Chapter 38
THE MOST CIVILITY CARTER HAS EVER DEMONSTRATED, AND HE WAS STILL PRETTY RUDE
DEAN
The next day is a Friday. I should be watching reruns with Dad or saving Meredith from another bad date.
Not here, stuck in this coffin of a confession booth, running through a mile-long list of questions.
How the hell did I get here? To the finals, and here, in general, in the middle of the fucking woods. I hate the woods.
Blake smiles sympathetically from where she’s leaning against the open door of the booth.
A P.A. stands nearby and fans her occasionally.
“Thanks for being patient, Dean, I know this is a lot, but you’re part of the final three.
You made it this far—it’s important to take the time to reflect.
Plus, it’s tradition. We always have an interview before the final challenge. ”
I try to muster up a polite smile, but I think I’m just grimacing. My bones ache with exhaustion. My brain feels like mush from everything that’s happened in the last… how long has it been? Twelve hours? In the twelve hours since shit hit the fan. “It’s fine. I’m ready for the next question.”
She flips one of the pages on her clipboard.
“Why did you decide to end your relationship with Seyoon when you did?” She leans in with a smile.
“Your alliance is obviously going to be one of the big storylines this season. Not just because the romance arc is compelling, but to have you, Seyoon, and Carter in the finale is a director’s dream come true.
The relatives of the Final Three competing against each other twenty years later—God, I couldn’t have written this any better.
So, if you could ham up the heartbreak and conflict of ‘falling in love’ with a rival, that would be perfect. Thanks, hon. Whenever you’re ready.”
CONFESSION TAPE—Dean Parker, Contestant
[tensely]
I made the tough decision to end things with Seyoon because we’ve both been competing for the same spot.
And I realized I didn’t want to take that from her anymore.
That’s why I cut things off before the aquatic challenge, so she didn’t have to split points with me.
I wanted to make sure she made it to the finale. I wanted her to win.
Blake leans forward and lowers her voice, her face somber and curious. “Do you still feel that way after finding out she formed an alliance with somebody else?”
I inhale sharply. A piece of my rib punctures my lung. “It’s complicated.”
“Tell the camera, not me.”
“How many more questions do we have left?”
For the very first time in recorded-human history, I’m relieved to see Garrett approaching.
“Come on, Blake. Can you lay off with the sad questions?” Garrett leans against the other side of the doorway.
“Star-crossed lovers are way better for ratings than bitter exes, anyway. How will the bastards at the network approve our spinoff show if the season finale is so depressing that everyone stops watching?”
My nose scrunches as I recall the spinoff Garrett mentioned to me and Seyoon awhile back. “Moxley to the Maximum?”
Garrett lights up. “See? The name sticks.”
So do leeches.
Blake stifles a sigh. “Is that why you’re interrupting my contestant interview? To critique my direction?”
“No, to ask if I can handle Seyoon’s interview later.”
“Sure. Anything else?”
“Yeah. I talked to Carter.”
Blake stiffens. She recomposes herself and turns to me. “I think we’ve got enough. Thanks for your time, Dean.”
I hop out of the booth, my curiosity piqued, but not enough to stick around longer and risk having to answer any more painful questions.
Garrett waves as I leave. Warily, I head to the showers to scrub the day off.
When I’m finished, I wrap a towel around my waist and exit the stall.
This is probably the only moment of peace I’ll have until the finals.
I try to savor it—when the bathroom door opens.
With my luck, it’s another Moxley. One was already my maximum.
Carter turns off his clip-on mic and hangs it on the hook where I left mine. I’m intent on ignoring him, but he sidles right up next to me. I clutch my towel tighter.
“Can I… help you?”
“Are you and Seyoon really done?” he asks. “Seriously, this time.”
I blink at him. “I’m not interested.”
“What—no!”
“Well, I don’t think Seyoon would be, either.”
Carter rubs his hands over his face and groans. “That’s not why I’m asking, moron. Just answer the question.”
I have no idea what his motives are, but I don’t trust them. “That’s none of your business.”
“You look sad. It must be over.”
I scowl. But like with his uncle, I know if I try to ignore Carter, he’s only going to get more irritating. Begrudgingly, I resign myself to hearing him out instead of hiding in the shower stall until he leaves.
Carter lowers his voice. “Tomorrow, the final challenge is going to be a treetop obstacle race. Similar to the one your dad and my uncle competed in. Just like last time, there’s going to be a fork in the road right before the finish line. Take the path on the right. And don’t tell Seyoon.”
All I can do is stare quizzically down at him, waiting for him to elaborate or go away. “What are you talking about?” I eventually manage to string together. “How do you know that?”
“Are you serious? What’s my last name? And what’s the last name of the host?” Carter rolls his eyes like it’s me who’s being ridiculous here.
The blood drains from my face. “Garrett is helping you cheat in the finals?”
“You’re not stupid, Dean, don’t pretend like you are.”
My head pulses with an oncoming migraine.
Obviously, I assumed that Garrett would be vying for his own nephew to win Forest Feud, especially after how he defended him in the first challenge.
If I hadn’t already come to terms with losing at the semifinals, maybe this confirmation would be more life-shattering.
At the moment, it’s just another loose thread to try and hold on to in the spinning wheel of my mind.
I have enough energy to ask one thing, though.
“Let’s say I believed you… why would you tell me this? Now we both have a leg up.”
He has the gall to laugh, and I think for a second about kicking him in the shin, but that feels like something Seyoon would do, so I force the thought away.
“We are not on equal footing, you and me. I could give you a five-minute head start and still beat you.” I rear my foot back to kick, but Carter steps away in time.
“It’s not ideal to have both you and her with me in the finals, but it doesn’t change the fact that I’m going to win. What can change is who places second.”
Carter steps back and heads toward the door. While clipping his mic back on, he throws over his shoulder, “I’m telling you this because I hate Seyoon more than I don’t care about you. So, congratulations.”
“That’s…”
“Oh, save it,” he snaps. “She’ll be fine. Third place isn’t bad.”
He leaves before I can respond. The spoiled pit rotting in my rib cage pangs for Seyoon. I should tell her.
And then I remember how she betrayed me.
Us. How she was so convinced I would lose that she formed an alliance with Vendredi behind my back.
I trusted her. I was vulnerable with her.
I thought she saw me as an equal, a partner.
A friend. Friends don’t treat each other like stepping stones to the finish line.
She decided then that she didn’t need me to win. Why should that change now?
I don’t see Seyoon for the rest of the day, and I pretend I’m fine with that.