Page 32 of Chasing Lynda

Dodge doesn’t look appeased by the prospect of earning a lot of money. “What if someone walks here with their kids? We planned this event much later to avoid complaints, you can’t just do what you want and undermine our plans.”

Monroe isn’t worried. “We have a face painting stand and a balloon artist by the hotel’s main pool. All the families are there. There’s an extra admission fee to that too, by the way. Also, you might’ve not noticed that this area has been cordoned off and there’s staff checking IDs and tickets.”

Zane talks for the first time. “No one checked our IDs.”

Monroe’s eye roll is downright disrespectful. “Staff knows who you are. Why would they check your IDs? Would you relax? I have everything under control and we’ve already made a shit ton of money. Go on to take your seats in the first row. You’re the judges. So look at some tits, have a few beers and get ready for a fucked up party tonight. Leave all the behind the scenes work to me, I guarantee you there aren’t going to be any complaints.”

As if the resort manager had uttered the proverbial “last famous words,” loud, agitated voices make us turn to look at a bunch of guests who are arguing with some of the staff that are checking tickets and IDs a few feet away from us.

Terror grips my insides and I take an instinctive step back toward the perimeter wall right behind me when I see the four men and the two women that are causing all the commotion.

Their clothes are unmistakable. Those people come from Aaron’s church. Are they here for me?

“This is indecent!” One of the men yells, looking around and trying to project his voice as if he were preaching. “The objectification of young women is unacceptable. Your event is spreading corruption and depravity in the already sin riddled population of this town. Forcing young women to public nudity isn’t just a permanent stain on their own souls. Offering this spectacle is—”

Monroe is the first to react, getting right in the man’s face. “First off, this part of the venue is staff only, paying guests need to go over there and find a seat. Second, no one’s forcing anyone, buddy. These women are all adults and they’ve signed up for this. There’s a great prize and they’ll get free access to a sick party tonight.”

The men aren’t deterred by Monroe’s explanation. “But it isn’t just about the women and the audience! The flyers advertising this deplorable event have been circulating all over town, promoting this squalid event where the eyes of the innocents could see them!”

The guy produces a flyer with two girls in string bikinis on it. It isn’t indecent and that’s exactly Monroe’s argument. “That flyer is perfectly PG. Kids can see bikinis like that all over the beach. And I see you bought tickets. Are you here to enjoy the show? If not, I recommend that you and your people leave. Before I make that decision for you and I have security escort you out.”

A couple of burly guys in tight, black t-shirts that say “Security” in bold, white letters advance toward the small group of protesters.

Carter stops them by making a pausing gesture with his hand. “Monroe is right, gentlemen. You have tickets and this is your last chance to stay if you wish to see the contest. But if you’re planning to cause trouble, I’d like to remind you that you’re on private property. So in that case, I’d leave now. Our security staff will escort you to the hotel ticket counter and make sure you’re issued a refund. This is a one time offer. Cause anymore trouble and the police will be called to deal with you as trespassers.”

All the guys nod in unison, they’re all facing the protesters as a united front, standing in a straight line, shoulder to shoulder.

As I anxiously observe the confrontation, I’ve been slowly inching away from the church people, hiding behind Dodge’s broad back.

One of the women in the group speaks. “We mean no trouble, sir. Just the opposite. In fact, we’ll leave now.” She then takes a step to the side, looking behind the guys and trying to meet my gaze and the gazes of most of the other girls who have been watching the altercation. “Ladies,” she says as loudly as possible, to be heard over the background pop music played by the speakers that are dotted all over the beach. “Don’t soil your souls by exposing your bodies like cheap, material goods. Treasure the gift you’ve been given by staying pure. Follow us and we’ll show you your true value. We’ll show you a life where you don’t have to use your body to be seen.”

She keeps looking at me, insistently. The other women are mostly laughing at her. That’s when her female companion who had been standing at the back of the group advances to back her friend.

Fuck!

I know her! I mean not know, know her. But her name is Rachel. Her family had joined the church in Shell Cove a few weeks before the cops stormed my wedding. She was actually in my bridal party.

If she sees me, I’m fucked.

Panic constricts my throat and clouds my vision as her eyes sweep over the small crowd of staff and contestants. It’s only a matter of seconds before she sees me and I have nowhere to hide. I have the high wall behind me and the guys and Monroe partially obstructing her view, but as she walks closer to the woman who just spoke, I’ll be exposed.

I can’t go anywhere and if she sees me, my chances of getting away in such a crowded and enclosed place are nonexistent.

There’s only one way to hide from her. I grab Dodge’s big hand, pulling him until he turns to look at me.

“Oh hey.” He smiles. “You’re the girl from the other night.”

I walk backward toward the wall, knowing that his tall frame is hiding me from the girl who could mean the end of my freedom. I need Dodge to stay put and in my panicked state, there’s only one way I can think of to achieve that.

“Thank you for helping me,” I say low enough that no one else can hear me and when he smiles, my back meets the wall and I pull him closer.

“You’re welcome—”

I stand on the tips of my toes as my arms surround his neck and my lips find his.

He advances so that our chests touch, immediately kissing me back.

Like this, his body is completely hiding mine from view as I’m pressed against the wall.

---