Flaming Hearts (Beyond Reality Book 2)

by Stoker, Susan

  When Robert finally finished with his soliloquy, it was once again Marissa’s turn to make her choices. She stood up in front of the men and the cameras and gave a long speech about how hard the decision was and how it was the hardest decision yet, which every reality show contestant in the history of reality television always said, and the same thing that Marissa said every damn week. She chose to keep Jose and John.

  Then it was Becky’s turn. There were three men left, one of which was Derek. Becky knew which two Marissa wanted her to keep. She’d gone on and on to her about how cute Derek and David were and what great TV it made that they were also twins. It’d be such a great theatrical ending if the two of them ended up as the final choices.

  Everyone was staring at Becky intently. The cameras were caching the drama on film. Eddie was watching to make sure his money-train kept clacking along. Derek, David, and James were watching her, staring at her, hoping to somehow influence her telepathically to choose them so they’d have another chance at winning Marissa and becoming famous in the process. Robert and Marissa were looking at her expectantly, waiting for her to start.

  Becky took a deep breath.

  “This week the decision is an easy one for me,” Becky said clearly, being sure to look at each camera in the room before turning back to the men. She wasn’t going to make a long speech and blame people for the miserable experience. She just wanted it done.

  “I choose…” She paused, dragging out the moment for dramatic effect. “No one.”

  No one said anything at first and it was so quiet Becky could hear the grandfather clock in the corner ticking. Had they heard her? Surely they had.

  When Marissa finally gasped, Becky continued, “I don’t feel compatible with any of the men that are left, and I’m sure they don’t feel compatible with me. The last dates I’ve been on haven’t gone well, and it’s obvious the men who are remaining would rather be with Marissa than with me. I’m okay with that. It was never guaranteed I’d find the man of my dreams on the show.”

  Becky thought she was laying it on a big thick, but she continued anyway, “After last night,” she couldn’t help herself and glared at Derek, “it was brought home even more to me that I need to move on. I’m forfeiting my choice tonight and would like for Marissa to finish the show. She can choose two more men of her liking, or less, depending on how the producers would like to proceed. I wish her, and all of you,” she nodded to the remaining men, “the best of luck.”

  Eddie called out, “Cut!” and stormed onto the set.

  “You can’t do that!” he raged at Becky. She didn’t even flinch.

  “I just did,” she told him defiantly, wondering where her backbone had been up until now. “You set me up to be the pathetic second-choice woman from the start. Well, I’m done. I played your game long enough. It’s obvious none of the men are going to choose me,” she said, waving her hand in the direction of the remaining contestants. “And I think you knew that would happen from the start. You’d better just take what I’ve done and run with it. It’s a great twist to the show and you can continue on as planned with just Marissa and the remaining men. I’m done.”

  Becky looked Eddie straight in the eyes as she spoke. He knew she was dead serious and for the first time in a long time was flustered and out of his element. He hadn’t seen this coming. Usually he was the one driving the twists and turns in his shows.

  “You won’t get a dime, this is a breach of contract,” he sputtered at her meanly, not knowing what else to do.

  “I don’t care,” Becky retorted, “I just want out of this house and off this show.”

  She turned around and walked toward the door. She passed Jonathan on her way and he reached out to take her by the arm. Becky flinched, he’d managed to grab the same spot that Derek had last night and it was still painful.

  Jonathan saw her flinch and his eyes narrowed. “What the hell? Are you all right? What’s really going on?” he asked urgently.

  Becky laughed awkwardly. “Of course, Jonathan, I just humiliated myself for the last time on National TV, why wouldn’t I be okay?” She willed the tears not to fall. She had to make it through this last bit before she fell apart.

  Jonathan didn’t like the look in Becky’s eyes, and he certainly didn’t like the way she’d flinched from his touch. He knew he hadn’t grabbed her that roughly. What was going on? Dean should be here, Becky needed him.

  “Dammit!” He swore softly. He knew he couldn’t get off the set until the shoot was over. And after Becky’s bombshell he knew they wouldn’t be leaving anytime soon. Eddie would have to regroup and figure out how to best use Becky’s actions to make the show a success. His hands were tied. He’d call his dad as soon as he could. Maybe he could go and see Becky or could somehow get a hold of Dean. His brother was going to be pissed he wasn’t there for Becky when everything had gone down.

  The cameras followed Becky as she left the house, suitcase in hand and got into the limo. Kina happened to be the camera operator on duty and sat across from Becky in the limo and filmed her as they pulled away from the house. Becky knew they were going to a local hotel. She refused to look at the camera, just stared out the window at the passing scenery. She had to stay there until the end of the show, just as all of the other men on the show who’d been dismissed had to. She hoped she wouldn’t run into any of them, it could get complicated. She didn’t know if they’d be mad at her or if they would even care.

  Kina put down the camera and looked at Becky.

  “That was the best thing I’ve seen on this show so far,” she told Becky with a smile. “In fact, I think it was the best thing I’ve seen in any of the shows I’ve filmed.”

  Becky smiled weakly back at her, but didn’t really have anything witty to say back to her. She was done. Mentally just done.

  “They’re all assholes, Becky, you just keep being you, you’re okay.”

  Becky just stared at her. Okay, well, at least everyone on the show didn’t see her as pathetic.

  “We all think that way, you know,” she reminded her. “All the camera operators, that is. We’ve seen all of the crap they’ve put you through and you’ve definitely come through it looking like the better person. We’ll be sorry to see you go, Becky, you’ve been the only interesting part of this show!”

  Kina leaned forward, touched her knee and looked Becky in the eye. “Seriously, Becky. Men are assholes. I’ve never met one I’d trust with my life. I thought I had once, but I was wrong. Way wrong. Don’t be like me. My heart is frozen to the core. I’m a hard woman and don’t ever see any man being able to thaw me out. But you…” She paused, and seemed to fight back some sort of emotion, then continued, “You’re a good person. Please don’t let this experience, and these jerks change you. There’s a guy out there for you, you just have to keep looking.”

  Becky pondered what Kina said and nodded. “I know, I think I’ve already found him,” she told Kina honestly.

  Kina smiled at her as they arrived at the hotel. She helped her out of the seat and waved as she turned to go into the hotel. As Becky got to the door of the hotel she looked back and watched as the limo headed back to the production house. Becky was sad for Kina. She didn’t know her story, but it had to have been something awful for her to believe she’d never find anyone for herself.

  Becky couldn’t wait to get to her room, take a shower and process all that had happened. She wanted to talk to Dean, but she didn’t really know what to say yet. Besides, she had no idea if he was even back from the job he was on. She decided she’d call him later. There was no need to call Steve either. She was out of the house and off the show. It wasn’t as if she was allowed out of the hotel. She had to stay until the end of the show.

  It was as if a huge weight had been lifted off of her shoulders. She could be herself again. She didn’t have to worry about cameras being around, or about watching what she said and what she did for fear it’d be taped and end up on television. Becky was ready to relax
for a few days and then get back to her life. A life that hopefully would include Dean and his incredible family.

  Chapter Fourteen

  After a long, hot shower and a short nap, Becky felt a hundred percent better. It was amazing the amount of stress she felt lifted from her shoulders as a result of not being on the show or around the set anymore. She wasn’t sure how long she’d have to stay in the hotel, but she figured someone would let her know the show was over. They were, after all, paying the bill. She should be thankful of that, considering how pissed Eddie was at her.

  Becky decided to make her way downstairs to the restaurant. She was starving. She was looking forward to a nice big salad and a bowl of soup. She was seated in the restaurant near the front window. It was interesting to watch the comings and goings of the other guests from the lobby. Lord knew she didn’t have anything else to entertain her. She ordered her food and it didn’t take long for it to arrive.

  Eating and not having to carry on a conversation at the same time was awesome. It was just as great to not have to worry about a camera catching her with food in her teeth or dribbling down her chin. It was awkward to eat and know you were being filmed.

  Just as she was finishing up her soup she noticed a limo pull up in front of the hotel’s lobby. She watched as two men got out. Holy crap! It was the twins, Derek and David! She about choked on her soup. This wasn’t happening! She thought she’d gotten away from Derek by leaving the show, but somehow it looked like Marissa didn’t choose to keep him or his brother on the show. Becky wondered how that came about. Marissa had been adamant that both men be allowed to stay. After all, she’d said, you couldn’t split up a pair of twins. Becky knew she’d have to avoid them at all costs. It was better if they didn’t know she was here.

  That would be easier said than done. As per the contract rules, contestants weren’t allowed to be seen “out and about,” so they were essentially kept prisoner in the hotel. They were allowed to freely roam the grounds, but they weren’t supposed to leave. In some ways it was worse than being on the actual show. She couldn’t image what the men like Ned and Oliver had gone through. They left the show in the first ceremony and had been at the hotel a long time.

  Later that night, Becky finally tried to call Dean. He didn’t answer, which wasn’t totally surprising as his dad had said he probably wouldn’t have any cell service where he was going, so she left him a message. She didn’t mean to be cryptic, but it was just too complicated to try to explain everything that had happened over the phone.

  Hey Dean, she said softly after the beep sounded, letting her know she could leave a message. I miss you. I hope everything is going okay with your job. Your dad told me a bit about what you’re doing, I hope that’s all right. I know you’ll make that woman feel safe. I know I always feel safe when I’m around you. I know you won’t let anything happen to me. Anyway, some stuff happened on the show today, nothing bad, but it’s kinda complicated and too long to tell you in a message. I’ll talk to you soon and tell you all about it. Be safe. Don’t worry about me and hopefully I’ll see you soon. I wanted to tell you as well, that…well…if you still want me to, I want to stay here and get to know you better…okay, well, call me when you get back. Bye.

  After sitting around her hotel room for a few hours, Becky was bored. The thought of sitting in her room watching any more boring television wasn’t appealing. Even though she hadn’t seen any television the entire time she’d been in the production house, it just wasn’t cutting it. She supposed she’d been weaned off it.

  She’d eaten a late lunch and, while she wasn’t hungry enough for a full dinner, Becky figured she could get an appetizer and that would tide her over. She could’ve ordered room service, but she was already going stir crazy. She decided she’d just go downstairs and grab something quick and get back up here to her room.

  As she made her way into the restaurant she saw Derek, his twin, and some of the other men from the show in the bar area. They’d obviously been there a while as they were loud and quite drunk.

  Becky shrugged her shoulders and went into the restaurant. She’d just stay away from the bar. Soon after she ordered, Derek and his twin suddenly appeared at her table.

  “Can we join you?” Derek asked snidely, pulling out the chair and sitting without giving her a chance to answer him.

  Becky’s heart rate doubled. Crap. This was not good. This was not good. This was not good. She hadn’t talked to Derek after he’d tried to rape her and she hadn’t seen him other than at the last ceremony. David also sat down and didn’t say a word. That was almost creepier than if he’d said hello or even if he’d said something rude.

  Derek leaned close to her and growled, “You bitch, you ruined my chance to be famous and my chance with Marissa. You also ruined his chances too,” pointing toward his brother.

  “But I didn’t make you leave.” Becky tried to explain, shrinking back into the squeaky pleather of the booth. She looked around, hoping to see someone, anyone, that might notice what was going on and help her. Of course, no one was around.

  “Yeah, well, after you left, Eddie changed the game and would only allow Marissa to keep one more guy. She decided if she couldn’t have both of us, she didn’t want either of us. So because you decided to quit, we had to leave. It’s directly your fault, cunt. You have to pay for that!”

  Becky’s heart almost stopped. She had no idea Eddie would do anything so drastic. She figured Marissa would be able to choose two men to stay in her place. No wonder Derek was so pissed. It was also pure Marissa to decide to ditch both Derek and David. What good was one twin to her? It wouldn’t pull in nearly enough attention. Becky swallowed hard and tried to think of something to say to get herself out of the situation.

  Derek dragged her out of the booth by her arm, squeezing in the same place he’d gripped her the day before. Becky opened her mouth to protest, to scream, something…after all she was in a public place.

  Derek gripped her arm even harder, digging his fingernails into her skin cruelly and said, “If you say anything, you’ll only make it worse for yourself. You want to make a scene? Go ahead, we’ll claim that you’re bipolar and having an episode. Who do you think they’ll believe? You? An ugly fat hag? Or us? Gorgeous, muscular twins who are only concerned about their poor crazy sister?”

  Becky shut up. She was scared to death. What were they planning? Maybe she could talk them down when they got out of the restaurant. David still hadn’t said a word, but obviously was supportive of anything his brother did. He threw a twenty dollar bill on the table to cover her meal and the three of them walked out of the restaurant and to the elevators.

  Becky noticed they were going to the eighth floor. Hers was on the fourth floor.

  She swallowed hard and finally said, “What the hell are you doing, Derek? Let me go, seriously, get over it.” She pretended to have more bravado than she actually had. “This is ridiculous, what will this do? Get you back on the show? No, it’s only going to make things worse!” She tried to reason with him as well as David. “David, seriously, I had nothing to do with you getting kicked off the show. You can’t be serious.” When both Derek and David ignored her, she resorted to pleading with them.

  “Please, guys, don’t do this. Let me go. I’ll go back to the set and say whatever you want. I’ll tell Eddie I want back on the show and you can come back and I’ll choose you both. I swear it. Please…” Her voice fell off as they dragged her down the hall to room eight twelve. Where the hell were all the guests? Why wasn’t anyone around?

  Derek opened the door and pushed her in the room with David following close on their heels. Becky knew once they got her in their room she was screwed. She watched as the hotel door closed behind them. David turned to the door and locked it while Derek dragged her to the bed.

  * * *

  Becky woke up the next morning slowly. She tried to roll over and gasped. She hurt everywhere. She looked around. She was alone in the room. She thought frant
ically…where were Derek and David? Did they leave her alone momentarily with plans to come back and continue where they left off? Becky painfully pulled herself to a sitting position. She was naked. She could see her clothes strewn about the room. She shakily stood up and forced herself to gather up her clothes. She wanted out of this room now. Finally, mostly dressed, she made her way to the stairwell. She didn’t want to chance using the elevators in case the twins were making their way back to the room. She walked down the four flights to her floor and cautiously opened the door. The hallway was empty, thank God. She went to her room and slipped in, miraculously her room key was still in the pocket of her pants. She walked numbly to the bathroom and stared at herself in the mirror.

  Even she was shocked. Her face looked like she’d gone three rounds with a boxer. She had two black eyes and her face was swollen to twice its normal size. She opened her mouth and saw that her front tooth had a chip in it. She didn’t remember when that happened, but she supposed it had been when Derek had hit her…one of the times.

  She sat on the toilet seat and tried to get her breath. Her chest hurt, probably because she’d been held down. David had sat on her chest at one point because she wouldn’t stay still. Her arms were covered in bruises from being held as well. She’d fought them until she’d finally passed out.

  She stifled a hysterical laugh at the black permanent marker all over her body. Apparently the twins had a problem with alcohol and being able to get it up. They’d tried to rape her, but the fact she wouldn’t quit fighting them combined with the alcohol in their system wouldn’t allow them to be able to hold an erection.

  When they couldn’t get their dicks to cooperate they’d gotten out the permanent marker. For some reason they thought it would be hilarious to write all over her. The words were obscene in their starkness. Whore. Bitch. Cunt. Fat. Cow. Stupid. They’d tried to get creative and couldn’t really think of too many other derogatory words in their inebriated state. Most of the words were smeared. Some were illegible because again, Becky wouldn’t lie still and let them have their fun.