Page 62 of Subscriber Wars

“I’m merely pointing out that I don’t know how to cook,” I say. “So unless you know how to—” I nod to the bag of charcoal in the back, “—use that, then this little ‘romantic weekend’ will turn into a ‘bathroom getaway’ again.”

Vee stuffs the remaining bag into the back of my Jeep, which looks like we robbed Costco every day for a week. “We’ll google it. Besides—” she shrugs, “how hard can it be?”

I’m thinking pretty fucking complicated, but I’d never admit it.

“Whatever,” I clip, slamming the hatch and giving her a shove around to the passenger side. “At least the video will look authentic if we fuck it up.”

Vee’s eyes go wide. “Yes! Now you’re thinking! Did you see Malcolm teasing his viewers with a surprise in his last video?”

I nod. “Yeah.”

There are rumors about Malcolm and his video ideas. I honestly don’t know if the rumors are true about him stealing other MyViewer’s material, but something in my gut tells me they probably are, given Malcolm’s creepy personality.

“I wonder who he’ll rip off this time?”

I shrug. “Does it matter? We’re beating him by a landslide.”

Vee climbs into the passenger side and buckles in. “Do you think we have a shot at really winning this thing?”

I walk around the front of the Jeep and get in. “Absolutely. After this weekend, nothing we post will cause us to lose our spot. Malcolm doesn’t have a chance in hell of winning.”

“Stay on the road!”

I ease back to the middle of the road and cut Vee a pained look. “I’m sorry. It was like my hands knew the only way to peace was to run us into a ditch.”

I smother a laugh when her eyes narrow. “I swear to all that is holy I will cut your pillow to shreds and use it as dog bedding if you make one more joke about my singing.”

I shrug, not promising I won’t make another joke about her horrific singing. “I’m kind of used to sleeping without it now. Do with it what you wish.”

I focus back on the road but then tell her, “I’m still not giving your chair back though.”

She scoffs. “You think that concerns me? I’ll just continue to come watch my movies at your house. All your future girlfriends will have to learn to adapt to your nightly houseguest.”

The words, ‘future girlfriends,’ send a chill through the warm air. It reminds me that whatever this is with Vee isn’t real nor will it last until ‘future girlfriends.’ Once we win, I’m leaving. I don’t plan to stay and finish school. Instead of Vee watching her stupid movies on my patio while I pretend to watch something else, she’ll be watching them back onherpatio like before. Alone.

Vee’s chuckle dies when she notices that I didn’t contribute to the laughter. I could have faked one, but I don’t see the point. The contest will be over soon, and I think it’s best we both remember that. It’ll make things easier.

“So…” She clears her throat, turning the radio off. “I was looking on the map and there’s a town coming up.”

“Do you need a bathroom break again?” I roll my eyes. I swear she needs to stop to pee every fifteen miles.

“No, jerk face. I don’t have to pee, but I know there’s a Red Cross there.” She looks down at her hands. “It’s not out of the way and since you were sick on the week you normally go, I thought you might want to make up for it.”

I sigh. I hate that I took her with me that one time. “Are you going to faint this time when they stick me?”

She grins. “Maybe.”

“Maybe?” I repeat, my lips tipping up at the corners into a grin. “Maybe you should wait in the Jeep?”

She waves me off. “I’ll be fine. Second time’s a charm.”

I scoff. I highly doubt it, but I guess we’ll see.

“Alright, you can come in, but if you faint, you can’t sing for the rest of the ride.”

I don’t mean it, but it feels good changing the subject.

“You’re a dick.” She side-eyes me, but she’s smiling.

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