Chapter Nine #2
After everything that had happened this morning, just leaving seemed wrong.
So like an idiot, I lifted my hand like a little awkward teenager and said goodbye.
Theo however stood up, walked across the floor and kissed me.
“I’ll see you when you get back.”
I left and walked to the elevator and then out through the lobby. Sloane’s black SUV was sitting outside the doors and her smiling face was staring at me as I approached.
“How’s the hangover!” She giggled.
“Great.” I replied honestly, though I was sure that was more to do with complete satisfaction rather than anything else.
I climbed into the passenger seat and pulled the seatbelt across.
“What time did you guys get back?”
“We had another drink and then left.”
I reminded myself to be cool, or we’d never hear the end of it, not if Sloane found out her little trick had worked.
“Is my brother still sleeping off his hangover?”
“He was snoring when I left.”
Obviously it was a lie, but it must have been a believable one because Sloane just laughed and started driving.
We met the others at the dress shop, and they made sure the dresses all fit.
I’d sent Sloane my measurements so as I shimmied into the deep blue satin fabric I held my breath.
Just in case it didn’t fit. When I stepped out of the dressing room her mom and the other bridesmaids clapped and Sloane even had tears in her eyes.
“You look beautiful.” She hugged me.
Once we were done the others dispersed and Sloane dragged me into a lingerie store. She mentioned something about a honeymoon outfit and for some reason she decided I was the perfect person to help her decide. I’d never worn lingerie… no one had ever looked at me with enough want to justify it.
I wanted to tell Sloane that I was completely out of my depth, but this was her week, and instead I followed along.
Thankfully the moment we walked through the boutique doors a sales person walked over and smiled in Sloane’s direction.
I was used to that. Sloane was beautiful and thin, and she oozed charisma, apparently it was a Bennett family trait.
I was more of a wallflower, no one asked if I was there to buy anything because they just assumed I wasn’t.
The sales person gave Sloane options and she started looking between two, a peach ensemble and a white one. She asked for my opinion but I wasn’t sure so I just shrugged.
“The peach is less stark, it compliments your skin tone.”
The sales person looked at me and smiled. “I agree.”
Sloane picked her size off the hanger and then hung it over her forearm. That was another less than common occurrence for me. Most stores didn’t stock my size.
As if fate wanted to prove me wrong the worker smiled and then pointed to another rack. “We have some beautiful and sexy curve options.”
I shook my head. “No thanks.”
Sloane giggled and jumped up and down on the spot. “Come on Gin!”
I shook my head again. “Why? who would see it.”
She broke into a wide grin that took up her whole face. It was the same smile that Theo would give me when he was teasing me, so I almost knew what was coming.
“You’re sharing a hotel room with my brother.” She giggled. “Maybe you can show him.”
My face went red. Beet red. I glared at her.
‘Oh he’s already seen me naked’ didn’t seem to suffice at this moment so I just rolled my eyes and muttered. “Not Funny.”
Sloane grabbed my hand and pulled me over to the curve selection.
She held up a beautiful deep purple bra, panty and garter belt set.
I had to admit it was really really pretty.
But I didn’t wear things like this. Not after…
I shuddered, thinking about my past disaster of a relationship was not something I wanted to be doing.
“Lingerie isn’t for a partner.” the worker interjected. “It’s a common misconception. Yes they get the benefit of seeing how sexy you look.” She took the coathanger from Sloane and held it up to my body. “It’s a confidence booster, it’s how it makes you feel… Lingerie is for you.”
I was almost sure she’d recited words from a sales training 101 book, and I was still going to say no, that was until I looked at Sloane who was basically jumping with excitement.
So I bought the set.
It was close to 5pm when Sloane dropped me back at the hotel. She told me we didn’t have any wedding plans the next day, but I was welcome to escape Theo and hang with her for a few hours.
I lied and told her I had work to catch up on, but if she needed me for anything she could call.
I waved her off and then went into the hotel.
Summer 2016 - The Lake
I was nineteen. Theo was twenty-three and home from college for the summer.
We were all at the lake—me, Sloane, Jasper, Theo, and a group of Jasper’s friends from his summer internship. Everyone was swimming, drinking beer, and having a good time. My parents had stayed home for work.
I’d worn what had become my usual. A one piece, a black one that was supposed to be “slimming.” I’d positioned my towel strategically on the dock, sat with my knees pulled up. All the tricks I’d learned to take up less space.
One of Jasper’s friends—Chad or Brad or some equally douchey name—had climbed onto the dock, water streaming off his abs. He’d grabbed a beer from the cooler and looked at me.
“You not swimming?”
“I’m good here.”
“Come on. Don’t be boring.” He’d grinned at his friends. “Though I get it. Probably don’t want to be responsible for a tsunami warning.”
They’d laughed. Not everyone, but enough.
I’d felt my face burn. Had pulled my knees in tighter.
“The fuck did you just say?” Theo’s voice had cut through the laughter.
He’d been in the water, but he’d swum to the dock in three strokes and pulled himself up in one fluid motion. Water had poured off him as he’d walked straight up to Chad-Brad.
“What?” Chad-Brad had held up his hands. “It was just a joke, man.”
“Apologize.”
“Dude, come on—”
“Apologize to her. Now.”
The dock had gone quiet. Everyone had been watching.
Chad-Brad had looked at me, then back at Theo, who’d been a good four inches taller and clearly ready to make this a problem.
“Sorry,” he’d muttered in my general direction.
“Try again. Like you mean it.”
“I’m sorry, Imogen. That was out of line.”
Theo had stared at him for another five seconds, then jerked his head toward the parking lot. “Get out.”
“What? This isn’t even your—”
“I said get out. You don’t talk to her like that. You don’t talk to anyone like that.”
Chad-Brad had gathered his stuff and left. Two of his friends had followed.
Theo had grabbed his towel and sat down next to me on the dock, close enough that our shoulders touched.
“You didn’t have to do that,” I’d said quietly.
“Yeah, I did.” He’d looked at me then, his expression serious. “Anyone who makes you feel like shit for existing doesn’t get to stay. That’s the rule.”
I didn’t know what to say to that.
“You want to swim?” he’d asked.
“Not really.”
“You want to sit here and judge everyone’s diving form with me?”
I smiled despite myself. “Yeah. I do.”
We’d sat there for the next hour, making up scores for everyone’s jumps, and he’d never once made me feel like I should be anywhere but exactly where I was.