Eli’s hand quivered for a moment before he pulled it away and took a step back. “I don’t think it’s going to go down like that.”
I took in his concern, like he really thought he was breaking the news to me gently. But despite this conversation and whatever feelings Eli had unearthed in me tonight, getting closer to him would be a bad idea. He might seem sincere and he might seem kind, but I had to remember he was on this show for a reason. He had a reputation—one which I doubted I could change.
Maybe he thought I was playing it safe with Arnie, but the way I saw it, the absolute worst thing that could happen to me on this show was getting hurt. Instead of helping me move on, that would likely set me back even further. So maybe Arnie was the safe choice, and maybe there was a spark between Eli and I, but he was wrong if he thought taking a risk on him was in my best interest.
And anyway, Eli was wrong. Arnie would definitely pick me. We had become friends and we were kindred spirits. We had both had our hearts broken in different ways.
He would pick me. He had to.
Chapter Ten
“Rachel,”Arnie announced.
I had to physically restrain my jaw from dropping as Rachel took a step off our mat and walked over to where Arnie stood on the other mat with the rest of the guys, just twenty feet away. She looked back at me with apologetic eyes as she took her place next to him.
Trace stood on my other side and gently squeezed my arm. “It’ll be okay,” she whispered.
My shoulders slumped as Arnie continued to look anywhere but at me. I shifted my gaze to Eli, who stared at me intently. He had tried to warn me, but I hadn’t listened. He’d known this was coming.
“Wow, switching it up after such a successful challenge with Calla,” Rita announced from her spot between the mats. “Mind giving us a little insight into your choice, Arnie?”
“It’s nothing against Calla at all,” he insisted, finally meeting my eyes. “I just—I just know there isn’t anything more than friendship there.”
“And you feel more with Rachel?” Rita probed.
Arnie and Rachel both tried and failed to suppress a smile.
“I want to at least see if there’s something here,” he replied.
“And what about you, Rachel? Are you happy with your new partner?”
“I think his energy balances me out,” she said.
Rita turned to me. “And Calla, this must be a blow to you. I know you wanted to stick with Arnie.”
I sucked in a breath. If I didn’t look happy, they would zoom in on my face and try to turn this into a storyline.
“No, I’m fine. I’m glad Arnie is exploring things with Rachel.”
Rita didn’t look convinced, but she moved on.
“Eli, your pick.”
“Calla,” he said, without even a second of hesitation.
Sofia gasped from the end of the mat as I walked over to Eli. Even though I hadn’t believed him last night, I was glad he had warned me. If he hadn’t, I would have had a much harder time keeping it together right now.
When I stood next to him, he bent his head down so he could whisper closer to my ear. “I’m sorry. Arnie talked to the guys about having a crush on Rachel. I tried to tell you.” My stomach dipped at the feel of his hot breath near my face.
“I’m glad you did,” I murmured.
“This is quite the change up!” Rita exclaimed. “Two brand new couples. Eli, what led you to this decision? I’m looking at Sofia and it seems like this is coming as quite a shock to her.”
“I told her that I wanted to explore other options,” he said carefully.
“And I told you I was the best one here!” She glared at the two of us, her sharp features making her appear all the more intimidating.
Rita whistled. “Seems like this was not a mutual decision.”
