He wasn’t lying.
The gravity of it all hits me: Garrett reallyishelping him cheat. Carter is trying to helpmecheat too.
Am I going to let him?
I still haven’t made up my mind by the time the crew start unloading. My stomach knots as we’re brought over to the edge of the forest where the race begins. The area resembles a construction site more than an obstacle course, with all the scaffolds holding up wooden platforms and the countless support beams and wires keeping everything else suspended. How could they have set this up so quickly? It wasn’t too long ago that we were here for the last challenge. Maybe it’s like one of those pop-up carnivals with roller coasters that fold up into neat boxes. Hopefully, this is more stable than that.
While I inspect the course, a technician comes by and straps us into harnesses attached to an intricate mesh of cables and pulleys. Directly in front of us are three ropes spaced ten feet apart that I’m guessing we climb to reach the first wooden platform. Beyond that, the obstacle course is a mystery, meaning we have to think onour feet and be prepared for anything. Anticipation prickles at the base of my spine.
No, that’s the feeling of eyes on me. I turn and see Seyoon staring, somewhat desperately.
“Dean, I—oof!” She tries walking forward, only to be yanked back in place by her harness. She swings around on the line before regaining her footing.
I try not to let my pursed lips wobble. There’s no time to talk, or the privacy to. Even if there were—what would I say? Would I let her know what Carter told me? Would that change anything?
She made up her mind,I remind myself bitterly.She doesn’t need me to win. She doesn’t wantme.
Carter, on the other side of Seyoon, leans back and watches our interaction carefully. He narrows his eyes at me, and I avoid looking at either of them for the rest of the time it takes Blake to send the huge crew into the forest to film us along the course. Once everyone’s ready, Garrett turns on Dazzling Smile #5 for the cameras, and we begin filming our last-ever intro.
Good morning, everyone! Thank you for joining me for the season finale ofForest Feud. It’s been such a pleasure to be your host, and—wow, this will be my last spiel, won’t it? Cue the waterworks.
It’s my greatest honor to introduce the final three: Carter Moxley, Seyoon Shin, and Dean Parker! Did someone say “legacy trio”? I did!
The cameras roll around, capturing the three of us. I think of how thrilled Dad and Meredith will be to see me in the finale, so I do my best to look happy to be here.
Campers, get ready for Treetop Adventure—an homage to the final challenge from the original run ofForest Feud. It’s everything you could ask for in a finale: an exhilarating race, daring obstacles, and the thrill of knowing you could die under a beautiful canopy of trees.
He pauses. “You all signed your safety waivers, right? It would be a PR nightmare if one of you actually fell to a painful death.”
None of us laugh.
“I’mjoking.Sheesh, I can’t believe my best material is being wasted on this group.”
The rope course will begin here and spiral through the forest. Expect unfinished bridges, obstacles that will test your dexterity, and paths that could lead you astray if you’re not careful.
This isn’t going to be easy. There’s a million dollars on the line, after all.
And only one of you can win.
Adrenaline kicks in. This is it. I can’t resist the urge to peek over at Seyoon one last time.
She’s already looking at me.
My affection for her returns with not just a wave but an ocean, threatening to pull me under.
Even if she didn’t, doesn’t,won’tneed me—I can’t help but still want her. Because of everything.
“Good luck,” Seyoon says, her brows pinched. She sounds sincere. I come up for air.
“You too.”
It’s too late. It’s all I can say.
And then, as soon as Garrett gets beyond the edge of the forest, he blows his whistle.
The final challenge is on.
41
