Page 12 of Skye's Fall
“He’s watching you, too.” Ever nods in his direction when he sits on one of the couches by the tree, furiously pulling his shirt over his head.
“I highly doubt it,” I roll my eyes.
She frowns for a second, “I wish you two would just talk. Not doing any of you any good not hashing it out. I see the way you both look at each other.”
“And how is that? With hate and discontent?” I roll my eyes again.
“No . . . love.” She doesn’t say anything else and I’m taken aback at what she said. Love? Lincoln doesn’t love me, not after I shattered his heart.
When I was a bully, I had all this confidence and people to back it up. After taking a step back, looking at how I treated people, I have no idea who I am, and I feel so small.
“You’ll find your way,” Ever says. I must have said that aloud.
“Can I have all the contestants come meet me by the tree?” Sal calls out.
“Guess the fun is going to begin.” I start to walk off when Ever grabs my wrist.
“That’s just it. Try and have fun. Remember what I told you.”
I nod and turn to make my way over to see what hell I’m going to be in. To be honest, none of the guys are my type. Okay, that’s a lie, they all are. They scream money and power, and from what I understand, they have it. They are the best in their fields— professional cowboys, rock stars, fighters. And the old me would try to worm my way into their pockets by worming my way into their bed. But I can’t go back to that. I can’t be that person. I crushed lives being that person.
“Alright, so as you can see, there are ten men and ten women. We’ve paired you off into couples, randomly selected.” Sal looks over at me and I know he’s up to something. I’m sure whatever it is will shake things up.
“My assistant will pass out keys to your cabin, one couple per cabin. Not to say you won’t win dates with others. We’ve matched you up based off your answers to the questionnaire. Filming starts this evening. The town is throwing their annual harvest festival. Your first task is to find your table and sell whatever is on it. Most sales win a date. The first one you can pick who to go on a date with, your partner or someone else. Grab your bags, head to your cabins. Meet back here in an hour.” Sal dismisses us and I head back to the porch to grab my bag.
“Everything will be alright,” Ever smiles at me as she hands me my duffle.
“I hope so,” I say over my shoulder. Sal really outdid himself this time. He brought out a crew to build actual cabins. Ever, Ivy, Ariel, and I got to check them out yesterday. Two twin beds, a small bathroom. Honestly, it’s better than the tents we had last season.
“I heard she almost killed someone,” I hear one of the women whisper to someone behind me.
“Why is she even here?” I know they’re talking about me and a part of me wants to scream, but I don’t. No use in that. It’s best to not engage.
And then the other part of me wants to cry.
This must be how Ever felt when I picked on her. Fuck my life.
Well, let the fun begin. I knew signing up that I would experience this.
I am in the last cabin, glad to be away from prying eyes. This one was my favorite, set back in the trees close to the shoreline of the pond. Can’t even see the others from this one. I’m kind of glad. With a shaky hand, I push open the door and freeze.
“Linc?”
Fuck.
Chapter Ten
Lincoln
“Skye? What is Sal up to?” Fuck my life. I can’t do this. I need to try, but fuck this shit. I can’t stay in this cabin with her. Anyone but her.
She takes a breath and sets her bag down.
“I’ll leave this here for now and see if I can change rooms with someone.”
“Yeah? Why don’t you just quit?” I swear her eyes go red for a minute. I’ve made her mad. Good. If I keep pushing her buttons, then she will quit and I won’t have to look at her.
“Fuck you. I’m here because I need this.”
