Chapter 115: Chapter Eighteen

Demetri

“I cooked this,” I announced proudly as everyone began piling potato salad on their plates.

“You don't cook potato salad,” Jaymeson said as he put a generous amount of ketchup on his plate. “Therefore, you didn't cook it.”

“Tell them, babe.” I nodded to Alyssa.

She rolled her eyes. “Demetri only suffered two injuries while cutting the vegetables for the salad.” With an exaggerated arm raise, “Let's all give him a round of applause.”

Jaymeson clapped once. Angelica mouthed whatever and Nat clapped with Alyssa.

“Thanks, guys. Feeling the love.” I filled my plate with a burger and two hot dogs just as Alec came bursting onto the lawn, guns firing.

“Whoa there, partner.” I put up my hand. “I don't have any cash, just take my wallet.”

“Huh?” He stopped in front of me and shook his head.

“You looked like an escaped prison convict. I just assumed you were going to go with it and rob me,” I answered.

“Can I punch you in the face?”

I thought about it. “Hmm, just don't hit my camera side.”

“Alec,” Nat scolded. “You're moody. Eat some food.”

Alec smiled and saluted her as he made his way over to the picnic table where our feast was piled up.

“I have an announcement!” Ruben and the camera crew piled out of the house and onto the lawn.

“Do you think we can make a run for it?” I whispered to Alec.

“If I thought we could make a run for it, I would have already been gone.” He sighed.

“The polls are in!” Ruben clapped his little T-rex hands and rubbed them together. “Your ratings are the highest they've ever been, and I'm happy to announce that Teambuilding Week was a hit!”

“Probably because we made absolute asses out of ourselves.” Angelica scoffed.

“Just you, Angelica. Just you,” Alec added.

I smirked and nodded my head in her direction. I was gifted with her middle finger and a smile.

“Who won?” This from Jaymeson, who was currently fighting a losing battle with his hot dog. Did they not have hot dogs in England?

“That's not how you eat a hot dog.” I pointed to his fork and plate. “You don't cut it with a knife, England. You put it in your mouth.”

“Hot dogs remind me of man bits. No way am I putting a man bit in my mouth and biting down for all the world to see.”

“That was a visual I could have done without,” Alec announced.

Ruben cleared his throat. “As I was saying, the polls are in and I'm happy to say that the winning team was…”

“Please say the bunnies.” I crossed my fingers. I needed to get away from the cameras and spend some time with Alyssa before I resorted to sneaking into her room again.

“The Fairies!”

“Yes!” Nat threw her fist into the air and jumped. “Winners!”

I glared. “Yes, rub it in. Pour some more salt, and rub some more. Love you too, Nat!”

Alec was silent. He cleared his throat a few times. “Um, I feel like we win all the time. I know you really wanted it, man.” He slapped my back. “If you want it, it's yours.”

“Come again?” Nat and I said in unison.

Alec shrugged. “Don't get me wrong. I would love to be alone with Nat.” He gave her a knowing wink.

“Sounds fishy.” I tapped my chin.

Nat looked between me and Alec. I could tell she was kind of bummed. How could Alec not see that his own girlfriend was really looking forward to a two-day trip with him?

“We'll go!” Angelica yelled.

“No, we won't.” Jaymeson sputtered. “Not unless you want me to bury your body under a seedy hotel.”

“I may kill you first.”

“If there is a God you'll succeed, so I don't have to listen to you—”

“—Stop!” Ruben cursed. “You guys are worse than kids. No prize trading. The viewers voted Nat and Alec win. They go to the Spa. Everyone else stays here and goes to the beach.”

Jaymeson raised his hand.

“What?” Ruben ran his hand through his hair. “What, Jaymeson?”

“Can I just go to hell? Instead of the beach, I mean?”

“Pardon?”

“Hell. I would rather go to Hell than be in the hot sun with that one.” He pointed to Angelica. “I can only take so much. I'm on borrowed time.”

“Any other questions?” Ruben ignored Jaymeson and searched our faces. “Good.” He clapped his hands one last time.

“I would freaking storm on their parade if it means I wouldn't have to be stuck here one more second.” Jaymeson stuffed the rest of the hot dog in his mouth and sighed with his mouth open.

“Close your mouth.” Angelica pushed him. “Gross.”

“Only if you open yours, baby. Come on, you can take me.”

I groaned and shook my head at Alec. “Lucky bastard. I get stuck with them all weekend.”

“And me!” Alyssa smacked the back of my head. “I'm fun!”

“You're fine. They…” I pointed at Angelica and Jaymeson. “…however, may get arrested and take us down with them.”

Alec pulled out his phone and clicked through the details. His face paled. “Um, I thought we were going to stay in the general area of the, um… coast?”

Ruben's eyes narrowed. “Is there a problem?”

“No.” Alec swallowed and laughed dryly. “I just didn't expect us to fly somewhere. I mean, it's only two days.”

“Stop stressing.” Ruben shrugged. “Go enjoy yourselves.”

“Right.” Alec bit down on his lip and slipped his phone back into his pocket. “Fun.”