Page 57 of Hunter

I turn back to the camera and shrug. “Um…no. Not really.”

“Sure about that?” asks Meghan. “No one here making your heart pitter patter?”

“Pretty sure,” I say, stonewalling her.

“Huh,” she says, looking both disappointed and unconvinced. “Okay. Whatever you say. Good luck on the fishing challenge, Team Primos!”

She cuts the cameraman with a swipe of her hand across her neck and turns back around in her seat. I wait a beat for her to explain why she asked me what she did, but she starts chatting with the driver instead.

“What the heck was that all about?” I whisper, leaning closer to Beto.

“No clue,” he mutters, staring out the window. “Are you two being careful? It’s against the rules to hook up with someone on production. If anyone finds out, it could look like we’re getting an unfair advantage.”

“First of all, we’re not getting any advantage whatsoever. Hunter doesn’t tell me anything about the race. We don’t even talk about it when we’re together. And second of all, we know the rules. We’re being super discreet. I promise. We know what’s at stake.”

“Then she’s probably just fishing,” he says with a little shrug. “You know, looking for a story. They love to play with the ‘storylines’ when possible.”

“Mmm,” I agree. “I guess. Probably.”

We turn into the parking area near the river and run from the van onto the waiting charter boat. And with that, Meghan’s questions are whisked entirely from my mind.

***

Team Soul Sisters, who chose to fly and got a late start, couldn’t see Denali’s peak because of increasing cloud coverage throughout the afternoon. They went around the mountain again and again, trying to get a clean shot, but when a storm rolled in, their plane was grounded.

The other four teams, including ours, are all in the lobby of the Talkeetna Lodge to see them arrive, exhausted and defeated. We look on in sympathy as they’re eliminated from the race.

“They were strong contenders,” says Beto, watching the drama unfold, “so it’s good they’re going. But I’ll miss them. They were fun.”

Currently in fourth/last place, behind Teams Hot Docs, Newlyweds, and Brady, we still have a chance at the million dollars, but we need to up our game. We can’t let our guard down. We still have challenges ahead in Fairbanks, Nome and Utqiagvik, and every upcoming leg is an elimination round. We can’t make any mistakes.

“What’s your plan for tonight?” I ask him.

“Food. Drinks. Sleep. You?”

I haven’t seen Hunter since I got back to the hotel. He was assigned to the detour challenge at the Talkeetna Airport and only returned when Team Soul Sisters got back a few minutes ago. I glance at him across the lobby—at his tall body and blond head. He’s easy to spot in a bright red anorak.God, he’s hot.And all mine.My stomach flips over with sweet anticipation.

“Hunter’s room,” I murmur. “We’ll order room service.”

I’m still swooning over my super handsome summer boyfriend when Beto elbows me in the ribs. “Prima, are you sure that’s still a good idea? I mean, after the questions today?”

“They don’t know anything,” I say, brushing off his worries. “They were fishing for a story just like you said. That’s all. Besides, it’s not like when we were on the boat, and there were cameras everywhere. We’re in a different hotel every night. The production crew doesn’t have cameras in the hotel hallways. Not to mention, we’re never together. We always enter his room at different times. How would they even catch us? We’re careful. I promise.”

“If you say so,” he says. “But I’ve got my eye on a silver Ferrari Spider, and I’ma be pissed if you wreck it for me.”

“A Ferrari?” This is the first I’ve heard of Beto’s plans for his winnings. “How much willthatcost?”

He smirks. “Three hunny.”

“Three hundred thousand dollars?” I demand, my voice screeching a little. “Are you crazy?”

“Nah, bruh. It’s an investment.”

“Only if you never drive it,” I point out. “If you use it, it’ll depreciate. Are you planning to drive it?”

“Of course!” he says, looking at me like I’m crazy. “I’ma get the ladies with my sweet wheels, yo!”

“So…it’s aninvestmentin your sex life?” I ask. “Oh my god, Beto! Use your head! You could buy yourself a house with that money. Go to college. Invest in your retirement—”

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