a lot of the time. But we worked it out. There were some great competitors on this stage. Any one of them could’ve won. I think we came out on top by sheer luck.”
People applaud politely. That’s Luke, so diplomatic.
“And let me say,” says a voice from behind us. I think it’s Cody. “Luke’s really a class act. Always trying to help people. Sure, he was competitive, but if anyone was in a bind, he’d help them first. The money really couldn’t have gone to a nicer guy.”
Louder applause. People on the stage and in the audience nod in agreement. They seem actually happy to have lost to him. It doesn’t sting as much to lose the money because they’re glad it’s going to him and not someone like Ace. And I agree too.
Totally.
But did they forget that I was a part of his team?
It’s okay, I tell myself. I’m used to fading into the background and being the wallflower. And Luke always gets attention. That’s just who he is.
“Obviously there were a lot of fights on the journey!” Will Wang says. “Take a look at this.”
The screens around the arena light up with a montage of couples screaming at each other during various challenges. There’s one of us in front of the locked gate in Colorado, trying to find the key. The part where I went off on Luke with “Maybe I’m not because my name is Nell!” my eyes wild and fierce. People laugh at that. But what about what happened a minute before that, when he was screaming at me?
Then it cuts to the part where I say, “I don’t worry about anything where he is concerned. He is not my problem. The only thing I’m focused on is winning.” Luke’s standing in the background, looking genuinely hurt by my response. It almost hurts me to see his stricken expression. I hadn’t seen it then, but . . . I can’t even remember when that was.
Someone in the audience says, “What a bitch.”
I swallow.
These people who are cheering? They’re on Luke’s side.
But is anyone on mine?
The montage comes to an end, and everyone claps. My hands are sweating so badly that I have to let go of Luke’s hand. I see an image of me on the video monitor, and my forehead is glistening with sweat. I look terrified. Luke leans forward and mouths, “You okay?”
I nod.
But am I?
“But it wasn’t all hate at Million Dollar Marriage. There was actually a lot of love to go around,” Will says, pointing to the video screen. There’s another montage, this one of couples hugging during various victories. Ace and Marta making out, to which half the audience says, “Wooooo!” and the other hisses, “Booooo!” It’s clear they’re the couple people love to hate.
Then, big as life, on every one of the twelve screens around the place, I get a full-on view of my first kiss with Luke, at the zip line in Colorado, from every angle possible.
My heart jumps.
The audience reaction? A few people cheer, maybe, but what I hear is a long, loud boo from the women in the audience. One woman in the back shouts, “She isn’t good enough for you, Luke!” and someone else calls, “Take me instead!”
I stiffen.
Then I catch a look at Luke on one of the monitors. He’s smiling, like he’s flattered by the attention. He doesn’t seem to notice what it’s doing to me.
Now I really feel like I’m going to throw up.
Thankfully, the montage ends, and I’m wondering just how much worse this can get. “But let’s take an in-depth look at the leading couple of the hour. First, she’s a PhD from Atlanta—here’s Penelope Carpenter!”
Oh god.
They cut to a montage that is all about me. It’s all the interviews I’ve done in the past, scattered with some information about my background. There are a few extremely unflattering shots of me falling on my ass during the marines confidence course, covered in snot trying to make the igloo, and freaking out about zip-lining. Then a few contestant remarks, mostly people thinking that I’m stuck up, stiff, or don’t stand a chance in hell.
When it’s over, people clap politely, while I cringe.
Could they make me look any more like the Wicked Witch of the World?
“Now, let’s take a closer look at America’s heartthrob, the man women all over the country are going crazy for . . . Luke Cross!”
His montage almost makes me fall in love all over again. It’s shots of