Page 61 of The Final Rose

Finally, it’s my feet coming down the main stairs. The camera pans from my shoes until it finally reaches my torso. I’m fixing my cufflinks like a proper knob with the grossest smile on my lips: “Hello, ladies.”

Sparkles,The Final Rose.

I keep the device in my hands for longer than necessary. It’s not exactly bad. No. It’s quite on-brand, actually.

Yet, I have to hold myself together not to cringe.

For the first time, I wonder what the girls are saying between themselves. They are on camera all the time, from morning until night. They sleep together and share all kinds of conversations while I only interact with them on scheduled dates.

They share an intimacy that I don’t have with any of them. It’s clear that they got closer as the months went by and it comes to me now that they might have a different perspective of this show.

People comment on the teaser, they shake hands, happy about how good it all looks, and make a toast to the best season yet.

Like he senses my mood going down, Maverick faces me with a serious expression, “Listen, I wasn’t happy about that sleazy smile, either.”

I can’t help but chuckle, and then I drink a little more and hope to forget.

It’s way past anyone’s bedtime when we are done. I wouldn’t think it would be ok for us to stay so late drinking, but the only thing they complained about was the possibility of an early morning.

I watch them filing in and Maverick stays back with me. I feel bad for the girls too. They went to bed too early, and it almost felt like we were keeping them away.

Callie is holding on to Dora. They are laughing and talking, barely noticing the world around them. Another crew member comes around and takes Doris into his arms, claiming she’s a lousy drunk, but it’s all in good nature.

The floor clears out soon, and Callie looks back at me and Maverick, still there.

Her cheeks are rosy from the cold or alcohol, and her hair is unkempt under the beanie. I can’t explain how perfect this woman is.

She’s small and sweet, voracious and strong. She’s so many things I can’t barely keep up.

She slices me open with a look. She can tear my chest apart in a second. No one ever had that much power over me.

Maverick slaps my back. “Go on, then.” He’s not even finished and I’m already walking.

I see he’s following, but my eyes are on Callie. She’s hanging beside the back door, her eyes sparkling from the garden lights. I stop in front of her, and I say nothing.

“Goodnight, Cals.” Maverick comes behind me. Callie smiles up at him and mouths goodnight.

Maverick goes up the stairs as Callie’s mouth turns down into a line.

“We can’t stay here alone,” she says, but like me, she doesn’t move.

“We were all drinking late. Everyone was together.”

“Here…” I tug her arm, pulling her inside the house and closing the backdoor after me.

There’s no point standing in the cold.

The lights are out in the spacious sitting room, our faces illuminated only by the lights outside. It feels like a bad omen that we can only be together in the darkness.

“I need to go to bed,” Callie whispers. “I share a room with the other--”

I kiss her. She’s right, she’s always right. But I watched her for a full day and night, wanting nothing but to kiss and hold her and I can't take it anymore.

Callie melts in my arms, setting herself free for just a second. We kiss, and it’s perfect. The blood rushes through my veins and I want more.

I need to fuck her again. As animalistic as it sounds, the need is strong. I’m tired of sneaking out and pretending I'm not in love with Callie Sosa.

She ends the kiss, massaging her temple as she shakes her head. “This is insane.”

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