But put me on a stool under bright lights and ask me to exist on camera? Apparently, that’s where my brain throws up a hard boundary.
I tap out a nervous rhythm against my thigh and force myself to take slow, deep breaths in and out, like that will magically rewire decades of anxiety. Aksel must notice something is off because his hand finds mine with zero hesitation. His grip is firm and grounding as he gives my fingers a few reassuring squeezes before sliding his arm around my shoulders.
The relief is immediate and almost embarrassing. I sag into him like my body’s been waiting for permission to relax its stiff hold on me.
How is it possible that we’ve only been together for a little over a month and he’s already this attuned to me? Like he can read the static in my head without me having to say a single word. It’s unfair. He’s literally perfect.
Which is honestly the worst.
Nadine directs everyone to their spots with lazy flicksofherwrist,stillseatedinherlittlerollingcomputer chair like she’s conducting an orchestra she barely tolerates. Just like Ithought, Aksel and I are placed together for family day. Close enough that our knees brush, and I can steal reassurance by leaning a fraction of an inch to the side.
Once we settle onto the stools, a makeup artist swoops in and dusts powder across our faces. It smells like chemicals and chalk, settling in my pores. I don’t know what it actually does, but they insist it’s crucial for filming so I nod like I understand and let them continue.
Crew members dart around us, adjusting lights, checking sound levels, murmuring into headsets. The energy is busy but controlled, like the calm before an emotional storm.
A few stools away, Eric is already in his element. He’s perched comfortably on his stool and flirting like his life depends on it. He’s leaning into the show host’s space, grinning wide and unapologetic, saying something that has the scary man blushing. The two betas are so wrapped up in whatever magnetic nonsense they’ve got going on that they completely miss Nadine announcing that filming is about to begin.
I knew Eric had been chasing the host for weeks, but I must’ve missed the exact moment when the man finally cracked.
Good for him.
I nudge Aksel with my elbow, just enough to pull his attention where mine is already fixed. His response is an immediate giggle-snort that tells me he sees what I do.
Eric is full-on nuzzling into Mr. Drill Sergeant, pressing himself close like he belongs there. The man, who up until this moment I was convinced had ice water for blood, lets out a breathy and undignified whimper that does not match the barked commands and intimidating scowl he usually wears.
I clamp my lips together to keep from laughing as the tensionin my chest loosens a notch.
I shake my head at their antics, the sheer ridiculousness of it all finally cutting through my nerves. Gods. This is fine. Completely fine. There is no reason for me to be spiraling.
I’m just meeting my husband’s parents on national television.
And seeing people I usedto work with.
While being filmed from two different angles.
I am totally normal and extremely chill about this.
Mr. Drill Sergeant Man gives Eric one last lingering kiss, leans in to whisper something directly into Eric’s ear, before turning and striding toward the temporary stage set up in front of the convention floor.
Eric freezes.
Then his face goes scarlet, the color bleeding all the way down his neck as he licks his lips with an almost villainous little grin.
I grimace. Time to look away.
At Nadine’s sharp signal, the host snaps into place like he’s been waiting for permission to unleash chaos.
“Welcome to Tattoo Spectacle!” he booms. “I’m your host, Ewan McManus.
His voice carries, loud and commanding, bouncing off the high ceilings of the convention area.
“As most of you have already guessed, today is family day,” he continues. “Each of the five remaining contestants has been away from their family and friends for a total of,” he pauses, glancing at his cue card, “insert number of days here.”
A ripple of laughter moves through the contestants.
“That’s a huge sacrifice,” Ewan presses on like nothing happened, “all in the name of a potential million dollars. Toboost morale, we’ve invited each contestant's closest family and friends to Vegas for the filming of the finale this Thursday!”
Nearly fifty people accepted our invitation,” he says, smiling widely. “They are incredibly proud of everything you have accomplished so far. So, without further ado, contestants, say hello to your loved ones!”
