My eyes move to the two guys left—Calvin and Landon. I’m not going to choose Calvin. He and Kenzie are so perfect for each other, everyone can see it. I’m not a sneaky backstabbing bitch like some other women here, so he’s absolutely not an option. As much as I hate to say it, I only have one.
“Landon,” I say simply.
His eyes widen like he’s shocked. Our dislike for each other isn’t subtle. But I also know he’s a competitive bastard. He came here to win, and it’s clear he’s not here for love either. He wants the money, and so do I, and together, I know we’ll do whatever it takes. So fuck you, Savannah; fuck you, Noah; and fuck you,Locked In.
Let the real games begin.
Chapter Fifteen
Landon
I’m frozen in place. My feet won’t move, despite the producer gesturing for me to go forward behind the camera. What the fuck? Me? She said my name, right?
I don’t think we’ve kept our disdain for each other hidden, not by a long shot. So why the fuck would she pick me?
The answer is obvious, though, right? She didn’t have a choice. She had all her eggs in one basket, and Noah just stomped those eggs into the concrete. I’m still blown away by that. I never would have guessed Noah had it in him to do something that ballsy. I think everyone looked at Courtney and Noah as the most solid potential match here.
Finally, I’m able to move my lead fucking feet forward and stand on the other side of the podium. Her deep-brown eyes are cold, blank, like she’s looking right through me. There isn’t a single trace of emotion across any of her features. Doesn’t take a genius to figure out what’s going on in her head, though. She’s fucking pissed, and she’s just trying to tread water with the million cameras pointed in our faces.
“Landon,” Alex says, attempting to suppress his own surprise as he looks to me. “Do you want to lock in with Courtney?”
Not really. Locking in with her means I’m stuck with her for the entire fucking show. What other options do I have, though? I was investing all of my time with Savannah because I thought I had her wrapped around my finger. I don’t know Kenzie, and it’s clear Calvin is into her. So then what? Do we both get sent home? That doesn’t work for me.
So I nod. “Sure, why the hell not?”
A snicker comes from the locked-in couples on the couch followed by a scoff and a shush before Alex nods and takes the two locks, hooking them onto our bracelets. They begin glowing a bright pink.
Courtney and I both look down at them before our eyes meet. I make my way around the podium and hold out my hand. She furrows her brows like she’s never seen a fucking hand before until she finally laces her fingers through mine and we walk over to the couch.
When we take a seat, I feel narrowed eyes on me as I settle back into the couch. Glancing across the way, I see Noah glaring at me murderously. I scoff and turn to watch Calvin and Kenzie happily choose each other. What the fuck ever. He’s mad at me? Because he left her high and dry? How are you going to have the audacity to fuck us both over and be pissed with me?Ishould be pissed withhim.
Once Kenzie and Calvin sit down, Alex holds out his hands dramatically and speaks to us all. “Congratulations! You all are officially locked in. Please grab your things and each couple head to your lovers’ suite.”
With that, the cameras cut and the crew begins moving towards the house, presumably to set up for all of our “raw” reactions. The fact that people actually think this shit is real is crazy. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not like we’re getting scripts… yet, but this shit is more staged than I think most people realize. If they didn’t, it would be boring as hell.
Everyone rises, and Noah crosses the distance to us in an instant. Courtney sees him coming and attempts to step around him, but she’s not quick enough.
“Courtney, please. Let me explain.”
She looks up at him, eyes wide and rage all over her face. I see a cameraman quickly pick up on the confrontation and I “accidently” step in his path, blocking the shot as she speaks.
“Okay, go ahead.”
Noah looks taken aback. “What?”
“You want to explain. I’m all fucking ears,” she says flatly, gesturing for him to begin.
Noah opens his mouth to speak, but no words come out. Courtney lets out a humorless laugh before shaking her head and stomping off. We all watch her head towards the house, and Noah stands there like an idiot before he takes a step.
“You should probably give her time to cool off,” I say simply.
As if he doesn’t know where else to place his rage, he turns sharply on his heel and comes at me full force, shoving my shoulders with all his might. I stumble a step or two but remain composed as I give him a bored look. He attempts to push me again before Shane and Dallas slip in between us, pulling him backward.
“Keep your goddamn mouth shut! This doesn’t concern you! I can’t believe you!” he snarls.
I screw my face up in confusion. “Me? What the fuck did I do?”
“You locked in with her? Seriously? You fucking hate her. Was all that talk in hopes I’d lose interest so you could swoop in and take her yourself?”
