“It sounds like you’re counting on everyone else to make deals to save you.”
I frowned, a bit irritated by that assumption. “Not at all. I’m playing this game, but part of my strategy is to let others take the heat at the beginning. Right now, Jendan and Brodie are the stars of the show. I’ll carry my end when it’s time. It’s just not time right now.”
“Any enemies in the house?”
“I don’t know if I have enemies as much as there are people that I don’t totally trust. And by that, I mean everyone. Casper and Marla are the most paranoid, though. If I had to choose who I trust the least, I’d pick those two…which makes it real interesting considering that I’m allied with one of them.”
“What about Jayme and Fido? They have Power this week. How do you feel about them?”
“I’m marginally fine with Jayme because Brodie says we can trust her. I haven’t really had a chance to talk to Fido all that much one-on-one, so I’m hoping he goes along with whatever Jayme wants.”
“You think she’s leading that team?”
I laughed. “She is totally leading that team. Fido’s a nice guy, but Jayme runs right over him.”
“And what about your team? Who’s in charge of the Brodie-Kandis alliance?”
I paused. That was a very good question.
~~ * ~~
“So,” Jendan said, rubbing suntan lotion on his shoulders before laying down on his beach-towel. His voice was low. “I don’t want you to panic, but I have heard about a plan this week.”
I looked over at Jendan, my head propped on my hands as I tanned my back. It was a lazy day in the house. The smokers were all hanging out near the couches and listening to Marla tell another story about her kids. Sunnie and Jayme and Brodie were in the kitchen, baking (and flirting). Jendan and I had the pool all to ourselves, and we’d swam a little and were now laying out to catch some sun. “What sort of plan this week?”
He glanced at the door to make sure no one was heading our way and then looked back at me. “Jayme’s putting you and Brodie up on the block.”
Well, shit. “She is? But what about the Mickey thing?” How was it that they voted out Mickey because he was creeping on me, only to turn around and want to vote out either myself or Brodie? I thought everyone liked my partner.
Jendan nodded. “They told Marla that the plan is to put you two up on the block. They won’t put me and Marla up, and they said they can control Sunnie and Casper. That leaves you and Brodie on the outs, and the plan is to keep Brodie.”
My eyes widened. I sat up. “Wait, I’m the target? Not Brodie?” Shit. Maybe everyone liked my partner too much.
“Calm down,” Jendan said, glancing around. “And lay back down.”
I did so, though I wanted to drum my feet—or go swim a lap—out of nerves. I settled for twirling a lock of my long hair, over and over again. “So tell me about this plan. Why me? What did I do to them?”
“It’s not you specifically. It’s that they don’t trust the two of you together. Too sneaky. And everyone’s suspicious of a house romance.”
I sputtered. “House romance? Are you serious?”
“Sunnie, Marla, and Jayme all think there’s something going on between you and Brodie.”
“There’s not!”
Jendan turned on his side and gave me a suspicious look. “You’d tell me if there was, right? Because it affects how I vote, too.”
“I swear, we are not sleeping together.” I made an X motion over my chest, a simulation of ‘cross my heart.’ “He’s just my partner.”
“Yeah, but you guys are pretty tight. You have to admit that’s true. And he pushed that last vote hard because he wanted to protect you from Mickey.” Jendan tilted his head, studying me. “And I saw him coming out of your shower, naked.”
Damn. He’d seen that? I twirled the lock of hair harder, the coil around my finger getting tighter and tighter. “He just did that so we could talk.”
“Uh huh. Naked?”
“So we could talk privately,” I amended.
“And I ask again, naked?”
“It wasn’t my idea.” But it sounded lame even as I said it. “We’re not together. Honest. I really like Brodie—he’s impossible not to like. But I saw The World Races and how he sucked face with Tesla and ditched Katy as soon as he had the chance. So do I like the guy? Yeah. Do I trust him not to throw me over? Not in the slightest.”
“As long as you promise to tell me if it changes…”
I gave Jendan a fierce look. “Of course. I would tell you if we were together, okay? You’ve had my back this entire time. I’m not about to screw you and lie to you.”
After a moment, he nodded. “That’s what I thought, too. But the other girls aren’t buying it. They think that you’re playing Brodie—and me — to secure your place.”
The lock of hair I was winding around my finger was so tight it made my finger throb. “Oh they do, do they? I guess they didn’t point out that both Jayme and Sunnie are totally content to play kissy-face with Brodie at every chance they get? But I guess that’s fine? Because I’m friends with you, too, I’m the house ho?”
Jendan chuckled low and laid on his back, throwing an arm over his eyes to shield them from the sun. “Well, my guess is that’s why they want to keep him and not you.”
This was ridiculous. “So I’m going out the door because they think I’m a tramp.”
“Not necessarily a ho,” Jendan said. “They need a target this week, and since they love Brodie, it falls on you.”
I released my hair and let it unwind, thinking.
As if they knew we were talking about them, the back door opened and Sunnie came streaking out, racing into the yard in a bikini top and shorts. She squealed loudly, chased by Brodie, who had a water gun in hand. Both Jendan and I turned to watch as he caught Sunnie by her waist. She giggled, flailing in a way that rubbed her breasts against him, and they continued to wrestle until Brodie tossed her over his shoulder. With a wink at me, he went to the back door with the celebutante over his shoulder.
“That’s some strategy,” Jendan said. “Wish I’d thought of it.”
“You did,” I said. “But you chose to ally with me instead, and I’m not doing as good with the flirting as I hoped. Too bad for you.”
“Maybe you should try harder,” he said with a smile.
“I’ll kick you if you try to toss me over your shoulder,” I said in a warning voice and watched Sunnie and my partner go inside, trying not to frown as Brodie’s hands moved over Sunnie’s bare back. Her breasts were pushed up against his shoulder, and her red hair was spilling everywhere. Sunnie was pretty, and bouncy. Brodie flirted with her constantly. It shouldn’t have bothered me, but the sight of their playfulness was sticking in my craw. I was his partner.
It was a business arrangement, I reminded myself. We were both after the money. He was just flirting so he could get ahead…or so he’d told me. Was it just a line? I honestly had no idea.
“Well, you have me,” Jendan said. “You know you have me, but it won’t be enough to keep you safe this week. So unless you have a plan, I’m going to have to vote with the house so I don’t stick my neck out for nothing.”
“I’ll think of something. I just need a bigger target than me, right?”
“Right.”
I considered my options. Jayme wouldn’t put her team up on the block. Marla and Jendan sounded like they were in tight with them. Nor did I want them on the block, unless I could guarantee that Marla left and Jendan stayed. Considering Marla was the house mom and everyone loved her? That wouldn’t be happening anytime soon.
That left Sunnie and Casper or me and Brodie. I needed to find a way to target Sunnie or Casper and get the big red X off of my back, or I’d be the next one evicted. “I’ll see what I can do,” I told Jendan. “I’ve still got a few days to scramble.”
He nodded. “Scramble hard, because you and me to the end is part of my game plan, and I don’t w
ant that to change.”
Mine, too.
~~ * ~~
I didn’t share my concerns with Brodie. He was a lot of things, but he wasn’t good at flying below the radar. Once he found out that the others were gunning for me, he’d start trying to work everyone to save me, and they’d all be aware of what he was doing again…which would mean I’d be going home for sure.
There was always the chance that Brodie would find out that they were all going to vote for me…and that he’d sell me out to save his own hide. I didn’t trust Brodie Short not to try and save his own skin when it came down to him or me.
It was best for both of us if I kept things quiet. It’d give me time to figure things out and quietly maneuver myself into a stronger position before anyone knew I was aware that there was a target on my back.
I still hadn’t thought of a plan hours later when the intercom came on. I was in the attic room with Marla and Jendan, burning sage. Marla had sworn she’d heard footsteps last night, and she had insisted that they smudge the room to try and get rid of evil spirits. Jendan had told us it was a common practice among mediums (something he’d found out in a film he’d been in) and that you burned a bundle of sage just enough to make it smoke and then waved it around all corners of the room.
I’d been all too glad to assist, just in case they talked strategy.
We all looked up as the intercom chimed twice in a row. “House Guests, it’s time for the reward challenge. Please head to the main living area to receive your costumes and then proceed to the challenge area outside.”
I blew out the smoking bundle of sage I held. “Did I just hear the word ‘costumes?’”
Marla groaned. “I’m afraid you did. That’s not good.”
Jendan grinned at us and blew out his sage bundle and then waved it through the air to make sure it was out. “I thought girls liked to dress up for special occasions.”
“Ha ha,” said Marla. “Very funny.”
When we got downstairs, everyone groaned at the sight of the six costumes laid out. They were big, ugly blob costumes covered with leaves and made of a spongy material. No one would look cute in that. Still, we laughed as we dressed up and groaned again when we were each handed leafy crowns to put in our hair.
“What do you suppose these are supposed to be?” Jayme asked, wrinkling her nose at the sight of the potato-shaped costume.
“A jolly green giant of some kind?” Fido guessed, and we laughed. Waddling in the overstuffed green costumes, we headed out to the challenge area.
Jayme waited for us there, with Fido at her side. She held a card to read out to us, and pointed us to the starting line. We lined up, and I eyed the challenge area with interest.
I had to give the crew of the House Guests TV show credit. I hadn’t even realized that they’d been out in the back yard, working on the challenge area. It was completely transformed. There was a leafy green vine that served as a starting line, with six mats for each of us to stand on, spaced out. Beyond that, the challenge area had been transformed into a swampy obstacle course. Vines dangled from prop trees on the sidelines, and fog machines made a thick mist roll through the area. Lily pads decorated scummy green water, and a series of rocks, fallen trees, and other items created an obstacle course we’d have to wade through to get to the other side. On the far end stood a blow-up doll in a tiger-print dress and fake blonde hair tied to a pole. Cute.
“Hello House Guests,” Jayme said in a cheery voice, reading from the card. “Today’s challenge is called Swamp Things! You’re the monster that lives in the swamp, and you’re mighty lonely. At the word ‘go,’ you need to rush through the swamp and head to the other side to rescue a girlfriend on the far end of the swamp. Retrieve your mate and then make it back to the finish line. Does everyone understand?” When she saw us nodding, she continued reading. “This contest is set up slightly differently than the regular contests. You will be competing as individuals for this challenge, and you do not want to be last. The first four to cross the finish line will get a ticket to the House Guests open bar that is now being set up in the living room!”
We all cheered. After nearly a month in the house, a stiff drink sounded great.
“There’s a catch, though. The last two people to cross the finish line will have to sit around and watch everyone else get drunk around them.” She ran a finger down her cheek, mimicking a tear. “Since Fido and I have Power, we automatically get tickets to the open bar. Is everyone ready to compete?”
“Ready,” we chorused back. We got to our starting positions and leaned forward, ready to race. I was situated between Marla and Brodie.
“Go,” Jayme called.
We raced into the water. The challenge area had been filled knee high with liquid, and calling it ‘water’ was being kind. It was more like sludge. It was thick and viscous, and with the costume on, it was hard to walk. Considering that the costume was also soaking up the disgusting water? Every step became heavier and heavier.
I watched Brodie lunge forward only to plow into the goopy water head first, and I couldn’t resist laughing.
It took an eternity to drag one leg in front of the other, longer to crawl over one of the rocky obstacles and to maneuver under a low-hanging ‘tree’ branch. Jendan and Brodie were in the lead, followed by Casper. Sunnie was clinging to Casper as he helped her along, and Marla panted and heaved at my side.
By the time I retrieved my blow up doll ‘girlfriend,’ I was in close to last place. Marla and Sunnie were dragging behind me, but I was confident I could beat them.
I…just wasn’t sure I wanted to.
Alcohol might be the key to discovering where the cracks were and exploiting them. People tended to lose their guard under the influence of alcohol, and I wanted to hear what they had to say. I noticed Casper slowing down before he hit the finish line and then turning around to go and help Sunnie move across the line. Marla was neck and neck with me, so when I hit the rock obstacle, I pretended to lose my footing on the other side and went splashing into the water, belly first. My costume immediately soaked up water, and I struggled genuinely for the next minute to get back to my feet.
By the time I did, I watched Marla and Sunnie limp across the finish line, and Casper moved to me to offer me a hand up in case I needed it. He’d clearly played the gallant and opted to let the girls win.
I was still out. I smiled at Casper. “Looks like it’s you and me missing out on the bar.”
“I don’t drink,” he said, voice blunt. “So this is one reward I won’t mind missing out on.”
“I’m disappointed,” I lied as I crossed the finish line with his help. Immediately, Brodie was at my side and hugging me through my wet costume. I tried to feign sadness as he squished me into a wet, swampy hug.
“I’m sorry, Kandis,” Brodie said. “I didn’t realize you were so far behind.”
“It’s okay,” I told him, and I gave him a pat with my soggy glove. “It’s not important. I’ll get the next one.”
Jendan was there to hug me next. As he leaned in, he whispered, “That was the worst pratfall ever. Take it from a stuntman.”
I put a finger to my lips and shushed him.
~~ * ~~
“One…two…three…drink!” Brodie called from the kitchen. A series of cheers rose, and then silence as the others chugged.
I listened to them from my place on one end of the couch, blowing on my freshly painted nails to dry them. While I hadn’t won the reward challenge, just watching the others get hammered had provided hours of entertainment. Marla couldn’t hold her liquor, but Sunnie downed whiskey shots like a champ. They’d all been downright hilarious until Sunnie wrapped her arms around Brodie’s waist and buried her face against his neck. He hadn’t pushed her away, and I’d no longer found the drunken antics quite so amusing.
That had been enough for me, thank you very much.
So I’d gone out to the living room for some ‘alone’ time. Alone time was boring, though, whe
n you weren’t allowed to listen to music or provided anything to read, and there was no TV in the house. So I’d painted my nails, but that had only taken a few minutes of time.
When Casper cut through the living room to head out back to the smoking area, I saw my chance. I waited a few minutes so it wouldn’t seem as if I were stalking him and then headed out back.
Casper was seated by himself on the smoker’s couches, a lit cigarette between two fingers as he relaxed and stared up at the evening sky. An ashtray was balanced on one knee.
I thumped down on a couch across from him. “Sad you’re missing the alcoholic antics?”
“Nope,” he said, tone brusque. “Haven’t drank in twenty years.” He must have realized how harsh his voice sounded because he turned and gave me a thin smile. “How ‘bout you?”
I shrugged. I could have cared less about the drinking at the moment. I had Casper alone. He was sitting in the smoking area, which was where I liked to hide my tape recorder. This was too perfect. I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from smiling out of sheer delight. Instead, I scooted a little bit closer to the end of the couch. There was a small potted palm that sat between the two couches (which were set at right angles) and if I could get him to admit something damning on tape, I just might have a chance.
“So,” I whispered after a long moment. “Are you and Sunnie together until the end?”
His cigarette paused halfway to his mouth, and he glanced at me. Then, he put it between his lips, glanced at the door, and then slid down toward me. “We’ve talked,” he said, voice low. “But I haven’t agreed to anything just yet. I’m weighing my options.”
“Everyone loves Sunnie,” I pointed out. “She’s really popular. If it gets down to you and her at the final two, you won’t win.”