Page 23 of Game Changer
“Because you can’t know in a matter of weeks if you love someone. This show is based purely on attraction.”
Callie shakes her head. “So untrue.”
“Is it? Why don’t they have any plus-sized people on this show? Why are all the contestants drop-dead gorgeous? The show doesn’t pick anyone average looking to participate. Why do you think that is?”
“I . . .” Callie furrows her brows, attempting to think of a valid response.
“It depends on the bachelor or bachelorette,” Destiny adds. “I’ve watched some pretty self-centered people on this show, but there are also genuine ones who don’t base it on how someone looks.”
Callie sighs dreamily. “Call me superficial. I don’t care. I only know what’s been revealed on the show about him, but Ryder’s my dream man. He’s perfect.”
“Point proven,” Ethan says.
“Someone sounds a little salty,” Leo teases. “What? You don’t think you could be the bachelor, Ethan?”
He tips his head back and laughs. “No way in hell would I be chosen.”
I hate the way he views himself. I hate that he feels so insignificant when he’s so fucking hot. He’s the sexiest man I’ve ever laid eyes on, and I’m not kidding. He has no reason to be insecure, but it’s evident in the way he’s expressing his hatred for this show. He thinks he doesn’t compare to those guys when that’s simply not the case.
“Maya could be the bachelorette,” Destiny says, then goes back to blowing on her polish. “You’re the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen.”
I roll my eyes. “Come on. Have you seenyourself?”
Callie switches places with Destiny and sorts through the nail polish. “She’s telling the truth. You’d be perfect for the role. Guys would literally drop to their knees to get a chance with you.”
Ethan grunts and shuffles the cards.
“If you could have a dream guy, what would he look like?” Callie asks.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Ethan pause his shuffling, then flick his eyes to mine before returning to his task. Leo sits back with an amused grin, arms crossed over his stomach, as he watches the scene unfold.
I could lie and make things less awkward for everyone, but I’ve never been one to do the right thing. I promised I wouldn’t lead Ethan on, but hearing him think so poorly of himself? Having him think he couldn’t be a contestant? It bothers the hell out of me. And just like I told him to take his shirt off five months ago, I’ll continue to do what I need if only for him to see himself the way I see him. Consequences be damned.
“Well.” I grab the red polish from Callie and shake it. “I’m a sucker for blond hair, and I like a man with a stockier build. More to cuddle with, you know? But more than anything, my dream guy would be someone I feel safe sharing my secrets with. He’d be the kind of guy I could talk to for all hours of the night and never get tired of. He’d be . . .” I smile fondly at the memories. “ . . . the kind of guy who’d give me the last bite of ice cream because he knows it’s my favorite flavor.”
Ethan doesn’t take his eyes off me. For a heartbeat, we’re the only people in this room, and if I could, I’d climb onto his lap and kiss him in front of everyone with no fucks given. I’d prove to him that he’s so worthy of all the love in the world, and I’d tell him I’m sorry for ever putting more doubt in his mind when I walked away from us. I’d fix it all if I could, and I wish that could be enough, but it isn’t.
It never will be.
“That’s very specific,” Leo says. “See, if I was the bachelor, I’d—”
“Ugh!” Destiny whines and points at the television. “It lost connectionagain! Right before the sneak peek for next week!”
This is the only downside to not having a television in my dorm room, but I can’t afford to buy one, and my roommate still hasn’t shown up yet. I’m starting to think I’ll be living solo for the remainder of the semester, which annoys me. I miss Maddie like crazy, and although Destiny and Callie are good substitutes, they aren’ther. I was hoping to share a bond with my roommate like the one I share with Maddie, but the older I get, the more I realize that what Maddie and I have is a once in a lifetime friendship.
It’s irreplaceable.
Leo rises from the chair and inspects the back of the television. “Did you try tightening the coaxial connector?”
Ethan laughs when all three of us stare at his roommate like we’re deer in headlights.
“Thewhat?” Destiny asks.
“The coaxial connector,” he repeats slowly. “It transmits analog signals, and—” He stops midsentence and shakes his head. “Never mind. Sorry. AV nerd coming out.” Then he reaches behind the television, replugs one of the cords, and suddenly our favorite television show is back on just in time for the sneak peeks.
Destiny squeals. “Ah, thank you! You’re our hero.”
Leo leans against the wall and arches a brow. “What does the hero get in return?”
