shield her from view.

At the guy’s teasing, his face darkened.

But instead of comforting me, he snapped: "Why are you still here? Go get changed! Quit making a scene!"

His voice rang out, sharp as a slap, and the embarrassment settled in my bones. The humiliation was complete. A couple of people turned away, pretending not to notice, but no one stepped in.

My body stiffened. The wet clothes, whipped by the breeze, chilled me to the bone.

Aubrey’s face was pale, her hair clinging softly to her cheeks, her body trembling like a leaf—so pitiful.

She tugged at Derek’s sleeve, her voice trembling as she cried, "Derek, I’m so scared... I almost drowned."

Her lower lip trembled, and the onlookers murmured their sympathy. Someone offered her a Gatorade, as if hydration would fix everything. I stood there, invisible.

"Aubrey, don’t be afraid. I’ll take you home right now."

Derek quickly bent to comfort her, then, without even glancing at me, carried her away in his arms.

I could only huddle miserably on the boat’s deck, eyes brimming with tears, my vision blurring.

The sun felt hotter on my soaked skin, and the air smelled like sunscreen and lake weeds.

A summer storm threatened in the sky above, matching the ache behind my eyes. I felt like the loneliest person in the county—alone, exposed, wishing I could sink back into the lake and never come up.

I bit down hard on my lip, refusing to let the tears fall until I tasted blood.

In that moment, my mind suddenly cleared.

Childhood affection? Derek had let me down too many times. I no longer wanted such a fiancé.

I let the anger simmer in my chest, feeding on it instead of letting it swallow me. The pain felt almost clarifying.