5. Not So Trivial Pursuit
Not So Trivial Pursuit
HAYES
I ’m not supposed to have favorites. That’s rule number one of being the star of Groomsman to Groom .
Treat every woman equally, keep an open mind, and for God’s sake, don’t let the cameras catch you staring at one contestant too long.
But as I watch Brielle tuck a strand of hair behind her ear while the producers explain today’s trivia challenge, I’m finding that rule tough to follow.
Friday night, I was reminded of how easy she is to talk to.
And I’ll never forget exactly how those lips felt against mine on that moonlit beach—a detail the other nineteen women in this mansion would probably love to throw me into the pool over. Well, throw me in again .
“Excited for today, Hayes?” Skye swoops in beside me, her muumuu creating a breeze that smells like flowers and sandlewood.
“Sure am,” I say, which is only a half-lie. I’m equal parts excited and nervous. Yesterday was Sunday, our blackout filming day, and it was some quality time needed to clear my head.
I called August, and he thinks this situation is hilarious. “Dad, are you kissing all of them?” he giggled during our last phone call. I cringed, wondering what kind of therapy bill this show is racking up for him.
I’m brought back to the moment when Skye claps her hands. “Let’s do it. Remember, this is a test of compatibility through shared interests.”
“Yup.”
“Places, everyone!” Tanya herds the women toward an elaborate setup on the stage of the Wolfe Theater. Twenty podiums form a semicircle around a larger one where I’ll be standing. Above us, a massive screen displays the show’s logo—a key and a lock box with an engagement ring inside.
I take my position, scanning the faces before me.
Luna twirls a strand of hair around her finger, confidence radiating from her.
Gabby examines her nails, looking bored already.
Annabelle fidgets nervously, while Serena stands with the calm assurance of someone who knows her stuff.
And then there’s Brielle, who catches my eye for just a moment before looking down at her podium, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth.
She should be the confident one—she’s got this nailed. The memory of our conversation on the beach flashes through my mind—her passionate breakdown of why Kirk was actually the more logical captain than Spock in certain situations. God, that was hot.
“Women Warriors!” Skye’s voice booms through her mic. “Welcome to our first challenge—Fandom Feud! Today’s test will reveal which of you shares the deepest connection with Hayes through your knowledge of three epic sagas—Marvel, Star Trek-War s, and Game of Thrones .”
Excited murmurs ripple through some contestants, while others look like they’ve just been told they need to perform emergency surgery. Luna’s smile falters.
“The rules are simple,” Skye continues. “I’ll ask questions, and if you ring in first and answer correctly, you earn a point. If you answer incorrectly, you lose a point. The contestant with the most points at the end wins a special one-on-one date with Hayes!”
The cameras pan across the women’s faces, capturing their reactions. Brielle’s expression shifts from surprise to excitement. She catches me watching her and quickly composes herself, but not before I see that spark in her eyes.
Skye plunges in. “And the first question: during Game of Thrones , what main characters died during the red wedding?”
Brielle smacks her buzzer first. She answers, “Catelyn Stark, Robb Stark and his wife Talisa.” Then she quickly adds, “And a bunch of soldiers.”
“That is correct.” Skye says. “And that’s one point for Brielle. Next question. Who was Captain Picard’s right-hand man?”
Brielle again. “Lieutenant Riker.”
“That’s correct.” Skye pulls out another card, and the questions continue.
With each answer, I find myself leaning forward, captivated not just by Brielle’s knowledge but by the passion behind it. She doesn’t just know these worlds—she loves them, understands them at a level that goes beyond memorizing facts.
We move to the second round, and Annabelle is crying. Of course she is. She finally says, “I’m not a sci-fi pop culture trivia queen, Hayes. So I’m going to excuse myself from this competition. But you know we share a connection that rises above all this hoopla.” She walks off set.
“Okay, then.” Skye picks up her next card. “Next question. What type of swords do they use in Star Wars?”
Gabby buzzes in, licking her lips as she looks at the camera. Finally, she answers, “Long, hard glowing swords.”
“Sorry Gabby, you’re wrong, but I think you know that.” Skye’s lip curls.
Offstage, Annabelle yells, “Lightsabers.”
“That is correct, Annabelle. But you just quit the competition,” Skye says, irritation in her tone. “For the next question, please only answer if you haven’t quit and you aren’t pulling random responses out of your butt.”
“What’s the name of Jon Snow’s direwolf?”
Luna buzzes. “Ghost.”
“What’s the name of the rehabilitated Borg woman?”
Serena buzzes. “Seven-of-Nine.”
“All right.” Skye clears her throat. “We’re down to our last question, and Brielle’s got a lead so big this isn’t fun anymore. But this next question’s more personal. Hayes would like to know each of your favorite episodes from Star Trek, The Next Generation .”
Brielle’s up first. “That’s easy,” she says, “But I actually have two. Measure of a Man , where Captain Picard argues the sentience of Data, a robot. And All Good Things . I mean, it made cinematic history.” She glances at me, and I shake my head.
She knows my favorite episode is Tapestry , but we agreed to disagree there.
Still—I can’t contain my smile. The way her eyes light up as she explains something reminds me of how August looks when he’s discussing scientific theories that I barely understand.
Kavita says, “Mine is the one where Data’s evil brother visits.”
“That episode is called Brothers ,” I chirp in.
“Mine’s the one where they inserted a big probe.” Gabby flips her hair.
‘Uh, I think there’s a lot of episodes with probes. No?” Skye looks at me for help.
“There aren’t that many, actually. There’s the Nth Degree ,” I say.
Brielle adds, “There’s the one where Picard almost dies from the energy burst from an alien probe. I think it’s called Inner Light .”
Gabby smiles conspiratorially at the camera again. “The long, deep probe.”
“That penetrates a forest?” Brille adds, lifting a brow.
“A probe penetrating a forest,” Skye repeats to me, still thinking this is a serious conversation.
Brielle and I bust up and exchange knowing looks.
“Are you guys talking about penises?” Annabelle yells from backstage.
“They’re definitely talking about penises.
” Skye puts a hand on her hip. “Annabelle, I asked you to stop playing. Gabby, go get laid already.” Sky flashes the camera a cheeky grin.
“So with that, I’m awarding the one-on-one date to Brielle, who has the highest points as of now.
Because I’m done with this shitshow. Congratulations, Brielle.
You’ll be joining Hayes at the GeekFest carnival tomorrow. ”
Behind her, Jordan’s face darkens before she composes herself. Gabby whispers something to Kavita that makes them both snicker. The cameras are catching all of it, I’m sure.
“Thank you,” Brielle says, beaming.
As she walks away, she looks back at me. When our eyes meet, she quickly turns away, but not before I catch the smile she’s trying to hide.
Tomorrow. A carnival. Just the two of us and a dozen camera operators.
When everyone’s gone, Skye nudges me. “Careful. The cameras caught every dopey expression on your face while she was answering those questions. The editors are going to have cut all that to keep the show exciting.”
I run a hand through my hair. “I was just impressed by her knowledge.”
“Mm-hmm,” Skye hums. “Well, impressed or not, you need to be careful. Gabby looks ready to put laxatives in Brielle’s morning coffee.”
“Right.”
She is right—I need to be cognizant of the jealousy brewing among the other contestants.
And I’m committed to giving everyone a fair chance, as I promised when I signed up for this circus.
I’m making interesting and genuine connections with many of the other women, and I have to remind myself that Brielle’s further along because of the prior evening we spent together.
Rule number one of being the bachelor: don’t have favorites.
And I refuse to break it.