Page 36 of Heart to Heart
They reminded me of parasites, those women who clung to the mean girl for their own safety and security, forming a symbiotic relationship. Bianca offered them security and a feeling of belonging while they stroked her ego. It took me back to high school, where I was the odd one out. And the laughter that accompanied Bianca’s attempt to tear me down, to make me feel less than, swirled inside my head.
Under Sasha’s protest, I stood up, my head swimming, trying to hold back tears as I made my way out of the theater on legs that may as well have been made of rubber. Stomach churning, my mind a mixture of contradictions at war with each other, I ran out of the theater, down the hall, and up the staircase leading to our rooms like a jilted Southern belle—if Southern belles wore yoga pants and Toms.
I’d blown it. I was a laughingstock across the country, and all I wanted to do was pack my things and run back to Michigan with my tail tucked between my legs to lick my wounds. At least I would only have to wait one more day until I was voted out by the audience, and Tristan would let me go.
HOLLYWOOD GRAPEVINE
LOS ANGELES—Last night’s highly anticipated season ofHeart to Heartstarted off with a bang. Between wardrobe malfunctions (yes, plural malfunctions), handcuffs, an all-out brawl, and, lest we forget, a cake to the crotch. Christmas has arrived early here atHollywood Grapevine.
Early reviews are in, and this season’s star Tristan Tate is living up to practically everyone’s expectations in the swoon department—as if there were any doubt. But what he has in spades of charm, he lacks in, well, everything else, it would seem.
Ouch.
Critics and fans alike have taken to the likes of X, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, where criticism over Tristan’s wooden demeanor and lack of enthusiasm quickly became a popular subject. #EliminateTate began trending shortly after the season premiere, with many commenting that the beleaguered star seemed to want to be anywhere but on the set of the popular dating show.
Except, it would seem when he’s in the company of one Avery Martin. Ohh…Tristan and Avery sitting in a tree…
Yet it wasn’t Avery Tristan was K-I-S-S-I-N-G’ing. Instead, it was the sultry Versace fashion coordinator and part-time hair model, Bianca Stone, who shared the first on-screen kiss with Tristan…right in front of our girl Avery.
That was cold, Bianca. Stone cold, even.
Still, many eagle-eyed fans noticed the sparkle in Tristan’s eyes in the scenes he shared with Avery, leading many to speculate that she’ll be the frontrunner. And that thinking clearly translated over to votes. Early results show Avery in the lead by a hair over Temptress Bianca, followed by the Barefoot Contestant herself, Daisy Bledsoe.
However, let’s not forget the curveball the show’s creators are throwing this season, with the inclusion of the much-maligned veto.
If used, the veto would allow Tristan to swap out one of the contestants voted by the audience for another of his choosing during elimination. But it can be used only once. Will Tristan shake things up, or will he play it safe? If the first episode is a harbinger of things to come, we’re in for a bumpy ride—if Tristan sticks around for it, that is.
CHAPTER 20
TRISTAN
“There,”Wanda proclaimed, adjusting the knot in my tie. She stood back and inspected me up and down with a critical eye, reminding me of the day I first met with an agent seeking representation. I was a shaggy-haired kid who only wanted to score a job to take the financial burden away from my parents. Three years later, I’d accomplished just that as I stepped onto the red carpet to an onslaught of cheers and the blinding flash of cameras that left me seeing black floaters in my peripheral vision for days. It was my first turn as Houston Dark in theLive and Let Dieseries, and because of it, my parents were able to live comfortably in a three-bedroom bungalow in Malibu.
“I guess that will have to do,” Wanda huffed. “Now, I trust you’ll be able to get through this episode without any…interruptions?” She eyed me skeptically as though her phone call to me after producers called her to discuss my behavior hadn’t gotten the point across.
“I’m all healed and ready to break some hearts.”
“Damn right, you are.” She smiled approvingly, scrolling through her phone. “I received an email this morning with the ratings from the premiere episode, and you’re a number-one hitin your timeslot. Keep it up, and we may just be able to resurrect that career of yours, after all.”
“Was there ever any doubt?” I asked, instantly chastened by the look on Wanda’s face that screamedHoney, there was nothing but doubt.
“Just behave yourself. Hell, you don’t even have to keep it interesting. Those women are doing a fine job of that for you, especially the clumsy one. What’s her name? Emily?”
I knew instantly who she was talking about, and I couldn’t temper the irritation that crept over me as though I’d been tasked with defending her honor.
“Avery,” I corrected her.
“Ah yes, that’s it. Someone should give that girl a cake every episode. She’s comedy gold.”
My fists clenched reflexively at my sides. Avery was different than most of the other women in the house, that was for sure. But she was different in a good way. A way that made me want to protect her from the likes of Wanda, which meant only one thing: I had to send her home tonight.
This shit-show, where other women ate women like her alive, was no place for her, even if the selfish part of me wanted her to stay.
“Oh, and if you could refrain from jumping on X, I’d really appreciate it. That tweet you sent—are they still called tweets?— could be seen as showing favoritism.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Wanda opened her mouth to say something but was interrupted by John entering my trailer, holding a piece of paper in his hand like it was the Holy Grail.
