“As long as you don’t let Gage,” I state, looking over his shoulder to where Gage is sitting. Teegan is almost in his lap, and it doesn’t look like she’s as interested as he is.
“I don’t think that would be a problem,” Jace practically growls as Drake approaches.
Once we’re set up and ready to play, I pull all the girls in for a pep talk. I hate to lose and want to win this even though I’d rather not go head to head with Jace. Especially since I have no idea how much he’s had to drink or what the next game is.
“The boys are still high from their win. Let’s knock them on their asses. I’m not saying cheat, but if you see an opportunity to give us an advantage, take it. I’m not losing to them again. We’ll never hear the end of it, and we all still have a few long days ahead of us.”
My voice is strong, especially considering the alcohol coursing through my system. I’m staring into five sets of glassy eyes, though, so our chances of winning are slim to none no matter how great of a speech I give.
“So, basically distract them anytime we can, right?” Natasha asks, a small smile beginning to spread across her face. If I didn’t know better, she had a plan of attack. Oh, wait. I do know better. I have a feeling some of the guys’ attention, Milo’s in particular, is going to be focused elsewhere.
It wasn’t just Milo’s attention that was on Natasha. Even I couldn’t look away from her. Not just when it was her turn but when I should have been paying attention. Her breasts were about to spill out of her top. One wrong move and we all would have gotten a free show.
It worked, though. The guys didn’t care if they won or not. They weren’t even trying, and in the end, we took the victory. Not that we had time to celebrate before Ed’s voice was surrounding us again, reminding me that we were always being watched, as the same man who had been delivering the games walks through the double doors.
“I should have guessed it would be a tie. The girls are ruthless. There was no way they were going to lose the second game. Which brings us to the face-off. Jace and Presley, please move to the middle of the room and stand back to back.”
Not liking how this is going already. As soon as my back is pressed against Jace’s, my eyes lock on Lennon’s. I want to jump away, feeling guilt over being so close to Jace. Not that I should. Neither of them are mine to hold, and I’m not theirs, but I feel the tug of war between them. Right now, Jace is winning, and all Lennon can do is stand by and watch, hoping he doesn’t let go of the rope.
I’m handed a pen and folded piece of paper. When I unfold it, I realize it’s a voting slip. It has everyone’s name listed alphabetically, guys and girls. As the chosen team captains, we’re going to have to decide who goes home.
Yup, I knew I wasn’t going to like this.
“Here’s how this works. You’re each going to write a yes or no next to each person’s name. I want you to think about their participation tonight. Did they contribute to the team? Did they help their team win? After you’re finished, please hand your slips back in.”
“And then what?” I ask, anger vibrating off me in waves. “Just because someone wasn’t good at a silly game they have to go home? That doesn’t seem fair, and I don’t feel it’s my place to be their judge and jury.”
The room falls silent as I drop my paper and pen to the floor and walk out. I may have just signed my own death warrant, but I don’t care. I’m not going to vote someone off because they can’t draw. Or because they’re too shy to act out something well enough for us to guess what it is.
When I vote for someone to go home, it’s because we’re not connecting. Because he’s an asshole and tried to feel me up without permission. Or, hello Gage, kissed me without permission.
I’m about to enter my villa when I feel a hand on my elbow, causing me to jump.
When I turn around, Jace is behind me with my drink in his hand. Behind him are all the other contestants. My competition and his.
“Thought you could use this,” he states casually.
“Or I’ve had too many,” I retort, anger still ever present.
“For what it’s worth,” Teegan says, “I think what you did was awesome. If I had known they were going to judge us based on our acting skills, I never would have signed up. It wouldn’t have been worth my time.”
There’s a murmur of agreement before I spot Ed walking down the path toward us.
“The executioner is here to hand down my sentence,” I say loud enough for him to hear.
“Say what you want. You can’t just break the rules and expect for there not to be consequences.” His voice is firm as he shuffles his way through the bodies, not a single person moving out of his way.
Lennon and Jace both move to stand in front of me, facing Ed. Ha! I’d like to see him move the two of them out of the way to talk to me in private.
“What do you suppose I do? Just let it go? How are we supposed to eliminate someone if you two don’t vote?” he asks, looking between Jace and me.
Jace didn’t vote either. Good.
“You’re the one that gets paid good money to figure that out,” Lennon starts. “I suggest you start thinking because if you send these two home for not following your little rules, I have a feeling you won’t have a show at all.”
Stunned into silence, Ed looks around for confirmation of Lennon’s statement. It doesn’t take him long to see it in everyone’s eyes. He walks away without looking back as he curses under his breath.
“You didn’t vote either?” I ask, my question directed at Jace.