Secret Betrayal

Peter’s eyes clamped shut for the briefest moment then opened, alight with assurance. Becca could only watch, her mouth still hanging open for answers she could never have pulled together, and admire how quickly Peter could recover himself from unexpected disaster.

The silent play of confidence shifted the locker room’s energy. Coach Gaggle’s shoulders fell back and some of the tomato red skin of his face cooled away to a healthy pink in anticipation of a rational explanation for thee two’s hot tub lounging.

“I’m sorry to alarm you sir. This young woman,Becca Silver, began struggling in the pool and when I got in to check, it turned out to be severe cramping in her calves. I did my part to move her safely out of the water but her throes of pain called for an extension of my duties. I thought to work out the tensed muscle with the massage gun, and when that didn’t alleviate all of her struggle, I showed her the spa here,” Peter lied.

The coach’s voice had softened since his initial outburst of outrage, but his eyes narrowed. “I’d believe you to go the extra mile, Peter, and it’s not like I think chivalry should die out altogether, but your answer doesn’t explain why the two of you are naked or why you joined her in the tub.”

The triumph of hope was swatted away like a fly in Becca’s chest at the hole in Peter’s explanation. Surely even Peter would falter to explain that away.

Yet, Peter’s chin only lifted higher with an immaculate posturing of self certainty. “I didn’t realize that Becca had low heat tolerance so I suggested she remove her suit. She felt shy to do so with the imbalance of me wearing my swim trunks so I removed them to put us on equal ground. Once she got in she requested that I continue to help work the muscle, this time with my hands, so I joined her.”

A laugh slipped through the coach’s whiskered mouth, but it brought no escalation of Becca’s tight nerves to alarm. It was an appreciative sound.

“You have an explanation for everything, don’t you Peter? Just like your damn father. I have to admire the immaculate poker face, so I’ll let it slide. You’ve done a lot of good at Grand Ridge and upheld its principles thus far. I won’t ruin a good thing and shoulder the fallout of your dad and all that paperwork if you promise I won’t catch you in this kind of mess again.”

“I promise, sir.”

“Good man.”

The coach then turned his eyes on Becca and whatever grudging respect he had for Peter didn’t carry over. He looked at her like he smelled something rotten, and Becca couldn’t blame him.

“Now you, young lady, I’m going to keep an eye on. I know enough about the students that pull through in their athletic career to know about Austin Andrew. You’re his girl, ain’t you?”

This was it, Becca thought. This is where the ball of shame climbs up my throat and I sob in front of the both of them until I can’t face either. This is the cliff’s edge before the jagged bottom rocks of gossip, slut shaming, and alienation. I’ll have to drop out and crawl back to my parent’s disapproval and Kit’s gloating. Would I be able to count on Peter waiting for me with comfort?

Becca looked at Peter for strength and found her choked throat smoothed over with the tenderness reflected in his returned gaze. She would follow along as best she could and if she fell, he wouldn’t abandon her.

“I made a mistake.” She shook her head at herself in genuine frustration at herself. Lying was easier, she realized, if she channeled her sincere emotions into the context. “I shouldn’t have gone swimming after eating such a big breakfast and a night of drinking after the game. I love Austin and would never do anything to hurt him intentionally. Peter did all he could for me and I’m sorry I made us both look like fools for it.”

The coach stared at the floor and crossed his arms, letting out a hmm. It was hard to say whether Becca’s submissive apology and show of shame checked the university standard of responsibility the coach registered with, or if he simply couldn’t bring himself to look at her.

He replied with a resigned air. “Well, I’ll consider this a warning fumble rather than a penalty since neither of you have an outstanding record to judge against. You both know the expectations of Grand Ridge and how important it is that we uphold our reputation as a wholesome educational establishment for future generations.”

“Of course!” Peter and Becca resounded, already unified in expression from their growing physical intimacy.

Coach nodded gravely and turned his back, heading for the exit. When he reached the door he threw back, “It wouldn’t be a bad idea to get dressed and give your boyfriend a call, girly. He missed you at last night’s post game celebration.”