Work Wife

Locker Room Talk

Once my nails are dry, Lauren and I are shuffled into another room to get our facials and then our massages done. Calming sounds of river streams blanket us when we settle into our cots and we both lie quiet as we remove all of the stress from our bodies. We both giggle after we grunt when the masseuse gets in deep on our backs and I think I am going to be sore tomorrow. 

We're practically Gumby as we sway into the sauna after and we pick seats on opposite levels of the wooden benches after we make it inside a room that's not much bigger than a kitchen pantry. I am hoping to sweat out some of my toxins and the memory of Ainslee coming out of someone guy's room. 

"We deserved this," Lauren says with a laugh as we lean our heads back to sweat it out. 

"We really, really do," I mumble in agreement as I shut my eyes. 

"Have the girls been driving you absolutely fucking bonkers too?" Lauren asks and I snap my eyes open as I nervously laugh. I do not want to talk shit about her friends so I just shrug in response. "You can be honest. They are drunken messes. Every time we go out it's like how drunk and how obnoxious can we get?" 

"I think they're just having fun. I get it. It's Mexico and a bachelorette party. It's exactly what I expected," I confess. "You're chill though." Lauren lets out a breathy laugh as she spins her red hair around her hand to move it off of her neck. I still don't entirely know how Lauren hangs with this group. She can handle her liquor, she is always just on the outskirts with them and if there is a person here besides me that has to actively fix her resting bitch face, it's her. 

"I think I am growing up faster than them. I haven't told anyone yet, but I am moving back to Austin next month. I'm covering for Ainslee while she's on her honeymoon and then putting my two weeks in when she gets back." 

"Wow," I reply because I have no idea what to say. "I'm sure Ainslee is going to be bummed." A loud sarcastic laugh escapes from her and the volume startles me. 

"Ainslee hasn't given a shit about work since that ring went on her finger and she'll only keep us around after she's married to show off her grand lifestyle. She'll only be bummed because I no longer care." I know my lips are parted and my eyes are slightly widened because I was not expecting this booth to become a confessional. I am not sure how to respond and Lauren notices because she says, "Stella, you have been so great through all of this. You're so patient with her but I can tell you see right through her. I'm sure you're doing all of this because you care about Chase."

"I- I mean..." I have no clue what to do. I don't know how honest to be because fifteen minutes ago, I thought Lauren was one of Ainslee's closest friends. Now she's ditching the group and high-tailing it to Austin. "I do care about Chase and he loves Ainslee, so yeah, my opinion on things really doesn't matter. I'm here to support him." 

She eyes me like she's waiting for me to say more. She leans slightly forward with this knowing look but I don't know what she's searching for. 

"You're not here for any other reason?" She asks with a light laugh. 

I'm clueless. 

"I'm here because it's my job?" I ask slowly like I'm trying to guess an answer to a hard trivia question.

"Babe, I think I have to confess something to you," she says and I stare at her while adjusting my towel. The heat and her tone are making me extremely uncomfortable. "I was going to tell you on Monday before we left but...I think maybe I should fill you in now, just in case you were planning on making any declarations between now and when they walk down that aisle."

"Declarations?" I hope I am correctly conveying how confused I am. She sighs and leans forward while keeping her arm tucked against her towel. 

"We all kind of know you are in love with Chase. Personally, I was hoping you were here to try and stop the wedding, but maybe you are just going to let them do their thing especially now that you are sleeping with Logan."