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“I know. I’m not going.”
“It’s not really an option. If you want to stay, you have to go to these things. You can lock yourself away the rest of the time, but I think you’re not giving this a chance. You came here for a reason, right?”
She nods her head but doesn’t say anything as tears well up in her eyes.
“Look, we have to get to dinner, but why don’t we talk after.”
I may not know this girl, but seeing the tears in her eyes has my heart breaking for her.
“Okay,” she squeaks out, stepping out from behind the door.
Her posture and forced smile tell me all I need to know. She’s obviously scared shitless of the situation she’s put herself in. The least I can do is offer her friendship until she’s voted off, because at this rate, it’s inevitable. She’s not even making an effort to get to know anyone, and that will be her downfall. Sooner rather than later.
As soon as we’re all seated at the table, wine is poured, and food is served. The volume level kicks up a notch as everyone starts talking over everyone else. Laughter fills the air as we fill our bellies. The only person not sharing in the fun is Kyra. She’s sitting stoic, a fake smile plastered on her face as she listens to Teegan talk about her ex-boyfriend.
The one that just broke up with her.
And then it clicks. The one thing we all have in common.
We’re all broken. Our hearts have been shattered. The producers are banking on us lusting after one another in the hopes for good TV. The kind where the little black sensor bar needs to be used to cover exposed body parts. The way some of my fellow castmates are looking at each other, they’re onto something.
Teegan’s focused on Drake.
Milo’s fucking Teegan with his eyes.
Courtney looks like she wants to eat Callen alive.
Callen is staring at Natasha’s boobs.
Bella is slyly checking out Jace.
Natasha’s eyes are dancing between Lennon and Gage.
Gage is shoveling food in his mouth while looking down the table at Bella.
Lennon is piercing me with his stare, and when I look away, I find Jace is doing the same.
The only person not engaged in an eye-fucking contest is Kyra. She has no interest in being part of the orgy that could start at any moment, and honestly, she’s probably the smartest person at the table.
Because shit is about to get complicated. People are going to get laid, and then people are going to get hurt. Sent home or tossed aside for another conquest. We’re already damaged goods. I can’t imagine feeling worse than I have the last few months.
The one thing I can say for certain is that no one looks like they’re about to fall in love, and I guarantee the cameras are capturing every stolen glance. Every heated stare. And the producers are going to eat this shit up.
The conversation becomes heated, and before I know what’s going on, Gage picks up the rest of his burger and throws it at Milo. It bounces off his nose, landing on the table. Everyone stares for a second before hands start scrambling for anything they can grab, and food begins flying in every direction.
“Food fight!” one of the guys yells as I’m hit with a piece of fruit and then another.
Seriously? Are we in high school again?
Ten minutes later, we’re all laughing, the trays of food on the table are cleared, and the patio around us needs to be hosed off. So do we for that matter.
My face is sticky, my hair has stuff stuck in it, and the soft-pink dress I put on is going in the garbage when I get back to my villa. There’s no way I’m going to be able to get these stains out, especially the mustard smear across my right boob.
“Pool?” Callen asks, looking around the table.
Kyra and I both pass, but the rest of the group runs toward the water. They’re already splashing around as we turn the corner and are pulled to a stop.
Jace. Go figure.
