Love or Lust - Rachael Brownell Page 0,24
Even if it was the moment I knew for sure I’d made the right decision. It was the confirmation I needed.
The clip is shorter than the last, and suddenly I’m staring at Bella straddling a shirtless Lennon. Their make-out session is hot. You can tell they’re both into it, and this time the clip doesn’t cut when I expect it to. Lennon lifts her with him as he stands and walks into her bedroom, shutting the door behind them.
The screen fades to black again, and I turn back around to face the cameras.
“As you can see, a few people were able to take advantage of the alone time and got to know each other a little better than others. But lust doesn’t always translate to love, does it? When we get back, we’ll find out who has another chance to make a love connection and who’s going home tonight. Be right back.”
“Oh. My. God.” Bella whisper-shouts to me as soon as we’re clear. “I can’t believe they showed that on TV. I’m freaking out right now. My parents are going to see it.”
She has a point. At least they didn’t show Jace carrying me to the bedroom. Though, if he was still here, they might have.
“I didn’t realize you were into Lennon,” I whisper, leaning in closer so he doesn’t hear me.
“Oh, yeah. It’s . . . well. I don’t know.”
“It’s something,” I state. “Hold on to that feeling. If it’s more than just a little crush, you’ll know soon enough.”
Ed welcomes back the audience, and I force myself to smile again. He drones on about how the last week of the competition will work. I should be paying attention, but instead, I zone out, staring directly into the camera. I can read about it in the packet they’ll drop off if I make it past this round.
“You may be wondering why we only have two guys standing up here tonight. Jace was eliminated last night, which means Lennon and Milo will be moving on to the final round. Congratulations, gentlemen. I wish we didn’t have to say goodbye to one of these lovely ladies tonight, but only two can move on. Can you, ladies, please step forward.”
We all take two steps and stand on our marks. Bella is in the middle with Teegan on her right and me on her left. We’re all handed an envelope and I tremble as I slide my finger under the seal.
Do I want to be eliminated? Or do I want to stay? It’s not my decision, but I’d like to at least be okay with whichever way it goes.
The seal finally pops free as Bella starts bouncing up and down with excitement. I look over to find her with a golden ticket waving above her head and a huge smile on her face.
Good. She deserves it.
Teegan’s staring past Bella at me, her envelope still sealed. I nod at her, and she slides her finger under the seal, releasing it. Folding back the flap of mine, I spy the golden ticket immediately but don’t pull it out. Instead, I look over to find Teegan with tears in her eyes.
“I’m sorry, Teegan, but you have been voted off tonight,” Ed says as Claudia waves Teegan over, ushering her off the set. As soon as she’s clear of the cameras, Ed continues as if no one’s feelings have just been crushed. “Well, you have your final four. Lennon, Milo, Bella, and Presley . . . Congratulations on making it to the final week of the competition. Good luck this week. Stay tuned for our finale next week where we’ll find out if our contestants have found love or if it was only lust. Good night!”
Chapter Eight
Day 37
It still feels unreal that Jace is gone. No explanation beyond he broke the rules.
What rules specifically?
We were together most of the time during his last few days. I didn’t see him doing anything he shouldn’t have been. In fact, he was the most cautious of all the guys I’d like to think. Not just because he wanted to stay here but because of his reputation outside the competition.
He knew people would figure out who he was after he confessed to me. He knew his secret would be out once the show aired. He wouldn’t be able to go back to being the anonymous bartender at his clubs. He was putting a giant target on his back, and he was doing it for me. So I knew what I was