Chapter Twenty-Nine Noah
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Noah
Noah was lying in bed, his suitcase packed and ready to go, when Mia’s voice came from the overhead speakers.
“Attention, all contestants,” she said. “Please gather around in the living room for the final cuffing.”
As it always did, the previously quiet house came to life with the hustle and bustle of everyone making their way downstairs.
Noah closed his eyes for a brief moment, listening to the footsteps and creaks of the floorboards. This, he realized, was
the last time he was going to hear that sudden rush of noise. It was their final morning in Big Bear. He was determined to
enjoy it—and make whatever amends he could before he left.
Downstairs, he joined the line of contestants standing in front of the cameras in the living room.
Kyle’s jaw dropped, and many of the other contestants also shot glances at him, like they were surprised he was still alive.
The only person that didn’t acknowledge his presence was Celine.
Which was understandable, given what’d happened yesterday.
He stole a glance in the girl’s direction, just to check on her. Her eyes were still puffy, but other than that, she looked
as beautiful as ever. She’d even added extra glitter under her eyes, so she was sparkling.
He knew Celine, like him, was great at hiding under a mask. But as far as he could tell, besides the puffy eyes, she genuinely
looked okay. Maybe Kyle was good for her after all.
“Good morning, everyone,” Mia said. “We apologize for the delay due to some . . . unforeseen circumstances. This morning,
we will do our final cuffings, after which three cuffles will move on to our finale tomorrow. If you were one of the people
chosen to cuff with a Gamechanger yesterday, please step forward.”
The three contestants stepped forward. Noah and Celine stood ramrod straight, completely ignoring each other. In his peripheral
vision, he saw Tiana nervously shift her weight.
“We will now cuff people in the order that the Gamechangers picked their match,” Mia announced. “So that means Celine will
pick first, then Noah, and then finally Tiana. Please remember that all cuffings must be mutual to be valid, meaning both
people will have to want to be in it. Whoever is not in a cuffle at the end of this round will be eliminated.”
It occurred to Noah that now that Violet was with Carlos, Noah had no idea who he was going to choose. He frowned before putting back up his mask of neutrality.
“Celine,” Mia said. “Please pick who you’d like to cuff with for the finale of The Cuffing Game.”
Celine didn’t look at Noah for even a second before saying, “Kyle. Because unlike some people, he’s actually a gentleman.”
“Oh yeah!” Kyle cheered, pumping his fist in the air.
It took all of Noah’s self-control to not visibly react as the others gasped.
Kyle? A gentleman? Without his phone, he had no idea whether Thad was keeping up with the show at his ski resort in Aspen, but Noah hoped he
was. Just for this one hilarious moment.
He wanted to laugh and cry at the same time as Celine walked past him with a flick of her hair. But the only outward reaction
he allowed himself was running a hand through his own hair, a little gesture to relieve some built-up tension. After what
had happened yesterday, it felt good to be in control of himself in front of the cameras again.
Celine and Kyle linked arms, and Mia turned to Noah.
“Okay then,” Mia said. “Noah, as Celine’s previous partner, you’re up next.”
Noah coughed and looked around at the remaining contestants, glancing one by one at Violet, Tiana, and Shirin. Violet, after what he’d seen this morning, was a definite no. For both her sake and his. And Shirin, probably no as well, since she’d shown zero interest in him all week. Maybe Tiana?
But then he saw it. The tiniest exchange of glances between Tiana and Shirin. Shirin, to her credit, was managing to keep
an indifferent expression, but Tiana’s eyes widened in panic.
And then, it finally clicked.
Noah shrugged. “Respectfully, I’m dropping out.”
Damien’s camera immediately focused on him as Kallie’s swept across the other contestants’ shocked faces.
Noah smiled. He was going to miss being on this show. It’d been challenging, but also weirdly fun.
“Yup, you heard me right.” Noah pointed right at Damien’s camera this time, breaking the fourth wall. “I’m out.”
Damien cursed under his breath, swinging his camera away from him.
Okay, people are probably going to make fun of me for that.
Noah walked away from the camera and came to a stop in front of a wide-eyed Mia. Bits and pieces of the conversation he had
with her last night lingered in his head.
“Hey,” he said to her, quietly so Alex’s boom mic couldn’t pick up on the sound. “Can we chat privately before you leave Big
Bear? I want to talk to you about something.”
Mia gave him the faintest of nods. Noah got out of her way so she could go back in front of the cameras.
“Um, okay then. Well, that was interesting.” She let out a nervous laugh that was echoed throughout the room. “Tiana? How about you?”
Tiana looked positively giddy as she said, “I’d love to cuff with Shirin, again!”
She and Shirin linked arms and cheered.
“Okay then!” Mia said. “So, this isn’t what we originally planned, but since we have two people left . . . Carlos? Violet?
Would you like to cuff together and be the final cuffle?”
From where he now leaned in the doorway, Noah grinned at how well Mia was playing the part of the clueless MC. If he were
hosting, he probably couldn’t have resisted throwing them a wink. Or otherwise alluded to the hot tub incident this morning.
Carlos and Violet looked at each other with huge grins on their faces. “Yes!” they exclaimed.
“Well, there you have it, folks,” Mia said, smiling brightly as she turned back to the cameras. “Your final three cuffles
of The Cuffing Game! Tune in tomorrow at four p.m. Pacific time to vote for your favorite pair during the live streamed finale. Congratulations,
finalists!”
Everyone cheered. Smiling, Noah fully ducked out into the hall, knowing he’d made the right choice.