Out of the corner of my eye, Nathaniel rushed out of the pool, followed by Gabby. She instantly made her way to me. She set her hand between my shoulder blades and guided my breathing.
“Oh, look! It’s big, tough Parker coming to Blake’s rescue. Tell me, how does it feel knowing you had nothing but everyone else’s leftovers?!”
This time, the punch was real.
Parker dropped Richard to the ground with one punch and would have kept going if Amelia and Kate hadn’t pulled him away. They had recognized the signs of his anger, the same way Nathaniel and Gabby recognized the signs of my panic. They were only a couple of feet away from him when they pulled him back.
Richard scooted back on the floor, startled and with a cut on his cheek. Erik helped him back up. I tried to get to Parker, but Gabby held me back, shaking her head.
“I dare you to say that again,” Parker threatened Richard. Amelia stood in front of him, both hands on his chest. “Give me a reason.”
“Forget it,” Richard scoffed. His ego and cheek clearly hurting. “She’s not worth it.”
Richard walked around Parker somewhat cautiously. Erik followed him. Amelia whispered something to Parker, but he didn’t tear his angry gaze from Richard until he disappeared into the watchful crowd inside the bar. Erik slowed down as he passed me. Nathaniel stood next to me.
“Blake, I–” he mumbled, barely audibly.
“Go screw yourself, Erik.”
He followed Richard out.
Gabby led me to a chair and breathed with me, the adrenaline of the argument wearing off. It left me with a pang of exhaustion, and my body trembled. Amelia forced Parker onto a nearby chair. He sat on the edge, head hanging down.
“I should go home,” I whispered under my breath. We were only five blocks from the apartment.
“We’ll walk you home,” Nathaniel chimed in.
I shook my head. I needed to be alone. “No, I’ll walk myself home.”
“Blake, let us walk you home,” Gabby insisted. “You’re in no state to go by yourself.”
I shook my head, and they didn’t push me.
“No,” Parker stood up. “I’ll walk you home.”
“No! I will walk my own damn self home!” I almost screamed, leaving everyone stunned. I turned to Gabby. “Will you grab my stuff when you leave, please?”
She nodded and hugged me. I pulled my coverup over my swimsuit and grabbed my keys from the table. I had to leave with whatever shred of dignity I still had left. How I was going to face my team on Monday was now a mystery to me.
I went down to the street and started walking home. I was angry. Embarrassed. The last few months had seen more outbursts and feelings out of me than the last few years. I didn’t know how this would impact Connor or our contract, but I’m sure I would find out soon enough.
“Blake!” A woman called after me. The popping of her flip-flops got louder as she ran toward me. “Blake, wait!”
“Amelia?” I turned. “I really don’t mean to be rude, especially after what you just witnessed, but what do you need?”
“Just give me five minutes, please.”
After the embarrassment I had just suffered, the last thing I wanted to be told was that our contract was pulled. I wouldn’t blame her for wanting to. We didn’t necessarily give her the best version of us. I wouldn’t want someone like me managing my brand, either.
She motioned to the bench off to the side. I followed.
“Are you okay?” she asked.
“No,” I cynically chuckled. “No, I’m not.”
“Yeah, I figured as much. That was…a lot.”
“Tell me about it.”