public
vote. The last surviving couple at the
end of the six week show would have to compete against each other for the grand
prize.
Seth hoped Maya wasn't one of those who’d come up with the idea of a
show that encouraged contestants to fall for each other just so it would make
better TV when they turned on each other for money at the end.
"We've won most of the challenges so far. If we carry on the same
way, we won't even make it into the vote."
"He's gonna be watching us closely, Seth."
"Then we'd better give him a show. Come on, get your butt in the shower. We've got to meet the rest of the crew down in
reception in less than an hour."
Early afternoon found them on the east coast of the island, where the
Caribbean Sea gave way to the Atlantic Ocean and the waves formed big rollers,
ideal for surfing. The teams were deposited along the beach half a mile from
each other. From there, they had to construct a raft from the supplies
provided, paddle out to a buoy moored a mile off the coast and bring back a
team tag hidden inside. The next stage would require them to jog to a point on
top of the hill and attach their tag to the leader board before anyone else.
Seth and Alice got down to the task, their confidence high, but things
didn't go to plan. Neither of them had slept very well, and it showed. Seth had
half his usual strength and stamina, and Alice was having trouble concentrating
and spent most of the challenge on the verge of tears. Constructing the raft
took a long time, and Seth was sure they were way behind the pace by the time they'd
retrieved the tag and started the short run to the finish line.
They came in fourth in a field of five teams. Seth wanted to laugh but
couldn't muster the humor or the strength. They'd been worried about Ben
sabotaging their chances, but they'd done it to themselves.
Alice walked away as soon as they crossed the line. He saw her shoulders
slump and knew she was probably upset and blaming herself. He followed her,
aware that the cameras were still rolling.
"Alice, wait up."
Seth caught up with her and pulled her into his arms, intending only to
comfort her, but Alice had other ideas. Her lips found his before he knew what
she was planning. The kiss wasn't intimate or even very nice, but he couldn't
shove her away in front of everyone and make it obvious they were nothing more
than friends. Alice broke the kiss and hid her face in the crook of his neck.
He wanted to ask her what in the hell she thought she was doing, but he
still had an open mic clipped to his vest and couldn't risk being
overheard. Alice slid out of his arms
and turned to walk back to the rest of the crew.
Seth turned to follow her down and spotted Maya standing beside one of
the bright yellow Mini Mokes the crew had driven up
to the location, staring right at him. There was no way she'd missed the little show Alice had just put on for
the benefit of everyone watching.
She must have been hiding from him because it was the first time he'd
laid eyes on her all day. Guilt crawled up his spine, and the urge to explain
what she'd just witnessed before she got the wrong idea almost overwhelmed him.
He took a step toward her then stopped dead in his tracks, remembering that she
probably didn't give a damn who he kissed anyway. He held her gaze and
shrugged, letting her think whatever the hell she wanted.
Maya climbed into the jeep and drove away without even acknowledging his
presence. Seth watched her drive off,
angry that he was still so crazy about her that he cared if she got the wrong
impression, even after all that had happened between them.
That anger hadn't left him by the time he got a chance to talk to Alice
alone later that evening.
"Do you mind telling me what the fuck possessed you back
there?"
"Calm down. The idea just came to me. I couldn't warn you before
because we were still filming."
"Well you should have checked with me first."
"What's the big deal? I did it for you as
vote. The last surviving couple at the
end of the six week show would have to compete against each other for the grand
prize.
Seth hoped Maya wasn't one of those who’d come up with the idea of a
show that encouraged contestants to fall for each other just so it would make
better TV when they turned on each other for money at the end.
"We've won most of the challenges so far. If we carry on the same
way, we won't even make it into the vote."
"He's gonna be watching us closely, Seth."
"Then we'd better give him a show. Come on, get your butt in the shower. We've got to meet the rest of the crew down in
reception in less than an hour."
Early afternoon found them on the east coast of the island, where the
Caribbean Sea gave way to the Atlantic Ocean and the waves formed big rollers,
ideal for surfing. The teams were deposited along the beach half a mile from
each other. From there, they had to construct a raft from the supplies
provided, paddle out to a buoy moored a mile off the coast and bring back a
team tag hidden inside. The next stage would require them to jog to a point on
top of the hill and attach their tag to the leader board before anyone else.
Seth and Alice got down to the task, their confidence high, but things
didn't go to plan. Neither of them had slept very well, and it showed. Seth had
half his usual strength and stamina, and Alice was having trouble concentrating
and spent most of the challenge on the verge of tears. Constructing the raft
took a long time, and Seth was sure they were way behind the pace by the time they'd
retrieved the tag and started the short run to the finish line.
They came in fourth in a field of five teams. Seth wanted to laugh but
couldn't muster the humor or the strength. They'd been worried about Ben
sabotaging their chances, but they'd done it to themselves.
Alice walked away as soon as they crossed the line. He saw her shoulders
slump and knew she was probably upset and blaming herself. He followed her,
aware that the cameras were still rolling.
"Alice, wait up."
Seth caught up with her and pulled her into his arms, intending only to
comfort her, but Alice had other ideas. Her lips found his before he knew what
she was planning. The kiss wasn't intimate or even very nice, but he couldn't
shove her away in front of everyone and make it obvious they were nothing more
than friends. Alice broke the kiss and hid her face in the crook of his neck.
He wanted to ask her what in the hell she thought she was doing, but he
still had an open mic clipped to his vest and couldn't risk being
overheard. Alice slid out of his arms
and turned to walk back to the rest of the crew.
Seth turned to follow her down and spotted Maya standing beside one of
the bright yellow Mini Mokes the crew had driven up
to the location, staring right at him. There was no way she'd missed the little show Alice had just put on for
the benefit of everyone watching.
She must have been hiding from him because it was the first time he'd
laid eyes on her all day. Guilt crawled up his spine, and the urge to explain
what she'd just witnessed before she got the wrong idea almost overwhelmed him.
He took a step toward her then stopped dead in his tracks, remembering that she
probably didn't give a damn who he kissed anyway. He held her gaze and
shrugged, letting her think whatever the hell she wanted.
Maya climbed into the jeep and drove away without even acknowledging his
presence. Seth watched her drive off,
angry that he was still so crazy about her that he cared if she got the wrong
impression, even after all that had happened between them.
That anger hadn't left him by the time he got a chance to talk to Alice
alone later that evening.
"Do you mind telling me what the fuck possessed you back
there?"
"Calm down. The idea just came to me. I couldn't warn you before
because we were still filming."
"Well you should have checked with me first."
"What's the big deal? I did it for you as
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