Chapter 15 #2
His eyes flash. “That’s not the point.” His eyes flash. “Someone just screwed you over and you’re acting like it’s normal.”
“Because it is normal for me,” I snap, standing up too fast. “This is normal for me, Colton.”
“That’s not okay. You should be angry,” he snaps back. “You should be arguing that with Gabriel and the judges.”
“You don’t think I’m angry?” My voice cracks before I can stop it, heat rushing up my throat as Colton’s expression falters.
“I’m beyond angry, because no matter how hard I train, how many hours I spend bleeding into this sport, there’s always someone ready to remind me that I’ll never quite belong here. ”
My chest heaves as the words hang heavy between us, the air shifting.
“Kairi, there you are,” Gabriel interrupts.
I turn to face him as he approaches, one hand resting on the shoulder of the man he was speaking with earlier. The man offers me a polite smile that doesn’t reach his eyes, but Gabriel offers me an encouraging nod regardless.
“I was just telling Mark here that you’d be a great fit for the surfing shoot he’s planning to organize for his new range of surfer hair products.”
Mark’s gaze shifts over my face, my skin, my hair—still damp and curling wildly from the saltwater and his smile falters subtly.
“Oh,” he says, dragging the word out as if he’s buying time. “Right, yeah…she’s—” He clears his throat. “She’s got…potential”
The word lands like a slap, and Gabriel’s brows knit together. “She just scored one of the highest waves in her heat,” he says, pointing to the scoreboard, then hesitating when he notices the low score from Stephen.
“Of course, of course,” Mark says quickly, without glancing at the board. “It’s just…well this particular campaign has a very specific…look we’re going for.”
My stomach sinks again as I realize where he’s going with this. It’s like the Surf Gods decided I needed every bit of reminding for why I genuinely hate coming to competitions.
“So,” he continues, glancing past me toward the group of our new members drying off in the sun, “I was wondering if maybe one of the new girls might be a better fit?”
Colton steps forward before I can stop him and my heart rate picks up.
“What kind of look?” he asks.
Mark blinks. “Excuse me?”
“You said you’re looking for a specific look,” Colton says, his tone dangerously calm. “So what is it?”
“Colton—” I start under my breath, reaching for his arm, but he doesn’t budge.
Mark lets out an awkward laugh, looking to Gabriel for help but Gabriel just takes a step back, amusement sparkling in his eye as he looks between Mark and Colton.
“It’s not that deep, man. Just a branding preference.”
“Right. So explain it to us, ” Colton says, nodding slowly. “Kairi just outperformed most of the lineup, so I’m just trying to understand what makes her not a ‘good fit’ since your brand normally goes for surfers that are performing exceptionally well.”
“Colton,” I hiss, heat flooding my face as people start looking over. “Drop it.”
Mark shifts uncomfortable. “Like I said, it’s just the aesthetic of the campaign—”
“What aesthetic?” Colton cuts in. “Straight hair? Blonde highlights? Blue eyes?”
The silence is heavy and tense, and I inwardly cringe at all the attention on us.
Mark’s smile strains as he looks around at all the eyes on us. “I don’t think this is an appropriate conversation—”
“You’re the one standing here implying she’s not good enough without saying the real reason why,” Colton fires back.
“That’s not what I said.”
“That's exactly what you said.”
“Colton,” Gabriel steps in, amusement still glinting in his eyes as he places a hand on his shoulder. “That’s enough.”
Colton looks like he might shake Gabriel off, but instead he exhales shakily and takes a step back.
Mark straightens his shirt and looks at Gabriel and all the curious eyes still watching us with a tight expression. “Why don’t we circle back later,” he says, forcing a smile. “You can send me some options and I’ll have our team review the best way forward.”
Gabriel nods, though his expression has cooled. “Yeah. I’ll walk you out.”
As they turn to leave, he glances back at Colton with what looks to be approval, but I don’t think Colton notices. When they’re gone, the noise of the beach rushes back in around us.
“Why did you do that?” I mutter, staring down at the sand.
Colton lets out a short breath. “Do what? Defend you?”
I shake my head, mortified. “You just made a scene in front of everybody.”
“Good,” he says without hesitation. “Maybe now they’ll all think twice before pulling that shit again.”
My throat is tight from the embarrassment coursing through me and I press my lips together, not trusting myself to respond.
“I don’t get why you won’t stand up for yourself,” he says, watching me carefully. “Especially with how it makes you feel about coming to competitions.”
“The minute I do that, I’ll get labelled as aggressive, Colton.” My laugh is short and hollow. “Excuse me if I’m exhausted from constantly fighting for equality in this sport.”
His expression shifts from frustration to understanding and he studies me for a while before he nods.
“Then don’t,” he says simply.
I blink. “What?”
“Don’t fight them,” he shrugs. “Not if it costs you more than it’s worth.”
I stare at him, completely thrown. “Is this some sort of reverse psychology tactic?”
“Let me do it for you instead,” he says, ignoring me. “Let them say whatever they want about me; I don’t care,” he adds, his voice quieter as he takes a step closer. “I’m just a sub anyway.”
My breath catches, heat creeping up my neck and settling in my cheeks.
“If someone’s going to come at you sideways like that,” he continues, holding my gaze, “then I’ll be the one to say something every single time. I’ll be your shield.”
My heart thumps loudly in my chest, and I’m positive he can hear it too.
“I don’t need you to do that,” I murmur.
“I know,” he says, fighting a small smile. “But I’m going to anyway.”
I feel strange as I hold his gaze—too aware of the way he’s looking at me. I force myself to look away, shaking my head to try and brush away the feelings coursing through me.
“Great,” I say. “Now I have a fake boyfriend and a personal bodyguard. Love that for me.”
He huffs out a quiet laugh beside me. “Get used to it, beautiful.”
I roll my eyes, but the corner of my mouth betrays me as it lifts slightly, and for the first time since seeing my score, the weight in my chest eases just a fraction.