The audience obviously loved the answer. They clapped and cheered as John sat up straighter and grinned out to the crowd.
The buzzer sounded again.Bah bow.
John deflated, his lips pulled tight as he looked to Harry. Evan felt uncomfortable watching the exchange of looks. Why the hell had John gone on the show if he couldn’t handle it?
“As much as I’m sure you are a wildfire, John…” The crowd laughed on cue at more of Brian’s exaggerated eyebrow waggling. “Harry says you’re more of a tsunami.”
“Oh, okay,” John responded. “I guess I can cope with that.”
However, he didn’t look remotely pleased with Harry’s answer, and for some reason he didn’t want to examine too closely, Evan warmed at the thought.
* * *
It wasa relief when the first day of filming finally wrapped. Although they’d spent a lot of the day hanging around and doing very little, it had been exhausting. All the stress and the fake smiles and trying to look as though he was having a good time. God knew why anyone would want to put themselves under the microscope like this for pleasure. He hated the lights and the scrutiny. He couldn’t wait for it to be over, and they still had days of filming to go. He just hoped Amber wasn’t regretting her decision to go ahead with the competition—no point in the two of them having an awful time.
Evan sipped on his beer as he leaned against the wall. The boards were warm against his back, still retaining the heat from the day, but the warmth was welcome due to the light breeze that carried with it a slight chill and the scent of the ocean. A couple of gulls swooped overhead, and soft music wafted across the deck. People sat around low tables enjoying cocktails or leaned against the railing watching the ship’s propeller wash, cocktails in hand as they admired the view. It really was a tropical paradise. His position was perfect for people watching, and Evan made the most of the opportunity. He recognised a few of the competitors from the show, but most people were general passengers. He shoved aside the stab of envy that they got to enjoy the trip without any of the pressure he felt—this wasn’t his holiday after all. The trip was about Amber.
He’d pushed away from the spot where he was tucked out of the way to either see if a table had freed up or at least to make himself visible for when Amber arrived, when Harry and John rounded the corner from the elevators. Instinctively he ducked back against the wall where he was partly shielded by a large potted tree.
“I don’t know how many times you want me to apologise.” Harry’s voice drifted across the space between them. “I’ve said I’m sorry, but I’m not a mind reader, you know. How the hell was I supposed to know the answers you wanted me to give to the stupid questions?”
They stopped walking and stood not too far away as they carried on their conversation. Evan felt terrible for eavesdropping but didn’t want to suddenly appear and make itseemlike he’d been spying on them. He justified his action to himself.After all, no one wants to be caught in the middle of an argument.
“Can I suggest that next time you think about it instead of running your stupid mouth off.” John wrapped a hand around Harry’s upper arm to stop him when he made to move away. “That’s your problem, Harry—you never think. Maybe if you had half a brain—”
“Hey!” Harry said, shaking John off. “Get your hands off me.”
Thank God he stood up for himself.Evan had taken a step forward but forced himself to relax and slunk back behind the plant. Harry definitely wouldn’t want him to be witness to this but if John kept going the way he was….
“Oh, for fuck’s sake, calm down. Just do both of us a favour and learn to say the right thing.”
“I repeat. How was I to know what you’d answer to those stupid questions? And it’s not as if there’s a lot of time to think about how you want to reply. They’re just trying to get a laugh. It’s entertainment.”
“A tsunami? Really?” John scoffed. “You made me look like an idiot.”
“I don’t think you looked like an idiot.”
“Of course I did. I looked like a complete fool. A tsunami, for fuck’s sake? You could have chosen something perfect for me. Like I said, a bush fire. It’s ideal for me. Hot.”
“A tsunami is strong and powerful—”
John shook his head. “And unexpected, uncontrollable, destroying everything in its path.”
“Well, the same could be said for a fire—”
“But a tsunami isn’t sexy, is it?” John sneered. Evan almost expected him to stamp his foot in anger, but John made do with a piercing glare to convey his annoyance. “At least with fires people think of firefighters.”
“I’m sorry.”
No, don’t apologise, Harry. He isn’t worth it.
“Anyway, this isn’t getting us anywhere. Did you want to get a drink or not?” Harry asked, obviously trying to placate his boyfriend.
“You bet I do. I need a drink.”
They continued toward the bar, and Evan watched their retreating backs.
Why was Harry with such a conceited jerk? John had no sense of humour, and Evan was having a hard time figuring out what Harry saw in him. If he didn’t look too closely, John seemed okay on the outside, but as soon as you scratched the surface, there was no substance. And the way he treated Harry when they were in private had Evan’s blood boiling.
