“There are a few grizzlies, I’ll admit.” He shot her a grin as he held open the soundstage door for her. “Can’t blame most of them. The team’s under a lot of pressure, you know?”
“I can imagine.”
“But Louis’s a teddy bear. You’ll see.”
“Oh god. The Game Master. I wanted to impress him today, and I totally blew it.”
“I feel like you might be slightly overreacting.”
“I stood there like a gaping fish!”
“At the end with Sierra, sure, but that was done to you on purpose. Before that, you were great. Looking through the textbooks, working out Demeter Mev-Meevmember?”
“Dmitri Mendeleev.”
“That’s what I said.” Fitzy laughed self-consciously. It was a different experience talking to him offstage. When he was in front of the camera, he held his shoulders straight, spoke with flair, threw in clichés and puns. But in real life, he seemed unsure of himself . . . sort of like how she felt without her avatar. It was mind-boggling to think she could have anything in common with James Fitzgerald.
“Louis understands how much pressure there is on the contestants,” Fitzy went on. “He won’t judge you. Trust me.” His eyes brightened. “I have the best idea. Come on.”
He turned down a corridor, away from the greenroom.
Carter slowed. “Where are we going?”
“To see the Game Master!”
Carter stopped completely, nearly twisting her ankle in the knee-high boots.“Now?”
“Yep. You’ll see there’s nothing to be scared of,andyou can give your followers an exclusive interview at the same time. How’s that for entertainment?”
Carter’s breath hiccuped. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“C’mon.” Fitzy was getting farther away. “I’m sure he’s keen to talk to you, too. He’s seen some of your videos.”
Thathad Carter hurrying to catch up. “He has not.”
“He has!” They veered around a crew member pushing a trolley full of rattling glass beakers. “I made him watch the one where you broke down our on-screen chemistry and why we’re such a stellar hosting duo. I’ve never been so flattered.”
“Oh my god.” Carter was mortified. “If I’d knownyouwould watch those . . .”
His dimples flashed. “I meant it before. I’m a fan. And you hear things, right?Oh, the Game Master is irreplaceable, but Fitzy? Anyone can do his job.” He grimaced. “That video . . . the things you said. It meant something to me. Made me feel like I was more than the goofy sidekick.”
“You are more than the goofy sidekick. Everyone loves you.”
“Thanks,” said Fitzy, “but sometimes I wonder if the fans think the show would be better with someone else in the role. Someone smart—like you.”
“No way. You’re the heart and spirit of this show.”
Fitzy slapped a hand over his chest. “Lucky we’re here, so you can stop embarrassing me. My head will get too big to fit on the screen.” He gestured at a door with the nameLOUIS AUGUSTUS RUSSELLon a plaque. “Ready to meet the Game Master?”
He didn’t wait for an answer before pushing open the door. Beyond it was a gray-and-black dressing room lined with brimming bookshelves and lit by brass lamps. The Game Master lounged in a leather computer chair, one ankle kicked over his knee, halfway through a crossword book. He glanced up. A hint of irritation shot through his eyes when he spotted Fitzy but faded the moment he noticed Carter. “Well, well,” he said in his deep voice, tucking the pen behind his ear. “If it isn’t our resident influencer.”
He stood, swiftly and gracefully despite his size. Carter found herself inching closer to Fitzy.
“You got a minute?” Fitzy asked. “I thought you could do a one-on-one with Carter. Drum up some early buzz for the season?”
“Oh, um, thanks Fitzy,” she said. “But I don’t want to be a bother, and I should probably check with the producer before—”
“No, that’s a fantastic idea,” said Louis. “My wife won’t mind. What’s good for the show is good for her.”
