by Dover, L. P.
“Thanks,” she replies with a scoff.
Okay . . . well I’ve never had a woman not return a compliment or shower me with them. This hard to get act is already old. What the hell? Why come on a dating show if you’re not going to put yourself out there? I sit there and stare. She seems familiar but I can’t place her.
“Do we know each other?”
Her head pops up. “I don’t know, Hudson. Do we?”
She has so much bite in her words, I recoil. “Oh wait, are you the woman I saved last year from the fire, but accidently dropped?”
Allie blanches. “You dropped someone you saved?”
“It was an accident. I was carrying her to the gurney and tripped over the hose. In my defense, it wasn’t supposed to be there.”
She rolls her eyes. “Of course, you would blame someone else for your actions.”
“Hey,” I say, pointing my fork at her. “You don’t even know me,” I pause. “Right?”
She shrugs and I’m already over the nonchalant attitude.
“Okay, what gives? You come on the show and what, thought you’d be a raging bitch? Is this some higher ratings things?”
Allie sighs and narrows her eyes at me. “Nope.”
Finally, it all makes sense to me. “Ah, I get it. You want me to work for your attention. Okay, I can do that. I’m always up for an adventure. That’s why I picked your egg. I should’ve known you’d be hard to get.”
Her eyes go wide, and her mouth drops open. “Seriously?”
I wink and take a bite of my food. Messing with her is going to be fun. “Mhm, this is good. You should try it.”
She shakes her head. “I’m not even hungry right now.”
Shrugging, I reach over and cut a piece of her keshi yena for myself. “I’d hate to see this go to waste then.”
She throws her hands up in the air and I can almost imagine the viewers at home laughing their asses off. At least, I’m trying to give them a good show. With her obvious distaste of me, I have to do something to keep my spirits up.
“Do you always touch other people’s food?” she snaps.
I chew with a smile on my face. “Only the food of women who I find incredibly attractive.”
“You find me attractive?” she asks, crossing her arms over her chest.
How could any man not? “Undoubtedly,” I reply. “The moment you walked onto the stage; I knew I hit the jackpot. You’ve got nothing on those other women. Plus, you hid your egg in the cactus garden. You’re obviously someone who doesn’t like to take the easy route. I think we fit.”
She scoffs. “No, we don’t.”
The more I stare at her, the more I get the feeling I’m missing something. Why does she hate me so much? “We know each other, don’t we?”
“What makes you think we do?” she asks, pursing her lips at me.
“You gave it away with your snarky sass earlier. I may look like a dumb jock but deep down, I’m observant.”
“I highly doubt that, Hudson.”
I chuckle and reach across the table to brush away the hair the wind had blown across her face. She slaps my hand away and glares at me. “Sorry,” I apologize, pulling my hand away, “I was just getting the hair out of your face.”
She hastily tucks the stray strand of hair behind her ear. “I can do that myself.”
She stands and storms off. I have two choices, stay, and eat this delicious food or follow her.
“Fuck it.” I get up and rush after her, calling her name. Only, she doesn’t stop and keeps going until she’s at her door. She gives me a look, which stops me dead in my tracks, before she disappears into her room.
I don’t know how long I stand in her hall. It’s at least long enough for other couples from our show to walk by—holding hands and acting stupid—no less. I suppose when you only have two weeks to make a connection, you don’t waste your time in paradise.
I finally decide to leave and when I get to my room, I flop onto the king size bed and stare at the ceiling, hoping the painted white piece of plaster will give me the answers I seek.
Nope.
Nothing.
My phone rings and I roll over onto my side to answer it. That’s when I notice the dozen roses sitting on the table, along with a chilled bottle of champagne and two glasses. This production team isn’t messing around, pushing us all into romance.
“Hello?” I sigh heavily into the phone.
“Dude, you’re a moron.”
“Wow, Dave. Nice to talk to you too.”
“Do you know who you are matched up with?”
“Are you watching or something?”
“Yeah, it’s a live stream. We get to vote on our favorite couples and shit.”
“Lovely.” Just what I need, no one editing out my stupidity. I sigh, much more dramatic this time. “Yeah, Allie something is her name. She’s a raging bitch though.” As soon as I say it, I frantically, look around the room checking for cameras.
“Again, moron. It’s Allie Wood.”
“Yeah, her.”
“No, Hudson. It’s Allie Woodie—the chick you tormented the shit out of in high school because you had a massive crush on her.”
“Huh?”
Dave groans. “Allison Wood. You tripped her—by accident—the first day of freshman year and she fell and broke her nose. You tried to make it up to her, but someone pushed you from behind and she slammed her head into her locker. Another time, you were running down the hall, not paying attention and rammed right into her and threw her about fifty feet. After that, you made it a point to seek her out, but she didn’t want anything to do with you.”
I sit there, frozen. I remember it all as clear as day. What are the odds of it being the same person? Just my luck. Karma is definitely being a bitch to me right now.
“Hudson?”
“Yeah?” I say, rubbing a hand over my face.
“To her, you’re a bully. Now’s your time to fix it.” Dave hangs up. The room spins with memories from high school. I never meant to hurt her, I just couldn’t control myself when I was around her. Each year, I tried to be better but with two left feet, I was afraid to make a fool out of myself. I stand and go to the flowers, picking them up. I need to show her I’m not the same jackass I was in high school.
Her room is down the hall and around a corner from mine. I set the flowers down in front of her door, knock, and walk away. When I hear a door open, I keep walking. I don’t want to look back in case it’s not her. And if it is, I don’t want to do something stupid, like speak.
5
Allison
If I thought Hudson was an arrogant ass in high school, it turns out he’s an even bigger one now. Who the hell does he think he is? The jerk doesn’t even know who I am. I cringe at the thought of him coming to my door, but luckily, an hour passes by and nothing. Feeling as if I can breathe again, I change out of the pink dress and into a pair of shorts and a tank top. The mini bar has a vast selection of liquors and small bottles of wine, so I reach in for the strong stuff first … vodka. After the night I’ve had so far, I need it.
I open the bottle and toss it back quickly, loving the burn as it as goes down my throat. Hopefully, after a couple more, the name Hudson won’t even register with me. At least, until tomorrow when I’m forced to be stuck with him again. As much as I love Aruba, I can’t wait for the two weeks to be up so I can go home.
Reaching into the refrigerator, I grab another mini bottle of vodka and open it, but before I can indulge a knock sounds on my door. Groaning, I close my eyes. “You have got to be kidding me.” I’m not answering it if it’s Hudson. Then again, maybe I should and break his nose like he did mine in high school. I could conveniently trip and fall and push him into the wall. Another knock. I smile and quickly swallow the vodka. “I can totally do this.”
However, when I go to the door and peep through the hole, it’s my sister. I’m relieved, but disappointed. I really wanted to break Hudson’s nose. I open the door
and Erin rushes in past me, holding a bouquet of flowers. She tosses them on the coffee table. “Those were at your door. I assume they’re from Hudson.” I groan and she purses her lips at me. “What the hell, Allie? What’s going on? You were so freaking rude out there.”
She glares at me and I don’t even bother getting mad at her. It’s her show, but she’ll change her tune once she hears what I have to say. “Do you remember when I was a freshman and I came home with a broken nose?”
Her eyes narrow. “What does that have to do with anything right now? We’re talking about my show and how you totally made yourself look like a bitch.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “Exactly. And I’m sure your viewers will understand when they find out I got matched with our high school’s number one Grade A douchebag.”
Clearly confused, she gapes at me, but then it’s like a lightbulb goes off in her head. “Oh my God.” She slaps a hand over her mouth and slowly drops it. “Hudson Bryant. He’s the one who broke your nose.”
Erin graduated two years ahead of me so I know she doesn’t remember everyone in my class, but there’s no way she could forget him. I nod. “Yep. And here I am spending my time in paradise with a guy I hate.”
Groaning, she sits down on the couch. “I can’t believe this.”
I open the refrigerator and toss her a mini bottle of tequila. “Drink that. It’ll help. It’s the only thing getting me through the night.”
Sitting beside her, I clink my bottle against hers. She sighs and downs her tequila. “I am so sorry, Allie. I really had high hopes that you’d be matched with your soulmate.”
I scoff. “Erin it’s a TV show. I love you and all but playing matchmaker on live TV isn’t the way to find a soulmate.”
She shrugs. “You never know.”
The room starts to spin, and I welcome the feeling. The one thing that sucks is that Hudson and I are going to be together on live TV every single day. The show isn’t just a once a week ordeal. No, this one is a two-week special. There are no lines to memorize or cue cards to read. This is all real. “I just wish there was a way to get rid of him,” I mumble more to myself than anything. Erin jerks up and gasps. I grab my chest and stare at her as if she’s lost her mind. “What are you doing?”
Her lips spread wide. “Allie, I have an idea. You just have to get through the day with Hudson and through the interview together tomorrow night and you’ll be golden.”
With a heavy sigh, I lean my head against the couch. “Interview? You mean I have to sit next to him and answer questions?”
I look over at her and she nods, but there’s a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. “This could work to your advantage, Allie. In the interview, make sure you tell everyone about your past with Hudson. That’ll get the viewers on your side. Right now, they don’t like you very much.” Great, that’s exactly what I wanted to hear. “I have an idea though,” she says, getting to her feet, “but I have to run it by my team first. In the meantime, deal with Hudson as best you can.”
She holds out her hand and helps me up. The room spins even more. “What are you going to do?” I ask her.
Her grin widens. “Don’t you worry, little sis. I’ll take care of everything.” Turning on her heel, she leaves, and I flop back down on the couch. The show itinerary is on the coffee table and I groan as I look at tomorrow’s schedule.
8 a.m. – Breakfast with match.
9 a.m. – Choose envelope for the day’s adventure.
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Adventure Time.
6 p.m. – Dinner with match – NO cameras.
8 p.m. – LIVE interview.
I toss the itinerary back onto the coffee table. “I’m so not looking forward to this.”
* * *
Morning comes way too fast. The flowers I assume were left by Hudson are now in the trash where they belong. If he thinks that’ll work with me then he has a lot to learn. Ricardo and Annabelle knock on my door bright and early to do my hair and makeup. They don’t do much since I’ll probably be spending most of the day on the beach and in the ocean. At least, that’s what I’m assuming since we’re in Aruba.
It’s 7:50 a.m. and I dread having to meet Hudson for breakfast, but I have no choice. There’s a camera guy already at my door waiting for me to leave. The good thing is that everything I do won’t be shown on tonight’s show. They’ll have to edit out a bunch of today’s events in order to fit it all in tonight’s segment. I know it shouldn’t bother me about what my sister said last night, but it does. I don’t want the world to think I’m a bitch after how I acted last night. I’m not the one in the wrong. Yes, Hudson is clearly a womanizer by the way he acted towards me last night, but apparently, the viewers think it’s charming. It makes me so mad. That’s not the kind of guy I want.
Taking a deep breath, I look at myself in the mirror one last time. My hair is pulled high in a ponytail and there’s only a brushing of bronzer on my face. I have a teal bikini on underneath my yellow floral sundress and a pair of flip flops. Very beachy.
When I open the door, the camera guy steps back and smiles. He looks to be in his late forties with shaggy salt and pepper hair. His nametag says his name is Stan. “Good morning,” I say.
He nods. “Morning, Ms. Wood. I’ll be the one following you around today. My partner, Jean, will be with Mr. Bryant. For the most part, we’ll be out of your way. Just carry on as if we’re not even around.”
Like that’s even possible. I smile and start down the hallway toward the elevators. Stan gets in with me and when we get off, I slowly make my way to the designated area where I’ll be meeting Hudson. From what I read on the itinerary, all the couples will be in different spots at the resort to limit interaction. They want each couple to not feel pressured by the others. Right now, nothing is pressuring me except myself. I need to figure out a way to make Hudson’s life miserable.
When I walk past the pool, I can see our table, all decorated with pretty flowers underneath a white canopy. A waiter is already standing there to the side along with the other camera guy, Jean, and unfortunately, Hudson is there, looking at the menu, dressed in a pair of khaki shorts and a light blue, short-sleeved button-down shirt. I wonder what he’s going to say when I tell him who I am.
“Here we go,” I whisper under my breath.
Hudson notices me approaching and quickly gets up to pull out my chair. It takes all I have not to roll my eyes. There’s no way he’s the gentleman he appears to be. That’s not the Hudson I knew in high school. The table is small so there’s no choice but to be close to him.
“You look beautiful this morning,” he tells me, his voice low.
The way he says it sounds sincere, and I can even see it in those steel gray eyes of his. It catches me off guard. “Thanks,” I say as I sit down.
The waiter smiles at us both and takes our order. It feels awkward sitting there with two cameramen around us, but I try my best to ignore them. The itinerary says to act as if they aren’t there. Kind of hard to do. If only I could ignore Hudson. Instead of looking at him, I focus on the crystal blue ocean.
“I know why you were so angry with me last night,” Hudson confides.
My eyes instantly go to his. “I highly doubt that, but you’re more than welcome to enlighten me,” I quip back with a laugh. “This should be good.”
His expression grows serious, but his attention never wavers from me. “I’m sorry, Allie.”
Hearing him call me Allie freezes me in place. Nobody calls me that except my close friends, but I don’t correct him. Instead, I shrug. “For what?”
“For how I acted last night.” Reaching for my glass of water, I take a sip and look away. “And,” he continues, “I’m sorry for everything that happened when we were in high school.” Stan and Jean glance at each other in shock and my water goes down the wrong way. I choke, coughing until I can catch my breath. Hudson grabs my hand. “Are you okay?”
I pull my hand away. “You’re trying to tell me that
last night you didn’t know who I was?”
He nods. “Trust me, I feel stupid about that. I haven’t seen you since we graduated. You look different. I figured you’d be married by now. This show is the last place I thought I’d see you.”
I scoff. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
The waiter comes over with our food and sets our plates in front of us. The tension between me and Hudson is so thick you could cut it with a knife. He blows out a sigh and looks away. “I’m just saying that the good ones are always taken. You were one of them.”
He’s really playing it up for the show. It makes me livid. “Like you ever gave me another thought after high school. You made my life a living hell. After you broke my nose, I walked around looking hideous for weeks. You and your friends loved calling me ugly face and wildabeast. After the swelling went down, I was called badonkasnonk. Do you remember that?” It was the name that he and his friends called me until we graduated. During our freshman year, I was busy minding my own business when out of nowhere, he bumps into me and I fall right on my face. Then, right as he tries to help me up, someone pushes him, and I ram my head into the lockers as blood gushes out of my nose. Needless to say, it wasn’t the way I wanted to start out at a new school.
Hudson tries his best not to smile and fails. “Yeah, laugh it up,” I say, glaring at him. “You were the golden boy in high school. No one ever made fun of you.”
He laughs and has the gall to reach for my hand, but I move it away. “I told you I was sorry. I really am. It was a long time ago. I tried getting you to speak to me after that, but you didn’t want anything to do with me. If you only knew how much I really liked you.”
“You’re so full of shit.” I look over at Stan and Jean who seem to be enjoying the conversation by the smiles on their faces. “I’m sure you all can edit that out?” I say to them. Stan gives me the thumbs up.
