Finnegan plunged the older man’s face into the water and grinned, mesmerized by his bulging eyes and salt-and-pepper hair swirling in the remnants of partygoer urine.
“You thought I’d let you touch her with your disgusting hands!?” Finn demanded. “Couldn’t even fake respect, could you?!”
He pulled his head up. The man spat dank lake water in rapid coughs. His eyes were flashing with adrenaline-fueled panic as he desperately tried to fight off drunkenness to focus and survive.
Finn chuckled.
“Hours of your fake bullshit laugh. Watching you grope her ass with your eyes at every opportunity—”
Suddenly, two drunk voices approached. The man gasped to shout but Finn quickly plunged his head back under. The convulsing gurgles unheard, Finn saw the pair pass. It was Gus and a keen bridesmaid gleefully searching for a secluded hookup spot. They’d be occupied awhile.
Back to the task at hand, the man hissed between dunkings, “I didn’t…know…she was…with you.”
Finn drew his face close and snarled, “You were bottom feeding for her socials and we hadn’t been here an hour!”
Enraged, Finn slammed his head underwater, viciously holding it down until the spasms ceased and the man’s eyes finally rolled over.
Finn snatched back the towel, flipped the limp corpse and shoved it out towards the lake’s dark center.
Heading back, he searched the clearing. Kellyanne was stumbling towards the reception tent, lured by the cheap disco lights and bad 90’s music.
Finn rushed to her, wrapped her arm over his shoulder and feigned the hero. Her glazed eyes and wobbly head thanked him.
When everyone could notice, he dabbed non-existent vomit from her cheek then tossed the towel in the trash. The bride and groom, Bethany beside them, rushed to see to her.
“You’re such a gentleman!” The bride glowed. Finn humbly accepted, rewarded by Bethany’s expression transforming from tepid to intrigued.
“I may have spoken too soon,” She offered.
Coy, Finn handed her a fresh champagne and proposed a toast, “From friends…to something more.”
Their flutes pinged and his eyes glinted as he felt her free hand ease into his own.