by Elias Taylor
Kayla looked at Tim with fear radiating from her every pore. He could destroy her entire career, all her carefully laid plans, with one tap of his finger.
“No way,” Tim said with a cocky grin. “My followers love my party content.”
Kayla heard Tristen snort behind her at Tim’s mention of his “followers,” but she saw nothing funny in the situation.
If anyone from her firm saw that video, there would be consequences. The firm was a small, family business, she could very well get fired for indecent behavior. Even if she didn’t get fired, there would be a warning, and the judgment would follow her. The promotions would stop. The older managers would tell themselves that’s what came from promoting a young woman. You got party girls in the office. They would tell Kayla they had moved her up too soon. She wasn’t ready for too much responsibility if getting wasted on the weekend was how she handled the additional stress.
And if she tried to switch firms or apply for another job, that video would just be another detriment. Applying for a job was difficult enough. Some industries were so competitive, any little thing could knock you out of the race. And that video wasn’t a little thing. It indicated a major lack of judgment and indiscretion on Kayla’s part.
Who wanted the girl chugging jungle juice and dancing on a table to do their taxes?
The internet was forever. Even if Tim didn’t tag her, she couldn’t rest easy. She would never be able to forget that video of her acting like an idiot was out there. Sooner or later, things like that caught up to people. They always did.
Tears pricked at Kayla’s eyes as she lunged forward.
“Delete it now,” Kayla said. “I’m serious.”
Tristen grabbed her arm.
“Whoah, calm down,” he said.
“I will not calm down,” Kayla said. “It’s not OK, I want him to delete it.”
“Jeez, I was just starting to think you were kinda chill,” Tim said. “Don’t get all prudish and uptight again, have another drink.”
Kayla tried to escape Tristen’s grip so she could claw Tim’s eyes out, but Tristen held her with firm hands.
Tim turned, and Kayla twisted once more in Tristen’s arms.
“Let me go,” Kayla hissed. “He can not post that, I have to stop him.”
“Ok, I admire your tenacity, but Tim is, like, three times your size,” Tristen said. “How exactly are you going to take him?”
Kayla wanted to scream in frustration. Tristen had a point, she knew, but in her addled state, she couldn’t plan the best course of action. She just knew she had to get that video off Tim’s phone. It could never see the light of day.
“Please, please let me go,” Kayla said. “I’m begging you.”
Tristen didn’t release Kayla, and she felt herself sway on her feet again. She didn’t know how much longer she could hold it together. She had never drank this much, she didn’t know how her body would continue to react to the liquor.
Tristen’s face softened.
“Please,” Kayla said.
Chapter Six: Favor
Tristen was positive that the last thing Kayla needed to do was pick a fight with Tim. She looked like she could barely stay standing, much less wrestle a phone away from a big biker.
“Let me just get you some water, ok?” Tristen asked.
Kayla pressed her lips together and stomped her foot. She was pissed off. Tristen felt bad for her, but he also had to admit she was kind of cute when she was mad. Her cheeks were bright red, and her dark eyebrows were furrowed in an expression that made Tristen glad she was furious at Tim and not him.
Tim was being a world-class jerk, but Tristen didn’t quite get what the problem was. Everyone had embarrassing photos online. It wasn’t like she was naked. Yes, she was drunk, but she wasn’t a bad dancer. In different circumstances, he might have taken her up on her invitation to join her.
He was glad she off the table though. It was so clear that she had been clueless about the alcohol content in the punch. Tristen had wanted to laugh at first, but when he saw Kayla’s reaction of mortification and anger, he had started to feel bad. He wished he had figured out a way to let her know about the punch earlier.
“I don’t want water,” Kayla said. “Let go of me.”
Tristen knew that if he released his grip around her waist, Kayla was either going to fall over or charge after Tim, or some combination of both.
“Hey, I know you don’t feel great, but this really isn’t a big deal,” Tristen said. “Let’s just sit down.”
He started to guide Kayla towards a bench on the other side of the bonfire, on the outskirts of the party.
“No,” Kayla said.
She stood stock-still and made her knees go limp, essentially turning herself into deadweight.
“Stop telling me what to do,” she said.
“It’s just a dumb video,” Tristen said.
Kayla turned her blazing eyes on Tristen with such ferocity that he leaned back.
“It is not just a video,” Kayla said. “It’s a liability that could ruin my entire career.”
“Ok,” Tristen said. “That seems a little extreme.”
Kayla rolled her eyes and turned away.
“You don’t understand,” she said. “I’ve worked so hard at my job, and if they see a video like that on the internet, they will very likely fire me.”
Tristen winced. He had to admit she had a point. He knew as much as anyone how particular corporate managers could be. He was the one bending in circles to convince his boss that he had a fiancée, after all.
“And even if they don’t fire me, they’ll never take me seriously,” Kayla said.
“Well, you’re kinda fun when you’re not so serious,” Tristen joked.
The joke fell flat. Kayla just looked at him with agony in her eyes. Her lower lip started trembling. Tristen felt sorry for her. She was too drunk for this kind of crisis. Tristen’s arm went slack, and Kayla shrugged it off. She swayed from side to side but didn’t fall over.
“I’ve given my all to my job,” Kayla said. “I’ve skipped out on so many things, and I never do what all my friends do because my job is too important to me. And now because of this one stupid mistake, it’s all at risk, and I’ll never get back on track or finish my list.”
Kayla pressed her fingers into her scalp as she ranted. At least she wasn’t chasing after Tim.
“What list?” Tristen asked.
Kayla rolled her eyes and stomped her foot. She was an impatient drunk.
“My list of everything I need to get done,” she said. “My career and goals and family and stuff.”
Her entire body seemed to deflate, and she buried her face in her hands.
“I don’t feel good,” she murmured.
Tristen took a step closer and grabbed her shoulders. When she had mentioned a family, everything had clicked. He had an idea. It was wild and absurd, but it just might work. Maybe he and Kayla could both get out of their messes.
“Ok, Kayla, listen,” Tristen said. “If you agree to do me a favor, and you promise not to back out, no matter what, I can go over there right now and get rid of that video?”
“You mean erase it?” Kayla said. “And make sure it’s off his phone so he can’t post it later.”
“Yes, 100% gone,” Tristen said.
Hope overtook Kayla’s features, and she looked up at Tristen as if seeing him for the first time. Then she squinted her eyes. Tristen didn’t want her to ask what the favor was, not right now.
“Answer quick,” Tristen said. “If you want it to be deleted, I have to act now.”
“Ok, ok,” Kayla said. “Yes, I’ll do the favor, just please get rid of the video.”
Tristen nodded once and headed over to where Tim was still guffawing over the video.
This shouldn’t be too difficult. Tim was no brainiac even when sober. Plus, the guy was way out of line teasing Kayla like this. Tristen was all too happy to wreck his Instagram story.
<
br /> “Oh, dude, let me see that video,” Tristen said.
He shouldered right up to Tim’s side and held out his hand.
“I’m about to post, you can see it on my story,” Tim said.
“Nah, my phone is dead, let me see it on yours real quick,” Tim said. “I’m the one who caught her, anyway.”
“Yeah, man, nice catch,” Tim said.
He handed Tristen the phone. It was too easy. Tristen almost felt bad that this was all he had to do to get Kayla to owe him. Almost.
Tristen acted like he was watching the video, but he didn’t hit play. With a few taps of the finger, Tristen texted the video to his phone. Then he erased it from Tim’s and made sure there was no back-up. He then erased the text conversation with himself so Tim couldn’t access the video from the message.
“Ok, I’m done,” Tristen said.
He handed the phone back to a grinning Tim.
“Wait, where the hell did it go?” Tim asked. “Dude, what did you do?”
“I dunno,” Tristen said. “I’m bad with technology.”
He turned and started to head back to Kayla. Tim didn’t deserve an explanation. Tristen knew that he had enough clout among the bikers that Tim wouldn’t try and start a fight over this. Especially since it was Kayla’s reputation on the line. None of the leaders would be happy with Tim trying to humiliate her like that. If Tim wasn’t so drunk and had half a brain, he would have realized that.
Tristen grinned at Kayla. She stood at the edge of the fire, wringing her hands in a panic.
“It’s done,” Tristen said.
Kayla sank onto a bench, much to Tristen’s relief.
“Hang on a sec,” Tristen said.
He dashed over to the cooler and fished out a water bottle from the bottom. Then he plopped down next to Kayla and stretched his legs out towards the flames.
“Drink this,” Tristen said. “I promise it’s just water.”
Kayla gripped the water bottle but didn’t open it.
“You deleted the video?” she asked.
“Yup,” Tristen said.
“And you’re sure there wasn’t a back-up?”
“No back-up, I checked,” Tristen said. “It’s gone.”
Kayla breathed a sigh of relief. She dropped her shoulder and leaned her elbows on her knees as she gazed at the fire.
“Thank you,” she said. “This night has been the worst.”
Tristen grimaced. He was about to make her night a whole lot worse.
“Drink the water, you’ll feel better,” he said.
Kayla fiddled with the cap.
“I really didn’t know there was any alcohol in that punch,” she said. “I never would have acted like that, and it just goes to show that I was right to abstain from social events for the last few years, it’s all so risky.”
Tristen had never heard Kayla babble so much, and it was kind of cute. He also had a much deeper understanding of her priorities. It wasn’t that she was no fun or a workaholic, she was just ambitious, and she understood how to prioritize her career. It was what he was trying to do, she had just been doing it for much longer.
She was also unbelievably cute when she babbled.
“Seriously, drink the water, it will help,” Tristen said.
He reached over and unscrewed the cap. Kayla stared at his fingers brushing against hers.
Then she lifted the bottle to her lips and drank the whole thing.
When she finished she heaved a big sigh.
“I’ve been thirsty all night,” she said. “Now I know why.”
Tristen chuckled.
“I’ll be right back,” he said.
He stood up and made his way over to the food table. It was mostly destroyed by that point, but he managed to find a few leftover rolls and chips. Then he grabbed another two water bottles and made his way back to Kayla. She may not have experience with over-drinking, but he certainly did.
He presented Kayla with the plate and bottles.
“Thanks,” she said. “For everything.”
“Tim’s a jerk,” Tristen said. “I would have happily chucked his phone into the punch bowl to destroy it if I had to.”
Kayla smiled at that. It was a good sign. She was back to laughing at his jokes again.
“I still feel stupid,” she said.
“Don’t,” Tristen said. “We’ve all been there.”
Kayla shrugged and picked at a roll.
“I haven’t been there,” Kayla said. “Everyone probably thinks I’m an idiot or a mess or something.”
“Ok, most of them are definitely just as drunk, if not more so than you,” Tristen said. “They won’t remember.”
“You really think so?” Kayla asked.
“For sure,” Tristen said.
She nodded to herself and drank another bottle of water. Tristen congratulated himself. He was good at being nice and supportive. Maybe he did have the makings of a proper family man like his boss wanted.
Now he just had to get Kayla to pay her debt.
He tried to figure out how to say it. There was no good way. He was going to look insane. Or worse, it was going to seem like he was trying to seduce her and just going about it in a very convoluted way.
He would tell her after she finished eating. No need to rush.
Kayla shifted and looked up at him.
“So,” she said. “What’s the favor?”
Chapter Seven: Fake
After the water and the food, Kayla felt much better. Her mind was still foggy, but she was able to at least appreciate how Tristen had saved her life.
Tonight could now just be a bad night, not a life-ruining catastrophe.
Then again, Tristen still hadn’t answered her question. He was sitting in silence and staring at her face, as if he was nervous.
Kayla was drunk, but she still picked up on how he was adamant about not telling her what she would owe him until after the video had been deleted. That was a huge red flag, but she had been so desperate to destroy the incriminating video through any means necessary.
“So it’s actually a work thing,” Tristen said.
Kayla straightened up. That wasn’t so bad. Maybe Tristen just wanted to network with people she knew or get a reference at her firm.
“Ok,” Kayla said.
“Basically, I need my boss to think that I’m engaged,” Tristen said. “And I would need you to pretend to be my fiancée at a work dinner.”
Kayla was speechless. Whatever she had expected from Tristen, it was not this. Her mind was reeling at how he had even gotten himself into such a situation. She knew Tristen was a jokester, but did he really expect such a harebrained scheme to work? She barely knew him, she couldn’t pretend to be his future wife. It was impossible.
“That’s crazy,” Kayla said.
“Tomorrow,” Tristen said. “You would need to come to this dinner tomorrow.”
“No,” Kayla said. “No way.”
“You said you would do anything I asked,” Tristen said.
“That was because I didn’t know you were insane,” Kayla said.
Her voice was rising, but she could not believe his plan. First of all, it was so disrespectful to use her as a date. She also couldn’t even fathom telling a lie of that magnitude to a boss. It was absolutely nuts.
“I’m up for this promotion,” Tristen said. “I’ve worked so hard, but my boss is big on family, so I told him I was engaged, and now they just want to meet my fiancée.”
“No,” Kayla said. “And why would you even say something like that to your boss?”
“It would be a one-time thing,” Tristen said. “You would be perfect.”
“I’d be a perfect fake fiancée?” Kayla said. “Wow, what a compliment, I’m so flattered.”
She scoffed and turned away.
The video was gone. He couldn’t make her do this. She had been lured into agreeing to his deal out of drunkenness and extreme desperation.
Besides, Kay
la couldn’t pretend to be in love with him. It was too strange. Not to mention, it raised serious ethical questions. She didn’t want to be embroiled in this wild fabrication.
Then there was the fact that deep down, Kayla was a little offended. A fake engagement. Was that really all she was good for? She would be lying to herself if she said the idea of a real date with Tristen wasn’t unappealing. But a placeholder fiancée? That was insulting. It stung Kayla’s pride if she was being honest.
She wanted to be someone’s real fiancée someday. Someone’s real wife. She was focusing on work for now, but eventually, she wanted it all. The great job, the loving husband, the amazing kids, the awesome house.
A dark thought crept into Kayla’s brain. What if she jinxed herself by getting involved with Tristen’s lies? There had to be some cosmic law about how young unmarried women shouldn’t pretend to be someone’s fiancée. She could be cursed to be alone forever.
Kayla quaked at the thought that she might never be a real fiancée, only a fake fiancée for one single night.
Kayla pulled her feet toward her and made to stand up. She had to get out of this disaster zone before something else embarrassing happened.
“I didn’t want to do this,” Tristen said.
The intensity in his voice made Kayla pause.
“Before I deleted it from Tim’s phone, I sent the video to myself,” Tristen said. “I have a copy.”
He held up his phone, and Kayla’s heart sank at the sight of the screen. There she was in a freeze-frame, tumbling off a table. She looked away.
“This is blackmail,” Kayla said.
“I feel bad, but you said you would do me a favor,” Tristen said. “I won’t hesitate to post this on social media.”
Kayla clamped her lips together. She didn’t have a choice. She had made a risky deal, and now she had to face the music. This is what she got for being stupid and drinking so much.
“Fine,” Kayla said.
“Really?” Tristen asked.
He perked up and grinned like an excited kid, and Kayla rolled her eyes.