Page 86

“Horse liver!”

By the time Grayson announces Lauren as the clear winner, I’m tired, bored senseless, and ready to get out of this princess ball gown, because it weighs about five tons.

“Next week,” Skye says, squeezing my arm as Jordy throws his arms around Lauren in an embrace.

Yeah, well. We’ll see.

At the rate I’m going, I’m not sure if my luck’s ever going to turn around.

Unfortunately for me, things are about to get worse.

Back at the manor, we find out that Gwendolyn has decided it would be a great idea to keep us in our ball gowns and cram us into theNotte Infinitaroom while we’re each six feet wide. Jordy and Kim aren’t here yet, and Gwendolyn is talking to the camera crew about something, and it iswaytoo freakinghot in here, so, after a minute or two of patiently waiting, I dash into the hall for some fresh-ish air. I’ll go inside when Jordy and Kim get back, I figure.

That’s when I hear a hushed argument. It sounds like a private conversation I shouldn’t overhear, so, naturally, I’m overcome by curiosity and I inch down the hall to stand by a closed door.

I make out Kim’s voice. “… all day. Ineededyou. I came on this showfor you,and you couldn’t even spare methirty secondsto talk to me? He was yourfriend,Jordy.”

Jordy replies, “I didn’t know that happened! I’m not a mind reader, Kim.”

“Gee, I look like I’ve been crying half the day, and I specifically tell you I need to talk to you. What could I possibly need right now?”

“I’m sorry, in case you didn’t notice, we were in the middle of filming a time-sensitive episode! You could’ve asked me to talk after we wrapped filming instead of storming off in a mood.”

“You know what, Jordy? I deserve a boyfriend who will notice I’m upset, and who willfightto make sure he can speak to me and support me if I need him. I deserve a boyfriend who will chase me if I storm off after a day of him being a wanker!”

Oh, shit. Yup, I’ve definitely heard enough. As quietly as I can, I sneak back down the hall to hover by theNotte Infinitaroom door. A minute or two later, Jordy bursts out of the room and storms down the hall.

“You handled thatgreat,” I say lightly. “Wonderful human-ing, Jordy.”

He glares at me, red-faced and wordless, then disappears inside. A few seconds later, he reappears with Gwendolyn and Isaac, and they make a beeline for Kim without acknowledging me.

The remaining girls decide to join me in the hall at that point, which is probably wise. Even without corsets, we’re at risk of passing out in there.

“Do you think Kim’s going home?” Perrie asks.

We shrug.

After ten minutes of wondering, Isaac leaves the room, makes eye contact with me, and beckons.

“Oh, no,” Skye says, touching my arm in sympathy as I leave.

Oh, yes. I have a bad feeling I know exactly where this is going. Once again, Skye called it.

“So,” Isaac says cheerfully, walking ahead of me upstairs. I get the feeling I’m supposed to follow him. “Kimhas spent the day freaking out because her friend is in the hospital. And now Gwendolyn knows how Kim found out her friend is in the hospital.”

Goddamn it.

“Youshould’ve told her,” I say. “She has a right to know.”

“She didn’t need to know, because her friend isfine,and now she’s feeling worried and helpless and guilty. She shouldn’t have been put in that position. And she wouldn’t have been, ifsomeonedidn’t smuggle a contraband iPad into the mansion!”

We stop in front of my room, and Isaac tips his head toward the door.

“You want the iPad?” I sigh.

“Of course I want it! You shouldn’t even have it. I just spent a solid five minutes talking Gwendolyn out of fining you for it, too, so. You’re welcome.”

Without much choice, I dig it out of my drawer, power it off, and hand it over to Isaac with a sulky expression. “Thank you. For talking Gwendolyn out of it.”