Page 100 of House of Deceit

“She does, but she only has one facet and eventually the audience will be bored with that.”

“We’ll bring them both back for a second round of auditions. Make a note, will you?”

His words register through the haze in my brain and I pull out my phone, immediately typing into my ever-present list.

“You’ve got it.”

“I will say, you have an amazing eye for talent. I never would have looked twice at that kid, the one you picked for the male lead, but he really is perfect.”

“Part of picking a contestant to back for House of Deceit is knowing when someone can not only win the competition, but do the infinitely harder job of winning the audience. It takes a specific type of person.” I tuck my phone away once I have all the notes he needs typed out.

He continues eating his salad and we both sit in our own thoughts. I look at my watch and think through where Charlie will be on the last day of the game. I’ve watched every episode since my departure, unable to go without seeing her if I have the opportunity. The tortured look in her eyes breaks my heart, but I know I did the right thing for her. And for my career, if not for my heart.

On the last day in the mansion, the final three contestants are separated and won’t see each other until they complete the final challenge, live. The last episode is around three hours long with various interviews of eliminated contests and clips of the final three leading into the challenge. And ends with the crowning of the winner.

In my mind’s eye, I can see Charlie pacing her room as she waits for the final challenge.

“I’m glad you were able to come on board, my boy. Sheila was right about everything she said,” Cochran says, breaking me out of my thoughts of Charlie. “I was a little surprised when she called to tell me your availability changed.”

“Yes, finding someone to take over that I thought could do a great job for my contestant was important, but I would have been crazy to turn this opportunity down. Changing a wrangler so late in the game could derail someone. I had to weigh my commitment to the person I chose against my career. I’m glad it worked out.”

“Who did you pick?”

“Charlie Price.”

“Oh, yes, she’s great. Very charismatic and quite easy on the eyes,” he wiggles his bushy eyebrows at me.

“Yes, she is,” I chuckle.

“Her loss is my gain. But I hope she wins. My sister and I love the show. We always watch House of Deceit. My wife hates reality television, but we seemed to bond over it immediately when my Bonnie introduced us. Every year it feels like we have a new show to watch.”

“That must be why you were so willing to interview me. I’ve found my resume gives people pause when it comes to ‘real’ shows and movies.”

He waves his hand in the air.

“Bah. I never believe in any of that. If you have the instincts, that’s what really matters. You can’t teach that. Sheila said you’re the best wrangler she’s ever had. How your contestants always go to the final. She told me your last few and I watched some of their seasons and they always seemed to be the best on camera. I saw how their storylines always highlighted their strengths even if they were a little lackluster. I thought, ‘If he can pick someone like that out of a stack of applications, he has the eye to bring a vision to life.’”

“I appreciate you taking the chance on me,” I tell him sincerely. I might be upset I had to leave Charlie, but I am getting a chance at my dream. One that I can’t let my heartache ruin.

“You should go,” he says.

“Go? Go where?”

“Go back to the hotel. Watch the show. We don’t have much else happening today now that these auditions are done. And here soon I’ll be calling my sister-in-law to watch the finale together. You should go. Get settled in early and see if your horse wins the race.”

“I would hate to leave you without help for the day,” I tell him, but my heart isn’t in it. I want to watch Charlie. I want to soak in every second of the last time I’ll get to see her live.

“You think you’re the only person who can help me? Please,” he jokes. “Plus, if I have to see you mope any more, I might jump off a cliff. Go watch your girl.”

“How did—”

“I can see love when it’s right in front of my face. You look how I felt when I was stupid enough to let Bonnie walk away from me for all of a week. I’ll tell you this for free. Nothing in my life would mean anything if Bonnie wasn’t waiting for me at home. Now get out of here. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Thank you, Tom,” I say, putting my napkin on the table and standing.

“And kid? Don’t wait too long to go back to her. A girl like that? She won’t be around forever.”

Lorelei is folding the laundry on our video call while I hear Tank scrubbing the bathroom, singing along to his favorite song from the ‘90s. They could hire help, but they enjoy taking care of their home together.

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