Page 45 of Skye's Fall

“Skye.”

“Yeah, what?”

“You seem sad,” Ever observes.

“Just a lot going on,” I reply.

“I wonder what the next competition is,” Snow changes the subject. Bless her heart, she’s good at that.

“Uncle Sal is up to no good,” Ever says.

“He’s your uncle?” Alexa asks.

“Yeah, my aunt married him. He’s been in New York and Atlanta before moving back here,” she says.

“He was saying the ratings suck this season, so I’m guessing whatever he has up his sleeve is going to be explosive,” Ivy tells us and I want to run. I’m leaving anyway, but I should just leave. Why am I even staying? Oh, I know, the big oaf in the barn.

“Dinner,” Shane yells out.

“I’m starving,” Snow jumps up with the rest of us following.

“Skye, keep your head up,” Ever says.

“I’m trying. I feel like I’m drowning. I shouldn’t have come on the show. I can’t love him again when I don’t know who I am.”

“I think you do, and it’s time to find her,” Ever replies.

“How are you so smart?” I chuckle.

“Comes with age,” she winks and I laugh. She’s younger than me but wise beyond her years. She and Memphis are good together. She definitely keeps him in check.

“Believe it or not, you balance each other out. He will pull his head out of his ass,” she chuckles.

“Did Memphis?”

Her turn to laugh, “Sometimes I think his is stuck up his ass permanently.”

I laugh along with her.

“He’s a good guy,” I reply to her after our laughing fit.

“So is Lincoln,” she chirps.

“Why is everyone trying to push us together?”

“Because deep down you belong together and you both know it, you’re just stubborn.”

“Thanks, Ever,” I roll my eyes but squeeze her hand before getting a plate and joining the others.

“Hey roomie, want to go for a swim later?” Mason asks. We talked and there are no romantic feelings for me. He was helping me out. He told me he didn’t want Zack to pick me because it would cause Linc to explode. I’m starting to doubt Linc even cares.

“I’m down,” Snow grins.

“Me too,” I reply and Alexa agrees, soon the others are saying they want to go.

After dinner, everyone puts on their bathing suits and head to the dock. Shane bought two Sea Doos— they’re like snowmobiles but for water. Everyone jumps in and some of the guys take turns riding the water craft.

I swim the length of the shore until I’m pulled into a body.