All of our bags are now out of the house. When our names are announced we’ll walk out as a couple with no worries, except for the ones plaguing me about Josh. I didn’t ask him about Jules because I don’t want to know. I’m going to trust my husband and the things he’s been telling me. That’s what a good wife does. She puts her faith in the man she married, regardless of the circumstances. Bronx may not care about Rebekah flirting with Gary, but I won’t tolerate Jules doing the same with Josh.
When I come out of the bathroom, I pause and take a mental picture. The guys are together one last time, sharing a beer. I’d like a shot of something to calm my nerves, but I don’t think that’s wise. I’ll just lean on Joshua for support and guidance. He’s a pro at handling these types of things.
Josh catches me staring and flashes me his killer smile, the one that makes me weak in the knees and makes my stomach turn inside out. He gives me butterflies. It’s a feeling that I hope never goes away. When h
e stands, my heart beats a little faster and my palms start to sweat. I’ve seen this man in all his glory and still I’m imagining what he looks likes under this black button down shirt and black slacks.
The way he walks toward me has me rubbing my thighs together. When he reaches me, his fingers glide up my arm until his hand is cupping my cheek. Joshua cradles my face in his hand as he leans in giving me a taste of the beer that still lingers on his lips.
“Only a few more hours,” he whispers against my lips, effectively rendering me useless. How Bronx can say he’s going to leave me for Jules I’ll never understand. If he didn’t want me, he wouldn’t be like this. We had boundaries before. Guidelines were set. He crossed them first. He took the walls down when I insisted on keeping mine up. He’s not a Hollywood playboy, jumping from bed to bed like Bronx. I feel stupid for even giving Bronx’s suggestions merit.
The doorbell sounds, and that’s our cue to get ready. We’ll be announced one by one until all four couples are in front of the live studio audience. I have no doubt my parents will be out there waiting. My mom isn’t going to pass up a chance to meet Josh.
He takes my hand and pulls me into his side, guiding us behind Cole and Millie. Amanda and Gary are going first with Bronx and Rebekah going last behind us. Maybe this is way we got married, just none of us knew. At least we aren’t walking out in blindfolds this time.
The cheers are loud when Gary and Amanda walk out and even louder when Cole and Millie take the stage.
“Don’t be nervous,” he says as he squeezes my hand. He knows how I’m feeling. I look over my shoulder at Bronx. He winks at me, earning a righteous eye roll.
“Joshua and Joey Wilson,” Patrick Jonas says our name and hearing it makes my heart pound in my ears. Josh kisses my hand before walking out to the waiting crowd. As soon as we’re away from the door, he has our hands raised in some type of victory cheer and the audience is on their feet. Maybe we stand a chance at winning after all.
I spot my parents and wave. My dad blows me a kiss and my mom fans herself. It’s a good thing there will be some distance between us or my mother might land us on one of those talk shows because she’s stolen my famous husband and wants us to live all together as one big happy family.
As soon as Bronx is out, Patrick Jonas is center stage recapping touching and embarrassing moments. I’m not paying attention because I’m searching the crowd for Jules Maxwell. If she’s here, I want to be prepared.
“Now the moment we’ve all been waiting for.” Josh squeezes my thigh. His hand has been resting there since we sat down, making me want to kick Bronx for being such an ass. “Coming in fourth place … Gary and Amanda Williams.”
Everyone claps, but Amanda looks dejected. Patrick doesn’t waste any time and opens the next envelope. I want to see his face, but can’t because he’s facing the crowd. His expression would give everything away.
“Coming in third … Bronx and Rebekah Taylor.”
The dramatic pauses are killing me. Each time he stops talking, I feel like my heart is about to beat right out of my skin.
Bronx and Rebekah wave to the crowd as I glare at him. I’m sending him telepathic messages to turn around and look at me so I can rub it in his face that Josh and I still have a chance, but he never does.
“Now for our winners,” Patrick says as the audience grows impatient.
“Wait,” I whisper to Josh, “doesn’t he announce second?”
He shakes his head. “No point. They like focusing on the winners.”
“That’s stupid.”
“The winners of Married Blind Season three are … Cole and Millie Brooks!”
My mouth drops open as confetti and balloons fall from the ceiling. I’m stunned and at a loss for words. I thought for sure Josh’s fans would’ve secured us a victory and maybe that is where we went wrong. We didn’t compete hard enough. Josh tugs my hand and walks us over to our friends where we try to congratulate them. They’re happy, and I should be happy for them, but I wanted to win. I thought we were going to win.
When the cameras stop rolling, we’re ushered off stage and sent in different directions. We’re told that if we have family in the audience, they’ll be brought back to us. Cole and Millie are taken away before I can truly congratulate them. Josh and I are instructed to wait in another room, where we’ll be given our press tour assignments. Before we can even step into the room, before we can finally be alone without a viewing audience, his name is yelled, and it’s a sound that I have to get used to.
“Matt, what are you doing here?” Josh hugs the man in front of us, letting go of my hand in the process.
“Business as always, I have contracts that need to be signed.”
“Okay, give me a minute.” He turns to me. “I’ll be right back. He’s my agent and I want to get everything signed before we leave.” He kisses me quickly, leaving me alone in the doorway. He enters a room just two doors down, tempting me to follow him.
“Hi, you’re Joey, right?”
“I am.” The man in front of me looks to be early forties and very distinguished.