Page 87 of The Baking Games

Then Dan's expression turns serious as he addresses the rest of us. "Unfortunately, we must say goodbye to two of our contestants. Those who got the fewest votes from the audience and judges combined were…”

Again, another dramatic pause. “Zara and Maggie, I'm sorry to say that your journeys end here. Thank you for everything you've brought to the competition."

Both Zara and Maggie smile graciously, hug each other, and then walk around and hug the remaining contestants. Maggie's eyes meet mine, and she mouths, “Good luck.” I’m going to miss her so much. I never realized how much I craved having a mother figure until I met Maggie. As they leave, Dan gives us a final nod.

"Get some rest, everyone. Finals week starts in just a couple of days."

I try to catch Rhett’s eye as we leave the kitchen, but he’s already storming off. I feel so guilty and frustrated even though I didn’t do anything wrong. This was supposed to be a good time for us to get closer as friends if nothing else, and now it feels like everything is falling apart.

I head to my room, hoping to get a good night’s sleep and wipe this day away. It will be lonely in there without Maggie. Rhett's anger keeps replaying in my mind. Tomorrow is a new day, and I have to find a way to fix this mess.

RHETT

I storm up the stairs as Connor's words repeatedly batter my brain. What he said in front of everyone echoes in my mind as my fists clench involuntarily. I can feel my blood seemingly boiling under my skin.

Savannah was the only one who knew. She had to have told him. How else could Connor have known about my work on the cruise ships? I wanted to keep that part of my life private. We took great pains to ensure our microphones were turned off when I told Savannah away from the prying eyes of national television. Now, it's out there for everyone, including my family, to judge.

I try to push my thoughts aside as best I can so I can go to sleep. I'm exhausted. I didn't do well in the competition, and I really just need a good night of sleep.

Part of me wants to pummel Connor for saying what he said, but I know that’s what he wants. A reaction. He’s probably hoping I get physical and get kicked out just before finals. It’s not happening.

What I feel more than anything is hurt by Savannah, and I hate feeling vulnerable that way. After I get out of this house, I won’t trust anyone again.

Before I can get into bed, I turn and see Savannah standing in the doorway. Connor brushes past her to come into our room.

"Oh, hey there, Savannah. I guess you're coming in here to try to defend yourself?"

"I want to talk to Rhett.”

"Well, I don't want to talk to you," I say, turning over in the bed and facing the wall.

"Seems like your new boyfriend is mad at you."

"I want to know how you found out about that, Connor, because it certainly wasn't from me."

"Wasn't from you? Of course, it was."

"Are you kidding me? You must be kidding me. You're going to sit here and lie and tell Rhett that I told you that?”

"Well, it seems like maybe Rhett only told you, so how else would I know?"

"I don't know how you found out, but you know as well as I do that I didn't tell you anything."

I can hear them arguing back and forth. Of course, I'm not looking in that direction because I don't want to give either one of them the satisfaction of seeing my face right now.

This makes no sense. Why would Savannah have betrayed my confidence, and why would she have told Connor, of all people? She hates him. I hate him. But it doesn't make any sense. She's the only person I told. He would have no way of finding out that information on his own. I'm confused, I'm frustrated, and I'm tired. So I close my eyes and decide that the best thing to do is to go to sleep and worry about all this tomorrow.

SAVANNAH

Somehow, I manage to avoid Lainey like the plague when we go to bed. When I get in there, she's down the hallway with Connor, making out like a couple of high school kids. I can't stand either one of them. The best part of getting out of this house, besides seeing my sister again, is going to be getting rid of these two. Hopefully, I will never see either of their faces again.

I get a decently restful night of sleep once I actually fall asleep. Not having Maggie over there snoring is actually making me have insomnia. I guess I got used to her snoring as a white noise machine because I didn't know I would miss it so much. Thankfully, Lainey has moved to the bed on the opposite side of the room, so I no longer have to sleep beside her. I can't believe she won the competition this week. I think it was a fair judgment because her cake was better than anyone else's. So few people are left in the competition that it's almost easier to win.

There are only four of us going into finals week. From what I understand, there will be a series of challenges between now and the end. One person will be voted off in each of the next two challenges, leaving only the final two to complete whatever the final challenge is.

The only thing on my mind today is talking to Rhett. I need to make sure that he knows that I didn't tell Connor anything. I'm not sure how to convince him of that fact, but I will give it my best.

I get up and dressed, put on some casual clothes, and plan to lie around the house today and prepare for the upcoming competitions. I walk down the hallway to Rhett's room, but he's not in there, so I go downstairs, make myself a bowl of cereal, and wait until I see him.