Page 60 of Embers in the Dark

“This shit is stupid!” I yell at the TV.

“I think it’s cute!” Abby says as she takes another bite of her pizza.

“It’s sort of playing with their feelings,” Kennedy says.

“I’m here for it, you guys,” that’s from Marissa, who has joined in via FaceTime.

Loved and Lostis a new take on reality shows that’s been added to our watch parties, and it’s the first episode tonight. We’ve got all the necessary foods lined up in front of us: pizza, popcorn, cookies, brownies, pretzels, candy of different assortments and then salad. Kennedy told us we needed some vegetables because she has a wedding in a little over a year and she wanted to feel like she had something healthy in the lineup. Abby and I succumbed to the request, but the bowl remains untouched. Surprise, surprise.

The concept of the show revolves around people reconnecting with old loves and blindly speaking to them from behind closed doors. However, their voices are distorted and they don’t know who they’re talking to until they reveal themselves. So, even though they know these are people they once dated, they won’t know exactly who they are until they reveal themselves at the very end the show.

“Dude, this is just a mind-fuck for the contestants.” I point at the screen.

“Why is it a mind-fuck?” Abby asks. She’s a softie for all these shows.

“Because they broke up for a reason. What if he was awful to her or vice-versa and now they’re forcing them back together?” Kennedy says.

“Exactly,” I agree with her.

“Yeah, I sorta see that point,” Marissa chimes in. “This could get ugly real quick.”

“Well, I guess we’ll see. Maybe they vetted them for that,” Abby counters.

“You know this shit isn’t real, right?” River chimes in from the kitchen, where he’s standing with Baylee and Clay. The three of them have really started their own little club.

The three of us turn toward them and can’t help scowling.

“You know, no one asked you.” I point at him.

“So hostile,” Clay says. “You sure you want to be around such hostility, Baylee? I’ve got other friends I can introduce you to.”

“You might be right. There’s nothingmagicalabout him.” She gives me a smirk and winks in my direction.

“I feel like there’s more to that, but it’s probably dirty,” Kennedy says.

“Oh, I love dirty things!” Marissa nearly yells from the phone.

“Of course that’s all you heard.” Abby laughs.

“Okay, this conversation is over.” I grab my things. “The verdict is still out on this show, but of course I’ll still watch the dumpster fire it will likely be. Bay, you ready?”

“Sure. Thanks for welcoming me in your crew,” she tells Clay and River. I catch a wink their way.

“What was that?” I point in their direction.

“What?” the three of them question.

“I saw that. Why did you wink at them? You took a bet, didn’t you? I know this game.” I turn toward the girls. “Kennedy, Abs, there’s a bet on us. I know it. They’re ganging up against us,” I declare.

“Spill, Riv.” Kennedy crosses her arms across her chest.

“I’m a vault,” he declares.

“Oh, this is going to be fun,” Marissa eggs on from the phone.

Kennedy walks seductively toward her fiancé and strokes his cheek. Then she whispers something in his ear. I watchand can’t help but smile. Clay rolls his eyes in frustration because he knows his brother will cave.

“No way, really?” River’s eyes light up like a kid on Christmas.

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