Chapter Twenty-Seven #2
After enlisting Jules’s help, I manage to get into the dress that the wardrobe crew has left in my closet; at this stage in the game, they can’t afford to trust contestants’ own fashion instincts.
The dress is a form-fitting burgundy number with thin straps and an open back—and a devilish built-in underwire bra that feels like a personal affront.
The sun is just beginning to set as we gather on the hotel’s patio, producers flitting around us like birds.
Snippets of Italian from the local crew hit my ears.
I see a hotel employee pointing at me, and with a jolt, I remember that our pictures were released a few days ago, along with the full cast list for this season.
Any hope of anonymity I’d clung to is officially gone.
The woman steps closer, wielding her phone like a saber.
“Over here.” An arm appears around my shoulders, and Rhett steers me away from the gawking woman with ease.
“Thanks,” I say, ducking out from under his arm. “And…” I glance around, crossing my arms. “Thanks for the in-flight radio show.”
His mouth ticks up as he tugs on the collar of his bright floral-print shirt.
“That’s … quite a shirt,” I say. It’s green and orange and white with huge flowers festooning every inch. The man does not look comfortable in floral print.
He scowls and grumbles, “Lainey,” before walking away.
Monica, Addison, and I line up beside the fire pit, backs ramrod straight and our hair falling in loose, almost identical curls.
I stare after Rhett as he heads to the producer’s table.
He straps into his body mic and ruffles up his hair, catching my eye underneath his arm.
A smile lights his face before the cameras start rolling, and I have no idea if it was for me or for the masses.
Or both? I grimace at the thought that reality TV is becoming just that: reality. And not one I want to live in.
“Ladies, welcome to Palermo, Italy,” Rhett begins. “You have a monumental two weeks ahead of you while you’re here. This week, Roland will meet your families.”
Inwardly, I groan. It’s been fifteen years since their divorce, but having my parents in the same room still makes me jittery—add Lainey, Roland, and my mom’s bad response to jet lag, and I’ll be an absolute wreck.
“Then,” Rhett continues, “next week, there will be overnight dates where you’ll have time with him off-camera.”
My gaze shifts incrementally to Addison. She already had off-camera time with Roland. If Olie were here, she’d bare her teeth and growl. But me? I just purse my lips and stare at Rhett like Addison means nothing to me.
“Now, at this stage in the process, big feelings are starting to get involved,” Rhett says.
I mean, sure. If “big feelings” include fearing for your life during a paintball game.
“Some of you may have even told Roland that you’re falling for him.”
The sarcasm-track in my head screeches to a halt.
Falling for him? It’s only week four. Shit.
I try to remember what the Love Shack prep book said about admitting your feelings to the lead, but I could’ve sworn it was supposed to be later.
Unless I’m mixing it up with when you’re supposed to reveal any serious hereditary illnesses.
“And I know he has strong feelings for all three of you,” Rhett continues.
“Which only makes these two weeks more important. When I was on my own season a few years ago, the overnight dates were quite revealing. Getting to talk to someone off-camera is essential to building a good relationship, so I urge you to make the most of that time.” He smiles stiffly, successfully skirting around the fact that the main purpose of overnight dates is sex.
“Oh, don’t worry,” Addison giggles. “We’ll make the most of it.”
“Monica,” Rhett says, ignoring Addison. “You’ll go first. Roland will meet your family tomorrow. Addison, you’ll be second. And Georgia”—he fixes his gaze on me—“you’ll be last.”
Once the cameras wrap, I turn back toward the hotel, but run headfirst into Lainey.
“Sorry,” I blurt, hastily stepping back.
She smooths the front of her shirt. “Glad I caught you,” she says.
“I wanted to apologize for the other day—about how our chat ended. I’m sure you understand my position—I have to protect this show at all costs and I thought …
well, it doesn’t matter what I thought, but it’s all settled now.
” She smiles up at me, the picture of innocence.
“I—um, thanks,” I mutter.
“I spoke to your parents this morning,” she says.
I blink at her. “You—what? My parents? Both of them?”
“They’re not going to be able to come for Family Week after all.”
A confusing mix of relief and disappointment washes through me.
Relief because I won’t have to deal with any awkward family dynamics or lie to my parents’ faces.
Disappointment because … despite everything I’ve told myself, the sob story I’ve pushed for the cameras is truer than I’d like to admit.
Even though my relationship with Roland is a lie, I wanted my parents to be here for me.
“I know how hard that must be,” Lainey says. “But you must be used to it by now, right? Your parents not being there for you?”
I take a step back, the words knocking the breath from me. Lainey may be creepily observant, but that doesn’t mean I have to believe her. “I’m sure they were just busy.”
“You don’t think it has something to do with their own divorce?” she prods. “Perhaps they resent you for finding love?”
“No, it’s not like that.” I shake my head, and then rear back as I notice the camera trained on me. For a few seconds, I’d forgotten. It’s sickening to think I’m becoming immune.
Pressing my fingers to either side of my nose, I turn to the camera.
I clench my teeth to make my chin wobble and blink rapidly, wishing I had some Vicks VapoRub on hand to help me fake tears.
“I’m really disappointed that my family can’t make it, because I know they’d love Roland.
” My throat gets tight, but I remind myself that it’s all an act.
My sadness, my disappointment—it has to be an act, because otherwise, I’ll fall apart.
“And how does it feel that you’re the only one who hasn’t told Roland you’re falling in love with him?”
My jaw drops, then I recover. My first instinct is to be annoyed with Monica and Addison. They couldn’t have warned me that they were leveling up? But I wouldn’t have warned them. Why would I when we’re all in this to win?
“I have no doubts about my connection with Roland,” I say smoothly. “I know how I’m feeling and I’ll tell him when the time is right.”
The cameras cut, and Lainey gives me a tight smile. “I hope you get the chance.”
I shiver as I follow the others back inside. I hope I get the chance to do a lot of things. Taking Lainey down is at the top of that list.