Chapter 9 Garrick
Garrick
The next few days are a blur of cameras, tinsel and interviews. The production crew has taken over the apartments and the main office, setting up their hubs for the show. Dad was strict about ensuring they didn’t interfere with the park during guest hours, so we’ve struck a happy medium.
I’m thrilled this pre-stuff is almost over because it is tedious. I’ve been asked more questions in the last few days than in my entire life. I think I blacked out on the previous round and have no idea what I said. I’m ready for the girls to show up so we can get to the fun stuff I was promised.
‘So …’ I say, pinning my letter to Santa on the paper Christmas tree hung on the wall in the break room. ‘What hints are you giving me today about my potential true loves?’ I slide into a chair.
‘The same as I have every day,’ Ripley says, not looking up from her breakfast. ‘None.’ She’s sitting with Melika and Nathan, discussing their top Christmas songs. Which I would totally engage in any other time, but I’ve got another mission.
‘Come on, Ripley.’ Nathan nudges her in the shoulder. ‘Just one. Because I also would like a preview.’ He glances at me conspiratorially. ‘She won’t let me see the pictures either.’
‘Yeah, because I know you can keep a secret as well as a strainer holds water.’ Ripley sips her orange juice, daring Nathan to argue.
I raise my hand. ‘I’m actually great at keeping secrets.’
‘You two are terrible influences.’
I lean closer, sneaking a piece of bacon off her plate. ‘Just like three hints. That’s all I’m asking for.’
Ripley watches me eat her breakfast before saying, ‘Blonde, brunette and seventeen.’
‘That’s the hint?’ My brows knit together in a frown. ‘I could have guessed those things.’
She shrugs, pushing her chair away and grabbing her now empty plate. ‘You said just three hints. This is a good lesson in being specific. I’ll see you guys on set,’ she says to the table before tossing her trash.
But I’m not done yet, so I follow her out the door.
‘Ripley, I have to say, you’re one tough cookie,’ I say as we flow into the hallway.
‘Thank you. Tough women get things done.’ She scrolls through an itemized list on her phone.
I smile to myself. ‘Of that I have no doubts.’ I’ve seen her in action over the last few weeks and she is a machine. ‘But seriously, help a fella out. I’m about to meet ten strangers.’
She spins around. Her hair is down today, framing her face in raven waves. ‘My condolences.’
I start listing things off on my fingers. ‘Are they easily queasy on a roller coaster? Do they like to eat turkey legs? What’s their favorite ice cream flavor? These are all important things a guy needs to know.’
She frowns, bringing her nail to her mouth like she’s going to bite it before quickly dropping it. ‘You didn’t ask if they were pretty.’ It’s not a question, but she seems stumped by it all the same.
My body flushes with heat, and I shuffle back and forth. ‘Well, I mean …’ I stumble on my words. ‘Pretty is nice, but there are more important things.’
Ripley’s face softens, but confusion clouds her eyes.
‘What?’ I lick my lips.
She shakes her head. ‘I’m just surprised, I guess.’
‘Oh, Ripley, stick around and you’ll see I’m full of them.’
I hate that I can’t read her. It’s seriously my best skill. It’s what makes me a great performer. I don’t know why figuring her out is such a struggle – or why I kinda like it.
‘Wait, so the girls aren’t here yet?’ Tyrone is sprawled across the sofa in my living room later that evening. Nathan, my new roomie, is peeling a boiled egg at the counter.
I came in the other day and Nathan had decorated the entire place for Christmas. There’s garlands and lights, little Christmas houses on the bookcase, even a tree. I have no idea where he got the time to work that magic, but I’m impressed.
‘They’re being picked up tomorrow,’ Nathan says.
I recline with my feet on the kitchen table. Aldrich sits across from me, doodling on a napkin.
‘Bro, I only came here to see the girls.’ Tyrone bends back over the sofa to look at me upside down.
‘I thought you came for the free food and theme park rides?’ I ask, playing with a nutcracker dressed like a pirate.
‘OK, that too. But I’ve gotten neither. Where’s my peppermint popcorn and roasted chestnuts?’
I toss him a half-eaten protein bar I snagged after my meet-and-greet.
Dad is letting me take it easy on the knight duties since I’m starring in this thing, but I still make a few appearances – mostly because I love it.
Summer is always the greatest time of year.
People fawning over me, and me getting to show off my moves with a sword.
Nothing better. It’s usually too quiet the rest of the year.
It gives my brain unwanted time to think. And trust me, nobody wants that.
‘Let’s go.’ I stand up to stop my previously mentioned brain.
I’m dressed in regular clothes, so we can walk around the park without much fuss.
A few dedicated fans will recognize me, but we should be fine.
I live for the hustle and bustle of the people crammed into every nook and cranny of the park.
I feed off their excitement, letting it take me to another place.
A stroll down the Christmas market is the first priority.
I love it here all the time, but after dark is freaking magical.
The twinkling lights and festive music really scratch that holiday itch.
I grab a cone of spiced nuts, warm and sugary, for Tyrone, and one jumbo gingerbread castle cookie keeps my little brother satisfied.
I’m in the mood for something savory and opt for the Christmas dinner mac and cheese from one of the more popular booths – luckily, with a little sweet-talking the woman who runs it gets me a bypass on the line.
Stomachs full, we hit up two rides in Glacier Peaks – the roller coaster, Ice Shards, and the dark ride, Mystical Caverns – but skip White Out because I’m not about to get soaked and have my clothes freeze to my skin.
While the momentary distraction is nice, it only lasts for so long before talk returns to the reality show.
‘So, you just get to date these girls and then pick one in the end?’ Aldrich says, nibbling on a slice of pizza he picked up from Glacier Eats.
‘That is typically how a dating show works.’
‘What if she doesn’t like you?’ he asks.
I chuckle, grabbing him by the neck and ruffling his hair. ‘Little bro, you should know by now, everyone likes me.’
‘Isn’t this supposed to be about love?’ Tyrone sneaks a handful of popcorn as we pass the cart.
He smiles cheekily at Layla. After some subtle hints hyping him up the last several weeks, things are finally starting to happen with them.
Baby steps at least. Maybe a little Christmas magic will move things along into the new year.
As I watch a banner with the Beeloved logo going up near the castle, a panicked hand squeezes my insides.
This might be a terrible idea. Do I really want a camera shoved in my face asking me questions about love on a national scale?
Heck, no. I only thought about how fun it would be having ten girls to date.
Plus, getting promo for FTG and some inflow of cash to launch my fencing camp next year.
The rest of the details didn’t exactly seem important.
I dodged a question yesterday in an interview, when they asked about Mom. It felt like my throat was closing up and I couldn’t breathe. How many more times will I have to create a clever way of getting around answering things like that?
‘Dude, are you listening?’ Tyrone elbows me in the rib.
‘Yeah, sorry. Just thinking about my best pickup lines.’ I shrug it off.
‘Are you really going to find love?’ Aldrich prompts, and I look around to see if there’s a hidden camera. It feels like I’m being interviewed again.
‘Love is for chumps. But I’m willing to fake it if it helps FTG.
’ That’s the most honest answer I’ve given.
Not that I’d say that on camera. I suspect Ripley knows it, but she doesn’t seem to care.
In fact, I don’t think she wants to be here at all.
She’s only doing this because of her mom.
And Nathan gave me a little insider info that Ripley was supposed to star but switched me in instead.
I made a note to tease her about that later.
I only briefly saw her this morning at breakfast and I’ve missed the witty banter that’s been getting me through the day.
She’s been too busy with the final arrangements for me to get much face time.
But as we head into the backstage area, I spot her mom and my dad.
They’re standing in front of the apartments, both moving their arms animatedly.
‘I changed my mind. I want to ride White Out,’ I say, yanking Aldrich and Tyrone to a stop. The last thing I need is to be roped into a conversation with those two. They both love to be in control.
‘Garrick,’ Dad calls before I can sneak back through the apple tree. He waves me over.
‘I got somewhere to be,’ Tyrone, the coward, says, scurrying away.
‘I need to finish my homework.’ Aldrich heads off too, leaving me to walk the plank alone.
‘Hey, Dad, Ms Ripley. What’s up?’
‘We need you for a fitting,’ Ms Ripley says, no-nonsense.
Dad’s jaw tightens. ‘I told you, the current costumes are an FTG staple. He needs to be in those if you want him as a knight. They’re iconic.’
‘I need to be in costume?’ I raise an eyebrow.
‘We considered having you dressed as a knight when the girls arrive. Play into the fairytale theme. But your current costume doesn’t fit the color scheme we are going for with Christmas.’
‘He’s not a Christmas nutcracker,’ Dad interrupts. ‘The original costume will do just fine. I have to put my foot down regarding maintaining brand purity. Right, Garrick?’
Usually, Dad wouldn’t ask my opinion, but he needs a second.
I open my mouth, but Dad continues, ‘Per your contract, we get equal say as regards Fairytale Gardens-related business.’
‘I agree,’ I quickly add, so I can bail. ‘They need me in … uh … Ripley needs me.’ I say the first name I can think of before dashing away. I’ll leave them to argue. I need to clear my head before I meet my new love interests.