Chapter 6 #2
Niall laughs. “Okay, I’ll play along. When you win.”
“It’s called Something to Glow About.” Missy beams.
“Something to Glow About?”
“Yes, I’m going to start a nonprofit in my hometown.
It’ll be a safe place where kids can grow their social, physical, mental, and emotional confidence.
A place to help them find their voice through interactive activities, social role-play, and friendship.
It will truly be something to glow about … ”
Missy’s whole body inches forward on her chair as she continues answering the question, alive with excitement.
If I didn’t know how annoying she could be, I might even say I’d never seen her look as beautiful as she does now.
She is glowing. Unfortunately, I do know how annoying she is, which makes her about as appealing as the seven mosquito bites I’ve collected on my person since arriving on the island.
Niall asks Missy more about The Red Curtain, the old building she’s hoping to buy for her nonprofit, and I watch Missy’s hand slide inconspicuously into her dress pocket.
The same pocket I’d seen her place her so-called newest lucky object—a seashell.
But why she needs luck, I don’t know. She’s already given a flawless performance.
Just then, I look up to find Niall staring at me expectantly. That’s when I realize I’ve been asked a question. I immediately compose my features and lean forward.
“Yes, what will you do with the money, Colton?” Missy asks me, subtly repeating Niall’s question that I completely zoned out on.
Grateful Missy decided to throw me a bone for the sake of our image, I adjust my navy-blue suit coat before answering. But it’s not until I open my mouth that I realize how woefully unprepared I am to give an answer.
The money? Right. The money. The thing most normal people come on a game show for. I clear my throat to buy a moment’s time, feeling the spotlights infuse their heat into every cell of my body.
I can hardly tell Niall and the rest of America that I’m not here for the money but to prove to my dad that I’m capable of succeeding without his influence.
No. Instead, I manage to say the one thing that dozens of my perfect, humanitarian, civil-serving ancestors would croak over if they weren’t already dead.
“It would be nice to have a few extra toys lying around.”
I already foresee myself waking up forty years from now in a cold sweat, cringing at the words that just tumbled from my mouth.
I want to slap my own hand across my face.
It’s no secret that I come from money, and saying that I just want more of it for meaningless things doesn’t bode well.
Especially after so many contestants admitted to using the prize money for things like starting a nonprofit, getting their kids through college, or paying off their parents’ mortgages.
May the perfect line of Downings forgive me for this great blight to their legacy.
My thumb and forefinger start to tap nervously. I usually have a tighter rein on my mind and mouth, but then the pressure of proving to my dad … and Missy in that dress. No, it isn’t the dress; it’s just being here with Missy. It has me off my game. Way off.
I don’t dare look at Missy. I know what I’ll see if I do. Her intuitive hazel eyes. Judging me. Seeing me only as the filthy rich kid.
I lean back and casually cross my ankle over my knee, giving myself the needed time to sift through the file in my brain entitled Things to say after you’ve been an idiot.
“More toys. Nice things. That’s likely what people expect me to say, right?
” I smile as if what I’d said earlier had been intentional.
“The truth is, I’m not here to pad my pockets.
Part of the reason I’m on this show, Niall, is to figure out the best way to give back.
I’ve been blessed to grow up in a loving and supportive community, constantly surrounded by the best of people.
So while I might not have anything specific in mind now, I know I will be using the prize money to better the lives of those around me. ”
I exhale with relief, seeing Niall’s nod of approval. My words, though ambiguous and generic, are genuine. In less than a year, when I turn twenty-six, I’ll come into the trust my parents created for me. I won’t have an immediate need for prize money, so why not give it to my community or charity?
There is a slight pause before Niall asks his next question.
He makes a point of looking back and forth from me to Missy.
Then he tilts his head, an exaggerated expression making him look deep in thought.
“If I understand correctly, you two have been friends for some time now.” Niall raises an eyebrow at us.
“Two people as attractive as you, and there’s never been a hint of anything … more?”
My eyes collide with Missy’s. Red blooms across her cheeks, likely a matching shade to my own.
“Did you see that look?” Niall says, completely misinterpreting our mutual embarrassment for affection. “I’d say we have the makings of another Sunsets and Sabotage showmance.”
Missy looks like she’s moments away from choking. “Oh no, Niall. I think you’re mistaken.”
“Oh, really? I don’t know if I’m convinced of that,” Niall says, eyes glittering.
Missy is quick on the draw. “Yes. There is nothing between us.” Missy pats me on the back. “You see, Colton here already has a girlfriend. Jane, was it?”
My stomach drops.
A set of familiar green eyes come to mind—Jane’s eyes. The same set of eyes I’d broken up with at Yale two months ago. I briefly wonder if Jane is watching me bumble my way through this interview, wondering how I’m going to respond.
Will I tell the truth on live television?
Because the truth is, I care for Jane. And honestly, I still wonder if breaking things off with her was the right thing to do.
Jane and I are so … aligned in our likes, backgrounds, and futures.
Not to mention, Jane is gorgeous with an ever-present smile and a comforting presence she’s carried with her ever since we were children.
Dad had been furious that we’d parted ways.
Jane is the daughter of one of his closest colleagues at his old law firm.
When I was little, we spent all our vacations and holidays with Jane’s family until, one day, they moved from Denver to DC.
But if arranged marriages were a common practice in America, I’m sure Jane and I would have been married the moment we became adults.
But even though I miss Jane and we do work well together …
something was … just off. An explanation my dad wasn’t happy with in the least.
I clasp my hands in my lap and keep my face neutral.
As easy as it might be to say I’m still dating Jane for the sake of this moment on live television, it’s not fair to her, not when she might be dating someone else.
I wouldn’t want my actions to complicate her love life, especially when I was the one to break things off.
“Actually, we broke up,” I say matter-of-factly.
Missy’s eyes widen.
“So you’re saying there’s a chance between you and Missy?” Niall says, to which several contestants start clapping in good humor.
“All I have to say is that Miss and I have gone over a decade without dating, and I would happily go an entire lifetime without tying myself to her,” I say, squashing any lingering hope of a future showmance.
“Oof. Well, there you have it.” Niall chuckles. “Maybe there’s something more behind Missy’s charming persona that we’re not seeing. We’ll all be watching to find out.”
No, I want to blurt out. That’s not what I meant. I might not be crazy about Missy, but I didn’t mean to imply there was something inherently wrong with her. I try to think of a way to smooth it over, but it’s too late. Niall is already moving on to Team Peach, asking his first question to them.
Without thinking, I glance at Missy just in time to see her turn her watery eyes in another direction. Colton, you idiot. Insulting Missy in private is one thing, but doing it on live television felt like a step too far.
It only takes a moment for Missy to recompose herself.
This time, when I look at her, her eyes are dry, and her mouth is set in a firm line.
She sends me a tight-lipped smile, no doubt trying to uphold our image, and focuses on Niall and Team Peach like nothing ever happened.
I feel a mix of guilt with my relief, but with the cameras all about, I decide not to dwell on it.
Minutes later, Niall starts wrapping up the final team interview, when I sense a visible shift in the operators behind the cameras. Several of the coral-clad crew move around with more urgency. More drones go into the air, and I have an unnerving feeling that I’m out of the loop.
“And now.” Niall faces the cameras. “For the first time in Sunsets and Sabotage history, we’re setting off into uncharted waters.” He pauses long for effect, the silence brimming with all the possibilities of what he will say next.
“Our contestants have no idea, but they’re about to be thrust into the first Mayday Challenge of the season. Right. Now. You heard that correctly. Right. Now. Tonight, each of these teams will spend their first night on Sabotage Island. But first, they must get there.”
The other contestants begin to murmur and look around, dumbfounded.
I stare at the group behind the cameras and make eye contact with Penny, who smiles unapologetically. Wasn’t it just a few hours ago that she told us we’d be headed to Sabotage Island tomorrow? We’ve barely started the show, and already I’m learning that sabotage is a whole-crew effort.
“Contestants. Behind you is Sabotage Island, separated from us by a stretch of ocean. In just moments, each of your teams will be equipped with your own rowboat to help get you across the water. The first team to Sabotage Island will be given a reward in the first Black Box Meeting and will be safe until the next Mayday Challenge, while the last team to the island, along with the lowest-ranking team in America’s votes, will be battling it out at sunset tomorrow in the first Black Box Elimination. ”
Behind us, bright-white lights burst to life, highlighting the seven small rowboats farther down the beach that were cloaked in darkness until now.
Each boat is painted in our various team colors.
But that’s not all. When I glance out over the ocean, I see the shadowy outlines of what looks to be large boxes floating in the water.
“Oh, and while you row to the island, don’t forget to pick up supplies along the way.
” Niall’s eyes gleam with untamed excitement as he swivels, yet again, to the cameras.
“On their ocean sojourn, our contestants will find precious plane flotsam, carrying anything from food, hygiene supplies, survival tools, and additional comforts that they will undoubtedly need in the coming days.”
Niall sweeps his hand toward us, as if he is introducing the audience to a group of harried circus performers.
“So, contestants, unless you’re planning on eating coconuts for the next eighteen days, I suggest you get cracking some crates.
” He chuckles, seeming to soak in the panic on each of our faces.
“And with that … Contestants. Ready. Set. Sabotage.”