15. Dusty
dusty
Get to the Bottom of This
Last week’s elimination was rough. Even though I’ve only had two weeks with the girls, genuine connections have been formed.
The realization takes me by surprise, but I’m trying to lean into the process.
Losing Abigail and Jordan was tough. I would’ve preferred to have Jade in the bottom three to save Sage or Abigail from being at risk, but the producers pushed me to keep her.
Now that we’re down to six contestants, though, I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m going to have to be more firm and really fight for who I want. At the end of the day, this is about me and the person I want standing next to me when the season ends and the cameras turn off.
This week, I have dates with Sage and Aspen. I’m looking forward to deepening my connection with both of them, and also hearing their thoughts on the other girls. I’ve sensed a bit of hostility between Baylor and Aspen, and I want to get to the bottom of it.
I obviously don’t see everything that happens between the girls, only what happens during group outings.
But I’ve noticed Aspen’s face contort with distaste whenever Baylor’s name is brought up.
She tries to be subtle about it, but she’s not very good at hiding her emotions.
Then again, neither is Baylor. However, while I see determination and maybe a bit of ego in Aspen’s expressions, sometimes the look in Baylor’s eyes is one of nervous tension, trepidation.
I don’t think she has anything to hide, but I want to ease my own worries.
I know she’s closer with Sage than Aspen, so I plan to briefly bring her up during our date.
The producers don’t give me much information about what the dates will entail, just that I’m to meet them at the front gates of the property once I’m ready. So I pull on a pair of denim jeans and a baby-blue pearl snap shirt before topping it off with a granite cowboy hat.
During the two days off from filming, the girls were brought to the house while I was sent to the production building for interviews.
So. Many. Interviews. I can’t lie and say I wasn’t disappointed that I didn’t get to spend more time with them, but I also haven’t really had a moment to myself since filming began.
Normally, during really busy weeks, Craig would make sure I had some time to myself. To decompress. Sparks Studio Production clearly gives zero shits about that, because I feel like I’ve been pushed under water without a chance to come back up for air.
Man, I wish Craig were here to give me advice on how to handle all of this.
When I walk outside, there’s a car and camera crew waiting for me.
“Good morning, Mr. Wilder,” Brett greets me. I like to think we’ve reached a mutual respect, or at least an understanding between each other. He’s only here to do his job, as am I. He stays out of my way, and I don’t make his life difficult. “Are you ready for your date with Sage?”
“Yep,” I pop the P. “This is one I’ve been looking forward to, Brett.”
“Great to hear that. Let’s get on the road, then, shall we?”
I nod and climb in the backseat of the vehicle. It doesn’t take us very long to get to our destination, a bar known for its large dance floor.
Sage is waiting in front of the doors, wearing denim cutoff shorts and a blouse with bell sleeves. The outfit is complete with a pair of cowboy boots.
“Damn, you look good,” I greet her.
She does a little spin for me, smiling the entire time. “Thank you. You also look great.”
“Have you ever been line dancing before?” I ask as I look up at the neon bar sign.
“Have I ever been line dancing?” She raises her brows in amusement. “Of course, I have, silly.”
“Don’t judge me too much if I mess up the steps, then.” I nudge her with my elbow before opening the door and holding it for her.
Sage enters the bar, and I follow closely behind.
The bar is located near the back, and high-top tables surround the dance floor, where people have already gathered, although it’s not so busy that we can’t find a spot for ourselves.
The cover band is playing a two-step, and without hesitation, Sage pulls me out onto the dance floor. We fall into the steps naturally.
“Have you been enjoying your time on the show so far?” I ask, not wanting to waste any time.
“Absolutely.” She nods. “I’m so grateful to still be here. That elimination was stressful, but I’m glad that the viewers saw enough in me that they wanted to save me.”
“I’m glad they saved you, too,” I say as I spin her around.
We spend the next couple minutes moving with the rhythm of the music. Sage even starts singing along to the cover band, and I remember why I liked her so much at the auditions.
As the second song begins, I decide to pick up the conversation. “How is the, er, environment of the house? With the other girls?”
She tilts her head to the side, eyeing the cameras, but quickly recovers.
“It’s been good so far. There’s definitely an air of competitiveness, but for the most part, everyone has been respectful toward each other.
” She hesitates a little when she talks about the competitive energy between the girls, which only makes me want to push further.
“What do you mean by that?”
“I, uh, I guess some people have just butted heads a bit.” She races through her sentence. When I don’t answer, she continues. “Aspen’s been a bit…harsh at times. She doesn’t like Baylor very much.”
Heat rises in my gut at the mention of Baylor, followed by annoyance toward Aspen. I knew there was something going on with her. Luckily, I’ll have the opportunity to talk to her about it on our date tomorrow, but for now, I want to hear Sage out.
“Are you comfortable telling me more about it?” I ask as we move around the dance floor. “I won’t mention your name to anyone, but if there’s an issue among the other girls, I want to be able to address it.”
Her face flushes a bit, and for a moment, I think I’ve maybe overstepped. Maybe she doesn’t want the show to portray her in a negative light when the episode airs. But then she sighs. “We may want to sit down for this conversation.”
My heart rate accelerates with a tinge of panic. I didn’t expect the conversation to be that serious, but still I nod, leading her toward a booth in the corner as the song ends. I need to know what’s going on.
“I don’t want to make the entire date about Aspen, but I just…
” she trails off. “I think she’s a bit malicious.
I don’t know if that’s her intention, but she kind of comes off as thinking she’s superior to everyone else.
I don’t want to diminish the connection you have with her, but she’s really targeted Baylor the last couple weeks. ”
Defensiveness tugs in my chest—not for Aspen, but for Baylor—without even knowing the whole situation.
I had a connection, an attraction, to Aspen in the beginning, but over time, the feeling seemed to fade as I’ve gotten closer to Baylor.
I can’t say I would’ve broken the rules to go kiss Aspen off camera.
“What’s she done to Baylor?” I demand, perhaps a bit too forcefully.
Something flashes in Sage’s eyes, and they shift down toward the table. “It started out as small little jabs, but I guess last night, during the elimination, she accused her of only still being here because of favoritism from the producers.”
Her words are a suckerpunch to my gut, and anger replaces my annoyance.
“Baylor wouldn’t be here if I didn’t want her here,” I grit out, my jaw tense.
Sage shrinks back like she did something wrong, and I force myself to relax.
“Sage, I’m not mad at you. The opposite, in fact. I really appreciate you telling me, and I swear your name won’t be mentioned.”
“Thank you,” she whispers.
I didn’t mean to make her upset. I’ve been distracted, despite my best efforts to focus on her, and guilt for the lost time claws at me. We still have plenty of time before the date ends, so I’ll make it up to her somehow.
My date with Aspen is at Ace High Entertainment’s recording studio. I think back to what Sage said yesterday about Aspen’s claim that Baylor is only here because the producers favor her.
Based on today’s date, I’d say the opposite. Baylor didn’t get a recording studio date, Aspen did. If that doesn’t scream favoritism, then I’m not sure what would, aside from scheduling us to elope. I let out a small snort at the thought.
“Well, if it isn’t my favorite country singer.” Aspen’s sultry voice greets me as I step into the control room. She’s sitting on a stool, leaning forward so her cleavage is visible in her tank top.
“Hello, Aspen.” I try to hide my frustration with her. I have to hear her side of the story, but I trust Sage. And maybe it’s foolish, but I feel like I can trust Baylor too.
Her expression falls, and she opens her mouth to say something, but a recording engineer interrupts by walking into the room. She sits up straight, transforming her pose from seductive to proper and professional.
“It’s good to see you back in the recording studio, Dusty.” He claps me on the back as he walks over to Aspen. “You must be Aspen.”
“That’s me.” She gives him a bright smile.
“It’s very nice to meet you. You’ve got a unique opportunity today, getting to record something with Dusty. Why don’t you two head on in and we’ll lay down a few tracks? See how your voices mesh together and go from there.”
Aspen practically leaps up from her stool to enter the live room. She puts on her headphones like she’s done this a million times before. Our microphones are set up so we’re facing each other. It’s a more intimate setup than standing side-by-side, and I can tell she’s eating up every moment of it.
I, however, can’t help but wish it was Baylor in front of me. Or literally anyone else, after knowing what I know about Aspen.
“Can you two hear me?” the engineer asks.
I give him a thumbs-up as Aspen nods.