Joshua is back in no time, and I’m slightly jealous that he had an easier time than I did. I jump in, drop to my knees, and trudge across the pit. My arms are submerged and my fingers are grabbing at anything and everything possible. The next card I pull out isn’t ours and I bury it quickly in the mud. I want to win. I want that master suite because with no cameras maybe I can crack Mr. Wilson. The stolen kisses are nice, but I’m going to test him. I’m going to push his limits. I have years’ worth of fantasies to play out in my head. I’m just hoping he’s willing.
The next card I pull out is ours and I make my way back to the edge. I’m already breathing hard, but can’t give up. I slap the card on the board and glance at the others while Joshua is busy finding another. All three guys are in now, but we’re in the lead. Millie is cheering on her husband, while Amanda tries to wipe mud off of her arms. I really hope the viewers are seeing what I am witnessing right now.
“Come on, Josh. You got this, baby.”
He looks at me surprisingly, but the grin on his face tells me otherwise. He liked hearing it as much as I liked saying it. He holds his hand up and tries to move as fast as he can to the edge. The countdown has begun over the loud speaker, ten … nine … eight …
“Hurry,” all three of us yell at the same time. It doesn’t matter because Joshua and I are winning, but the support for your spouse could be a voting boost I suppose. I jump in Joshua’s arms after he puts our name up and the timer goes off. He holds me, mud and all, to his body and kisses me.
I pull away quickly and he sets me down. “We won,” I say, for lack of a better icebreaker.
Cole and Millie come over and congratulate us, as do Gary and Amanda.
“Well, I guess I know what you guys are doing tonight,” Gary adds with a wink. I roll my eyes and deduce that he and Amanda are perfect for each other. She’s vain, and he’s crass. They complement each other perfectly.
“Come on, let’s get cleaned up.” Joshua pulls me toward the outside shower, taking it before anyone else can claim it. He pulls the curtain shut and turns on the water.
“One week in the master suite with a king size bed, Jacuzzi tub, and all the food you can eat. Technically we don’t have to leave that room for seven days, except for our hospitality comp.” Joshua takes the nozzle off the hook and starts running the water over my skin. The warm water feels good after bathing in mud for the past few minutes.
When he bends to get my legs, I use this as the perfect opportunity to shock him. “Millie told me that there’s a bowl of condoms in there as well.”
Joshua pauses, and I close my eyes. I know he finds me attractive. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t kiss me … and he most definitely kisses me. I haven’t initiated a kiss since our first night here in the bathroom. It’s been all him.
“Sex will complicate things.” He turns me around to face the wall and I’m thankful because he can’t see the tears welling in my eyes. When his chest presses against my back, I’ve had enough for the moment.
“I think I’m clean enough to go inside now. The others are waiting.” I slide the curtain over and walk away from him, keeping my eyes downcast so I can avoid whoever is looking my way. I don’t want them knowing. I don’t want them asking me questions that I can’t answer. And I definitely don’t want Amanda thinking she has a chance with him.
As soon as Joey steps out, I peer over the top of the shower. The only one paying attention to us, or me for that matter is Amanda. I think it’s safe to say I’ll be adding her to the “watch out for” list when this show is over. I wouldn’t mind spending time with these guys outside of here, except for her.
I glance at Joey, where my focus should be. She’s facing the dark curtain that blocks us from going inside. I can tell from her posture that she’s upset and all I can think is, How am I going to fix this? That shouldn’t be my thought. I should be thinking about what the viewers are seeing, or what the producers are going to air to slant everything in their favor. They’re paid to make the ratings higher, and Joey just set them up with a nice drama-filled segment. I slam my hand against the water dial to shut the water off.
They’re purposefully keeping the curtain down and she’s playing right into their game plan. This is what they want. And if I didn’t know any better, I’d start to think Amanda is working for them.
As I step out, Mille and Cole step forward to take the shower. Gary lingers, not sure if he should walk over to Amanda or not. I remove myself from any plan he has and step in behind Joey, placing my arm around her shoulder. My lips find the crook of her neck and as much as she wants to fight her attraction to me, she can’t. Her body sags into mine as we stand there with our backs to the other newlyweds.
“Please don’t be angry with me.”
“I’m not,” she says with a hint of anger and disappointment in her voice.
“You are. I call feel the anger coming off of you
in droves.”
“It’s because they won’t open this damn curtain,” she mumbles. The telltale click that the curtain is about to raise causes her body to relax.
Taking Joey’s hand, I guide her into the house. We bypass the feast that has been set out on the table and go into the bedroom we’ve been staying in. As I pull the door shut behind me, I notice that our bags have been packed for us. Many thanks to the nice team of producers who have to venture into every aspect of our lives. In this moment, I’m bitter. I need to curb this attitude if we’re going to win. What Joey and I are experiencing right now is just a small speed bump.
Joey sits down on the bed and slumps. I’m not even going to try and figure out why without asking, but I don’t want to do it here. We need to be in the privacy of the master suite where we can speak freely.
Sitting down next to her, I pull her hand into mine. I never take my eyes off of her when I ask, “What can I do to make you smile?”
She looks down at our joined hands before meeting my eyes. “I wish this were real.”
“It is.”
“Everyone to the dining room please.”
Joey and I both sigh as the computer-generated voice tells us what to do. She rises first without letting go of my hand. She looks down at me as she tugs. In this moment, I want to stand and kiss her into oblivion, but I know if I do, it’ll just confuse her.