Losing to Win by Michele Grant

Author:Michele Grant [Grant, Michele]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corp.
Published: 2013-08-25T16:00:00+00:00

17

This is who we are, this is what we do

Malachi—Sunday, July 3—10:02 p.m.

“Next week on Losing to Win...” the announcer’s voice blared from the television on the far wall of Carissa’s living room. I was lounging on the chaise section of Carissa’s couch dressed in cargo shorts, T-shirt, and flip-flops. Even though I was sore from yesterday’s workout, I was enjoying the time off. Tomorrow was the Fourth of July and the day after that, we had to be back on set. The immediate cast, some family, and friends were gathered here to watch the premiere.

It was far more entertaining than I had expected. Everyone had personalities that worked well on camera and kept the pace of the show engaging. Watching our lives unfold in sequences was surreal. The cameras managed to pick up a lot of interactions that we weren’t aware of. Suzette spent a lot of time on the phone to her husband complaining about everyone and everything, particularly Carissa. Suzette clearly hadn’t expected some of her words to be aired. Soon after the first scene revealed her spewing dirt about her cast mates, she got up and slipped out of the house.

XJ apparently spent a lot of time finding new and innovative ways to sneak off to restaurants around town. The problem was, the cameras caught him every time. Many townspeople had been interviewed and shared their stories or tidbits about us on camera. Carissa was considered a bit of a town hero for coming back to Belle Haven and contributing. People were very polarized about me. They either thought I was a great guy or a total asshole. One thing they all agreed on was that they wanted to see me do right by the town and by Carissa, whatever that meant.

The first episode had wrapped with me and Carissa standing in our mud-soaked clothes accepting the blind challenge. So I knew exactly what the teaser for the next episode would be. Carissa was seated across the room wearing one of those maxidress things in a shade of orange that looked great on her. As if feeling my gaze on her, she turned her head to look at me. We shared a look of resigned what-the-hell-ness and looked back toward the TV.

I watched as the onscreen Carissa stood up and stepped into Jordan’s arms. I hated seeing it again now as much as I had the first time. I kept watching as the onscreen me stood up with clenched fists and stepped forward. Everyone watching held their breath as they cut away for another teaser.

With the exception of those of us who had been there, the room broke into conversation as soon as the commercial went off.

Sugar’s voice rang out. “Whoa, cuz—love triangle?”

“Shut it, Sugar. No triangle. I’m an island.”

Ruby laughed. “Didn’t someone say no man—or woman—is an island?”

More laughter diffused the last of the tension as people started getting up to leave. I leaned back and stayed put. Jordan looked over at me from his position near the door.

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