Courtney lets out a huff next to me, and when I glance in her direction, I’m rewarded with an eye roll.
“What the fuck is your problem!” I scream.
“Ladies!” Ed yells.
“You are my problem,” Courtney growls, her voice low as she steps closer to me, getting in my face.
“I’ve done nothing but be nice to you. I’m sorry you can’t have who you want. It’s not my fault, and you need to direct your misguided anger elsewhere.”
“Ladies,” Ed says again, but I continue to ignore him. Just like I’m ignoring Jace tugging on my hand. And the other hand that falls on my shoulder.
I don’t care who it belongs to. I’ve been holding this in, trying to be the bigger person, and I’m done.
“You think you’re so much better than the rest of us, don’t you? Well, Presley, I have news for you. Neither of them really wants you. It’s all a game to them. They’re here for the money. Not love. Not even lust. So get over yourself.”
“Ladies!”
“What!” we scream in unison, turning our attention back to Ed, who looks like he’s ready to murder us.
“We’re on live TV. Get it together.”
Shit!
If I thought the inference that I was having sex broadcast on TV was bad, I was wrong. My outburst was worse.
Without another word, we both step back into our places. Ed apologizes to the audience (aka the camera) and continues, reading the teleprompter. We’re each handed our envelopes, and the girls are asked to step forward first.
“This week you cooked dinner for the guys. Some of you did better than others, but in the end, there was a clear winner chosen to have immunity this week by the gentlemen standing behind you. That person is...”
Pause for dramatic effect.
Really? Come on, Ed. Let’s get this over with.
“Presley. Congratulations. You can step back on the platform. You’ll be staying here at least another week.”
It takes me a second to realize he’s called my name, and even then, I walk back to my place in front of Jace on heavy legs. He whispers his congratulations in my ear as the other girls are asked to open their envelopes. I watch in fascination as Courtney tears up, Teegan pulling her into her arms for a hug.
The guys are asked to step forward as soon as Courtney is escorted away. My nerves are at an all-time high as each of them opens their envelopes. I love them all dearly, but there is only one man who I know I don’t want to be here without.
And thankfully, I won’t have to. Not this week anyway. Unfortunately, Drake wasn’t so lucky.
Ed excuses him and sends us to commercial break. As soon as the light turns red, Ed faces the remaining six of us, hands on his hips, anger radiating off his body.
“Live television. Do you have any idea what that means? There’s no editing. No way to cut out your little screaming match with Courtney.” His glare has fallen to me, and if it were possible, I would take a step back right now. “Do not make me regret not kicking both of you off the show the second you started fighting.”
I nod once, and then he’s turning back around. The light above the camera turns green, and happy-go-lucky Ed is putting on a show for the audience. He gets them ready for the next week, explaining what we’ll be doing, and signs off as he usually does.
“Will it be love or lust?”
How fucking predictable.
“Come on. Let’s go send Drake off with respect, and then I want you all to myself.”
I nod once as Jace takes my hand in his, and we wait outside the doors to say goodbye to Drake. When he finally arrives, he drops his bags and immediately pulls me in for a hug. His only words are to thank me, but he doesn’t say for what. He doesn’t need to. I can see the light in his eyes for the first time since meeting him.
He’s letting go of the blame he’s held on to and is ready to move on.
I’m sad to see him go but happy for him at the same time. I’m biting my lip to keep from frowning, at least until Courtney walks up, hatred in her eyes as she storms inside the main house without so much as a goodbye to anyone.
“Ready for an adventure?” Jace whispers in my ear as he wraps his arms protectively around me.
“Not really,” I state, knowing my truth will hurt his feelings. “All I want is to crawl in bed right now.”
“Want company?”
“I think I’d like that.”
In fact, I don’t think I want to spend another night here without Jace’s arms wrapped around me. The world already thinks what they think. They can go to hell. I’m not going to let Courtney’s opinion or anyone else’s stop me from going after what I want.
And I want Jace.