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Stella noticed her face was freshly washed of makeup, cutting years off her look. Pajamas hung loosely on her hips. Wondering if Quinn was getting enough to eat, but knowing she would never ask, Stella threw her huggin’ pillow to Quinn, who settled at the foot of her bed.
“Can I confess something?” Quinn was more subdued tonight.
Concern laced through Stella. She’d come to think of Quinn as a friend and hoped the confession was nothing that would compromise the show. “What is it?” she asked, scared to hear the answer.
Quinn fiddled with the seam of the pillow before saying, “I hadn’t really considered that people might be more interested in the money than me. What if I pick someone, and they decide to go with money?”
The pain and humility in her voice shook Stella out of her thoughts.
“That is a big part of the show. But if they don’t see how great you are, then they don’t deserve to get to know you.” Stella reached for her knee, squeezing gently.
“Did you notice that Avery’s eye isn’t as bruised anymore? I’m glad she’s okay.” Quinn pivoted the conversation. Stella tensed; Avery was a minefield—tricky to navigate. “She’s by far the best kisser, by the way,” Quinn added with a dash of playfulness.
The I know was poised at the tip of Stella’s tongue, ready to spring forward. But that would ruin everything, and they’d both come too far to have things shaken up now. “She’s been through a lot during the show,” she said neutrally, hoping that was enough to get off the uncomfortable topic. “You’re lucky to have so many options,” she added.
The diversion worked because Quinn dropped the Avery subject. “You might be the best thing to come out of this show.” Quinn reached over to squeeze her hand that still rested on her knee. “Do you think we can still be friends after this?” Quinn’s hopeful gaze landed on her.
Stella thought to the end. Avery very well might be standing there, having to choose between money and Quinn. Guilt at having feelings for a contestant, mixed with dread in her gut at the end that was coming. Stella felt like she was standing on the train tracks, knowing a train was barreling in her direction, yet unable to do anything to get off the tracks.
“I hope we can,” Stella answered, retreating her hand as she looked longingly at her pillow. “I hate to cut this short, but I’m beat.” She pulled her huggin’ pillow from Quinn’s grip and laid her head down. Quinn took the hint and left the room shortly after.
That night, Stella dreamed she was at a deli, trying to reach in for mustard packets, but a hand covered in gold and diamond rings kept grabbing them all.
Chapter 10
Bushes and Bathrooms
Avery sat back on the outdoor couch with Ocean, Denver, and Riley. They were exchanging stories and enjoying the cooler afternoon. She and Riley had patched things up with some late-night discussions in their room. It felt good to have talked through their differences.
When Elizabeth asked who wanted to go for a swim, Riley was the only one who got up. The large house that had easily held twelve people now felt like a cavernous monster.
“What’s Tanya doing?” Ocean pointed to the tall shrubs. Sure enough, Tanya had spread an opening in one of them.
“I’ll go see.” Denver stood with Avery and Ocean at her heels. As they got closer, Denver gently pulled on Avery’s arm. “Shhh, hold up here.”
Enjoying someone else taking the reins, Avery stopped willingly. They pressed forward more cautiously.
They couldn’t hear what Tanya was saying over the splashes of the pool where Elizabeth and Riley were playing Marco Polo with Quinn. Stepping closer to the bushes, they saw Tanya pressed up against the fence. On the other side stood a man with a thick beard and beanie that hung low. His fingers intertwined with hers through the steel fence, and his lips almost touched the metal pattern. Avery couldn’t make out what he was saying through the hedges and background noise of the yard, but he looked sad as Tanya leaned further in to kiss him through the fence.
Denver and Ocean slid to Tanya’s sides while Avery slipped in behind her.
“This is so sweet. Is this your boyfriend?” Avery interrupted them. She laughed when Tanya leaped in the air at their interruption.
“What, you’re not going to introduce us?” Denver asked with her eyebrows entering her hairline.
The man turned to run and tripped over a branch before quickly disappearing out of sight. Tanya slowly turned around, her eyes wide, darting glances between them. She looked like a trapped rabbit looking for the nearest hole to burrow under.
“Aww, why did he have to leave so soon?” Ocean pitched her voice similar to Tanya’s east coast tilt.
“Are you going to tell Quinn or Stella? Probably,” Tanya said spitefully, answering her own question, “since it’s the only way you can win.” She looked away. “Please don’t say anything. I’ll do any of the chores you want for a week.”
Avery stepped to the side near Denver, crossing her arms. “Are we? What do you think? Are chores worth our silence?” she asked the group. “I have to hand it to her, she picked the one place that is most likely hidden from cameras. That’s got to be worth something, right?”
“I say let her sweat. Maybe we will, maybe we won’t.” Ocean smirked, holding up her hands as if she were weighing the options.
“It’s worth it to me, I hate cooking.” Denver held out her hand.
“It’s no fun eating the food you ‘cook,’ either,” Avery joked, slapping Denver on the back.
