I push off the counter and head for the stairs, refusing to entertain this back and forth. I’m too tired. Too preoccupied by the pretty girl upstairs, sulking and alone.
“Drop it, Jules.”
He doesn’t drop it, though, per usual. Instead, he saddles up next to me, egging me on further. “It’s Taylor, isn’t it?”
I stop short on the first stair. “What?”
“It’s Taylor.” His grin widens at whatever reaction flickers across my face, andfuck—I instantly know I’ve given myself away.
“Absolutely not, that’s ludicrous.”
“Is it, though?”
The arrogant way he cocks his head in challenge makes me want to take him to the ground like we’re kids again. I size him up out of habit, head to toe.
He isn’t bigger than me.
I could definitely still take him.
“Of course it is.”
“You watch her like you don’t believe she’s real, man. If I didn’t already know how much you hate relationships, I’d bet anything you’re working up the nerve to make a move.”
“I watch everyone,” I argue, crossing my arms, conveniently ignoring the second half of that. I don’t hate relationships. I just don’t think most people are worth the effort.
“Youobserveeveryone. Youlingeron her.”
I open my mouth to defend myself, then close it again.
Julian hums at my silence, like he knows he’s got me.
“She’s just… different than everyone back home.”
I sigh as I think about all the little ways Taylor shines that others could never compete with. “And she actuallylikesbeing here, no matter what the judges throw at us.”
“And you don’t?”
I hesitate.
Do I like being here?
I don’t know. I didn’t ask to be on the show. All I know for sure is that I didn’t want to come, but now that I’m here, I’m having a good time.
“I didn’t.”
“But now you do.”
His words aren’t a question but a declaration. He’s thoughtful for a minute before continuing. “You know, it’s hard to miss when you smile because it doesn’t happen often, but it’s been happening a lot more since you’ve been here.”
“I don’t smile.”
“You did today. And I saw one yesterday too.”
I scoff and head upstairs, putting distance between us before he can say anything else. His laugh chases me down the hallway.
I did smile today smack dab in the middle of the tent.
The catalyst is clear in my mind—Taylor across the tent, hair escaping her ponytail, laughing at something one of the hosts said.
