Page 6 of Peaches & Cream
Ben
I’m never nervous in the kitchen, but as I prepare to cook with Shelby in the Airbnb I’ve rented with Stacey and Chris for the duration of the competition, I’m sweating bullets.
“That bench is clean,” Stacey points out as she watches me scrub over the surface for the third time. She’s sitting at the dining table eating yogurt mixed with muesli and berries while I fret over the placement of everything I have set up. No matter what I do, this will never look like a fully functioning industrial kitchen.
“She’s going to come in here and think I’m a hack.”
“I think you’re stressing over nothing. Surely she’s not going to care as long as the oven works, right?”
“She runs a bakery that’s been in her family for generations,” I say. “I cook out of the back of the van for crying out loud.”
“Wow.” Stacey places her spoon back in the bowl. “She’s really gotten under your skin, hasn’t she?”
“Yep.” The word finishes with a pop. “And to make matters worse, I challenged her directly. Let my ego get the better of me.” I meet her gaze with trepidation.
“What do you mean you challenged her?” she asks, eyes narrowing. “Exactly what did you do?”
Leaning on the benchtop, I fold my arms in front of me and let out a sigh. “I told her I’d quit if she wins the next round,” I admit half mumbling. I’ve been feeling shit about this ever since that stupid challenge fell from my lips and she accepted. I’m in this competition for the betterment of my entire family. The wager was reckless. But on the same note, I know that I can win. The biggest problem is that beating Shelby is just going to make winning her heart that little bit harder. But I’m confident I can do that too.
“You did what?” Stacey’s eyes go wide.
“I told her I‘d—”
“No.” Stacey holds her hand up to silence me. “I know what you did. I just can’t wrap my head around it. Of all the stupid, asinine, self-serving things you could do, Ben! Even second place, or third, in that competition is enough prize money to give us a start. For crying out loud, I’m about to bust a baby out of my vagina, and you’re wagering our entire future because your ego got in the way, and your dick cheered it on.”
“Whoa. What’s going on in here?” Chris asks, appearing in the doorway.
“My stupid brother bet Shelby Dougherty that he was going to beat her next round, and if he doesn’t win, he drops out of the competition completely.”
Chris’s jaw drops. “Bullshit,” he says. “Surely, you didn’t?” He directs the last part to me.
Pushing up so I’m standing upright, I fold my arms across my chest and nod. “I’ll win. I know I will. I’m a pastry chef going up against a baker.”
“Mate.” Chris shakes his head slowly. “I love you like a brother, but gambling with our future is seriously fucked up. You need to make this right, Ben. Today.”
“Or…” I start, taking a deep breath. “I just win. Because that will work too, right?”
Stacey pushes away from the counter and gets to her feet. “How about I give you an ultimatum of my own?” she says. “If you throw away this chance for us to set down some roots, Chris and I are out. We’ll go back to Australia and start something on our own. Then you’ll have no one willing to put up with you. You’ll be on your own. Or maybe that’s exactly what you want?”
“Stace,” I start as she storms out of the room with Chris following close behind.
“Fix your shit!” he yells as a parting shot.
I let out a sigh.I will. When I win…
