Page 86 of Winging It with You

Jenn and Ellie, to everyone’s surprise, have miraculously climbed the leaderboard. Everyone loves an underdog, and if we must lose this competition to anyone, I pray it’s them, because they are more than deserving. And have souls…unlike Bianca and Jackson.

And then there’s Theo and me—the fake boyfriends who against all odds managed to land ourselves in the final three.

We join the other two pairs on stage, and looking around, I truly feel like we’re part of a television production. There are large screens above us and more lights and cameras than I’ve ever seen. It’s…intense.

Dalton McKnight, who I could have sworn just took a long swig from a flask before jamming it back in his pocket, appears before us in tailored athleisure.

“Quiet on the set,” someone yells from beyond my vantage point.

I hate that I’m nervous, but selfishly, I really want this. I haven’t allowed myself to think about the possibility of winning this damn thing, but being this close to the finish line? Yeah, I want it.

“We’re streaming in three…two…one…” The phantom voice trails off, Dalton’s cue to step into the spotlight. Like he’s ever left.

“Welcome back to another exciting episode ofThe Epic Trek. Together, we’ve watched as these three teams have battled against the elements, worked together to complete every challenge thrown their way, and even surprised us all with an epic love story.” His eyes shift in our direction and his magnetic front-man facade melts away for a fraction of a second, replaced by something that resembles a sneer.What the hell?

“And on tonight’s special livestreamed episode, we will unfortunately be saying goodbye to one of our beloved duos,” he continues without skipping a beat. “But before we get to the official portion of this evening, let’s take a look back at some of this season’s most memorable highlights.”

Camera one on contestants.

The screens surrounding us spring to life, and both Jenn and Ellie jump at the sudden thunder of background music.Okay, so did I. As the season montage begins, I watch Dalton slip off the stage and disappear into the group of crew members. I try not to give himanythought, but he’s acting cagier than normal, which makes my already heightened stress spike.

Theo squeezes my hand, gently bringing my attention back to the screen in front of us. It’s weird watching it all play back—seeing us struggle and flounder and argue as we make our way through the various challenges.

I cringe when the clip of my snake-challenge debacle fills the frame. Everyone laughs at my very visible discomfort—great—but then the camera shifts to Theo.

I can’t take my eyes off him.

He has the most genuine concern plastered all over his face…I fight the urge to lunge at on-screen Theo and wrap my arms around him. To tell him no one has ever looked at me the way he does.

Camera two on Dalton.

“This has been one of the most intense seasons inThe Epic Trekhistory,” Dalton says, stepping back into the spotlight, a phrase I’m certain I’ve heard him say on each and every season. “Bianca, Jackson, Ellie, Jenn, Theo, and Asher…it has been a privilege to watch you all push yourselves to the limit and come this far in the competition.”

He pauses dramatically, letting the cameras pan over each pairing. I do my best not to look annoyed when it’s our turn, and Theo, who is normally indifferent about the whole thing, gives a little wave.

“The first pair who is safe from elimination and will be advancing to the final leg of the competition is…”

Suspenseful music plays from a speaker somewhere in thedistance. The whole production crew isreallytrying to mess with my anxiety today, huh?

“Our front-runners…Bianca and Jackson!”

Based on the bravado of Dalton’s enthusiasm, you’d think there would be a massive round of applause, but instead, his announcement is met with crickets from the production crew. But per usual, the evil siblings from hell are making a scene and jumping up and down; their celebratory squeals make me gag, literally.

“Which means that Asher and Theo, Ellie and Jenn, one of your journeys will sadly come to an end tonight. Can the four of you please step forward and join me?” he says, opening his arms. We all take our places on either side of him, and the intense heat from his spotlight causes several beads of sweat to roll down my back. No wonder he always looks…moist.

“Jenn, Ellie…our favorite mother-daughter duo from the Midwest. Team Jellie to your fans online,” he says, squeezing Ellie’s shoulders, and I watch with secondhand nausea as she grimaces at their now even closer proximity. “Some might call you two underdogs—not me, of course,” he says with a fakeness that no one is buying. “No, I’ve always known you two were tough…Midwest tough, right?”

I lean in to Theo. “Is that a thing?” I feel him tense while trying to hold back his laugh.

Dalton must have sensed the moment a pair of eyes wasn’t on him, because he turns in our direction. “And then there’s the stoic Theo and deer-in-headlights Asher, theloverswho fans have dubbedThasher.”

Ouch—I mean, he’s not wrong, but I don’t like hearing that coming from him.

“You two have inspired the world with your love story, and it’s just so nice to see two people who are so deeply connec—”

But he’s suddenly cut off by someone yelling.

Someone whose voice I’d recognize anywhere.

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