[Audience claps]
“I know I’m a little curious to see just how things are shaping up for Cole and Millie, who have just spent a week in the master suite. Let’s take a peek at our newlyweds shall we?”
[Switch to the live feed]
“Hello, newlyweds.”
[All respond]
“Let’s start with Joshua and Joey. Joey, you’ve been married for a week now, is it everything you’ve thought it would be?”
“And more!” Joey responds, and the audience laughs. I don’t have a clear view of the people in the crowd, but imagine that most of them are women. Or maybe the producers make sure there’s an equal and fair amount of both sexes being represented for the live tapings. I hope they see how I’m sitting, with my arm around her. I want them to see that I’m into this marriage one hundred percent, regardless of what Joey and I have agreed upon.
“For your fans, Joey, tell everyone what Joshua is like.” Patrick Jonas laughs as he finishes his sentence. You can faintly hear people from the audience commenting and I wish I were able to hear exactly what they’re saying.
Joey looks at me and her shoulders come forward in a small shrug as she smiles. She crosses her leg and her hands lock around her knee. She’s wearing navy blue shorts with a white tank top. In the past week, she’s been out tanning with the other wives and her sun-kissed skin agrees with her. We’ve had a good week—not great, but definitely something we can build upon. Everyone, for the most part, has been very nice, especially to me. They’re all interested in how I became an actor and what it’s like. Cole and Gary ask a lot of questions about my female co-stars and are very interested in how sex scenes actually work. I think they were slightly disappointed when they learned said sex scenes normally consist of me, the lead actress, and about thirty different crew-members looking on intently.
“Joshua is a pretty sweet guy,” she says as she bows her head shyly. I pull her to me and she allows herself to be cradled. It’s all for show and we both know this. The pads of my fingers rub small circles on her arm. Her goosebumps are instant, but she doesn’t ask me to stop.
“Now to the question on everyone’s mind … Cole and Millie?” Patrick’s voice trails off as he says their name. It’s his job to get the audience riled, and he does. There’s a bunch of sick bastards wanting to find out if they did the deed or not. I know it’s going to be worse when Joey and I win a week in the master suite, but I’m ready for it.
I glance at Millie who turns red and Cole stares at the television. I can see the tension in his jaw as he clenches his teeth together. You don’t realize how invasive this show is going to be when you sign up. Well I did, but I’m assuming the others hadn’t really thought that through. Sadly, everyone wants to know. He blindly reaches for her hand, a gesture that I find telling. If they didn’t want the viewers to know, surely he would’ve kept his hands to himself. I turn my attention toward Patrick Jonas. He’s smiling and likely imagining the show’s ratings going up. The first couple to win the master suite wasted no time getting down and dirty. Three cheers for ratings.
Cole clears his throat and Millie glances at their joined hands. When he looks at the screen, he’s smiling. “One of the benefits of the master suite is that the cameras are off, so I guess whatever Millie and I did or didn’t do is our business. I can say this though; Millie and I are getting to know each other as husband and wife and hope to keep doing so when the show is finished.”
The audience ahhhs at Cole’s words and I find myself nodding. I’m not looking forward to Joey and me sitting in the hot seat after we spend a week in the master suite. I don’t know if it will be to our benefit or not. On one hand, my fans could get pissed, especially if Joey hasn’t worked her way into their hearts. On the other hand, it gives us an advantage if people see that we’re connected and truly in love. Joey already has a crush on me and I’m an actor, so that bodes well for us. Plus, Joey is hot. Hot as in if we weren’t stuck in this house I’d want to know her. Sadly, we’ve met under the wrong circumstances.
“Newlyweds, your next challenge will begin in an hour.” The screen goes blank, and it dawns on me that I don’t have a clue what just took place after Cole gave his answer. I must’ve zoned out. Millie is the first to stand, quickly followed by Amanda. I can’t see Millie’s face, but I’m gathering that she’s upset.
“Are you going to go with them?” I ask Joey, as she pulls away from me. The screen is off and the audience can’t see us anymore, there’s no need to pretend. Except sometimes I feel like I’m not pretending. I do enjoy having her in my arms.
Joey looks at me and back to where the other girls went, then back at me. She hesitates because Amanda in particular hasn’t been all that nice to her. Millie has made an effort, but Amanda has been snide with her comments about Joey being married to me.
This past week we’ve all been able to hang out. The producers are giving us a chance to really get to know each other before they throw us into the depths of competitions. Gary, Cole, and I have lifted weights, run a few laps, and spent hours watching the women sunbathe. At one point, I caught Gary drooling. I didn’t ask him which girl had his attention because I didn’t want to punch him in the face for staring at my wife.
Joey confides in me at night—which makes me believe we’ll maintain a great friendship once we’re outside the house—that Amanda feels as if she were robbed and that Joey isn’t worthy of a guy like me. How Amanda knows that about Joey is beyond me. It’s not like Joey chose who she would marry, the producers paired us up. It’s a crapshoot and all about how you match up on paper.
Nights have been my favorite time in the house. I get to be me, and even though Joey has that crush, it doesn’t define her. I’m fairly certain that the Joey I get at night is the same Joey I’d get outside the house. My favorite part is when she sneaks into my T-shirts when she thinks I’m not looking, or when we’re about to go to bed and she comes in make-up free and even more beautiful.
“I don’t know if I should,” Joey replies with trepidation. Last year when I watched the show, catfights were a regular occurrence. It’s not easy living with six people, especially when you’re all fighting to be the best. Each of our competitions means something. We’re vying for that elusive master suite or for cash and other household prizes. But when you get women together, who are trying to impress their new husbands, the gloves come off. I think Joey is trying to avoid situations like that even though they make for great ratings.
“I think you should go. The cameras are rolling and the more sympathetic you are the more my fans will become yours. We want those votes at the end of the show.” I see her face fall before she can look away. She doesn’t say anything as she stands and walks away. Everything in me is telling me to go after her, to tell her I’m sorry and I didn’t mean it, but I can’t become attached. It’s only been a week and I’m already thinking about her outside the house. She’s a distraction that I can’t afford.
“What do you think they’re doing in there?” Gary asks as he nods toward the back part of the house where the women disappeared. I want to say something sarcastic like making out, but I fear that he’d become overly excited and rush back there. I’m all for women having their time. Guys have it. We just don’t like to admit it. There’s many times where Rob and I sit around and discuss women. Mostly it’s me trying to dissect my relationship with Jules and why we can’t seem to make it work. I’m not even going to try once I’m out of this house. I have no doubt she hates me right now. I didn’t give her a warning and I’m sure her image is taking a hit.
“I’m sure they’re probably consoling Millie,” Cole adds.
“I don’t think any of us expected such invasive questions. I watch the show and even that question took me off guard,” I say, hoping to put Cole at ease. I’m used to questions like this and the more popular I become the more personal they’re going to get. You learn to shrug it off, or avoid the questions altogether, but sometimes you can’t. Everyone here, aside from me, is not used to hiding what they’re thinking. Most people wear their emotions; it’s what the vultures of Hollywood strive on. Actors learn to act at the flip of a switch. When we’re being asked about the week Joey and I spent in the master suite, I’m going to smile coyly, bow my head, and give them just want they’re looking for without admitting it. Let them assume. It’s what everyone is good at.
“I don’t know how you do it.” Cole leans back into the couch. Sighing, he runs his fingers through his hair before his hands move roughly over this face.
“I get it.” I kick my legs out in front of me and almost mirror his relaxed state except my arms are behind my head. “It’s not always easy, especially when they’re talking about someone you care about. One thing to remember is that you don’t care what they think. You don’t have to tell them anything you don’t want to, and most importantly it’s your job to protect your wife.” I point to the area where the girls disappeared. “She’s your priority now, not the show.”
“He’s right,” Gary adds. “We each need votes to win, so you have to show those women out there that you’re a good guy.”
Cole looks at Gary and shakes his head. “We’re battling for votes and you’re telling me to show the voters how sensitive I am?”
Gary shrugs and looks at me for guidance. I have none. I’m solely counting on my fans to come through for me. For all I know they could be hating on Joey and my plan could backfire. I’m praying that they love her, and find her a perfect match for me. It’d be nice if they hold off on the hate until after the show when I tell them all that marriage wasn’t for me and that Joey is the most amazing woman I’ve ever met, that she and I will remain best friends. I can’t let the media drag her through the mud. It wouldn’t be fair.