Fireworks explode on both sides of the stage.
I lean toward Sloane, ignoring the cameras zooming in and Aunt Tina gleefully narrating our body language in her livestream.
“Ready to pretend you’re madly in love with me in front of the entire town?”
Sloane looks up at me—and for a moment there’s no fear, no act, no hesitation.
Just steel-strong determination.
“I’m an excellent actress, Becker. You might even end up believing it.”
I lace our fingers together.
“Pretty sure I already do,” I murmur, watching her cheeks flush.
I pull her closer as the crowd cheers and Aunt Tina screams, “Kiss! Kiss!”
Game on.
Group Chat: LAKEWOOD LOCKER ROOM ???? (Minus One)
Blaze (Liam):Okay, pause. Aunt Tina is my new idol. She just threatened the contestants with a full smile. Terrifying. I’m obsessed.
The Wall (Derek):Becker, watch out for the Veterinarian. That guy isn’t acting. He looks like he could build a whole house with his bare hands while you’re fixing your hair. Women lose their minds for the rugged-dad vibe.
Doc (Harrison):Confirmed. My aunt literally said, “Oh, that poor man needs cuddles” while looking at Silas. You’re in trouble, man.
Turbo (Tayler):But can we talk about the Orange Influencers? If that guy does one more lunge, I’m throwing myself at the TV.
Saint (Javier):Solid entrance though, Cohen. The hand-holding was a nice touch. You two looked legit.
Turbo (Tayler):“Looked”? Javi, please. Did you SEE the way he stared at her? If he could’ve, he would’ve thrown her over his shoulder and escaped into the woods.
Blaze (Liam):He’s cooked. He’s boiled. He’s braised.
Me:Stop analyzing my love life. Watch the show or do literally anything else.
Turbo (Tayler):Can’t. Coach confiscated the remote.
Me:…What?
Doc (Harrison):Yep. We’re all watching you, bro. There’s beer and pizza but the mood is… tense.
The Wall (Derek):Tense? Understatement.
Turbo (Tayler):The second Joe walked onstage and looked at Sloane… Coach LOST it.
Blaze (Liam):Confirmed. He yelled, “THAT ASSHOLE?!” and threw the remote at the wall. Shattered on impact.
The Wall (Derek):Never seen Heart so red in the face. His neck veins are pulsing. He’s screaming on the phone (probably at his wife), going, “Why didn’t you TELL me HE was here?!”
Turbo (Tayler):He just yelled, “HOLD YOUR POSITION, BECKER! IF HE GETS NEAR HER I’LL BREAK HIS LEGS!”
Me:Okay, WHAT? What did this idiot even do? I already hate him.
Blaze (Liam):And when Aunt Tina mentioned easy-to-remove underwear… a vein popped on Coach’s forehead. He muttered something about making you run a thousand laps.
Saint (Javier):Good luck, brother. If you don’t win the reality show, he kills you. If you touch his daughter too much, he kills you. It’s been an honor. ??
