Page 49 of Playing With My Heart Strings

Jarrod wastes no time, despite Jade’s heartfelt answer. “Let’s find out, then, shall we?”

A screen drops behind Jarrod and the three girls, displaying a live count of the votes. To no one’s surprise, Aspen leads, with Katherine following closely behind in the polls.

When the votes are all tallied, Katherine ends up being in first place, Aspen in second, and Jade in third.

“Katherine and Aspen, congratulations! You’ve made it through this week’s elimination.” Jarrod turns to Jade. “Jade, I’m so sorry. Unfortunately, you’ve received the least amount of votes and that means you’ll be going home. You can say your goodbyes.”

For supposedly being close friends, Jade and Aspen’s goodbye is short. I wonder if something happened between them during the escape room challenge and Jade saw Aspen’s true colors. I’m starting to think everyone’s beginning to see through her, and it comes as temporary relief—until I remember whyI’mhere.

It doesn’t matter what they think of Aspen. As long as they don’t also see through me.

That night, I’m writing down lyrics in my journal when a light tapping on my door gets my attention. Thinking it’s Daniella, I set my journal down on the bed, not bothering to hide it.

To my surprise, when I open the door, there’s a sticky note attached to it.

Meet me on the rooftop.

- DW

I shake my head in amusement before catching myself smiling because of the note.

What the hell am I doing?

There’s no way I’mactuallyfalling for Dusty Wilder.

I debate whether I should follow the note’s instructions, listing out the pros and cons in my head.

Pros: I can spend more time with Dusty and get to know him. I’m already bored out of my mind, so getting to talk to someone would be nice.

Cons: If I get caught, I could lose my job.

The rational part of me knows I should rip up the note and never speak of it with anyone, but a small part of me wants to take the risk.

I’ve tried for so long to convince myself the only reason I came on the show was to save my job, but in the past few weeks going on dates, both secret and planned, I’ve come to love it. I never thought I’d have fun being on a reality TV show, but meeting Dusty and the other girls has exceeded my expectations.

I never pictured a career in music for myself, having set my sights on politics in Washington D.C. and making my parents proud. I always thought that was my dream—my life’s purpose—but now I’m not sure.

Pushing away all logical thoughts, I make the decision for myself. Not the decision for Colette St. James or my job or my parents.

I’m choosing myself, I repeat in my head as I sneak out of my hotel room and head to the stairwell.

The night air bites against my cheeks when I open the rooftop access door. I hold the door open as I look around. There’s no one up here.

Dejected, I drop my shoulders. Maybe it was just some sick prank. But then fear settles in at the idea that it could have been a tactic by Aspen to get me caught.

Footsteps approach from around the corner, and my heart drops.

This is it. This is how you go down.

“Baylor?” The voice that calls my name isn’t Aspen’s or a producer’s, and I let out a sigh of relief as Dusty moves into my line of sight.

“Hi. I wasn’t sure if you were really up here.” I stumble over my words, nervous energy pouring out of me.

He steps closer to me and takes my hands in his. “Don’t worry, I wouldn’t do that to you. I just wanted to see you again. How are you feeling after the elimination?”

“I wasn’t on the chopping block, so I feel okay. I can’t believe we’re already down to the final five, though,” I admit.

“It’s flown by. I wasn’t sure how all of this would work in the beginning, but I’m starting to really believe in this process—in all of you here…” His voice trails off, but he recovers quickly. “Come on, I have something to show you.”

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