Page 34 of Hunter

Outside, I hear two more teams check in with Nat. They must have finished the carving challenge, and they already made it back to the pit stop. The Barbies arewaybehind. And sure enough, two hours later, when they’re still trying to chop a log together, Nat enters the arena to tell them that they can stop. They’re the last team to check in, and they’ve both been eliminated from the race.

We share a van back to the ship, and they cry bitterly, fighting with each other and swearing that they wish they’d never met. They’re a sad sight trudging back to the ship in their wilted, hot-pink tutus and matching hot-pink sneakers that are still wet from this morning andsquishloudly with every step.

As for me, I’m distracted by thoughts of Isabella as I return to my room, grateful that Rick is nowhere to be found.

I don’t need your pity. I’m not broken.

As I lie back on my bed, I remember what I said to her last night and wince at the memory. I literallytoldher that I felt sorry for her—that the fact she didn’t believe in true love or magic was “the saddest thing I’ve ever heard.”

Shit.I guess I hit a nerve.

I’m going to need to repair it before my dreams of a second fling can come true.

***

“What’d I tell you about the Barbies?” asks Kit, as we sit side-by-side at the bar that evening. “No way they were going to make it very far.”

I gesture to the bartender to bring us another round. “I saw them pack up and leave the ship an hour ago. Do they go home now?”

“Nope,” says Kit. “Last leg of the race is up in Utqiagvik. The show buys out a hotel up there and anyone eliminated before the end of the show has to go stay there until production is finished.”

“So those two were headed to…” My eyes widen. Utqiagvik, formerly known as Barrow, is the largest city in the North Slope region of Alaska, located above the Arctic Circle. It’s the most remote town in the United States. And cold. In June, on a normal day, the high might reach 50°F.Might.

“Utqiagvik. Yeah. And get this—the show gets worried about eliminated contestants sharing spoilers about the race, so they aren’t allowed to have phones or tablets or anything. They can go on the computer in the hotel’s business center, but only under supervision.” Kit is trying not to smile. “Tough break for those two, huh?”

I can’t help it; I bust out laughing as I picture those girls in Utqiagvik with no internet or social media. I don’t imagine they’ll be very happy. I’ve never been to Utqiagvik myself, but I’ve been to other small, remote Alaskan towns, where there are two or three restaurants, a hardware store, a grocery store, and maybe a church or two. No shopping. No movie theater. Not much to do. It’s going to be a looooong three weeks for Team Barbies, and that’s a fact.

“I guess they’ll have to get their Netflix on?”

“I’d Netflix and chill with them anytime,” adds Kit between giggles.

I’m hooting with laughter at this point.

“What’s so funny?”

I look over my shoulder to find Rick looking back and forth between me and Kit. Seeing him is sobering. Just his presence squashes the mood.

“Oh, nothing,” I say. “I just didn’t realize the eliminated teams were exiled north.”

“You wouldn’t think it was funny if it was you,” says Rick with a sour expression. “They were hot. I’m pissed they’re gone.” He flags down the bartender. “Three shots of tequila with salt and lime.”

“None for me, thanks. I don’t drink tequila,” says Kit.

“It’s not for you, Butch.”

Kit’s smile disappears, and her eyes go wide. Now, Kit can be fierce, no doubt, but physically, she’s petite. Rick’s gotat leastfifty pounds on her. Andtechnically, he’s our boss. Calling her names is way out of line.

“Hey, man,” I say. “Don’t talk to her like that.”

“You’re telling me what to do? That’s cute.”

“I’m telling you that it’s not appropriate to call her that. Don’t do it again.”

“Or what?” he asks.

“Do it and find out,” I say, sliding off my barstool and straightening to my full six-foot three-inch stature. I fist my hand and crack the knuckles with my other hand, the noise sharp and menacing.

“My dad’ll be pissed if you lay a hand on me.”

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