Page 23 of Wandering Wild

My mouth is suddenly too dry for me to speak. Ollie doesn’t press and jumps straight onward, asking what food I’ll eat first after we get back, and continuing with a barrage of non-invasive getting-to-know-you questions.

“We likely won’t use them all,” he says as an aside, “but it’s better to have too much material than not enough.”

When Ollie is finished with me, he turns to Zander, and I listen as he answers similar questions, plus others about the competition and his inspiration for it. There’s no mention of his tarnished reputation, only his love for his fans, his true motives hidden behind gracious words and wholesome smiles.

I lied to his face last night when I said he’s not a good actor. He is. One of the best. On-screen and—clearly—off.

Once both of us are done, Ollie’s attention moves to Hawke, but he only asks a few things before saying he has all he needs.

“You two lovelies are going to shine like diamonds,” Ollie tells Zander and me. “I can’t wait to watch you over the next few days—this is going to be the best episodeever.”

With that, he blows air kisses and walks away, his thumbs moving at lightning speed over his phone keyboard.

“No matter how many times I have to do that,” Hawke says, his eyes on Ollie’s retreating back, “I will never, ever enjoy it.”

His weary sigh has me biting back a laugh and realizing he’s perhaps more of a kindred spirit than I thought.

“But at least now we can finally get to the good part,” he continues, causing my humor to die a fast death. “Zander, I hear you trained with Fredrik Haas when you were filming in Austria, is that right?”

For some unknown reason, Zander turns to me with a look that’s crossed between apprehension and anticipation, before he slowly answers, “I did.”

“Excellent,” Hawke says. “Come with me.” To the rest of us, he adds, “We’ll be back shortly. Charlie, time to say your goodbyes.”

I wish he’d tacked on a “for now” or similar, since it would help lessen the fear rising in me as Zander follows him back into the hangar. I waste precious seconds wondering what they’re up to before deciding to let it go, knowing the answers will come soon enough. Instead, I turn to Ember, seeing Gabe, Scarlett, and Bentley conversing a short distance away, giving us some privacy.

“So, you’re suddenly Zander’s biggest fan, huh?” Ember says, referencing my embarrassing promo clips, her lips quirking. “And here I thought I owned that title.”

I’m still reluctant to tell her about the bargain, so I just say, “We’ve agreed to get along for the sake of the cameras.”

She raises a dark brow. “Since he doesn’t have a problem with you, I assume you mean that you’ve agreed not to hiss at him like a stray cat while the whole world is watching?”

I pluck at my sleeve. “I prefer my wording.”

Ember grins. “I’m sure you do.” She then sobers and steps closer, her voice low. “You can still back out. It means so much to me that we’re here, but now that my excitement has faded, I feel really bad about putting you in this position, especially knowing?—”

“Hey, stop,” I say, placing my hand on her shoulder. “I’m a big girl and I made my own decision to come here.”

“You did it forme.”

“And I’d do it again,” I say firmly.

“Tell me that in four days when you’re miserable from chafing and bug bites and blisters,” Ember says, before woefully adding, “I’m a horrible friend!”

“Maybe,” I say, “but I still love you. And I’m not going anywhere. So give me a hug and tell me something encouraging so I don’t throw up from nerves the moment Hawke and Zander return.”

Ember doesn’t delay in flinging her arms around me. “I love you, Charlie Bear. To the sun and moon and back again until forever.”

My throat closes at the phrase we’ve shared a million times since we were kids, and I realize it’s all the encouragement I need.

But Ember isn’t done, since she whispers in my ear, “You’re the best person I’ve ever known, and you’re stronger than you think. The last few months have been...” She can’t find an adequate word, so she settles on, “really,reallyawful, but you’ve made it this far, which means you can make it through the next four days, easy. Just try to remember that this trip isn’t only about survival. Because life isn’t about survival—life is beautiful, and it’s meant to belived.” She swallows, then tentatively says, “Your mum would be so happy you’re here, and if she were standing with us now, she’d tell you to enjoy every second.”

I feel my eyes misting, but then Ember’s voice lightens as she finishes, “Or she would, but onlyaftershe took three thousand photos with Hawke and begged him to leave Bentley and run away with her.”

A surprised chuckle leaves me, the sound pained but genuine. “Try four thousand. Or more.”

Ember pulls back, a soft smile on her face. “You’re right. Definitely more.” She takes my hands in hers. “You sure you’re ready for this?”

I inhale deeply and nod. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

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