Maybe it’s the same thing I’m doing right now, turning down a chance to be on a TV show because Uncle Aaron might not like it. No, scratch that. Uncle Aaron definitely won’t like it but ... who cares? I won’t be hurting anybody. I’ll just be in a crowd of faces. I might not even make it into the final cut of the episode.
Taking in a deep breath, I look to Grady. “Wanna be on TV with me?”
Grady glances back and forth between Lyle and me, seeming to recognize something important has just shifted. Then he smiles. “Sure. Why not? As long as we can have a proper catch-up ...”
Chapter 22
Wes
Anew day, a new humiliation devised at the maniacal hands of Sienna Diaz and Raquel Ezra. I’m currently standing in the warm sun, under blazing film lights, talking with the other guys and trying to pretend like I’m psyched to be here because I’m so into Harmony.
Once we’re all in formation and the director cues us in, the show’s host, Chet Hodgkins, beams his megawatt smile at the camera. A former NFL tight end turned TV announcer, he’s the kind of person for whom it feels like you need to use their full name, every time—more a product than a person.Chet Hodgkins. “We’re back. Mountain Men, how did you enjoy your modeling gig yesterday?”
Some of the guys really ham it up for the camera, I’ve noticed. Guys who seem to have nothing to say in between shots suddenly become Mr. Personality once they get a shot at screen time. I guess these shows always have people who are only in it to get famous. Then again, I’m lying about my entire identity, so I guess I’m in no place to judge.
The thought curdles in my stomach, but I do my best to smile and be easy, carefree Nate R. “Awesome,” I echo along with some of the other guys.
Chet Hodgkins grins back at us. His teeth aresowhite—it’s a bit uncanny, but it must look good on camera. “That’s great, guys. I’m sure we all know how important it is to give to charity. And don’t worry, I’ve asked and yes, you can keep thered underwear from the photoshoot yesterday.” Pause for laughter. “If you could use one word to describe the shoot, what would it be?”
“Humiliating,” one guy calls out, but his voice sounds good-natured, and the rest of us laugh.
I don’t particularly want to draw attention to myself, but I remember I’m supposed to be the “funny guy,” and I really do need to get my head in the game. So I look straight at the camera and wink. “Liberating.”
That earns some more laughter, and Chet Hodgkins shakes his head at the camera, still grinning. “We have all kinds here, don’t we?” He claps his hands together, signaling a more serious shift. “Well, the day is still young, and the Mountainettes are eager to make the most of it. Ladies, why don’t you join us now?”
The four Mountainettes walk into the shot, arms linked together. They were present yesterday throughout the shoot, watching us get our pictures taken and interacting with us through staged bits when the camera was rolling. I saw Harmony in passing, but aside from one short conversation about my coonskin cap, we didn’t get a chance to speak much. Maybe that means she’s already become more interested in one of the other guys.
The thought shouldn’t fill me with so much hope.
Once the Mountainettes are lined up next to Chet Hodgkins, he beams broadly at the camera. “It’s time for the Mountainettes to get to know their Mountain Men better. For the rest of the day, each Mountainette will choose the Mountain Man contestant of her choice to go on a date—just the two of them.”
At this news, I feel the guys shifting around me, all of them eager to be singled out—whether for more screen time or more time with one of the women, it’s hard to say. I’m probably the only guy standing here hoping I won’t be picked.
Chet Hodgkins slightly angles his body toward the Mountainettes, while still keeping his face mostly turned toward the camera. “Allison, let’s start with you ...”
I zone out slightly as Allison gives an obviously rehearsed speech and then chooses one of her contestants. This will be the first prolonged one-on-one time the Mountain Men will be getting with the Mountainettes. Whoever gets to spend this time with a Mountainette will probably be the first to startreally building a bond with her. I should be frothing at the mouth for this opportunity with Harmony.
So why do I wince as Harmony steps forward to take her turn?
Dumb question. I know why.
My eyes instinctively search for Nina in the crowd, but she isn’t here. She hasn’t been here all morning. I try not to think about what that could mean—if Aaron Miller has somehow discovered she’s being onboarded as an informant for the FBI. Who knows how desperate he could become if he finds out he’s under investigation. How dangerous. If he’s prevented her from leaving, or hurt her in any way ...
Stop it, brain, I tell myself firmly. It’s hard for me not to catastrophize when I’m undercover. There are just too many things that could go wrong at any given point in a case. Adding a civilian into the mix makes things that much more volatile. And when that civilian isNina, sweet, lovely Nina, with her reluctant smiles and those dark, expressive eyes ... I’m going to have to work twice as hard to stay focused on the mission.
“Gentlemen, I really appreciate you putting yourselves out there yesterday,” Harmony begins, sweeping her gaze over each of her six remaining contestants in turn. “As most of you know by now, giving back to the community is one of my core values, and I was so impressed to see how willing all of you were.”
I fight to keep my face blank, despite feeling a twinge of instinctive dislike. Listen, I also think helping people is important, but in my experience? When you have to go around announcing to everyone how charitable you are, you’re usually doing it for yourself, and not for other people.
I’m probably being ungenerous, though. Most likely, Harmony was encouraged to say something like that by one of her producers. And why shouldn’t she take the opportunity to establish her brand and try to go after her dreams?
“But I think it’s obvious that one of you put his dignity on the line more than the others,” Harmony continues with a laugh. “And that willingness to go above and beyond really impressed me. So today, I’d like to take Nate R. on my date.”
Nate R.
Holy shit, that’s me.
I almost don’t manage to curb my look of dismay, but at the last minute, I transform it into one of surprise, instead. “Even with the coonskin cap?” I ask, earning some more laughter from the other contestants.
