Page 22 of Fall Surprises
"He said he heard someone calling for help. Went to check." She wiped at her face with shaking hands. "That was ten minutes ago. I got turned around trying to follow and just... I can't do this."
Her breath hitched. She shook her head, staring at the dirt path. "Two days. In two days I have to stand up there in front of everyone and watch—" She stopped herself, pressing her lips together.
"Watch what?"
Stormi's face crumpled. "Watch my sister get everything she wants. Again." Her voice broke. "Put on a smile and pretend I'm happy about it." She swiped at her eyes, smearing mascara further. "I just need to get through this weekend without falling apart completely."
"Of course," I said, meaning it. "Whatever you need."
Gus appeared at my other side. "There's an exit about fifty yards that way." He pointed. "I saw it from the entrance. I can get us out."
"Thank God," Stormi muttered. "Let's go."
We made our way through the remaining maze, Gus navigating without hesitation. We emerged on the far side tofind Diana waiting with Tony and his camera, both looking frustrated.
"Where have you been?" she demanded. "We lost your group. And the other pairs went completely off-script." She stopped, noticing Stormi's tear-stained face. "Oh. This is good actually. This is real emotion. Tony, get some B-roll of—"
"No." I stepped between Stormi and the camera. "We're done for tonight."
Diana's expression sharpened. "Excuse me?"
"I said we're done. The activity is over. Everyone's tired. We have a full day tomorrow and the rehearsal in the evening. They need rest."
For a moment, I thought she would argue. Then her mouth curved into something that might have been respect. "Fine. At least we got some good footage already."
We found our way back to the entrance where the vans waited. Blaze was there first, leaning against a van with another drink in hand, swaying slightly. Corn silk dusted his designer jacket, and he squinted at us like he wasn't quite sure where he was.
"Where's my baby?" he slurred. "Raven said she'd meet me here. We got separated in there and..." He trailed off, taking another long swallow.
A few minutes later, Raven emerged from a different exit, alone. Her carefully applied makeup was smudged, her lipstick nearly gone. Her hair had come loose from its styled perfection, and leaves clung to her long white wool coat. She hurried toward Blaze, her voice pitched high and breathless.
"Babe! That was SO scary! I got completely turned around in there! I was calling for help and thank God Jett heard me, or I'd still be lost!"
Blaze pulled her into his arms, oblivious. "There's my girl. You're safe now."
Jett appeared moments later, his shirt half-untucked, his hair disheveled. He scrolled through his phone as he walked toward the group, seemingly unbothered.
"Ready to head back?" Gus asked me quietly.
"More than ready."
"Come with me. I'm parked over there anyway."
I nodded, grateful for the excuse to avoid the chaos of the vans. We walked to his truck in silence, the sound of Raven's voice fading behind us as she started filming another video for her feed.
Inside the truck, Gus started the engine but didn't immediately shift into gear. His hands rested on the steering wheel, and I could see tension in his jaw, the muscle jumping beneath his stubble.
"You were good back there," he said finally.
"She was clearly hurting."
"And you jumped in to help without hesitation." His voice softened, the edge from earlier in the day completely gone. "Even though it could have made things messier with Diana."
"Diana can deal. Some things matter more."
His mouth curved, one hand leaving the steering wheel to find mine. "This is what I mean about you."
"Gus—"
