Page 21 of Ever's Last
“Why did you sign up for this?” I think that’s the question of the whole show, every fictitious episode ofChicken Fried Love.
“I guess it’s the same generic answer. Bad break up, online dating sucks, I want something normal. Blah, blah, blah.” She chuckles.
“I hear ya.” I get it now. I’m the guy that these girls are talking about. Not Ariel, we’ve never dated, but I represent that guy.
“Why did you agree?” she asks.
I want to say I didn’t, but Sal would kill me and then his wife would kill me because I pissed off Sal, and then Shane would kill me for upsetting his sister, who is pregnant. It would be a vicious cycle so I stick to a more acceptable answer that will keep everyone happy.
“I was in a really bad relationship, except I didn’t know it.” I don’t think bad describes my train wreck of a relationship with Skye.
“It happens.”
“She’s one of the contestants.”
Her eyes widened. “Skye?”
I nod.
“I thought she was blowing smoke up all our asses. But then it should have dawned on me at the lake when she went after Ever.” Okay, didn’t hear about that and now I feel like shit. I should change the subject and fast. But Skye will be dealt with.
“So, you’re allergic to dairy?”
“I am. I know it’s weird. Guys think so.”
“We all have ticks. I’ll tell you a secret, I’m afraid of spiders.” I’m a guy, but I’ll admit that. And now the whole world knows it. That’s okay. I’ll give that to them.
“Really?”
I nod.
“That’s not so bad,” she says softly.
“What do you do for a living?”
“I’m unemployed right now. I was laid off.”
There it is. Okay, I can’t judge her. She is being honest.
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I’ll be back on my feet in no time.”
But she’s not looking at me, she’s looking past me.
I clear my throat and she blushes. I think I know who she was looking at. And that’s okay, too.
“Ariel, do you really want to be here?” The cameras aren’t rolling. We’re just enjoying a glass of wine. She looks down at her lap and I can see her trepidation.
“It’s okay if you don’t.” We never had sex. We only kissed in the past. It was at a party in Atlanta. Brick and I were both there.
“I’m here for someone else,” she admits. “I don’t even know why I agreed to be here. All those other girls have seen you naked.” She’s not judging me
“I never meant to lead you on, and not all of them have,” I start.
“I know you didn’t. That night led to me having a great night with someone else. And a few dates after that. I knew if I said ‘yes’ to this, he would be here.”
“Oh?”
