“Most people with manners would say thank you to a compliment,” Fox said, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Thanks for the lesson, Grandpa.”
“Grandpa.” Fox cleared his throat.
Sienna rolled her eyes. “You’re like the grumpy old man on a sitcom, always scowling and grumbling at everyone.”
Fox frowned, then caught himself and rearranged his face into something more neutral. “Maybe I just don’t feel like smiling like a crazy person anytime a camera is within a two-mile radius of me.”
Something passed across her face, too quick for Fox to be sure, but it looked an awful lot like hurt. “At least I’m putting in an actual effort.”
“Not this again,” Fox grumbled. “That took major effort to get that score.”
“You mean the score we’re about to beat?”
Fox knew it would be close, and he wasn’t willing to admit defeat just yet, so he changed the subject.
“You should probably get that leg looked at before it gangrenes,” he said. “Wouldn’t want to have to cancel your next JC Penny catalog shoot.”
Okay, that was kind of mean, he thought as he walked off to rejoin Wade and Eli, but Sienna didn’t seem to have even heard him—or she didn't care. She’d already turned her back to him and started talking to her sisters again.
How had Fox gone from wanting to compliment her to insulting her? Sienna was strong and beautiful. And annoyingly perceptive. Hewaskind of like a grumpy grandpa, but he hadn’t given up on the world. It was just better for the world if he wasn’t such an active participant.
He hadn’t always been like this. Once he’d loved being with people, meeting new people, and traveling. But ever since…
Nope, he wasnotgoing to think about Becky.
He went to stand with Eli and Wade and turned his attention to where the judges were tallying up everyone’s times. The girls had been surprisingly fast and agile as they went through the course. The guys exchanged more than a few worried glances that the cameras were sure to have captured.
Finally, Jason Castle reappeared and held a very official-looking paper in his hands. “I have the final results here.”
Fox grumbled under his breath. Of all the annoying things about this experience, having the host narrate everything he did was probably the worst.
“The bride’s team put in an impressive performance, with a final average time of ten minutes and forty-three seconds.”
Squealing and jumping erupted from the four girls.
“And the groom’s team came in at a final average time of…” He paused, looked at his paper, then back up at the camera. “Ten minutes and twelve seconds!”
Sienna and the other girls groaned in unison.
Fox let out a sigh of relief as Wade whooped in joy and started his touchdown dance again. They’d done it. Eli clapped Fox on the back.
“No Avril Lavigne or Black Eyed Peas, I promise,” Fox said.
Eli grinned. “Maybe just one. I do have a soft spot for early 2000s pop music, after all.”
Fox shook his head and laughed. People did dumb stuff for love, and not just listen to awful music.
“Alright, alright, you’ve all earned a little break.”
Everyone turned to look at Jason Castle.
“Go get cleaned up, and we’ll be back here for an afternoon barbecue by the barn.”
Fox knew that break wouldn’t include a break from the cameras, but at least the hard work was done for the day, and he could focus on hanging out with his friends. And avoiding Sienna.
Eli and Foxwere talking to one of the owners of the inn while everyone milled around with plates piled high with ribs and brisket.
