Love or Lust - Rachael Brownell Page 0,31

voice trails off as if he realizes what he just implied.

“Do you think they sent him home on purpose? For no reason? To push the ratings up?” I can’t help but ask. The thought of it all being a setup has crossed my mind more than any other explanation has.

“No. I think he did something that got him booted, and I’m sure we’ll find out what later on. After it’s all over. But I also think they were looking for a way to kick him off.” I furrow my brow but don’t say anything. “Think about it, Presley. The finale would have been predictable if Jace were here. It would be you and him. Clear winners. You guys would walk away with the money. Together. Happily ever after. Who wants to watch that? No one. They want to be surprised, so they had to shake things up, and they found a way.”

He has a point. Not that I like what he’s saying, but still . . . his point is valid.

“I don’t want to talk about Jace anymore tonight. We’re supposed to be on a date.” I motion between the two of us. “What kind of date would I be if I talked about another guy all night?”

“The kind of date who’s in love with someone else.”

“That’s not fair.”

“Life isn’t fair, Presley. Two weeks ago, I would have been happy to have you to myself tonight. I would have been looking forward to it for days knowing that it would be just the two of us. In the final week. Headed to the end of this madness. Hoping we would be on the same page and ready to ride off into the sunset together.”

“Two weeks ago?”

“Yeah.”

“And now?” I need to hear him say it.

“Now, I see things differently. Do I still think you’re absolutely amazing? Yes. Would I still fight for you if Jace were here? No.”

“Why not?”

“Because you love him. He loves you. The only person I’d be fighting with is myself. Plus, I’m not the kind of guy to stand in the way of true love. And, not to hurt your feelings, but I’m not in love with you, Presley. I wanted to be. More than anything.”

All I can do is nod. His words should hurt, but they don’t. Not the way I thought they would anyway.

“What about Bella? Do you love her?”

“I think I could. I think I’d like to get to know her better. The real her. To spend time with her after this is all over.”

“You should choose her,” I blurt out. “Choose her and give yourself a chance at happiness. You’re a good guy, Lennon. You deserve to be happy with someone who can give you all of themself. I couldn’t do that when we met. It took weeks for me to feel ready to give even the smallest piece of my heart to anyone. I was certain it was shattered.”

“It was.” His confirmation causes me to sit up a little straighter in my chair. “Your heart was broken, Presley. I wanted to be the one to piece it back together, but I couldn’t make the pieces fit. The only person who could is the one you are meant to be with. You didn’t choose Jace over me. Your heart did.”

Chapter Ten

Day 39

My mind is still reeling after my date with Lennon last night. His words have been on replay since I brushed all my clothes off my bed, into a pile on the floor, and crawled under the covers.

My heart chose Jace.

I had no say in the matter.

Thinking back, it happened slowly. The first time we met, I was intrigued by him. His good looks. The mystery that surrounded him. I wanted to know more. Everything about him. I was fascinated by every fact I learned, which only fed into wanting to know even more. We formed a friendship.

Sure, we kissed. He held my hand and flirted with me.

But it was more than that. I respected him. Trusted him. Confided in him.

Then I started to catch feelings. So did he. I wanted to spend all my time with him and only him.

In my eyes, he was amazing. The way he treated me was beyond expectations. The way he treated everyone as if they mattered. Even Teegan and Courtney when they didn’t deserve it. He treated them with the respect they demanded but didn’t deserve.

I admired that about him.

It’s part of why I fell in love with him. Part of why the fire between