Chapter 4: Poolside Schemes and Showdowns

But if a little setback could stop Brooke, she wouldn’t be the queen of fake innocence.

Sure enough.

On the weekend, my best friend Lisa invited me to go swimming. Her boyfriend said he’d be late, so I had Carter drive me to pick her up.

When we got to the hotel, we saw that her boyfriend Eric had secretly brought Brooke along.

Unbelievable.

He didn’t pick up his own girlfriend, but went to get the fake innocent instead.

As Lisa was about to lose it, Brooke started crying first:

“Lisa, don’t blame Eric. If you want to blame someone, blame me. He just wanted to cheer me up because I’ve been feeling down. He didn’t tell you because he was afraid you’d get mad.”

She cried as she poured fuel on the fire:

“That day when Eric said he was working late, he was actually at my place helping me. If it weren’t for him, I would’ve…”

“Would’ve pulled something dramatic, right?”

Carter snorted, unable to listen anymore.

Eric was annoyed, frowning.

“Carter, how can you talk to a girl like that?”

“And how do you talk to your girlfriend? She waited for you for two hours.”

Even Carter, as an outsider, couldn’t stand it.

“Who told her to wait? If she wants to, that’s her problem. Brooke lives farther away, what’s wrong with picking her up? She made it here too, didn’t she? Why keep complaining?”

Lisa exploded:

“Are you really my boyfriend? Saying stuff like that? Don’t think I don’t know you and Brooke are hooking up. Wow, Eric.”

“Hooking up?” Eric snapped. “I didn’t tell you because I knew you’d overreact. You’re acting like a menopausal woman, blowing up over nothing.”

That did it.

I couldn’t stand him talking to my friend like that, so I slapped him on the back of the head.

“Who are you calling menopausal?”

Eric was stunned, rubbing his head.

“You hit me? Autumn, try that again!”

“Gladly. I don’t need a special day to slap you.”

Carter landed a slap of his own—much heavier than mine.

“Yell at her again and see what happens. I haven’t even raised my voice at my own girl.” He shook his arm. “Man, lately my hand’s been busy slapping jerks. Bad luck.”

Carter’s tall, so Eric immediately backed down, gritting his teeth.

“Lisa, you shrew! Bringing people to cause trouble—fine, we’re done. I can’t deal with you.”

We all laughed.

“Fine by us. Take your fake innocent and get lost.”

“Whatever!”

Eric stormed off with the crying Brooke.

I comforted Lisa:

“Don’t worry, he’s nothing. Break up and find someone better. Let’s go swimming.”

Lisa wiped her nose and pulled out her phone. I thought she was going to call that jerk, but instead she opened TikTok and started scrolling through videos of hot guys.

“Autumn, think this baby-faced guy is boyfriend material?”

Me: …

I took my time changing into my swimsuit—the one Carter picked out for me. Conservative, he said. “It looks good on you.”

Yeah, right.

I was about to wait for him by the pool when I spotted Brooke near the men’s changing room.

Why was she back?

She was wearing a revealing red swimsuit, striking a seductive pose. Every guy who walked by couldn’t help but glance her way.

She seemed to be waiting for someone, but that didn’t stop her from showing off.

Just then, Carter came out in his swim trunks. She pounced on him like a hunter waiting for prey.

But Carter, ever the gentleman, ignored her completely—not even a glance—and walked right past.

“Carter…”

She ran to block his path, batting her lashes like she hadn’t just fought with us an hour ago, and confessed:

“You’re so handsome. I want to date you.”

Same old routine.

I was about to slap her when Carter shot back, cool as ice:

“Where’d this cheap trash come from? Get lost.”

She looked hurt.

“Don’t be like that, Carter. I only turned down Eric for you. I’ve always liked you. I already told him it’s over.”

Carter laughed.

“Don’t cheapen the word ‘like.’ It sounds worthless coming from you.”

He pressed, “You know I have a girlfriend, right?”

“So what?” Brooke replied, all righteous and proud. “All those guys with girlfriends like me.”

Carter was speechless.

Does this woman even have a moral compass?

He asked coldly, “You sure it’s ‘like’?”

“Want to know why they ‘like’ you?”

“Because you’re shameless and cheap, you throw yourself at men and have no standards. Only sleazy guys ‘like’ you. You think you’re really that attractive? What a joke.”

Brooke’s face turned bright red. She’d never run into someone so blunt. Every other guy she’d chased eventually fell for her—why was this one immune?

She refused to back down.

“So what? I still managed to steal all their boyfriends.”

Carter looked down at her like she was trash.

“Does that make you proud? That’s just being a terrible person.”

“I don’t care if it’s terrible. If I can steal other girls’ boyfriends, I can steal you too.”

“I said only sleazy guys would go for you. Do I look like one?”

Carter was running out of patience, rare for him.

“Try coming after me again and I’ll post that video of you hitting on Ben. Don’t want your reputation ruined? Stay away from me and Autumn, or I’ll make you regret it.”

He finished her off:

“Where’d this trashy woman come from? Can’t shake you off fast enough.”

“You!”

Brooke’s face turned red and white. She was used to getting her way—how could she take this?

“You’ll regret this! You’ll regret not choosing me, Carter!”

She stormed off in a rage.

Carter rolled his eyes.

“What is this, some cheesy soap opera? What a nutcase.”

He looked up and saw me. His frown finally softened, and he smiled.

He walked over. “How long have you been here?”

“I saw the whole thing.”

“Oh?”

He pulled me into his arms, teasing, “So, eavesdropping?”

“Why are you crying if you were eavesdropping?”

He gently wiped my tears.

I sobbed, totally losing my composure.

“I was just thinking—maybe I’m ready to get married.”

“You proposed to me the other day, and I didn’t say yes.”

I tried to explain, “It’s not that I don’t like you, I just…”

“I know…”

He said softly, “You just don’t feel secure. That last guy hurt you too much. I get it.”

“But I think I’m ready now. I knew I should marry you when I realized how devoted you are, but after hearing you call out Brooke, I want to marry you even more.”

He pinched my cheek, wanting to laugh.

“If I’d known, I would’ve called her out sooner and brought you home already.”

Me?

That’s not what I meant…