Page 6 of Royally Drawn

A Hopeful Victor

KEIR

Istepped forward, attempting to grab Duncan before he tossed poor Ingrid into the sea, but I missed. I watched in horror as she flopped into the water with a loudcrack!It was a dick move in response to little more than a joke. She had biting wit—something that only made her hotter—and he’d deserved it.

“Why are you such a knob?” I asked. “That was shitty.”

Ingrid’s head bobbed up. Lars stepped forward, concerned now. I sensed he also wanted to punch Duncan.

“Can you swim?” He called out.

The Swedes swam closer.

“Yes, I can swim,” Ingrid groaned. “Fuck you, Duncan!”

Then, a litany of French swears emerged before she realised the Swedes were coming closer.

“Don’t come over here!”

“Why?” One called back.

“I’ve lost my top.”

Suddenly, without a thought and like a fool, I jumped into the water to find it. By now, it was no doubt gone. I came up to see Lars doing the same. He wassokeen to land her first. I wasn’t sure if Ishould be annoyed or sympathetic, as he would undoubtedly lose. In one night, I’d turn Ingrid into putty and win this competition fair and square. He hadn’t a hope in hell.

“What are you doing?” Ingrid asked. “Trying to take a peek?”

“No, we were trying to help,” Lars answered. “But it’s gone.”

“You’ve been sunbathing topless on the top deck,” Leah laughed. “What is the damn difference?”

Leah hadzerohangups about her body and gave no fucks. That was just the way Leah was. She didn’t get it.

“I’m surrounded by men!” Ingrid said, suddenly looking very vulnerable.

“Can someone grab her a top?” Cici demanded. “For the love of God, boys, use your damn brains!”

“How?” Duncan asked. “I’m not going to go through her wardrobe.”

“Yes, please don’t!”

Duncan shot himself in the foot. He assumed she’d fall all over herself for him. Instead, she took him for a massive prick. I liked this girl more by the minute.

“You’re all a bunch of idiots!” Leah turned from us.

Duncan looked away, definitely mortified, as she unlaced her bikini top.

Tossing her top to him, she said, “Someone bring this to her. We both have big tits, so hopefully it fits. Then, she stormed off to presumably put something else on.”

Lars swam towards the boat to assist but was cut off by Betty, who played the go-between.

“Uh… thanks,” Ingrid said, glaring at Duncan and the rest of us.

She swam a return trip, climbed back on deck, and left in a huff.

“Why did you have to be such a goddamn knob?” Nate demanded. “You upset her.”

“I thought it was a joke. I thought it was… peak banter.”

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