Day 14
Goinginto the final day of the mock Olympics, I’m more nervous than I expected I’d be. I care more than I thought I would. It really shouldn’t matter if I win or lose, but with an elimination looming tomorrow, the stakes feel high. I’m not ready to go home yet.
I don’t think any of us are.
This week has had its highs and lows, but at the heart of all of it, it’s been fun. Competing against each other. Teaming up. Getting to know the guys. Even when I didn’t win, I felt like I was winning because I made a new friend. Well, except Gage, who seems to not want to be friends with anyone.
The games are starting early today. Again, it sounds simple, a relay race, but after everything I’ve seen this week, I guarantee it will be anything but. I’m paired with Drake for the final competition. His chances of winning immunity are slim. He was toward the bottom of the list before yesterday’s event, and with as well as Lennon and Jace performed, I can only imagine one is going to run away with the prize.
It’s great for me considering I’m not sure what I would do if either of them left. It’s bound to happen eventually. Either I’ll be voted off or one of them will. Still, I’d like that to be further in the future than tomorrow.
Drake knocks on my door before letting himself in. I’m still sipping on my first cup of coffee, fresh out of the shower.
“You look exhausted,” I say as he plops down on the sofa, resting his head against the cushion.
“Assholes kept me up all night,” he retorts, his eyes still closed.
“Which assholes?”
“My guess would be Milo and Natasha considering the noise.”
Noise? Right. If that’s what he wants to call it.
“At least someone is having fun,” I mutter as I take another sip.
Drake smirks but doesn’t open his eyes. “If that’s all you want, I’d be happy to offer you my services.”
I let out a chuckle, flicking him in his ear as I walk by. “I’ll keep that in mind. Give me ten minutes and I’ll be ready to go.”
“Take your time. I’m going to try and sneak in a little nap.”
I watch as he attempts to lie on the tiny sofa, then close the door to my room behind me so I can change. His knees are resting on the arm of the couch, everything below the knee hanging off the edge, proving just how small it is in comparison to him. The image brings a smile to my face, and I get ready to take on today.
We were each given a list of random things to bring with us.
The girls: high heels and a hairbrush.
The guys: a tie.
My mind runs wild with ideas of how the items will fit into today’s event, a relay race. I have a feeling I’ll be wearing the heels, but I can’t discount the idea they might be for Drake instead. That would make things more interesting.
Watching Drake sleep for a few minutes after I’m dressed and ready, I study his unique features. I haven’t spent much time with him, with Jace and Lennon having cornered me from the beginning. He’s just as gorgeous as the rest of the guys. A little quieter than everyone except Callen. Always polite, and when he does speak up, he tends to be telling jokes.
At first, I thought Gage was going to be the funny one. Always spouting off witty remarks at the drop of the hat. And he was until his demons came out to play. Now it’s Drake’s turn, taking over the spotlight of comedian in our little group. A group that’s going to be smaller tomorrow night.
The thought makes me sad. I really hope he’s safe from elimination. He has a way about him that always brings a smile to my face. He lights up a room when he walks in just by being his goofy self, and I doubt I’m the only one that feels that way.
Pushing lightly against his shoulder, I whisper Drake’s name a few times with no response. Moving around the couch to stand in front of him, I try again, and this time I’m rewarded with two beautiful blue eyes staring up at me. Right before he pulls me down on top of him and wraps me in a hug.
“Let’s forfeit and stay like this all day,” he says against my neck.
My legs are tangled with his. My hands press against the couch on either side of his head. When I attempt to move so I can stand, I hear him suck in a breath and let out a little curse. That’s when I realize where my knee is resting.
“Don’t move,” he hisses. “I want to have kids someday, and you’re awfully close to killing that dream.”
I can’t help but chuckle. “I’m going to slide down. You stay still so I don’t accidentally cause more damage.”
Gripping my hips, Drake gently lifts me off him without warning, my knee flying forward, grazing his sensitive area.