26. Gale #3
I rolled my eyes. “Charles has made it clear that we aren’t two teams anymore.
Hence, we aren’t opponents. The end goal is for the audience to vote for the official members of Stormz Rising.
Technically, it’s an individual competition, and I would gladly like to be among those voted off.
I’m not trying to win a spot. If I break the rules, so be it. ”
“Fair enough. Would you agree that there’s animosity between your two teams? That there’s still a definite divide?”
“I think that’s obvious.”
“And siding with the enemy is frowned upon?”
I didn’t respond. He was fishing. He wanted there to be hot tempers and gossip.
“Yet,” Hugh continued, “despite a team divide, you happily agreed to ride with Ozrik in his car. Do you two get along?”
“I-I don’t know. Sure.”
“You don’t sound sure.”
“We’re adults. We get along fine.”
“Would you consider Ozrik a friend?”
Did he emphasize the word friend, or was it my imagination?
“I…” Schooling my features, I prayed the previous night wasn’t written all over my face. “No. I barely know him.”
“Interesting.”
“Why is it interesting?”
Acting as if I hadn’t spoken, Hugh asked, “Is Ozrik friends with your sister?”
I flashed my attention to the last place I’d seen Olivia, but she was gone. “No. They don’t seem to get along.”
“Hm.”
What did that mean?
Hugh seemed to consider a thought before continuing.
“I’m curious, Gale. If you barely know Ozrik, and he isn’t friends with your sister, and he is, for all intents and purposes, an adversary on an opposing team, then why did he get so fired up yesterday when your teammate, Jazz, had comments about your decision to take the Jeep and venture out on your own?
In fact, Ozrik, a practical stranger, seemed ready to fight… in your defense.”
I stared unblinking at Hugh, but wasn’t sure if I was reading the subtext accurately or not. Did everyone know or suspect about Ozrik and me? Cautiously, I threw the ball back in his court.
“I think the better question is, why was Ozrik the only person with enough human decency to stand up to Jazz when he was so obviously making bullying remarks toward his own team member? Why is it acceptable to ignore someone who is being tormented?”
“Touché. Regardless, it was very noble of him.” Hugh shifted his weight. “Let’s talk about Jazz.”
“Let’s not.”
He ignored me. “This wasn’t the first time he’s made disrespectful comments. He seems hot-tempered.”
“I’m not here to bad-mouth people. I know that’s what you want, but you won’t get it from me.”
Hugh smirked. “Fair enough. Let’s talk about this morning instead.”
My scalp prickled. I stayed silent, hoping he didn’t read the panic in my eyes.
“Rumor has it you took off this morning and didn’t tell anyone where you went.”
“I didn’t know I was supposed to report to anyone.”
“Where did you go?”
“A walk.”
“A walk. Interesting.”
“Why is that interesting?”
“Where to?”
“Around. I walked around. I don’t know the city, and I wasn’t paying close attention. I ended up farther away than I anticipated.”
Humor crinkled the corners of Hugh’s eyes. “What time did you leave?”
I squirmed and glanced at Ozrik’s room again, but he and his friends had gone. “I-I don’t remember. Early.”
“Convenient.”
“What are you getting at?”
“I don’t believe you, Gale. This subject makes you nervous, and I know you’re lying.”
It took everything in me not to flee or react. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Why would I lie?”
Hugh chuckled and pressed a button on the camera. The red recording light went off.
He approached and straddled the bench opposite me, leaning in as though imparting a secret. “Let’s have a chat. Man to man.”
I stayed quiet.
“I’m going to share a little something with you off the record since this interview is turning into a complete waste of time. Are you listening?”
I nodded.
“You’re doing this show for your sister, right?”
“Yes.”
“Well, you’re doing a shitty job of keeping the show alive.”
“Me? Because my interview sucks?”
“No, no. Not you personally. All of you. Both teams. Charles brought in the film crew to work around the clock and ensure that every interaction outside your rooms is recorded. Know why? He’s bored, and if the dynamic of this group doesn’t shift to something more entertaining in the next day or so, Dennis will cancel the whole thing. ”
“Good.”
Hugh tsked. “What would Olivia say? Our job is to dig up the dirt. Make you more interesting. We are meant to record all your ugly moments. All the fights. All the rumors. You name it. We’re going to catch the snappy comments, the petty arguments, and everything you don’t want us to catch.
Hell, if we can’t dig up rumors, we’ll start our own.
Whatever it takes to make good television drama. ”
Hugh glanced back toward the rooms before continuing.
“When Vern and Maggie hired an Uber last night and snuck off to the bar together, we were there. When Olivia dragged Jazz behind the motel and threatened to kick his ass if he didn’t learn to shut his mouth, we saw it.
Your sister is feisty, but don’t think she’s on your side, Gale, because she’s not. ”
My insides went cold. “W-what do you mean?”
“She forgot to look for us when she complained to Roe about you. I believe her words were, ‘He’s made of glass. He’s never had the balls to stand up for himself. I can’t believe we’re related, let alone twins.’”
“She didn’t say that.”
“Are you sure?”
I wasn’t. Olivia and I didn’t always get along, and she’d been cruel in the past, but she loved me. Our twin bond was something we’d always cherished.
Hugh continued. “When Vern bribed her to rig the straws to ensure he was in Lex’s vehicle, we got that on film too.
These moments are what will make the show entertaining.
Exposing people for who they are. Stirring the pot.
No filtering. No editing. Raw, juicy goodness.
Your lives aren’t secret anymore, Gale. You signed a contract and agreed to this. Remember that.”
“Why does that sound like a threat?”
“Not a threat. A heads-up.”
I rolled his words around, tasting their bitter essence. “And you wonder why I don’t want to be part of this.”
Hugh chuckled. “Oh, I don’t wonder. I know, and I sure as shit wouldn’t want every nuance of my life on display either.” He paused, sizing me up and down before adding, “Especially if I had something I didn’t want other people to know about.”
Hugh rapped his knuckles on the table and pushed to his feet. “Anyhow. Something to keep in mind, my friend. Good luck with your chase tonight. I hear it’s stirring to be a doozy.”