What the producers had in store, of course, was a game of truth or dare. Paige corralled them into a semi-circle around the firepit, a cameraman on each end, and, after a few minutes of awkward silence, Darcy’s voice resumed over the loudspeakers.
‘Lovers,’ she said, ‘it’s time to get personal. To get us in the sharing mood, each contestant will reveal their body count.’
Oliver’s stomach dropped. After a beat where the group glanced around nervously, Jack chuckled.
‘Well, I’ve got nothing to hide,’ he said, sitting back and throwing his arms around the contestants on either side of him, Declan and Maeve. He waited, building suspense, before saying, ‘Twelve.’
He turned to Maeve, raising an eyebrow. ‘Oh,’ she said, glancing at the closest camera. ‘Seven?’
Holly gave her an encouraging smile. ‘I’ll go next, but I have to admit I lost count somewhere in the low fifties. Such is the life of a bartender.’ She rolled her eyes good-naturedly, nudging Stella.
Stella considered the question for a moment. ‘Physically? Twenty-seven,’ she said. ‘But I’d like to believe I’ve had many spiritual partners.’
She didn’t prompt anyone to follow her, and there was another tense pause. Oliver stared at his feet, wondering how production would edit the challenge to make it seem fun. When he looked up, he accidentally made eye contact with Declan.
He alone seemed unbothered by the silence, leaning back with a cocky smile. Oliver felt a pang of dislike, a familiar sensation from the other times he’d found Declan studying him as though he were some sort of fascinating zoo animal.
‘I’ve had sex with 200 women,’ Callum finally announced. Niall stifled a laugh, catching Oliver’s eye, and Callum turned on him. ‘And what about you?’
Niall shrugged. ‘Couldn’t say,’ he said easily. ‘I’m not very good with numbers. Oliver?’
Oliver’s face reddened as the others turned to him. He didn’t even contemplate lying. ‘One.’
‘One?’ Callum echoed incredulously. ‘Are you taking the piss?’
Before Oliver could respond, Declan cut in. ‘Mine’s twenty-five.’
Oliver blinked at him in surprise – it was hardly the same as admitting to having only slept with one woman, but it seemed low for a semi-famous athlete.
Declan turned to Lara. ‘Your turn.’
As Lara gave her answer, Declan winked at Oliver. With the small interaction, he was certain that Declan had lied, presumably to avoid looking like a player. Oliver resented how naturally he had done it. Lying would have saved him a great deal of embarrassment.
Zoë was the final contestant to answer, and her number – three – assuaged some of Oliver’s anxiety.
‘Stella,’ Darcy said next, ‘tell the Lovers about the craziest date you’ve ever been on.’
Stella stared dreamily at no one in particular, an expression Oliver was beginning to associate with her. ‘He made a compelling pitch to me about organic farming over dinner and convinced me to come and see the plot of land he had his family working on up in Dundee. I ended up staying for a year. In hindsight, I think it may have been a cult.’
Jack laughed loudly, opening his mouth like he wanted to ask more, but was cut off by Darcy. ‘Time for a dare! Jack, choose a Lover for Holly to kiss,’ she said.
Jack looked around deviously, not seeming to deliberate before saying, ‘Callum, would you do the honours?’
Holly glared at Jack. ‘But darling,’ she said, faux-sweet, ‘aren’t you worried about me falling for another man?’
Jack grinned. ‘I’m feeling quite secure about it, actually.’
‘No need to sulk,’ Callum said, standing. ‘It’ll be the best kiss of your life.’
Holly rolled her eyes, standing and chastely pecking Callum’s lips, which he tried to extend unsuccessfully, snaking an arm around her.
‘That’s enough of that,’ Holly said sternly, swatting at his hand.
They both sat, and Darcy called on Declan next. ‘How long was your longest relationship?’ she asked.
A small crease appeared between Declan’s eyebrows as he heard the question, but he immediately smiled so brightly that Oliver forgot his frown. ‘Ah, well,’ he said, rubbing the back of his neck in what Oliver was sure was an imitation of self-consciousness. ‘I’ve never been in a relationship.’
‘Can’t commit to one woman?’ Jack asked jovially.
