Page 26 of Playing With My Heart Strings

“How was your date with Dusty, Katherine?” Sage asks.

The smile that spreads across Katherine’s face tells us everything we need to know. The girl is practically glowing just from the mention of his name.

“It was amazing. We went for a bike ride, which doesn’t sound romantic at all, but it really was. He’s so understanding and engaging in conversations. I knew he was charismatic, obviously, but it really felt like he listened to what I was saying. I don’t know, I just feel really good about where we’re at so far in our relationship.”

A few of the other girls squeal and blush, swooning over the details of Katherine’s date, but Aspen rolls her eyes, scrunching her nose. No one makes any comments about her apparent distaste toward Katherine, but I make a mental note about her attitude. It was clear to me from the beginning that Aspen thinks she’s better than all of us, but she doesn’t have to make it so obvious to everyone else.

“That’s so cute!” Kelsie bats her eyelashes as she rests her head in her hands, and Sage nods in agreement.

“It was a bike ride,” Aspen mutters. “What’s so special about that?”

I don’t think any of the other girls heard her—at least Katherine didn’t, luckily—but it’s enough for me to decide that the next time she runs her mouth I’ll pull her aside and ask what the fuck her problem is.

“What do you think they’re doing today?” Jade asks, changing the subject.

“I’m not sure, but they were all dressed pretty nice when they left this morning,” Katherine replies.

“Hopefully it’s not something super romantic.” Kelsie lets out a nervous laugh.

“Honestly, anything would be more romantic than axe throwing.” Aspen has the guts to open her mouth, but it’s not as snarky of a comment as I expected. To be fair, axe throwing wasn’t the most romantic way to spend a day, but it was kind of fun once I got into it.

“Oh, is that what you guys did last night? I guess I didn’t even ask how that went!” Katherine places a hand on her chest apologetically.

A chorus of, “It was fun,” and, “It went really well,” floats around between Jade, Sage, and Kelsie.

“I was horrible at the axe-throwing part, though.” Kelsie giggles, making the rest of us laugh with her.

“She wassobad, Katherine. I was genuinely scared for my life,” Sage teases. “But Baylor was so good at it. You should have seen her win.”

Warmth creeps into my cheeks as I shrug. “It wasn’t a big deal, really.”

“It was, though! You get a solo date next week because of it!” Sage adds, and I can’t help but recoil at the disclosure. I wasn’t going to advertise that me winning the challenge meant I’d get an automatic pass from the elimination and make it to the next week.

“Oh…wow.” It seems like Katherine is at a loss for words, and I can’t say I blame her. It’s a huge advantage in a competition like this. Every minute counts, because it could mean the difference between a record deal and going home.

“If anything, this should just prove that everyone needs to be on their A-game. No messing around.” Aspen’s lips curl up slightly as her eyes narrow, gaze hardening. “Besides, she got lucky and just barely beat me.”

“It may not have been by much, but I still won.” I just couldn’t bite my tongue on this one, letting the comment slip. “It wasn’t luck, though.”

“Excuse me?” She crosses her arms, her tone a bit accusatory. “What are you trying to say?”

I decide that if I’m going to open my mouth, I might as well go all out and tell her what’s really on my mind. “All I’m saying is that maybe if your axe-throwing skills were as big as your attitude and ego, you’d be the one getting the solo date.”

Sage’s eyes widen, and Aspen’s mouth gapes a little, as if she can’t believe what I said. I was trying to keep a low profile, be one of those contestants who is easily forgotten, outshined by someone else, but that clearly backfired on me.

“Hmm. Well, if that’s how you really feel, I guess we’ll see if Dusty keeps you around after your solo date.” Her retort is nicer than I expected, but the fire in her eyes practically burns through me. Then she leaves the room without another word.

That was both awkward and better than I expected.

The only thing on my mind when I walk down the hallway of the production building toward my interview is the conversationfrom earlier today. I shake my head as I look down at my shoes, watching my feet pass each large tile on the floor.

So much for keeping a low profile.Whydid I do that?

“I can’t believe I—” I don’t even realize I’m muttering out loud to myself until I hear, “Can’t believe you what?”

My head snaps up right before I collide with the solid chest of the person who the voice belongs to…Dusty Wilder. I jump backward, putting a couple feet between us, as my heart pounds.

“I-I can’t believe I actually won the axe-throwing competition.” I make something up as I throw my arms up in the air to add to the pretend shock.

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