Page 105 of House of Deceit

I’m speechless as I look to Parker who is smiling at me like he won himself.

Both of the guys drop my hands and clap for me as I make my way through the foyer. I cross the threshold and my face breaks into a smile as tears gather in my eyes.

Fireworks explode from behind the mansion while confetti rains down along the front doorway as I step out of the House of Deceit as the winner.

Jayden and Parker trail behind as we leave for the first time in three months. The booms of fireworks rattle in my chest. All the past contestants swarm us as we have our first breaths of free air, Molly and Keith wrapping me in their arms first. Everyone is cheering and hugging me but all I can do is wish Alec was here to watch this. To celebrate my win. Our win. Because I couldn’t have done this without him. I would have gone crazy long before the end of the game. Parker steps in front of me once we are on the driveway, and sweeps me into a hard, spinning hug.

“I knew you could do it, Charlie. I knew you were going to win it from day one.” He sets me back down on my feet and softly kisses me. He takes a second and searches my face. “What’s wrong?”

“I—” A blur of a wrangler comes up to my side and grabs my arm, walking me over to a lighted set with Jacob Jacobson standing in the middle having his makeup touched up. I look back at him and mouth sorry but he waves me off.

“Charlie, we need you. You have to interview with Jacob right now. He’s ready and we will go live in two minutes.” I trail behind her, trying not to fall over. “I’ve got her!” she calls out, shoving me toward the lifted platform.

Hair and makeup attack me, quickly adjusting everything that has been mussed in the congratulations I received. Someone with a clipboard and a headset comes up to me and starts talking at a rapid pace.

“Okay, Charlie, when we come back from commercial, Jacob is going to give a quick speech and then he’s going to invite you onto the stage. You have three minutes and then we’ll be taking you to the after-party. There will be more cameras there, but no further interviews.”

“No problem,” I say. Not a single ounce of enthusiasm lives in my body at the thought of more cameras. The camera person counts down before indicating to Jacob we are live. It’s odd watching him introduce me after knowing him behind a screen for so many weeks.

“—our winner, Charlie Price!” Everyone cheers and I step onto the stage. As I feel lights against my back, I paste a smile onto my face. Jacob holds his arms open to me and I step in. He air kisses each cheek before indicating I should take the chair across from him.

My green sparkle dress irritates me but I fight against fidgeting with it, my mother’s voice in my head to be demure.

“Charlie, Charlie, Charlie. First of all, I want to wish you my deepest congratulations! It has been a long twelve weeks, but it must have been so satisfying to come out of it the winner!”

“Yes, it’s been the most surreal experience of my entire life. I feel like I’m in a dream right now. It just hasn’t sunk in!” A giddy voice I don’t recognize comes from me and I try to make myself relax.

“I’m sure you are so excited to finally be out of the mansion…” he trails off, expectantly.

“Honestly, I kind of miss the mansion right now. It’s been my home for twelve weeks and while that’s not a long time, it’s enough time to completely change your life. To make lifelong friendships.”

“You and Parker seemed closer than some. How was it to form such a close relationship?”

“Parker is an amazing man and I’ve had the time of my life with him, with everyone. Our friendship is something I will cherish for the rest of my life.”

“After Molly was eliminated, it seemed he was a spot of comfort for you,” he pressures.

“I missed being home with my friends and family. I was broken up with only a few months prior after a couple years with the person. Losing someone I was close to was really hard. Having a friend in that house was the difference between my ability to last the entirety of the game and going home early. Parker was happy to fulfill that role for me and I him.”

“Charlie, thank you for your time and congratulations again.”

“Of course, thank you.”

Jacob Jacobson turns toward the camera, dismissing me now that our time together is over. He thanks the audience for watching the season and promises an even better one next year. I smile benignly until the red light of the camera blinks out.

I stand from the chair and see movement out of the corner of my eye. Courtney stands there, hands clasped in front of her chest, the largest smile I have ever seen in my life plastered on her face. With no thoughts in my brain, I launch myself at her, wrap her tightly in my arms, and cry.

I have Courtney’s hand grasped tightly in mine as I fight through the throngs of well-wishers and show people. All the contestants, the wranglers, production crew, and anyone else involved with our season plus many others are dancing and drinking to their heart’s content. After twelve weeks of work and competitions, everyone is thrilled to be done.

Parker walks up to me and smiles at Courtney.

“Parker, I want you to meet my best friend, Courtney. Courtney, Parker.”

“Courtney, it is truly a pleasure to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you.” He kisses the back of her hand, making her swoon.

“The pleasure is all mine. I haven’t been told anything about you, but I promise that will change.” He chuckles before turning back to me.

“Courtney, if you wouldn’t mind, I’m going to steal Charlie for just a moment, but I’ll bring her back to you soon. If you’d like to grab a drink, I can deposit her at the bar when we’re done.”

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