Page 41 of Ex Marks the Spot
Except that was only partly true.
Once we were back at the hotel that night, I’d given myself an hour to sit with my anger and indignation because nothing about what that asshole did was okay. But since then, my thoughts keep drifting back to Court. Why did he feel the need to defend me? How far would he have gone if the security team hadn’t intervened? Would he have done the same thing if it’d been Kadeeja or Haylee or the Alaska Girls? Thirty-six hours of traveling later, I’m still no closer to an answer.
“That’sreallygood.”
This time when I look up from my notebook, I get an eyeful of Gianna’smidriff. The Bombshells made a big announcement about taking a “sink bath” in the restroom and apparently that involves perfume, fresh makeup, and thirty percent less clothing. But in their defense, they do look and smell amazing.
“Court said you were an artist, but I didn’t realize how talented you are,” she continues.
“For real.” Alexis comes around to my left for a better look at my close-up sketch of Court’s fists gripping the asshole’s shirt. “The details are absolutely incredible.”
What’s happening right now? This is the most they’ve spoken to me in...ohhh. Of course. If I’d been drawing anything else, they would’ve walked right past me. Still, I don’t want to be rude, so I smile and say, “Thank you.”
“For what it’s worth, he couldn’t take his eyes off you that night,” Alexis says.
“He reminded me of a sad puppy. You know, the cute ones you find on the side of the road and end up taking home?” Gianna adds.
And just like that, thirty-six hours of confusion transform into clarity.
“You’re more than welcome to take him home. I don’t think he’d mind.”
They exchange a glance and then Alexis says, “We got the vibe that he’s not over you.”
Now I snort laugh. “He was over me the night he paraded his new girlfriend in front of me, and he recently told Paul I need a personality transplant, so...” I let my sentence die off as I rip the drawing from my notebook and hold it out to Alexis. “Thanks for the conversation though. It’s been enlightening.”
“How so?”
“I’ve had a few things on my mind and you’ve both really helped with that.”
Specifically, how Court coming to my defense was all an act. I mean, how else is he supposed to look like an emotionally wounded knight in shining armor in front of the Bombshells if there’s no dragon to slay?
“Oh. Well in that case, you’re welcome.”
They give me a quick wave and go back to their seats (you guessed it, right next to Court). He smiles when they flank him and then I hear Kennedy ask whether they know Sienna Diaz and Raquel Ezra.
As they launch into a lively discussion about visiting Green Valley, I flip to a fresh page in my notebook and start sketching a knight sitting in an airport chair surrounded by heart-eyed fair maidens.
Meeting an Olympic gold medalist in speed skating? Ten out of ten, would absolutely recommend. Going against her Olympic-gold-medal-winning time in a five-hundred-meter race? That’s a different story.
After landing in Queenstown, we went to the Basket of Dreams for our first clue and the Below Zero Ice Bar for our second. From there, we chose “Speed” over “Spice” and got our asses handed to us at the ice rink. The only upside was watching the A Team struggle too. They’ve dominated much of the race so far, so seeing them lose to the Alaska Girls was extremely satisfying. So was watching Court eat it when we first got on the ice, but I digress.
A gust of cold air greets us when we head back outside. We open our clue and find a solo challenge.
Who can Hackett at the Playground?
“Hackett,” Court says. “Is that what people in New Zealand call an ax or a hack saw? Maybe we’re building playground equipment?”
“We’renot doing anything. I already told you in Argentina that the next solo was mine.” I unseal the card, which says:
Go to the AJ Hackett Bungy Center and board a bus to Nevis Playground,
where you will complete a 134-meter bungy jump to receive your next clue.
Oh no.
No, no, no, no.
I read the clue again, but this time my brain translates it to: