Unscripted Love: The Complete Reality TV Romance Collection Page 14

  As she turned to talk to him, the door to his room closed. Cassidy was left in the hall alone and she suddenly felt very lonely. Her chest ached. She hadn’t felt this way since Brad had left her standing alone on the sidewalk, brokenhearted. Why did everyone leave her?

  • • •

  “We’ll see you back here in a few days to find out who stays and who goes home.” Spencer turned from the ladies to the camera. “America, it’s up to you to decide which of these three young ladies still has a chance at becoming The One.”

  Paige stood beside Spencer in the bottom three again, already looking crushed. Cassidy knew all the girls had their own reasons for being here and that everyone deserved to stay, but she couldn’t help wishing that this time it would be Holly and Lauren who went home instead of Paige.

  “I’m sorry, Paige.”

  “Thanks,” Paige said, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. “I hope they send me home this time and put me out of my misery. I can’t take hanging out for another week just to be in the bottom three again. I mean, it’s obvious he doesn’t like me.”

  “I don’t know what he’s thinking.” Cassidy wrapped her arm around Paige. “Let’s get you a drink and we’ll drown your ‘bottom three’ sorrows until you’ve forgotten them.”

  “Sounds good. Anything to dull the humiliation of being in the bottom three — again.”

  Cassidy and Paige walked into the kitchen. As Paige got comfortable on the stools beside the kitchen island, Cassidy found a bottle of champagne in the fridge and a couple of glasses. She filled them and handed one to Paige.

  “Champagne? Does my humiliation make you feel like celebrating?”

  “Don’t be silly, Paige. We’re going to celebrate this experience and our friendship, which we wouldn’t have had without coming here and sacrificing our dignity for the betterment of American television.”

  Cassidy and Paige clinked their glasses and polished off the champagne in one shot. “How ’bout another?”

  “You certainly know how to put a positive spin on things.”

  “I know this is hard, Paige, but coming here was about more than just meeting Brad, right? It’s about the experience, too. Just because Brad is too stupid to see what an awesome girl you are, doesn’t mean the whole thing was a waste.”

  “I guess you’re right. I just really wanted to fall in love, ya know?”

  “I know. But you can’t fall in love unless it’s the right guy, and maybe Brad isn’t him. I bet Mr. Right is out there now, shaking his head at the TV, wondering how Brad could be so stupid to let you go and thanking his lucky stars he’ll get a chance with you.”

  “I hope you’re right,” Paige said, emptying her second glass in one last gulp of champagne. “Maybe I’ll take a refill up to my room to help me pack.”

  “Who said anything about packing? You don’t know you’re going home.”

  “Call it a hunch or intuition or whatever. But I feel like I’m definitely going home.” Paige sighed and put her head in her hands. “Honestly, I’m ready to go home. I don’t think my ego can stand another round in the bottom three.”

  “You want help packing?”

  “Sure, if you don’t have anything better to do.”

  Spending quality time kissing Evan was out of the question since he was still acting pissy toward her. Hanging out with Paige sounded exactly like what she needed right now. Cassidy grabbed the bottle of champagne. “It could be a long night of packing. We might need refreshments.”

  “Good thinking.” Paige grabbed it from her hand and took a drink right from the bottle before leaving the kitchen and heading up to her room.

  • • •

  Cassidy stumbled out of Paige’s room, slamming the door behind her. “Shhh,” she whisper-yelled at Evan. “You’re being too loud.”

  Cassidy glared at Evan as she walked backward down the hall. “Did you just roll your eyes at me? You shouldn’t do that. If you’re not careful, they might get stuck that way.”

  “I’ll take my chances.”

  Cameraman McCutiepants is very cute tonight. He’s so yummy, I just want a little taste.

  Cassidy smiled in what she hoped was a sultry way and wiggled her fingers at Evan to follow her. She leaned up against her door and fumbled with the key. “Can you help me, Evan?” She placed the key in his hand, letting her fingers linger on his.

  He took the key and opened her door. “I think you might need lessons in how to open your door. It seems I help you with that key a lot.”

  Cassidy locked her eyes on Evan. “You can give me lessons in whatever you want tonight.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Evan shook his head. “I don’t think so, Cassidy. What you need right now is bed.”

  “And here I thought you might want to pick up where things left off earlier.” Cassidy attempted to make sexy eyes at him, hoping to entice him into her room for some fun.

  “I think you’re drunk, and you need to lower your voice before someone hears you.” Evan put his hands on her arms and guided her into the room.

  Cassidy gazed up at him through heavy lashes. “No one will hear us. Everyone’s in bed.”

  “You should be in bed, too.”

  “Aren’t you going to help me find it?”

  “You’re standing right beside it. I think you can find your own way under the sheets.”

  “Why are you being so cold? You weren’t cold earlier.” Cassidy walked her fingers up Evan’s chest. “If I’m remembering correctly, you were very hot and very excited earlier. I’m ready for a little more excitement, aren’t you?”

  Evan took Cassidy’s hand and gently pushed it away. “I think between myself, Brad, and a bottle of champagne, you’ve had more than enough excitement for one day.”

  Cassidy slumped to the bed feeling annoyed and confused as he turned away.

  “Get some sleep. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Evan walked out of her room, closing the door behind him.

  What the hell’s his problem? One minute he wants me, and the next he can’t get away from me fast enough.

  Cassidy climbed under the sheets, not bothering to undress. “How do I make my ceiling stop spinning?”

  One stupid, unwanted kiss with Brad and Evan’s all pissy? Doesn’t he know I didn’t ask to kiss the Basset hound?

  Cassidy yawned and closed her eyes. Her head spun and danced like bubbles in a glass of champagne.

  Best kiss and worst kiss all in a matter of hours. Weirdest day ever.

  • • •

  Evan panned the camera from Cassidy to the girls still waiting to hear their fate. Now that Holly had been sent home, it was down to Paige and Lauren.

  Evan pulled the camera back to focus on Cassidy. He didn’t want to watch her reaction when Brad read the last name out loud, but that’s what he was paid to do. He sucked it up and pushed his zoom in closer to Cassidy, focusing on her face and the lines of worry creasing her forehead.

  “I’m sorry girls, but I have to do this,” Brad said, sounding genuinely forlorn. “I think both of you are great girls and I had no reason to put you in this position other than I simply felt like I had more chemistry with some of the other girls.”

  Sliding the card out of the envelope, he paused before reading the name found inside. “The last girl going home tonight is … Paige.”

  Tears spilled down Cassidy’s cheeks as she stared at Paige. Evan’s heart twisted in his chest at the sight of Cassidy crying for her friend. He would have given anything for the ability to comfort her, but he was working and no amount of wanting would make it okay for him to comfort Cassidy.

  He was still upset about the kiss at the skydiving school, but her tears instantly dampened his annoyance. He may not be able to look at Brad without wanting to punch him in his Cassidy-k
issing face, but he could still look at Cassidy all day, every day. And right now, all he could see was the sadness darkening her eyes.

  Paige gave each girl a hug. Some whispered kind words in her ear, others could barely be bothered faking it for the cameras. When Paige got to Cassidy, the two hugged so tight, Evan thought they may suffocate each other, but the sounds of gasps and sobs let him know that they were indeed still breathing, even if it was through a veil of sadness.

  “I know there’s someone else out there for you,” Cassidy whispered so quietly the mic pack almost couldn’t pick it up.

  “I’ll miss you.”

  “I’ll miss you, too. I’ll call you as soon as I’m out of this house.”

  “I know it’s hard to see friends leave,” Spencer said as Paige walked away, “but the good news is the four of you are still here and the journey continues. For the next challenge, you need to pack a small suitcase with a few essential things.”

  “I have something to say,” Lauren said from Spencer’s side.

  Spencer looked shocked for a fraction of a second before regaining his calm demeanor. “Of course, Lauren. What is it?”

  “I — I’m leaving tonight, too.” There was a shocked silence while her words sank in. “I know I made an agreement to stay until I was voted off, but, um, I haven’t been feeling well. I saw the medic this morning and he advised me to seek proper testing with my regular doctor. I’m so sorry but I have to go.”

  Spencer put his arm across her shoulders in an unusual show of support. “I’m sorry, too. We’re all sad to see you leave. Please take care of yourself.”

  As Lauren hugged each of the women goodbye, Spencer turned to face directly into the camera, addressing the viewing audience. “We’ll see you again in a few days as we find out what crazy adventure these three girls will go on next and who will be one step closer to becoming … The One.”

  • • •

  Cassidy sat on the interview sofa, her insides still turning and twisting. She knew she looked like hell, too. The makeup person had tried to make her less puffy and red, but pressed powder could do only so much.

  The sooner this interview ended the sooner she could go to her room and hide for the rest of the night. It wasn’t the end of the world to say goodbye to Paige, but it certainly hadn’t been fun, either.

  “Can we get started now, Evan?”

  “Absolutely,” he said sitting down behind the camera. “Let’s start with the elimination this week. How do you feel about the girls chosen for the bottom three?”

  “I’m really bummed. My good friend Paige was in the bottom three and America didn’t give her enough votes to stay.” Cassidy twisted a tissue in her hands, swallowing the tears threatening to fall. The last thing she wanted was to be on television with a snotty nose and mascara streaking down her face.

  “She’s a really awesome girl and I think Brad is a moron for sending her home. Of course, he never was the sharpest knife in the drawer. You know, I had to change the battery in his smoke detector because he couldn’t figure out how to get the old battery out.”

  Evan smirked behind the camera. “Did you get a chance to say goodbye to Paige before she left?”

  “Yes. It was really hard to say goodbye. Harder than I thought it would be, but then I hadn’t really expected to make such good friends while I was here, either. The night we found out she was in the bottom three again, we spent some time together hanging out. I really didn’t expect her to be the one sent home, and I was sad to say goodbye.”

  “I believe there was some celebrating done as well? With champagne?”

  “Not celebrating her leaving, but we did celebrate our friendship. And yes, there may have been a glass or two of champagne involved while we packed up her stuff.”

  “Only a glass or two? Not, say, a bottle?”

  Of course, Evan already knew the answer since he’d seen the drunken mess she’d become after said bottle of champagne, but he had to ask so the viewing audience would know her little secret, too.

  “A glass, a bottle. Who’s to say? Next question, please.” Cassidy giggled, feeling slightly better than she had earlier with the memory of her last night with Paige.

  “Why don’t we talk about the challenge this week? What did you have to do this time?”

  Cassidy took a deep breath before answering, happy to not have to deal with any more questions about Paige. That also meant she’d probably be able to make it through the entire interview without crying, which was a huge relief. She wasn’t one of those girls who was a pretty crier. There was nothing pretty about snot, splotchy red cheeks, and puffy pink eyes.

  “This week we went to an indoor skydiving facility. We flew in a vertical wind tunnel that simulates the free fall a skydiver experiences. It was so much fun.”

  “How did everyone do in the tunnel?”

  “A couple of girls, like Paige, didn’t really get the hang of it and had trouble in the tunnel, but everyone else seemed to do well.”

  “How did you do in the tunnel?”

  “I actually did okay for a change. I know I’ve sucked at everything else so far, but this time I did great. I loved every minute of my flight.”

  “And Brad flew with you?” Cassidy heard the tone in his voice change.

  “Yep, Brad went on a two minute flight with each of the girls.”

  “Did you enjoy your flight with him?”

  There’s that tone again.

  “Yeah, I mean I enjoyed the experience overall.” Memories of flying filled her thoughts. “Brad was actually great to fly with. He stayed calm in the wind, so he made me feel less nervous than I would have been if I’d had to go by myself.”

  “Do you think you’ll do something like that again?”

  “Sure. It was fun and different from anything I’ve ever done before. I would love to try it again.”

  Cassidy noticed Evan lean back in the chair as though he was trying to put as much distance as he could between them. It reminded her of the ride back from the challenge. That was another item on her list of things to talk to him about. Soon.

  “Tell me about your flight with Brad?”

  Cassidy put on the best happy face she could conjure. “When it was our turn, we had to put on these huge goggles. It wasn’t the sexiest outfit ever, but I tried not to focus on how stupid I looked.” She laughed, hoping to lighten the serious mood suddenly filling the room. “We held hands in the tunnel so we would stay together and not bump into each other. It was like one long belly flop in the air. When our two minutes was up, the instructor pulled us to the side to where we were able to stand.”

  “Then what happened?”

  Nothing.

  Cassidy’s palms were moist from nervousness. This wasn’t the line of questioning she wanted to answer. “Then Brad took the next girl for a flight.”

  Evan cleared his throat. “So nothing else happened after your flight with Brad and before his flight with the next girl? Nothing at all? You guys didn’t speak to each other or — anything?”

  Why is he pushing this?

  “We felt great after the flight when the adrenaline kicked in. We laughed and hugged and talked about how awesome it was to fly.”

  There, now let it go.

  “And then what happened?”

  “Then he — uh,” she sighed, feeling defeated. “He kissed me.”

  “And how was it?”

  “Unexpected.”

  “Was it good?”

  “It was … ” She twirled a strand of hair, trying to find the right word. “Surprising.”

  “Did you want Brad to kiss you?” Evan sat forward in his chair.

  “I wasn’t even thinking about Brad kissing me, so I wouldn’t say I wanted him to. I wasn’t hoping for it or anticipating it.” Why is
he being so hard on me? Move on already.

  “I was excited about my flight and I was so happy to have shared that experience with Brad. We hugged and it felt great. Sort of like hugging a good friend you haven’t seen in years — and then he kissed me and I didn’t have a chance to think about it because it happened so fast.”

  “So Brad is a good friend now? You guys have gotten past your differences and are rekindling a friendship — a relationship?”

  There was attitude in his voice Cassidy had never heard before. She didn’t like it.

  “I was trying to explain how I felt after the experience. I wasn’t saying Brad and I are best friends or anything, and we certainly aren’t in a relationship again. No matter what happens between us, in some ways I’ll always feel like he’s an old friend. When you have memories with someone — especially romantic memories — it’s hard to forget them. But, that doesn’t mean we’re best buddies or anything. He’s still my ex and one spin in the wind tunnel isn’t going to make me forget that.”

  Her temper rose like the steam from the subway vents on a hot July day in the city. Why is he being such a jerk about everything? I’ve kissed Brad a million times. It’s not a big deal.

  “Are you excited to be staying for the next challenge?”

  She took a deep breath, thrilled to be onto a different subject. “I’m definitely excited to still be in the competition. I can’t even guess what they’ll make us do next, but I’m curious to see what it’ll be.”

  “How do you feel about the private date with Brad? Are you already looking forward to kissing him again without the other girls around?” Evan almost hissed the words.

  No, I’m not. Not unless you count the feeling of dread sitting in my stomach like a lump of cold oatmeal at the thought of another sloppy kiss from Brad.

  “I don’t know what Brad plans to do or not do, so why waste time thinking about it? This whole thing is very strange to me, okay? Can we stop talking about a kiss that may or may not happen?”