Page 44 of Most Eligible
“Is that what this is about?” I almost laugh at the ridiculousness of it. “I mean, yeah, I do. But I’m over it, trust me.”
“I just feel really hurt that you’d think that of me,” Addison says. “I’m a feminist. I would never hurt another woman like that.”
I blink at her, and all the cameras turn to face me. “That’s not even what femini—”
“But clearly you’re not the same,” she interrupts. “Youpushed me while we were playing.”
“No, I didn’t,” I splutter. “I could barely keep up, let alone—”
Roland lays a hand on my knee, and I go quiet. Inside, I’m fuming, but I let him take charge of the conversation.
“I see a future with both of you.”
“Hopefully not at the same time,” Addison scoffs.
“But I have a hard decision to make.” He pauses and my mind fixates on the chapter in myLove Shackprep book about two-on-one dates.
Only one can survive.
It has to be me. I haven’t found anything meaningful to report back to Serena aside from a few cruel snippets from Lainey. If I leave now, our chances of amind-bogglingexposé will be gone.
“I want both of you to stay into next week,” Roland says. My stomach unclenches, and Addison leans her head back, exhaling through her red lips. “But I need to know you can get along.”
“If we’re going to be sister wives, we better try,” Addison mutters.
“Of course,” I say. “No problem.”
“I know this journey is unconventional,” Roland says. “But I really believe my wife is here.”
My chest expands with relief, even though I should be disappointed by the clichéd line. But Roland can give me all the clichés he wants, as long as he gives me more time. If I’m sent home without any more intel, I’ll be kissing more than America’s Most Eligible Bachelor goodbye. The full-time job atVividwill be off the table and I’ll be right back to where I started.
I’m not sure if I’m supposed to say something else, so I glance at the cameras, like they could help me.
“I think we should be heading back down…” Roland peers over the side of the cart, sending it jostling, and I grab onto the rail beside me. It doesn’t help that when I look out at the horizon, the sky is dotted with dark clouds.
Suddenly, there’s a screeching that makes Addison cover her ears. Norbert’s voice blasts over a bullhorn. “I’m afraid to tell ye that the wheel is stuck!” His cheerful accent does nothing to stop my stomach from plummeting. “I’m climbing up!” he shouts. He doesn’t even need the bullhorn.
“NO!” Lainey doesn’t need it either.
I tune them out as I grip the side of the cart tighter and try to focus on my breathing.
From below, we can hear Lainey berating the poor park employee. I’ll be surprised if he’s still alive by the time we make it down.
“Remain calm!” Norbert shouts. “We’re calling in backup! We’ll get you down before the storm hits!”
Addison glances at me. “You look a little green.”
That’s probably because my avocado toast is threatening to make a reappearance in my mouth.
“Fine,” I mutter. “I’m fine.” Maybe if I keep saying it, it’ll become true. The wheel will start working again, the storm clouds will vanish, and I will be able to crawl under the covers in my bunk bed.
From the direction of the highway, sirens start to wail, and a few seconds later, a fire truck careens into the empty parking lot.
“Backup has arrived!” Norbert shouts into the bullhorn. “I repeat, backup has—”
“Give me that thing!” Lainey shrieks.
There’s a loud squeak as the fire truck brakes beside the Ferris wheel, and then the huge ladder swivels toward us.
