Finally, clips from this past week are shown. And just as I predicted, they highlight Bella and Milo’s budding romance right before Lennon and I appear onscreen, locked in an intense embrace.
At least something went as planned.
When the screen fades to black, I turn back around and my paper floats from my hands.
Everyone is here.
The eight eliminated contestants are across the stage from us, but my gaze is locked on Jace’s. He’s smiling from ear to ear, and if there weren’t a string of twinkle lights above him, I’d think he was lighting up the stage.
“First off,” Ed says, as Bella nudges me, bringing me back to the presents. “Let’s welcome back our eight eliminated contestants. Kyra and Gage.” They both step forward and wave. “Natasha and Callen. Courtney and Drake.” Courtney’s smile is forced, and her stare is directed at me as she steps back into line. “And finally, Teegan and Jace. Welcome back, everyone. It’s great to see you all again. We’re going to take a quick break, and when we come back, some of the biggest secrets of the game will be revealed. Stay with us.”
As soon as Ed’s done talking, my feet are moving across the stage. Jace meets me halfway, and then I’m in his arms, breathing a sigh of relief when the cameraman yells that we’re clear.
Oops.
That may have been broadcast for everyone to see.
I don’t really give a shit. Jace is here. I can hear his heart beating in his chest.
“You need to back the fuck up right now,” Jace growls as his grip tightens around me. He’s holding me so tight I can barely breathe, but I don’t care. It’s been over a week since I felt his arms wrapped around me. Since I breathed him in. Heard his voice.
“She needs to get back in her place,” Ed announces from behind me.
Pushing out of Jace’s embrace, I look up and wait for him to make eye contact before I say anything. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
“Good. Let’s get this over with so I can have you all to myself for the first time ever.”
Instead of replying, I watch as Jace’s smile turns to a devilish grin that has my heart speeding up. Placing a hand on either cheek, he pulls my lips to his but keeps the kiss gentle.
I guarantee gentle will be thrown out the window later on.
After I’m back in place, standing on the little marker on the floor, Claudia hands me my forgotten card and quickly slips off the stage.
“There are so many things we don’t have time to show you. We’re filming twenty-four hours a day, and although you’d think some of the tape would be filled with the sounds of snoring, those night cameras capture most of the action. Let’s take a look and see who was making the most of every hour of the day.”
The screen behind me comes to life again. I watch as the exploits of every contestant are broadcast for the world. From make-outs to hookups and every scandalous detail in between. Milo and Natasha. Me and Jace. Courtney and Drake. Me and Lennon. Courtney and Milo. Teegan and Milo.
Damn, Milo, I think to myself, shooting him a look. He’s standing at the far end of the line, smirking at the screen.
No shame. At all.
Teegan and Jace. Jace is shirtless and Teegan appears to be drunk.
That has to be the night he carried her home.
I can see he’s trying to fight her off in the nicest way possible, but if you didn’t know what happened, it could look like foreplay.
More of Me and Jace. Me and Lennon. Bella and Milo. Bella and Lennon.
When the screen finally fades to black again, I’m relieved. I mean, sure, I only made out with two of them, but that’s two more than I planned to make out with when I arrived.
“As you can see, some people had more fun than others. And the longer they stayed, the more fun they had. We have to take another break, but when we come back, we’re going to find out how our final four have voted and if it’s real love... or just lust.”
There’s a makeup artist in my face as soon as we’re off the air. She powders my nose and messes with my hair before moving on to Bella. She barely clears the stage before Ed starts talking again.
“The moment you’ve been waiting for is almost here. Before the ladies reveal their choices, we’ve asked the eliminated contestants to guess who they think will make a love connection... if one is made tonight. Let’s take a look at what they think.”