“I feel like she’s already made an alliance with someone else,” I note as I climb in the back of the van.
“Yeah, I heard something about that the other day.”
I bet he did. We all heard.
“Don’t count yourself out. Things change all the time. We don’t know who will be here next week. We might not be here. Take it a day at a time, get to know everyone, and see if you connect. That should be the real reason we’re here.”
“It should be but it’s not. I swear it feels like they want us at each other’s throats or to have a giant orgy. Whatever will pull in the highest ratings, right?”
“Something like that, I’m sure.”
“What about you? What if Lennon and Jace go home? Will your heart still be in the game?”
“Sure,” I lie. “Why wouldn’t it be?”
“Because I feel like you wouldn’t want to play anymore.” We both know he’s right, so I don’t say anything. “I know you like them, both of them, and I know this game isn’t fair, but you really should consider giving the rest of us a chance, Presley. Like you said, you never know what will happen. Things change every day.”
With that, the van pulls away from the club and we ride back to the ranch in silence. My mind reels with thoughts of being here without Lennon and Jace. Surviving this without at least one of them here to rely on. To see every day.
The thoughts make me sad, so when we get back to the ranch and Drake and I part ways. I head to my villa and change my clothes while he wanders off towards the pool. I need to clear my mind. Putting in my earbuds, I make my way to the fitness center.
Another five-mile run on the treadmill should do the trick.
At least that’s what I think until I open the door to find Courtney with her lips pressed against Lennon’s and not a single cameraman around to catch them in the act. The sound of the heavy door slamming shut behind me causes Courtney to jump back, tripping over her own two feet and landing on the ground with a soft thud.
Lennon doesn’t move. The expression on his face is a direct reflection of the ache in my chest. The pain I feel deep in my heart. I knew it would happen eventually. That he would kiss someone else. Jace too. I just wasn’t prepared to witness it firsthand.
I wasn’t prepared to feel the way I do right now. As if someone is sitting on my chest, making it impossible for me to suck in a deep breath. The last time I felt this way, I walked in on Wren with his hussy.