Chapter 14
Garrick
I don’t remember requesting a wake-up call, and if I did, it wouldn’t be for obnoxious knocking at seven a.m.
‘Go away.’ I bury my head under my pillow, one hundred per cent sure that it’s Sunday and the park doesn’t open till ten.
But then everything comes flooding back.
I’m starring in a reality show and have actual responsibilities beyond the walls of this theme park.
And apparently, being the star doesn’t mean you get to sleep in.
The intruder banging at the door doesn’t wait for my permission before they open it and barge on in. ‘Get up, sunshine,’ Tristian says, kicking my bed, then kicking me for good measure. ‘You know they’ve been calling you for like thirty minutes?’
The vibration rattles my already fuzzy brain. ‘I should’ve never shared the womb with you.’ I was having a really good dream, and I do not appreciate Tristian’s mug interrupting.
Tristian is fully dressed and empty-handed. If he’s going to pry me from my sweet dreams, the least he could do is come bearing coffee. ‘You’re the wise guy who decided to spend your night singing karaoke. So, forgive me if I’m not sympathetic to your suffering.’
I fumble for my phone, my hand hitting the wooden nightstand, and I curse under my breath as I tap the screen to see a dozen missed calls.
‘Garrick, come on, you can’t be doing this.’ Tristian pulls the blanket off and me with it.
I barely catch myself before my head hits the ground. ‘It’s a little early in the morning for character assassination, no?’
I wasn’t trying to screw it up. I just may have made an error in judgment last night, going out to karaoke – only because I’m tired.
Not because the karaoke itself was a bad idea.
Honestly, the crap I’m going to get for being late is all worth it for seeing Ripley’s face when I sang ‘Juliet’ to her.
I’m going to have to do it again. I’ve made it my side quest during this show to get her to smile – really smile – for me, even if it’s just one more time.
Tristian doesn’t leave my side until I’m inside the main building and on my way to get ready.
As I sit in hair and make-up, I tune out Ms Ripley and Dad lecturing me about the responsibility of being on time. I offer an apologetic smile, giving them an affirming ‘yes, sir’ and ‘yes, ma’am’. By the time we’re headed to the park for a group date, I’ve smoothed things over.
‘Hey there, Sleeping Beauty,’ Ripley says as the fresh cold air hits my face as we get outside. Her cheeks are rosy, and she’s wearing fluffy pink earmuffs. They’re very whimsical for her, and it makes me smile. Also makes up for the long lecture I got before this.
I don’t have to wear my costume right now, so I’m in a thick flannel and jeans, topped with a gilet and dark brown boots. ‘How do you think I keep looking this good?’ I give her a nudge with my shoulder. ‘Let me guess, you woke up at the crack of dawn, ready to conquer the day?’
‘I’m on my third coffee, and it’s barely seven-thirty. How do you think I’m doing?’
She might feel tired, but I’d say she looks beautiful. Her oversized coat is zipped to her chin and she keeps burrowing deeper inside. Her blue eyes, just peeking over the collar, give me a shot of caffeine right to my veins when she glances at me.
‘Remind me never to listen to you again.’ There she goes, always pretending she doesn’t like me. But if I annoyed her as much as she plays at, I doubt she would’ve gone out last night. She’s warming up to me, even if she doesn’t know it yet.
‘Oh, Juliet, you can just tell me you had a good time.’
She doesn’t deign to respond and skips ahead to where the girls are waiting at the ice-skating rink.
‘I like the earmuffs,’ I call after her.
She flashes me a narrowed gaze over her shoulders. ‘You can borrow them later.’
‘Don’t think I won’t hold you to that!’
She smirks before turning away, and I press a hand into my chest. It’s all warm and fluttering.
Today’s the first group date – if you don’t count the welcome dinner.
We’re going for a full winter wonderland.
The ice-skating rink in the Perilous Sea is ready with stage lighting and cameras.
The ‘sea’ in the center of the land usually smells like chlorine, but any hint of that’s gone and a fresh, glassy ice rink stands in its place.
All around us are the various sea-themed rides.
The Mermaid Grotto, with its stage set up, is the production hub.
I’ve never been on an actual set, but I’m guessing this is a scaled down version.
Most cameras are small, and sometimes they film on their phones.
But it is legit because I met the investor and everything.
He was a bit high on his horse for my taste, but I guess when you’ve got money multiplying while you sleep, it comes with the territory.
Perhaps he could give Dad a few pointers.
We have to do this early because the park opens at ten.
We don’t want to give away anything that will be in the show.
They’re really hyping this up. I’m committed to doing social posts for it daily – I’ve worked it into my Cookies Countdown videos.
It’s been nice to revisit Mom’s family recipes; it’s almost like she’s here celebrating with me.
I can already tell from my growing follower count that the show will be a hit or a disaster. It’s a good thing people will watch for both.
Everyone’s bundled in their winter best, and we’ve got the castle and holiday lights on. Dang, it does look pretty magical. All we need is a little snow. The forecast doesn’t show any, but I hope we get a white Christmas.
Riya spins around like a pro on her skates the second they touch the ice. ‘We should have a race,’ she suggests, and I’m very into her competitive side. ‘Winner gets the first one-on-one time with Garrick. That cool?’ She turns to me for approval.
‘Oh, I’m never one to stop a bet. By all means.
’ I dig my blades into the ice with a blur of shavings.
Whoever I pick to stick around until the end needs to be able to grab the audience’s attention.
Love isn’t my endgame, but I do want a good time – and I think Riya will be more than up for the challenge.
We just started, though, so I don’t want to count the other girls out yet. ‘Still, to keep everything fair, I’ll make sure I get a chance to talk to everyone. So, no worries if you aren’t a world-class figure skater …’
The girls line up at one edge of the rink, and I’m on the other.
‘On your marks,’ I yell. ‘Get set, skate!’ They take off in a flurry of arms and ice.
No surprise, Riya is in the early lead – proving her front-runner status once again – her skills on skates unmatched.
If she wins, I know what I’ll be asking her about.
But just as I think the game’s over, Ellie comes out of nowhere with a burst of speed and skids past Riya and right into my arms. She’s panting and can barely see me past the curls in her face.
‘Remind me to always bet on you in the future.’ I brush the hair from her eyes. ‘Seriously, all of you can join my skating team any day. But –’ I place out my hand for Ellie – ‘you won fair and square, so let’s chat.’
First, I talk with Ellie about her successful beauty YouTube career – she has enough discipline and productivity for both of us. Next up is Riya, who got second place. She attempts to teach me some Cantonese but says if I want to learn more, I’ll have to keep her around. Well played.
I’m thriving, showing off my skating skills and watching the girls. Some of them are seriously talented figure skaters.
This is fun. I’m having a good time. The girls all seem great, and I’m definitely enjoying the flirting.
Riya, with her outgoing, up-for-anything nature, and Arianna, with our baking connection, have stepped into the early leads, yet …
I don’t think I’m feeling what I’m supposed to be feeling.
We just started, and no one expects me to fall in love immediately.
And I don’t expect myself to fall in love at all.
But I just thought I’d feel different. Instead, it’s the same I always feel when I go out with a girl.
Perhaps all that no-love talk has already sealed up my heart with a ‘no vacancy’ sign. I’m good with that, right?
Yeah. Totally. It’ll make this all that much smoother. FTG’s future is all that matters. I don’t need my heart jumping in and messing things up – I’m more than capable of doing that on my own, thank you very much.
I overheard Dad on the phone yesterday, talking to the banks. I didn’t catch the whole conversation, but from the dire look on his face I’m guessing it wasn’t great. But we can fix it. We always do. I need to make this work and look as authentic as possible – no matter what I feel.
So, I do what I do best when I don’t know what to do: I lean into the persona created for me by FTG. Kendrick the Kind, the stalwart knight, never lets me down.
I’m skating around with Desiree, and she’s trying to show off a spin when her heel gets caught and she slips. I grab her to keep her from slamming into the ice. Her nails dig into my shirt, and I struggle to keep on my handsome smile through the stinging pain.
‘Don’t worry, I’m used to girls falling at my feet.’ I do understand that that could come off cocky, but it seems to work for me.
‘Omg, I’m so embarrassed.’ Desiree glances down, brushing hair off her face.
I lift her chin. ‘Don’t be. I’m just glad you’re OK.
’ The words sound right. But they don’t mean as much as she must think they do, by the doe eyes she’s fluttering at me.
I mean, I’m glad she’s OK, but in like a general sense.
I hope everyone is OK after a fall – unless it’s my brothers, in which case it’s freaking hilarious.
Before I know what’s happening, she wraps her arms around my neck, giving me a huge hug.
I wipe some ice off her cheek when she pulls away, my hand lingering there for a moment.
Batting those long lashes framing her doe eyes, she leans in and kisses me.
Out of instinct, I smile cheekily when we break apart.
It’s not a bad kiss per se – other than a little wet. But the first thing that pops into my head is: I hope Ripley isn’t looking.