Page 54 of Never Ever Getting Back Together

“You know, a gentle nudge would do fine,” I grumble thickly. “I also respond to my name.”

“I’m getting you in the right headspace,” she says from the top bunk. “I had an idea.”

I massage my closed eyes with my fingertips. Why do filming days have to start soearly? “Shoot.”

“I figured out how we can turn you into a hero without hurting anyone.”

“Physicallyorpsychologically?”

“Neither this time!”

I flip onto my back. “You have my attention.”

“Okay, so. I can’t swim very well.”

“Oh, you must be thrilled about today’s activity, then.” Yesterday, Isaac swung past our room in the morning to give us a heads-up about today’s challenge for episode two. We’re all heading to the lake to learn how to kayak, and then we’ll race to win a whole night alone with Jordy. Worst first-place medal I’ve ever heard of, personally, but the others seemed pumpedabout the prize when we all discussed it over breakfast. Different strokes for different folks.

“Yeah. I especially love the part where life jackets aren’t ‘sexy’ so we have to leave them under the seats,” Skye says drily. “Then I thought, it’s a good thing we’re getting paid to risk our lives.ThenI remembered, we’re not getting paid, because love’s worthless.”

“Oh, you saw the slideshow, too,” I chirp. “Great read. I’m hoping for a sequel.”

“Sure. Anyway, Jordy knows I can’t swim. If we wait for everyone to be distracted, I could throw my oar overboard and drift out to the middle of the lake.”

“Skye, I want to get away from Jordy as much as you do, but that seems a little dramatic.”

“No.” She bangs the wall lightly. “So you can rescue me on camera. Obviously, our plan to get the girls on your side isn’t working out so well, so I thought it might be time to focus on rehabilitating your image on the show. They’re not going to let Jordy pick their villain as the winner, so it’s fairly important we make sure you’re not the villain. At least, not anymore. Yes?”

I hoist myself out of bed and peek over the bars of the top bunk at Skye, who’s sprawled on top of her made bed, casually tossing a stress ball and catching it.

“But you can’t swim,” I say.

“As we’ve established; glad you’re listening this time.”

“So, your idea is to place your life in imminent danger just so I can stage a dramatic rescue, to help us more effectively get revenge on our ex-boyfriend?”

“Yes.”

I stare at her until she catches the ball and holds it. She shoots me a nonchalant sideways glance.

“Well,” I say perkily, “I think it’s a great idea.”

“That’s the spirit.”

“If you trust me not to let you drown.”

She starts tossing the ball again. “Hmm. But what would be your incentive to kill me?”

“There aren’t any obvious ones. I mean, I could be playing the long game, and this was part of my plan all along.”

“Ha. You being able to plan. Thatwouldbe a plot twist.”

“Hey, nice one, fuck you.”

Skye tries and fails to hide a smirk. “Also, I’m just going for a leisurely sail without a paddle. I’m not cliff-diving. That’s where I draw the line.”

“Have you ever kayaked before?” I ask.

“Well, no. But how hard can it be?” She playfully lobs the ball in my direction, and I lunge to the side to dodge it with a squeal.

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