“She didn’t see my message earlier, did she?” Bristol asked, chuckling in embarrassment.

  “You mean, the picture of your hand in your sleep shorts? No. I did not show that to her.”

  “Thank God!”

  “Is it wrong that she just left, and I still want to do something with you tonight?”

  “Probably. We’ll burn in hell.”

  “So, we shouldn’t?” Dayton asked, already knowing the answer Bristol would give her.

  “No, we shouldn’t.” The woman sighed. “But we’re going to, anyway, because we have no self-control.”

  Dayton laughed and unzipped her jeans.

  CHAPTER 7

  “Okay. Is there anything else you need from me?” Cali asked him.

  “No, I think I’m good. I’ll take care of the place for you while you’re gone.”

  “Just remember to keep a low profile. My landlord doesn’t live in the building, but if my nosy neighbors notice you going in and out, they might call him, and I’m not allowed to sublet this place or list in on a vacation rental site. It’s in my lease.”

  “Maybe they’ll just think I’m your boyfriend.” The guy shrugged.

  “I doubt it. Most of them have met my ex-girlfriend,” Cali said. Then, she grabbed her suitcase. “I’m staying at my best friend’s place tonight before I fly out tomorrow, since you needed the place a day early. If you need me, call my cell. After tomorrow, if you need anything, you’ll have to call my friend, Megan. I put her numbers on the fridge. I won’t be allowed to talk to anyone while I’m gone.”

  “Where are you going?”

  “I can’t say, exactly,” she said.

  “Special forces or something?”

  “Do I look like I’d be in special forces?” Cali laughed. “Anyway, if you have any issues, call Megan. She can take care of things for you. Other than that, I’ve locked up stuff I’d like to make sure no one else touches.”

  “Cool. No problem.” The guy nodded.

  Cali left her apartment and made her way down to where Megan was waiting in her car. She’d leave her own car here, and Megan would be driving her to the airport tomorrow. She loaded her suitcase into the trunk, and they took off.

  “I cannot believe I am doing this. Is it too late to turn around?”

  “You had Becks look at the contract. She said there’s an out clause. Want me to have her call them for you and pretend to be a real lawyer?”

  “No, because I think that’s actually illegal.” Cali chuckled. “And I agreed to do this.”

  “Why? I know I’ve asked already, and I know you’ve answered, but, I swear, I thought you’d turn this whole thing down when I got you the audition.”

  “You know, I think the thing with Kate really got to me. I have no job, no prospects right now, no girlfriend. And I could lose my apartment if I either don’t win this or don’t at least start making a lot more money driving people around the city. It just seemed like something was telling me that I needed a break or a fresh start, or to just reset.”

  “I think, at minimum, you’re about to have a really cool, unique experience. If that’s all that it is, then so be it, but if you end up winning the prize money or just having a really good time and that break from the world, that’s even better.”

  “I guess.”

  “So, Becks is making dinner for us tonight. I hope that’s okay. She’s not the world’s best cook, but she has some of her mom’s old recipes, and she tries them out on me every so often.”

  “She’s actually going to be there tonight?”

  “Yeah.” Megan smiled. “I told her my best friend is about to leave for a month, so she better be there to help me send her off.”

  “You wasted a possible date night on me? You’re the best best friend.”

  “She says she’s going to try to do better,” Megan explained as they turned onto her street. “We had a long talk last night, actually. We’ve been talking little by little every time we can, and I think that’s helping a lot.”

  “The cheating?”

  “I haven’t asked directly. I’m too scared if she says yes.” Megan pulled into the parking spot for her apartment. “I don’t think I could stay with her if I found out she had been with someone else, but I don’t know how I’d leave, either.”

  “I get it. Is it better just not knowing, though?”

  “It is for now. It won’t be soon. I can feel it really getting to me.”

  “You need to talk to her. I hate that I’m leaving now. You need me here in case she’s done something stupid.”

  “I’ll be okay.” Megan laughed as they climbed out of the car. “I could always wait a month and ask Becks when you come back.”

  “Ask me what?” Beckett said from the balcony of their second-floor unit.

  “Nothing. What are you doing out there?” Megan asked.

  “Grilling. I was told I’m the chef for Cali’s going-away dinner,” Beckett said, smiling. “Hi, Cal.”

  “Hey, Becks. Thanks for cooking,” Cali replied, pulling her suitcase out of the trunk.

  “No problem. It’ll be ready in twenty. Do you need help with your stuff?”

  “Nope. It’s just this. We’re only allowed to bring one bag,” Cali replied.

  “Is it going to be weird, not having your laptop and phone?” Megan asked as they made their way inside.

  “Hell, yeah. I’ve never been without my phone, and I’ve practically always got my computer in a bag nearby.”

  “It would be weird for me, too.” Megan unlocked the door.

  “Hey, babe.” Beckett was on them instantly, kissing Megan’s cheek.

  “Hey.” Megan kissed her sweetly on the lips in return and nodded sideways toward Cali, as if to say that was not a normal activity between them these days.

  “Why don’t you go into the bedroom and change out of your work clothes? I’ll help Cali with her stuff.”

  “Um… Okay.” Megan replied, giving Cali the same look before she headed toward their bedroom.

  “What’s up, Becks?” Cali asked as soon as the door was closed behind Megan.

  “Is she going to leave me? Please tell me, Cal. I know you’re her best friend, but we’ve known each other a long time, too, so–”

  “Are you sleeping with someone else?”

  “What?” Beckett asked with wide eyes.

  “Are you cheating on Megan, Becks?”

  “What? No! Is that what she thinks?”

  “You’re not?”

  “No. God, Cali. I love her. I’d never cheat on her.” Beckett looked toward the bedroom door. “I want to ask her to marry me.”

  “You do?” That was news to Cali.

  “Yeah. I’ve been trying to find the right time. I’ve just been so busy with school… And I’ve also applied for this internship for my last semester, and I might just get it, but I think Megan is feeling that I’m not here enough, so if I get it, I’m turning it down.”

  “Does she know that?”

  “No, but she stopped wanting to hear about school a long time ago.”

  “Do you think that might have something to do with the fact that she never gets to see you because of school?”

  “Probably.” The woman sighed. “I’ve been spending all my extra time at the law library, trying to study as much as I can.”

  “Can’t you study here?”

  “Sometimes. Other times, I’m with my study group.”

  “Becks, Megan loves you. And she misses you. Just be more present in your relationship, okay? Maybe study here when you can. I’m sure she’ll be quiet or give you space. Invite your study group over once in a while. She’d like that. She just wants to see you more; be around you more.”

  “I want to see her more, too. I wish there were more hours in the day.”

  “Are you really going to ask her to marry you?”

  “That was the plan. I have the ring.”

  “Why don’t you wait a bit? Get back in her good graces first. Talk to her, Becks. Tell her how hard school is, or about the internship you’re giving up. Then, just be here more, okay?”

  “Yeah, okay.” Beckett sighed again. “I should wait at least until you get back. If she says yes, you’re the first person she’s going to want to tell.”

  “Tell what?” Megan asked as she came out of the bedroom.

  “Nothing,” Beckett said with big brown eyes.

  Cali shook her head at both of them.

  ◆◆◆

  “Okay. Be safe. Don’t be stupid. Well, do the stupid challenges to win the money, but don’t be stupid,” Megan said.

  “I won’t.” Cali laughed.

  “Okay. Go. You’ll miss your flight.”

  “Hey, Megs?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Give Becks a chance for me, okay?”

  “I knew it. You two did talk about me yesterday.”

  “I’m not saying anything other than you should give her a chance.”

  “This is shitty. You know this is shitty of you, right? You’re leaving, and I can’t grill you.”

  Cali laughed and said, “I’ll see you when I get back.”

  “I love you, but you’re the worst.”

  “I love you, too. And you’re the best. Say goodbye to your girlfriend for me, too.”

  “I will,” Megan promised, smiling at her.

  Cali hugged Megan goodbye and entered the security line at LAX. An hour later, she was waiting at her gate, flipping through a magazine. A short time later, she was in her aisle seat, watching the flight attendant walk through the security features of the aircraft. She could not believe she was about to fly to Hawaii and compete on a reality show she hadn’t even watched until she’d found out she’d gotten the gig.

  The audition had been more of an interview. It struck her as pretty interesting that of all the interviews she had been on recently, this was the job she got. They’d asked her a lot of questions about herself, likely trying to uncover some skeletons in her closet or just something that they could pair with someone else. Maybe she was an extremely liberal democrat and they had a conservative republican on the show already. She didn’t know. She just answered their questions for about an hour, hopped in her car, and took three more customers around town, expecting never to hear from Berserk again. Then, she’d gotten the phone call, and now, she was about to land in Hawaii.

  She wasn’t great on planes, which could only mean she would be out of this competition pretty early, since the challenges seemed to get even more ridiculous every new season. Cali had watched every episode on her laptop once they offered her a spot. Even though she was pretty certain she wouldn’t be walking away with half a million dollars, there was a much smaller stipend, but a stipend nonetheless, that they gave her just for being a cast member; and she could earn a little more each time she made it through a challenge. She would need all of that money when she returned.

  The flight was about five hours, so she used the time to add up all of her bills in her head, including her student loans. She calculated that with her short-term tenant paying for rent and utilities for one month, the money she’d made driving, and the money she’d make by being on the show, she would have at least two more months before things would get desperate. She’d keep driving, and that would help make ends meet, but it wouldn’t help her save, and it wouldn’t allow her to go back to school to finish her degree, which she had worked so hard for. Cali closed her eyes after a while, deciding not to focus on any of the bad stuff anymore. This was supposed to be a break, a new start; and it was time she saw it that way.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, we are beginning our final descent into Honolulu. Please make sure your tray tables are locked and your seat backs are in their upright positions.”

  CHAPTER 8

  “Day, come on. We’re going to be late.”

  “I haven’t actually kissed you since we said goodbye at the airport,” Dayton replied, sliding her hand up under Bristol’s shirt as they leaned against the door of the bathroom stall.

  “The driver is waiting for us out there; you know how this goes,” Bristol said.

  “And we’re about to be on camera every minute for the next month. I can’t have one time with you where it’s just us?”

  “We’re in an airport bathroom.” Bristol laughed softly.

  “It’s the handicap stall.” Dayton kissed her neck.

  “We are definitely burning in hell,” Bristol said as she pulled Dayton’s hand off her side and slid it into her loose-fitting pants.

  She felt just as good as Dayton had remembered. They’d managed to make sure their flights would get in around the same time just so they’d have a few moments together before the cameras picked them up at the exit.

  “Can you be quiet?” she asked just as someone else flushed a toilet.

  “Can you be quick?” Bristol offered in return.

  “With you, or myself?” Dayton asked back, stroking Bristol with pressure.

  “Both.” Bristol shoved her hands into the back pockets of Dayton’s jeans.

  “Take them off,” she said.

  Bristol moved her hands to Dayton’s button and zipper, and opened her jeans.

  “Why’d you wear jeans?”

  “Because I am very, very stupid.”

  She moved back just a little, allowing Bristol to slide her hand inside her pants and underwear. Then, she kissed the other woman hard.

  “Excuse me? Is there a Dayton Maine or Bristol Collins in here?”

  They stopped and stared at one another with big eyes, saying nothing.

  “I’m one of the PAs. The van is waiting for you outside. I was sent to find you, if you’re in here. We’re ready to leave.”

  “What do we do?” Bristol whispered.

  “Keep going. They can wait,” Dayton replied, sliding a finger on either side of Bristol’s clit.

  “Someone said they saw you come in here,” the PA continued. “We have a schedule to keep.”

  “Fuck,” Dayton said, pulling her hand out of Bristol’s pants. “Tonight, once everyone is asleep, find me. We’re finishing this.”

  Bristol laughed and said loudly, “We’re here.”

  “Great. I’m waiting until you come out,” the PA replied.

  They straightened their clothes and opened the door. Bristol walked out first, with Dayton following close behind. They both went to the sink to wash their hands. Dayton could tell Bristol was blushing because the PA, obviously, knew what they were both doing in there. Dayton wasn’t blushing, though. She didn’t care if anyone knew she was trying to get with Bristol again. Their sex had been amazing the first time around, and she was planning on having as much of it as possible this time, too. The only problem, Dayton thought, as she made her way out of the bathroom, was that she never actually got to pee after the five-hour flight.

  “Maybe save it for the cameras next time,” the PA said with a wink as they made their way out to the airport exit.

  ◆◆◆

  “Here we go,” Dayton said.

  “How do you guys feel about being back?” one of the producers asked as she walked backward behind one of two cameras that met them instantly outside the door.

  “Pretty good,” Dayton said. “Well, hello.” She looked at a gorgeous Hawaiian woman who placed a lei around her neck. “Is she in the house, too?” she joked, feeling completely comfortable back in front of a camera.

  “Leave the poor woman alone,” Bristol said through her laughter.

  “You two are in this van,” the producer said, pointing to a nice, black van.

  Someone took their luggage. Dayton didn’t see who or when. She just no longer had her bag. She did now have a lapel microphone on her t-shirt, as did Bristol. It was starting, and she couldn’t have been happier. This was her element. She thrived here. Dayton couldn’t wait to get to the nice house they picked out for the set, or to meet the rest of the new cast members. The challenges were fun, but she wasn’t here for them. Dayton climbed inside the van, planning on sitting next to Bristol in the back seat, but when she slid in the back, Dayton was met with a strange face. One of the camera operators was in the middle row. Bristol had to sit next to a guy Dayton also didn’t recognize in the front row.

  “Hey,” Bristol said to the guy. “I’m Bristol.”

  “Kenny,” he replied, shaking her hand.

  “One of the newbies?” she asked with a smile.

  “Yeah, I’m ready to get going, though. What are we waiting for?” he asked.

  Dayton laughed silently at his rookie-level excitement. She turned to her right to see a woman sitting next to her, staring out the window.

  “Hey,” she greeted.

  The woman had long brown hair and amazingly deep green eyes that were now staring into Dayton’s blue ones. She smiled back at Dayton, but it was clearly forced.

  “Hi,” she said softly in return.

  “Dayton,” she said.

  “Cali with one L.”

  “Like California?” Dayton asked.

  “Like the city in Ohio?” she asked back, referring to Dayton’s name.

  Dayton smiled at her and said, “I think they just found it in a baby name book and liked it. Yours?”

  “Same,” Cali replied, but Dayton wasn’t sure she was telling the truth.

  “Okay,” she said, squinting at this woman curiously. “Have you ever been to Hawaii?”

  “No,” Cali said, shaking her head.

  “Should be fun,” Dayton said.

  “Yeah,” Cali replied.

  “Day, Kenny went to UT.” Bristol turned around and tried to look at Dayton around the camera that was moving back and forth to cover them all as the van began to move.

  “That’s a good thing, right?” Dayton asked.

  “Yeah, I went there. We overlapped for a couple of years,” Bristol said and returned her attention to Kenny.

  Dayton tried not to be jealous. She had no right to be jealous. Bristol was allowed to have fun, flirt, date, sleep with, and otherwise enjoy whomever and whatever she wanted. It was hard to watch her laugh with Kenny, though. Part of her had just assumed they would spend the next month with one another and that they’d squeeze some challenges in there every so often. She turned back to see her new acquaintance, Cali, staring back out the window.