I laugh as I grab the eraser, ready for the rest of the questions.
We’re tied with Li and Larsen once again when we successfully get all ten of the first group of questions. Beckett grabs the board and marker from me as I hand them over the gap between us. His fingers brush mine, and I swear he holds on a millisecond longer than necessary. It’s probably wishful thinking, but I swear he does it just to touch me.
I thought it was nerve-wracking being the one to answer, but being on this side of the question is even worse: What if I forget my answer? How does Beckett know that I’d pick a photographic memory if I could have one superpower, when I ran through five options before settling on that one?
I’m not surprised when Beckett correctly answers, “What’s your colleague’s favorite coffee order?” Larsen is so annoyed by how easy the question is that he actually yells the answer from across the room before I do.
We’re still tied with Li and Larsen when Sage asks, “Which fictional character best represents them at work?”
Beckett looks at me, raising his eyes from the board, and it’s impossible to miss the unfiltered joy dancing through them.Jesus Christ.Did he pay someone to get this question in there? Actually, from the way Larsen is cackling, if anyone bribed the social media team to include it, he’s at the top of the list.
“Elsa,” I reply begrudgingly when Sage gets to us, and Larsen loses it. He’s practically falling out of his seat, the whole room staring at the spectacle. Except me. I’m staring at Beckett, who looks… genuinely happy, his head dropped back, laughter pouring from him as his shoulders shake.
It’s a goddamn sight to behold, and it does something to my heart that I fear may be irreversible.
***
It’s a tie.
“Li and Larsen—”
“Double L!” Larsen yells from his place, whacking Li on the back enthusiastically.
“Won the cooking contest,” Sabrina continues. “Coach Blake and Kane took the victory in the talent competition. It was a four-way tie last week, and this week Larsen and Li and Coach Blake and Kane tied again.”
I know the summary is needed to catch up viewers who haven’t been paying attention the whole time, but all it feels like is a reminder that I should’ve been trying harder from the beginning. Beckett and I should’ve worked with a chef to teach us how to cook. I should’ve been studying up on Colorado knowledge for the trivia portion of the last event.
During our weekly call, even my dad decided to comment on the Yeti Challenge, saying something along the lines of, “If you’re going to do something, Finley, you’d better do it well. Every single thing you do is a reflection of your work, and losing to your players is not the image you want to present to the world.”
He’s right. I should’ve done more to prepare. I could’ve performed better. And I’m not just letting down my dad, I’m letting down kids like Lilly who need something to brighten up their weeks, months, or years of treatment.
The other contestants in the room start clapping as Sabrina hands Sage a yeti bobblehead as a thank-you for her time.
“We’ll see you all the first week of April for the final contest,” Sabrina says excitedly.
“Do we get to know what it is yet?” J.D. asks.
“Nope,” Sabrina replies sweetly. “It’s a surprise.”
Larsen walks over to us. “Okay, admit it.”
“Admit what?” Beckett asks, giving the rookie some serious side-eye.
Larsen points between us, and my whole body turns to ice. He can’t know anything. There isn’t anything to know.
Beckett looks my way and raises an eyebrow. “Do you know what he’s talking about?”
“Just ignore him,” J.D. suggests as he joins our group. “That’s what I do.”
Oh good. More people to witness whatever is about to come out of Larsen’s mouth. Not that I’m worried. Because there’s nothing to be worried about.
“Oh, come on, J.D. You know those two cheated! I mean, sure, Beckett got some softballs for Coach, but do you really think she knew all those things about him? I’m pretty sure she doesn’t even know my first name.”
“You have a first name?” I ask. “I always assumed you just had the one… like Prince or Cher.”
Larsen scowls at me as the rest of the men laugh at his expense.
“Now that you mention it, I’m not entirely sure I knowanyof your first names,” I joke.
