Page 19 of Chasing Sunsets

An hour later, she walked beside Zack as they got off the Reunion Tower elevator. It looked like all the teams were already there. Money was not allowed unless provided as part of a challenge, so they were at the mercy of the studio for meals. If players took too long on a task and missed dinner at night, they received another sack with food. Water bottles, though, were always available. Kelly waved to her, and Sadie walked over. Kelly introduced her husband, Brett. With dark brown hair and eyes, he wore a closely clipped beard. Brett and Zack were rooming together.

As the sun descended, internal vibrations shivered in Sadie’s body. If they were still racing, she’d blame it on nervousness, but they were done for the day.

Why was she shaking?

While they spoke, Gemini arrived. The larger-than-life star still wore the skin-tight jumpsuit she’d been in since this morning. A few people not associated with the show talked in whispers and pointed at her.

Jessie came off the elevator with Gemini. He held a fifth of clear liquor in one hand, and a bottle of Fiji water in the other. Beside him, one of the camerapersons held a stack of throwaway tiny shot glasses and a bowl of sliced limes.

“Before we turn the cameras on for sunset, we’d like to perform a custom we’ve been doing since we began filming this show. We invite you to share a shot for good luck. If you prefer not to drink—” Jessie held up the bottle of water. “Please still join us.”

Sadie snagged a cup and lime wedge from the camera guy. When Jessie came to her, she pointed to the tequila. She concentrated on keeping her hand as steady as possible as she held out the cup.

Jessie finished pouring the drinks and set the bottle down to pick up his own little red shot glass. For an instant, Sadie felt like she was back in college. Parties she’d attended always had these shot glasses.

Glass raised, Gemini proudly said, “ToChasing Sunsetsadventures!”

“ToChasing Sunsetsadventures,” everyone echoed and downed their shot.

The tangy taste and sharp burn of the alcohol down her throat made Sadie suck in a needed breath just before she bit into the lime.

Five minutes later, Gemini recorded an energetic recap of the day while the sun descended below the horizon, spreading rays in a myriad of colors—orange to pink to purple—across the sky.

Transfixed on the magnificent sunset, on its beauty, Sadie’s vision blurred. Something moved in her periphery. She turned toward it and found a cameraman filming her.

A reminder she must keep a lid on her emotions.

After sunset, they boarded a bus. She slid into an empty row in the middle of the bus and Zack sat next to her. She wondered if he’d taken the tequila or water. She hadn’t noticed.

Conversations murmured around her, nothing distinctive because of the loud bus engine. Sadie realized how relaxed she was now. Her shaking had stopped, thank goodness.

The city, alive with lights and traffic, rushed by. The trip didn’t take long, and soon they approached an illuminated building in the shape of a castle with a two-headed bird coat of arms painted on the outside. Ever the gentleman, Zack allowed the couple across from them to get up first, then he rose and let her out of the row. The hot night air, dryer than the humidity she was accustomed to, didn’t instantly make her sweat. Grateful for small graces, she entered the building.

Led past the ticket booth, they walked into a vast room decorated in vibrant colored flags where the crest from the front of the building spanned the length of the ceiling. They passed a souvenir shop with displays of knives, swords, maces, lances, and armor. Different from anything she’d ever seen. A woman dressed in a poufy shirt, tight corset and long skirt handed them each a paper crown. Everyone put them on while she escorted them inside. With most of the seats already taken, she directed them to a roped off section.

The seats were at long bars that faced a vast arena filled with sand. Each section was lit by uplighting and colorful coats of arms covered the walls.

Zack held out her chair as she sat. The menu listed one meal with a footnote stating vegetarian meals were available upon request. The other side had alcoholic cocktails with clever medieval names.

A young man dressed in black came to their row and started taking drink orders. Ruben, sitting on the other side of Zack, said, “I think we all need another shot of tequila.”

“I’m sorry, my lord,” the waiter replied. “Only the drinks on the menu are available.”

“If you have margaritas, you have tequila.”

Tamara shushed him.

Ruben sighed and looked at the menu. “Fine. I’ll take a Dragon Slayer.”

“What would you like, my lady?” the server asked Sadie.

“Ma—”

Maiden’s Kissnever made it out of her mouth.

Reality crashed through her.

Pinpricks stung her skin. Heat radiated from her core.

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