filming started. Or even since I met her. I know it’s only been her from the moment I saw her skating at Riptide that first day we met. That’s all that should matter.”
I put an end to the questions and skepticism I see brewing from her friends. After my statement, they don’t try to stop me as I take a step to go around Zora. She gives me the tiniest nod, showing a glimpse of respect. Ignoring Sydney, I glance at Lucy and Ellie before going up the stairs. They don’t hound me with questions about the filming details. Maybe they’re saving it for later. I do see some understanding and acceptance cross their features, even if it’s shaded by the earlier disapproval and disappointment.
Sure, this is between me and Jordan first and foremost. The opinions of others will come, and we’ll be ready to dismiss them. But some opinions, like her friends’ down there, I can’t pretend they don’t matter.
I hesitate a second as I hear the shower turn off, but opt to go wait in her bedroom. I might want to bust in there and make my case, but she wants to do this on her terms and I can give her that.
Chapter Twenty
Jordan
I already know he’s going to be inside when I open my bedroom door. He wasn’t in the kitchen when I glanced downstairs, and while there’s a chance my roommates kicked him out, I just don’t see Beck letting that happen. Besides, my friends have always been Team Beck, or Team Beck and Jordan I guess. Not including before they knew about him and wanted me to get kissing practice with Griff.
Right, my mind is spinning as I prepare myself for whatever is coming. Sure enough, Beck is pacing my tiny bedroom when I step inside, shutting the door behind me.
He comes to a stop and his eyes meet mine. That’s the first cue something is up, because normally the sight of me in a towel would have him doing a sweep, and then he’d have trouble focusing. Instead, Beck is all business.
“There were some surprises on the season finale.”
“I figured that much out from the way you were looking at me, and the girls were acting funny.”
I have the strange urge to go over and comfort him, even though I don’t know what he’s got to tell me. Instead, I grip my towel to my chest and remain in place. It’s amazing to me how strong the pull is to go to him now, distract him, and get him to touch me. But I know it’d only be to stop him talking about something that’s definitely going to be painful for both of us.
“The producers had cameras hidden throughout the house that we didn’t know about. Or maybe Camila did. She probably did, actually.”
Beck’s hands are in fists. “Shit, I’m not explaining this well.”
I’m finding it hard to breathe, not in the panic attack way, but in the way that if I take a breath, I might realize what he’s trying to tell me and it will break my heart.
“Remember how I said a couple of girls had come on to me and I figured they’d show that footage and try to make it look worse?”
I think I nod, because he continues. “Of course you remember. Well, Camila Gonzales was one of those girls. I didn’t tell you the rest because I didn’t think you needed to know.”
I force myself to breathe because he’s taking too long and I don’t want to pass out. The sharp pain in my chest that hits me when I take a deep breath isn’t a surprise, but that doesn’t make it hurt any less.
“I’m sorry, fuck, I suck at this. Basically, she was propositioning me every day, whispering where to meet her, passing me notes, brushing by me as I came out of the shower to offer to follow me back to my room.”
“Okay,” I finally croak out. “Spit it out, Beck. What happened?”
“Nothing! That’s the thing. It was obnoxious and I didn’t make a big deal about it or talk about it on camera because I didn’t want to draw attention to it. I just endured it and figured she’d only really tried anything on camera once. The rest was just her saying shit really, a little in my personal space, but nothing too bad.”
I wait, not sure what to make of any of this.
“If I’d known they were filming all those little encounters and waiting to