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Day 6
Drinks are flowing.Music blares through the speakers. Laughter fills the air.
And for the first time since arriving, I don’t feel the pressure of the cameras. I know they’re watching, they always are, but there isn’t one trained on my face. There isn’t even a cameraman in the room tonight, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the reprieve.
Behind the bar, Jace mixes drinks.
Gage waves his through the air while he tells what appears to be a funny story judging by the way everyone’s laughing at him. Courtney, Teegan, Bella, and Natasha are all seated on the couch in front of him, holding their stomachs as they belt out laughter.
Across the room, Drake and Callen play pool while Milo shoots darts next to them.
Lennon and Kyra are the only people I don’t see.
That’s when the door opens behind me. I don’t have to look to know it’s Lennon. I can smell him. It’s a unique blend of spices that lingered in my little villa long after he left yesterday. It made me wish he’d used a pillow or something so I could have held onto it longer.
“People watching?” he asks, sliding up next to me.
I haven’t seen him all day. Kyra and I spent most of the morning reading by the pool with a few of the other girls. She got nervous when the guys started to show up, so we went back to her villa and made cookies. It makes me wonder where she is right now. She promised to meet me here and bring those cookies.
“Something like that. I kind of like it when the cameras are gone and there’s no pressure to be someone you’re not,” I state, scanning the room again in hopes of finding Kyra. That’s when I spot her over by the theater seats, a cookie in her hand. She’s doing exactly what I’m doing. Watching the show...
“I have a feeling once the drinks start flowing, no one is going to be able to hide who they really are.”
I let his words sink in for a minute. He has a point. Alcohol has a way of loosening people up. Their inhibitions are gone, replaced with a comfortable feeling where they’ll say or do anything that comes to mind.
Tonight is going to be nothing short of interesting.
“What are you smiling about?” Lennon inquires, stepping in my line of sight.
I hadn’t even realized I was.
“Nothing. Just thinking about how much I’m going to enjoy tonight. I wasn’t really looking forward to it after yesterday if I’m being honest.”
“About that...”
“Don’t. Let it go. I appreciate you checking on me, and I’m sorry I was such a bitch about it. I had a headache, and instead of thanking you, I misdirected my anger at you. Which reminds me, I have a bone to pick with Gage,” I state firmly.
“I might just enjoy tonight more than I thought I was going to,” Lennon quips as he steps aside, giving me the perfect view of Gage.
I’m about to march over to him and give him a piece of my mind when the music suddenly cuts off and is replaced with a voice. Ed’s voice. He doesn’t even have to show his face and he’s controlling the situation.
“Welcome to your first board game night. If you read through your schedule, you know tonight’s events are boys versus girls. The winners will be able to save themselves from going home on Sunday night. The stakes are high but how much are you willing to risk to save yourself from elimination?” Ed’s cackle causes me to cringe.
Just when I thought it was going to be a fun, relaxing evening hanging out with everyone, he had to go and throw in a plot twist. I should have known.
“Two games. Everyone has to participate. In the event of a tie, there will be a head-to-head match. One player from each team. Choose your captains wisely. Your first game will be delivered in five minutes. Have fun!”
He’s gone, the music coming back to life with a thunderous roar.
“Let’s grab a drink. I have a feeling we’re in for a longer night than I planned.” Lennon’s words slap me across the face.
It’s already eight at night. If we’re playing two games, we’re going to be here for hours. In the event of a tie, we’ll be here even longer. It makes me wish I’d taken that nap I thought about this afternoon instead of calling Naomi and giving her the play by play of the last few days.
She was especially interested in Lennon’s visits.
As we approach the bar, Jace shoots me a panty-melting smirk that turns deadly when directed at Lennon.
Yeah... I don’t think the two of them are going to be able to play nice much longer.
