Two days later, everyone gathered for the final group date, which was bowling. The lodge had two lanes in the basement, and Dominic told the girls he wanted to have a more casual date. Though this bowling alley was a lot fancier than Charlotte was used to, it still reminded her more of a real life date than most of the dates they’d gone on for the show.
The five of them shared one lane. There had been a short but intense argument about whether to put the bumpers up—Charlotte thought it was cheating, while Teagan insisted she’d never manage to roll anything other than a gutter ball without them. Teagan won.
Charlotte really didn’t care that much, but she’d been in a bad mood since Catherine had caught her with Dominic. Her mood didn’t improve when Dominic refused to meet her eyes when the girls arrived for the date. He greeted them all as a group, but he didn’t look at her once. Even Dominic-the-jerk didn’t ignore her. He teased her and tried to flirt with her in the most obnoxious way possible, but he’d never pretended she wasn’t there.
She tried not to think about Catherine’s threats, but the way Dominic was treating her made her nervous that he’d made his choice—and that it wasn’t in her favor.
Charlotte smiled at him, trying to catch his eye, but he just kept talking to Delaney, bending his head toward her as if he was completely fascinated. The smile slipped off Charlotte’s face, and she sat alone on one of the small couches.
She took the third turn at bowling. The walk to the lane felt much longer than it was, and Charlotte could feel eyes on her back. She could hear whispering, but she couldn’t make out what was said. She picked up her ball, trying to ignore them.
Suddenly she heard an explosion of giggles and then, “It was her first kiss?” Teagan’s screech rang out above the sound of the music playing.
Charlotte froze. She couldn’t believe it. He’d told them about their kiss? Her embarrassment rose hot through her body. She couldn’t turn around to face them. She was afraid she might cry if she looked at Dominic. Instead she took deep breath and bowled.
She barely saw the pins fall. She could still hear the laughter echoing in her ears, but she willed herself to face them and finish the date, imagining that her spine was ice. He isn’t worth it, Charlotte told herself. I should have known better than to trust the kind of selfish jerk who goes on a dating show so he can date four girls at once.
The rest of the date passed in a blur. She let her eyes skate over Dominic like he didn’t exist. Two could play that game. Catherine frowned at her from behind the cameras, silently urging her to participate more, but Charlotte refused to act like everything was okay.
Afterward, she followed the other three back to their cabin, but she didn’t go in. Instead she sat on the ground behind it, leaning against the rough logs. After the way he acted tonight, there’s no way he’s going to pick me, she thought miserably. Charlotte knew he was trying to protect his family and his future, but it still hurt. Tears blurred her vision, turning the stars into streaks across the night sky.
“Charlie?” said a quiet voice.
Charlotte didn’t look at Delaney. “My name’s Charlotte,” she snapped.
“Sorry, I didn’t realize you hated it that much,” said Delaney. Charlotte was surprised that she actually sounded sorry.
“What do you want?” she asked. “Are you here to laugh at nerdy, inexperienced Charlotte some more?” She tried to sound angry, but her voice broke and it just came out sounding pathetic.
“No, I swear. Look, Charlotte, I’m really sorry. I know I’ve been mean, and I wish I could take it all back.” Delaney sat down next to her.
Charlotte was stunned—Delaney had played a very convincing mean girl. “Then why’d you do it?” she asked. “I never did anything to you.”
“I don’t know.” Her voice was small. “If anyone knew it was wrong, it was me. People are always mean to me at school because I’m so shy,” she said. “I guess I thought if I stuck close to Teagan, she wouldn’t pick on me.”
Charlotte finally looked at her. “I thought you were so strong,” continued Delaney. “I figured you could take it because you always stood up to us and never let it get to you.”
“Well, it did get to me,” said Charlotte.
“I know. I’m sorry. I never meant to make you feel like this. It was awful of me,” Delaney said quietly. “Will you forgive me?”
There was a long silence. Charlotte wasn’t sure if Delaney really meant it, but she figured it didn’t matter anyway. Slowly, Charlotte nodded. “Okay.” She was silent for a few more moments before blurting out, “I’ve been sneaking around with Dominic off camera.” She couldn’t keep it in any longer—not after the emotional day she’d had.
“Wow,” said Delaney. “I didn’t even think you guys liked each other as friends.”
The whole story spilled out of Charlotte, from the first accidental meeting to their first kiss to Catherine catching them.
“Honestly, I’m impressed,” Delaney said when Charlotte had finished. “It was gutsy to go behind Catherine’s back.”
Charlotte snorted. “Or stupid.”
“Probably both,” said Delaney, laughing a little. “For what it’s worth, I don’t think Dominic was lying to you. On my one-on-ones with him, he never seemed interested at all. Like, he wasn’t mean to me or anything, but there just wasn’t anything there. He’s never kissed me.”
“You aren’t the only other person he’s seeing, though,” said Charlotte.
“Yeah, well, I know Teagan talks like she’s got him wrapped around her finger, but she’s faking it. He hasn’t kissed her either. I think Olivia would have told us all immediately if anything was really clicking with her and Dominic, so there’s probably nothing going on with them either.”
“You don’t seem very upset about him not being into you. Don’t you want to win?” Charlotte asked curiously.
“Nah,” said Delaney matter-of-factly. “I’m here because my mom made me apply. She always wanted to do something like this.”
Charlotte winced. “I’m sorry.”
“You don’t seem like the type to be on a show like this either.”
“My best friend sent in my application as a joke,” said Charlotte, rolling her eyes. “I only agreed to come because I could really use the scholarship. And I thought it might be an interesting experience.” She paused. “Plus, there was a little part of me that hoped maybe Dominic and I would fall for each other.”
“Well, I guess you sort of got two of the three. It has definitely been interesting, and it seems like you fell for him. Or at least with the Dominic who acted so differently away from the cameras,” said Delaney. “It’s too bad you can’t be sure how he’s feeling.”
“I mean, I know Dominic says he’s different, but I’m not sure I can trust that. How do I know Catherine wasn’t actually in on it all? Maybe they were just making more drama.” Charlotte laughed bitterly.
“Don’t write him off just yet,” said Delaney. “You don’t know what else Catherine said to him. Anyway, even if he turns out to be awful, you only have to get through one more week and you can talk to me whenever. I can’t stand Teagan any longer.”
Delaney got up and headed back into the cabin. Charlotte sat for a little while longer, enjoying the fresh air and trying to decide if Delaney really meant it. She wanted to believe her, but she’d already been hurt once by someone she thought she could trust. Only one more week.