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A few others decided to join in, and the small group set off to get a layout of their temporary home.
In the kitchen, there was a sliding door that led to the backyard. They started there, pointing out some lawn games set up by the crew, an outdoor couch, grill, hot tub, and pool. Lounge chairs were stacked in piles off to the side. Avery wiggled her toes in her sandals, enjoying the feeling of fresh air. She smiled at the impromptu lesson from a contestant who was a gardener—Kelsie, she thought her name was. Apparently, the green grass was low-mow, eco-friendly buffalograss.
The group moved back inside, past the kitchen to a dining area. A living room with a large TV was off one room. It was packed full of mismatched couches with blankets and pillows, laid out nicely. A comfy-looking multicolored rug sat in front of a fireplace. Avery was positive that the room would be a disaster within a day.
The halls with all the bedrooms were down another corridor. Outside, the house hadn’t looked that big, but Avery was impressed at the amount of space the place held. They paused at the staircase. The stairs led to rooms for the celebrity contestant and the host, but they couldn’t explore the area because they weren’t allowed up there until the elimination round.
Avery again tried to strategize but with so many people she decided to just try and enjoy the first night and settle in. She knew she wasn’t good at being anything other than herself. She had a hard time telling when someone was flirting. She was only able to have a night with Stella because Stella had been so refreshingly upfront. An uncomfortable bubble of inadequacy threatened to grow in her gut.
They turned down another hall. Avery’s eyes widened at the large window that revealed a state-of-the-art gym.
Denver whooped before throwing open the door and running around to the different equipment.
“Riley, how do you use this?” Jasmine, one of the few women Avery hadn’t vibed with, asked as she ran a finger down Riley’s arm. Avery rolled her eyes at the straightforward rowing machine.
Riley stepped out of her reach. “Denver probably knows better than I do.” She nodded to Denver, who was adjusting a weight bench.
“I wanted you to show me.” Jasmine pouted.
Avery wanted to laugh when Riley just shrugged. As she turned toward the treadmills, her long black hair whipped into Jasmine’s face.
“It’s easy. You grab the handles right there and bring them down.” Elizabeth stepped in, demonstrating. Avery couldn’t get a read on her. She seemed down to earth, although she hovered around everyone, spouting random stories or facts. No matter what, she had kind blue eyes and an easy smile. Done with her demonstration, Elizabeth stepped to the side, clutching something in her hand that she rubbed with her thumb.
Bored of the equipment, a few wandered back to the kitchen. Avery felt like a fish out of water as she stood in the gym. She wasn’t used to standing around and the downtime was discombobulating. Having had to work since she was fifteen while trying to get her mom the help she needed had left a little time to sleep, but not much else. The leisurely time pressed into her skin, making her itch, but she stayed with Riley, who had just found the fridge filled with protein drinks.
Avery couldn’t help but feel impressed. Her fridge at home usually held whatever lunch meat was on sale, and if she was feeling a little bougie, she might also have string cheese in there. No matter how poor she was, though, she never ran out of mustard. If the gym fridge was this well stocked, what would the pantry, cupboards, or main fridge hold? Avery’s mouth watered at the thought. Not everything was going to be terrible.
Turning reluctantly, Avery left the well-lit room. Riley hurried to follow her down the long hall.
“Don’t want to get stuck with your new best friend, huh?” Avery teased, tilting her head toward Jasmine, who was still inside the gym, her head swiveling back and forth.
“She wouldn’t leave me alone.” Riley shuddered.
“Stick with me. I’ll watch your back.” Avery held out her fist for Riley to pound it.
Back in the kitchen, the tray of snacks the show had provided had been picked over by everyone, leaving only a few busted crackers and carrots that seemed five minutes from mummification. Avery’s stomach turned, but she wasn’t sure if it was because she was getting to a point past hungry or nervous at the thought of meeting their love interest.
The hum of eleven other contestants buzzed behind Avery as she tried to center herself for what was to come. As soon as the cameras turned on, her life was going to change. It was still to be determined for better or worse, but no doubt it would change.
Static crinkled at the speaker near the ceiling, and Monica’s distorted voice filled the room. “Contestants, please make your way to the foyer. There are a few more points to go over.”
Avery’s forehead wrinkled as she tried to picture what the heck a foyer was but ended up just following the crowd to an open area that led to the stairs.
Monica and other crew members stood a few steps from the bottom. “Tomorrow morning, we will meet here to be introduced to the main contestant,” Monica said. “The first competition will be tomorrow, which is when you’ll meet the host and the main contestant, the person whose affection you will be vying to win. The host will be staying here, gathering information, and pulling everyone individually for daily interviews and camera time. Since the cameras are running twenty-four seven, only a small fraction of what’s recorded will make the final cut. Let loose, have fun, and remember the camera is always watching.” With that, Monica dismissed them and she headed upstairs, presumably to talk to the love interest and host.
“Who wants to get in the pool?” Jasmine called out with a drink held above her head. She grabbed Riley, who slipped out of her arms and stood closer to Avery. “You all heard what she said. The game starts tomorrow. Denver, Echo, Tanya? Anyone want to go skinny dipping with me?” Without waiting, Jasmine pulled off her top.
Some women cheered at her antics, following along with Jasmine as they worked their way outside. The rest of the group dispersed, breaking off into different sections of the house. Avery returned to the kitchen with Riley, who had become her shadow.
“God damn, there are some hot women,” Kelsie the gardener, Avery was pretty sure, whispered from around the corner.
“Right? It’s going to be hard to keep our hands off everyone. I wouldn’t mind a few moments alone with Avery,” a second voice added, although she couldn’t place it.
Avery snorted at the whispered conversation she and Riley were accidentally walking into. “Hiya,” Avery roared when she walked around the corner to the kitchen with a wink. “This should be fun,” she mumbled, opening the fridge for something more substantial than shriveled carrots.
Stella sat at her vanity. Downstairs, she could hear the hubbub of all the contestants she’d meet tomorrow. She and Quinn had toured the house but were ushered upstairs before the first group of women arrived.
Chewing on some honey-roasted peanuts, Stella was still in a daze over how quickly everything had happened. The dinner that had been brought up for her had long since disappeared as Stella worked on final preparations for the long days to come. She wished to be down there meeting the contestants, but the producers had decided the first meeting with everyone would be tomorrow.
