I nodded.
“You’re doing this show for your sister, right?”
“Yes.”
“Well, you’re doing a shitty job of keeping the show alive.”
“Me? Because my interview sucks?”
“No, no. Not you personally. All of you. Both teams. Charles brought in the film crew to work around the clock and ensure that every interaction outside your rooms is recorded. Know why? He’s bored, and if the dynamic of this group doesn’t shift to something more entertaining in the next day or so, Dennis will cancel the whole thing.”
“Good.”
Hughtsked. “What would Olivia say? Our job is to dig up the dirt. Make you more interesting. We are meant to record all your ugly moments. All the fights. All the rumors. You name it. We’re going to catch the snappy comments, the petty arguments, and everything you don’t want us to catch. Hell, if we can’t dig up rumors, we’ll start our own. Whatever it takes to make good television drama.”
Hugh glanced back toward the rooms before continuing. “When Vern and Maggie hired an Uber last night and snuck off to the bar together, we were there. When Olivia dragged Jazz behind the motel and threatened to kick his ass if he didn’t learn to shut his mouth, we saw it. Your sister is feisty, but don’t think she’s on your side, Gale, because she’s not.”
My insides went cold. “W-what do you mean?”
“She forgot to look for us when she complained to Roe about you. I believe her words were, ‘He’s made of glass. He’s never had the balls to stand up for himself. I can’t believe we’re related, let alone twins.’”
“She didn’t say that.”
“Are you sure?”
I wasn’t. Olivia and I didn’t always get along, and she’d been cruel in the past, but she loved me. Our twin bond was something we’d always cherished.
Hugh continued. “When Vern bribed her to rig the straws to ensure he was in Lex’s vehicle, we got that on film too. These moments are what will make the show entertaining. Exposing people for who they are. Stirring the pot. No filtering. No editing. Raw, juicy goodness. Your lives aren’t secret anymore, Gale. You signed a contract and agreed to this. Remember that.”
“Why does that sound like a threat?”
“Not a threat. A heads-up.”
I rolled his words around, tasting their bitter essence. “And you wonder why I don’t want to be part of this.”
Hugh chuckled. “Oh, I don’t wonder. I know, and I sure as shit wouldn’t want every nuance of my life on display either.” He paused, sizing me up and down before adding, “Especially if I had something I didn’t want other people to know about.”
Hugh rapped his knuckles on the table and pushed to his feet. “Anyhow. Something to keep in mind, my friend. Good luck with your chase tonight. I hear it’s stirring to be a doozy.”
27
Gale
Istayed in my room the rest of the day, avoiding cameras, avoiding Ozrik, avoiding my sister and her questions. I packed my bag, intent on leaving. Forget the contract. They could sue me for all I cared. Then guilt surfaced, and I collapsed on the bed.
Had Olivia said those things? I doubted it. Hugh wanted me angry. He wanted confrontation. It was all a game. Yet, Hugh’s warning or threat or whatever it was meant to be wouldn’t leave me alone. My life was under a microscope, being recorded for other people’s entertainment. I had too much to lose.
I should have left, but I stayed.
I tried to read, but my thoughts were a maelstrom. A real walk, snapping a few pictures, would have cleared my head. The sky was full of dark clouds. They leeched daylight and turned the afternoon unpleasantly gloomy. It would have looked great on film.
But they were watching my every move, and I couldn’t bring myself to leave the room.
Noah appeared around four, lingering by the door.
I avoided eye contact.
“Oz sent me to check on you.”
