Page 32 of Call It Home

We were looking at some long-ass days ahead.

At least maybe I’d fall asleep easier, tuning out my growing attraction for Cameron.

When we reached the junction, just past our living quarters, it was like entering a different world. There were teams of people everywhere, some with florescent green vests and hardhats, others in blue vests, but most were dressed super casually in jeans and bright red jackets that boasted the HRTV logo on the back. Some stood in groups surrounding a person holding a computer tablet, others talked into headsets.

Trucks lined up along the grassy side of the dirt road. There were cameras everywhere I looked, some handheld, others on tripods, a couple on small cranes, and more mounted on an operator’s shoulder. Even a drone flew overhead. People with boom mics walked beside several of the camera operators. Other people took pictures with their cell phones.

Myles’s eyes were wide as he gave a low whistle. “Wow.”

Only Barbie and Ken appeared nonplussed, turning around and snapping a selfie with their plastic smiles.

“Shit just got real,” Jeremy mumbled, looking around with wide eyes.

Kennedy ran up to us. “Good morning! I hope you’re ready for a great first day. I’m going to have you move so you’re standing over in that grassy area so we can get all the houses in the background. Our host is already over there now, and after we’ve done some introductions, we’ll do some photo shoots, and then we’ll start filming. Remember, this week will be devoted to exploring the house and finalizing your designs. Any significant structural changes need to be turned in by the end of the day so we can get the necessary permits. I highly encourage major design purchases be done as soon as possible so it’s here in time for your actual work in each room.”

Right now, everything felt surreal. But once I could get my hands on the materials and feel the jolt of the nail gun or the buzz of a saw or drill, I knew I’d feel more settled.

Kennedy kept going. “Today, we’ll also begin interviews with your set producer. Talk about why your design is going to be the best and be a winner. You’ll have questions like:How competitive are you?andWhat’s your strategy?Be yourself. Have fun with it. And don’t worry, I’m here to guide you through the entire process, and I’m happy to answer any questions that come up. After we film the opening scene and interviews, you’ll be escorted to your house, where you’ll have plenty of time to walk through and then make your initial plans. Of course, a camera crew will be following you, but just act naturally. Okay? Okay. Let’s go!”

I swore the woman must have had at least five espressos before finding us because she said it so fast my mind was still catching up to what she said.

“It’s like being on a movie set,” Cam said, her voice full of wonder. “I thought it would be more like we just do our thing and they catch it on small cameras, you know, like home movies or something.”

Along with the other teams, we followed her to a cul-de-sac at the end of the street. “I hate the interviews. I always feel like I’m going to say something stupid.”

She linked her arm with mine, squeezing a little. Oddly enough, I took comfort from her touch. “You’ll do great. Just talk about how you know we’re going to win. Maybe try to say something nice about working with me. Most of all, just flash your dimples.”

Right. Dimples. That was our winning strategy.

I breathed deeply and remembered why I was doing this in the first place.

Chapter13

Cam

Kennedy guidedus farther down the road until we reached a clearing she told us would serve as the backdrop for many of the group shots. A towering screen had been set up just past the clearing, shielding us from seeing what was beyond.

“Oh, I bet those are our houses down there,” Alli speculated, narrowing her eyes as if it would give her X-ray vision.

“If we all made a run for it, they couldn’t stop us,” Jeremy drawled.

Presley poked him in the side. “Don’t even think about it,” she warned. “If you get us kicked off the show, you’ll be the one that needs to make a run for it.”

Behind us, a beep drew our attention. Turning around, I saw an aide drive up in a golf cart. A tall man with a commanding presence stepped out, waving with a huge smile.

I recognized him immediately, Cash Wilson, the host of this season’s show. He was a celebrity in his own right, not just for having a popular show of his own on HRTV, but also for his casual good looks and sparkling blue eyes that had gotten him a few acting gigs, as well.

Alli’s reaction was priceless. I would have thought she was used to being around celebrities, but she was clearly taken aback by Cash’s appearance. As he approached her, she flipped her hair and pasted on a coy smile. I smothered a laugh as he didn’t pay her any extra attention as he went down the line of contestants, greeting all of us with the same warmth and enthusiasm.

“All right, everyone. I’m glad to be here,” he boomed. “I hope you all are ready to work hard because this season promises to be a wild ride.”

Standing next to me, Alli commented under her breath, “I wouldn’t mind a wild ride with him.” She playfully twirled her hair around a finger, her gaze fixed on Cash. After a moment, she switched her attention to me. “Or your partner, for that matter. All that height and muscle. Mmm. Maybe he’d like to burn off some stress with me at the end of the day.”

I’d been almost amused by her comments, but her last statement stirred an unexpected sense of irritation. With a jolt of realization, I recognized that I’d come to think of Mac as mine. But I didn’t have a claim on him outside of working together. But did I have a right to feel this way?

I couldn’t blame Alli for admiring Mac’s tall, rugged handsomeness. I’d done the same the first time I saw him. Sure, he liked to tease me, but hadn’t he always stepped up whenever someone needed him? The biggest and most recent example was his presence here, by my side.

I turned to face her. “I hope your design taste is as good as it is in men,” I answered, trying hard to keep my tone light. “But Mac is here with me. You’ll have to find somewhere else to burn off your stress.”

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