Page 69 of Heart to Heart
“Thank you, Wanda,” I said, perking up when I saw Avery’s name on the list.
“Yeah, she made it. Girl must have made a deal with the devil before she came here.”
I shot Wanda a look, but she’d already turned around and her back caught my ire, instead. Avery had made it, but it had been by the skin of her teeth.
I stoodin front of the remaining women whose number would be whittled down by a third as Kamila called out the results of the last vote from viewers this season. Avery looked more nervous than usual, no doubt worrying about the effect her photograph debacle would have on voters. I wanted to mouth to her that everything was fine, but I knew if I were caught, the media would have a heyday with it.
The names of the top three vote-getters had already been called: Bianca, Brittney L., and Felicity. In a matter of seconds, Avery would be put out of her misery.
“Avery,” Kamila called her name. From where she stood on the risers, I could see her let out an exhale in relief.
“Now Tristan,” Kamila turned to me, “this is your last chance. Do you want to use your veto?”
I was supposed to take a dramatic pause and act like I was seriously considering eliminating one of the women voted in. However, I was also supposed to use the veto this season, but that wasn’t going to happen.
“No, I do not,” I answered, much to the relief of the other three women.
“Interesting choice not to use the veto this season, Tristan. We’ll have to see what our viewers at home think about that decision.” Kamila motioned for the four women who’d made it through based on the audience vote to come up to receive their pins. One by one, I went through the spiel about accepting the key to my heart, giving Avery a small smile after she accepted hers.
“Okay, Tristan. Who are your four picks?”
I scanned the remaining women, knowing it didn’t matter who I chose. Wanda had her thoughts, and to save face with her, I would adhere to her list as much as possible, substituting Sasha for Eleanor with Wanda’s choices of Taylor, Charlie, and Kennedy. I had just handed Kennedy her key pin when an aide to one of the producers came running out on set, her face pale.
She tapped Kamila on the shoulder, whispering something in their ear. Kamila’s eyes widened. “Oh my,” they explained, covering their mouth with their hand. “How did this happen?”
The stricken aide shrugged as she scurried away from the camera, leaving Kamila to address the rest of us. On the risers, the women all looked at each other, concerned, as I searched Kamila’s face for a sign of what had transpired. No such luck.
“For the first time in the history ofHeart to Heart, there’s been an error in the voting results that were reported to us.”
My heart began to hammer against my chest as I stole a glance at Avery, who suddenly appeared as sick as I felt.
“Avery, I’m sorry, but the audience did not vote you in. It was actually Tatiana who was voted in. Your names must have gotten mixed up somehow when the results were reported. I’m deeply sorry for this mix-up, but you’ll be going home today.”
What? How the hell was that fair?
“Wait,” I interceded, taking Kamila off guard for the second time that night. “I want to use my veto.” I shot an apologetic look at Tatiana, realizing that I was probably going to be a gigantic asshole in her eyes.
“I’m sorry, Tristan, but you’ve already made the decision not to use your veto.”
“But that was before the mix-up. I agreed not to use it based on the results of the original vote. Those results weren’t the true results. Therefore, I should still have the option to use my veto.”
Kamila peeked over to the producer, who shook his head as my stomach fell. This could not be happening.
“Avery, please turn in your pin,” Kamila said again.
From her place on the risers, Avery, with tears in her eyes, moved to take a step when Sasha grabbed her arm to stop her.
“I want to take Avery’s place,” she announced.
“Oh, for God's sake,” Kamila said, rubbing their temples. “It must be a damn full moon out tonight, I swear.” They looked back up to the producer who just threw his hands in the air, resigned.
“Sasha,” Kamila said, “is this what you truly want? You want to forfeit your spot so that Avery can stay? Am I hearing this correctly?”
“You are,” Sasha replied, peering over at Avery, “and I do.” The friends smiled at each other, tears falling down Avery’s face.
“This has been one unprecedented elimination night, to say the least, but okay.” Kamila threw their hands up. “Sasha, please turn in your pin.”
Sasha and Avery hugged each other tightly while Sasha whispered something to Avery before turning to embrace Taylor. The other women parted to allow Sasha to descend the risers, making her way over to Kamila, her key pin already in her hand. Kamila held out the bowl and Sasha dropped it in, giving Kamila a nod as she turned to me. I went in for a hug, surprised whenshe leaned in close to my ear and whispered, “If you hurt her, I’ll kill you.”
