“Exactly. But now, knowing what I do about Kingston’s dad, even though there are things he’s done that some might see as unforgivable, I believe he has a good heart. If he’s just been doing what he has to do to survive, I want to forgive him. But if I do…where does that leave me?”
Gia smiled, a proud look in her eyes I didn’t understand. “It makes sense that you’re wondering that about Vivian. But you’ve seen pieces of Kingston’s heart, Quinn. You have moments between you. Something real to hold onto. And you might never get that with Vivian. Either because it doesn’t exist or because she never shows it. It won’t make you a hypocrite for forgiving him but not her.”
I snorted, fighting back the emotion in my chest. “Or Elaine, I guess.”
“Nah. Fuck that bitch.” Gia laughed. “She’s a backstabbing ho who tried to hurt you and my poor bebe Landon because she was rejected. That’s not survival. It’s ego.”
“Yeah, it seems like it. That’s for sure.” I huffed a laugh, having a hard time believing what I was saying. “Vivian has always been a bitch. But, at least, she was honest about who she was on day one. I’ll give her that.”
“You may be grasping at straws if you’re saying that means she has a heart, but…your heartis in the right place for thinking about this. All things considered. I’m proud of you.”
“Thanks. And luckily, she’ll probably say something bitchy to my face tomorrow and order in the universe will be restored.”
Gia nodded. “Exactly. So, don’t lose sleep over her for now.”
I bit my lower lip, bringing up the person I feared Iwouldlose sleep over. “What about Kingston?”
“Have you told him you want the truth?”
“Not yet.”
“So, start there. I mean, at least you’ll have some answers. And you’ll probably feel better when you do, no matter where you decide to go from there.”
I sighed, silently accepting that she was right.
“Now, I’m hopingwhere you decide to gois straight to P-Town, but that’s just my personal preference. Whatever you decide, I’m here for you. Your ride-or-die wingwoman, you know that.”
“You’re a meddler. That’s what.” I teased, but the thought had occurred to me, too.
She winked. “You love me.”
“I really, really do.”
Landon
“How’d it go today?”
I lifted my head to find Max Dread pretending he hadn’t just asked me a question. And while there were many things Iwantedto say in response, I gave him the truth.
“They couldn’t figure out the code.”
“Shit.”
“Why? How’d it go in yours?”
“They missed the last clue. Well, they solved it, but one of the girls reacted too quickly and they used the wrong keypad.”
“Oh…Shit.”
He nodded. Because that summed it up. It meant the scores were still close. And we wouldn’t know where Quinn fell in the ranking until points were tallied at the end.
“Maybe that’s good, though? I mean, depending on what happens in the next challenge. At least they’re pretty even, and it’s not skewed with her falling behind anyone.”
“Yeah, maybe.” Max shrugged. “At least Elaine lost points.”
I snorted. “Guess I didn’t fuck everything up, after all.”
My statement earned me a scoff.
