Page 35 of Ever's Last

Some look sad. I know some of the women have made friends. Even I have become close to some of them.

“What are your thoughts?” Memphis asks Linc.

“Natalie. Skye was second. Ariel was third, but we know she’s staying.” Linc winks at Brick. “Merry was at a minute. Nora at a minute and ten. And Eva right after Nora. Those are your six.”

“I said top six?” he asks, and I nod.

“You first said five, but then you changed it to six. It’s your show,” I tell him.

“Guess it’s time to eliminate some people.”

We follow him. The girls stand when they see him.

“You’ve made your decision, Memphis?”

He nods at Carlton. “I said top six if they couldn’t beat Ever. The girls staying are Natalie, Skye, Ariel, Merry, Nora, and Eva. To the others, I’m sorry.”

The girls hug each other and then hug Memphis and make their way to their tents to pack. I kind of feel sad for them.

“Ladies, you’re safe for the time being. Head to dinner or your tent. Be alert, because you never know when the next task will come to light.” Carlton ends the show for the evening and the girls head off in different directions.

And no one had an outburst. Seems like a good evening.

“Ever, would you like to eat with me?” Memphis is holding his hand out.

“Is this a date?”

“Yeah, kind of. We’re going to dinner at Mom’s.”

“I won’t say no to that,” I reply as he chuckles.

I wave to my dad and Ivy.

“Brick and Ariel are coming, too.”

“Oh good. She will love your mom’s cooking.”

“Everyone does.”

I nod as we squeeze into my dad’s truck.

“Why did you stop racing?” Ariel asks.

“I gained some weight and was self-conscious about it. And then the accident happened. I never thought about it because I had other things to worry about, like paying for my hospital bills and trying to please my stepmother.”

“You should do it again, even if it’s at the hometown rodeo,” Brick says.

I simply nod.

Momma Bernie is sitting on the porch when we pull up. When we exit the truck, I can smell something good cooking.

“Shrimp and grits, and I have fried chicken going.” Bernie gives me a hug. “It’s been a long time. I’ve been thinking about you.”

“I should try to get over here more now that Anne is out of the picture.”

“Your dad is getting a divorce?” I’m guessing that’s something Anne doesn’t want to get out.

“Yeah, but keep that to yourself for now.”