Chapter 38

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Landon

Listen to Popular

by The Weeknd & Madonna

A t least, I wasn’t the only one suffering from WIFI detox.

The entire cast lost their minds. They complained to the crew about the lack of Internet service and how no one could connect. Lydia tried to calm us down by explaining there was an accident down the road that had taken out some connections and we’d be back up by Noon.

In the meantime, we were dragged out to shoot a morning breakfast scene that broke down into chaos over this evening’s vote. It was only the second one, but already it was feeling kind of ridiculous. I think the people who got to leave this farm were the lucky ones, but then again, I was beginning to lose my ambition to make Dumped my vehicle for fame.

I’d been up most of the night tortured by Max’s picture. He never showed up this morning, probably because he couldn’t get a hold of anyone, and I was glad. I didn’t need to talk about Adam’s tendency to be nice to half naked groupies or hear about how he was bound to betray me in LA. It’d be best if Max went home at this point. I looked at the long string of undelivered texts and hoped after this shoot I’d be able to talk to Adam and clear things up.

We were all supposed to gather in the barn to milk cows and take care of the lone Alpaca who seemed to enjoy spitting. Who would’ve thought those cute fuzzy animals that looked like adorable stuffies were really evil? This one was named Hal and he seemed to be doubly interested in annoying me. The crew had spotted my nerves immediately so now I was the one to feed and clean out his stall, which was really a big open space where he crapped, threw food, and kept dead bodies hidden. Hal was a serial killer but everyone thought he was funny.

Dodging the glares and insults being traded by my castmates, I walked out of the kitchen and away from Brody’s stare. Clayton followed me down the hall like a puppy dog.

“I’ll help you with Hal,” he said nicely. “I know you hate it.”

I gave a grunt. “Lydia will make me do it alone so I get spit on and everyone gets a laugh.”

Clayton looked sympathetic. “Sorry. I’ll give it a try. Hey, I noticed Brody giving you a hard time lately. It’s getting a little intense. Let me know if I can help out.”

I tried to hide a groan and wondered if he was getting caught up in this fake drama or if he thought this was actually real. “Clayton, it’s cool. Just follow my lead—I know how to handle Brody.”

“So can I.” His voice deepened. “I may be inexperienced, Landon, but I’m not a pushover. I can deal with him myself.”

I decided to ditch this whole conversation since it was going nowhere. They weren’t allowed to fight on camera—physical altercations were against the rules—but everyone was practically salivating for me to lean in a bit and get these two guys to play off each other.

It sucked. I wanted nothing to do with it. Yet, Brody was either going to try and vote me out if I didn’t, or force me to step up.

Trudging into my tiny space, I shut the door and changed quickly into a ridiculous skort and halter top, quickly braiding my hair. It was touched up by the stylist and then we were all pushed onto the “set” and our boss the farmer began ordering us around to milk cows.

I dealt with the indignity of squeezing a penis-like appendage that squirted milk. I handled the bold insults and catty fighting with the girls that the camera soaked up. Finally, I escaped to the fields where Hal waited, chewing hay and staring at me with his dark, judgy eyes that said I was about to get tortured.

“Can I clean up while you leave me alone?” I asked him grouchily, feeling exposed in my outfit. I slapped at the bugs biting my legs and my high heeled boots sunk in the mud making me look ridiculous. Still, I played the role well and even got some laughs from the cameraman as I struggled with the rake and cleaning, while Hal stalked me. I almost enjoyed the acting with the animal, safe from the men, and when Hal let out a spit striking me in the face, I pretended to be affronted and sank into a bantering dialogue with the animal that I sensed would be perfect for the series.

This is what I’d hoped for. Less relying on men for my storyline and leaning into the natural aspects of the farm and community.

“Are you going to let him talk to you like that?” Clayton asked, coming up behind me. He was smiling and we fell into easy dialogue while Hal began to chase Clayton away.

“Oh, my God, Hal wants you to himself!” Clayton said with a laugh. “Look—he’s chasing me away!”

I put my hand on my hip and fluttered my eyes. “My milkshake brings all my boys to the barn,” I sang, twisting the lyrics.

“Okay, you are a horrible singer.”

I gasped in mock astonishment. “How could you say that to me, Clay?” I picked up some random hay and threw it at him. Immediately, he dropped to his knees, gathering his own, and we had this big hay fight while Hal watched us like we were idiots and the cameras rolled and the crew gave thumbs up and seemed over the moon with our spontaneous play fight.

I was actually enjoying myself until Clay fell on top of me and the breath whooshed from my lungs. “Oh, sorry,” he said.

“It’s okay.”

His head dipped and he tried to kiss me and I turned away, giving him my cheek instead. In my peripheral, I saw Lydia glare but I stayed stubborn and took in Clayton’s disappointed look. “Sorry,” he said again. “I know you’re out of my league, Landon. I’ve never felt like this before.”

“We just met,” I said cooly. “Just because I look easy doesn’t mean I kiss anyone while we roll in the hay.”

Clayton laughed, then stroked back my hair. Discomfort squeezed through me. “Remember I see who you really are. Not what you try to be for the camera.”

I looked into his eyes and wondered if he was acting or telling the truth. Either way, I froze with my response, feeling the camera eating my face up and zooming close. I hated that my expression would be torn apart and analyzed.

“Clay—”

“Interrupting something?” Brody drawled. He walked over with a smug grin. His jeans and ripped t-shirt gave off bad boy vibe as he stopped near us, lifting a brow at Clayton. “Got the cold shoulder, huh? Too bad. She gave me much more last night outside her cabin.”

My jaw dropped and my cheeks reddened. “Not true,” I said, shaking my head.

But I knew I looked guilty. Brody was smart to use that encounter to push me hard, and Clayton’s mouth tightened with anger. Obviously, he believed Brody, which was exactly what everyone wanted except me.

Fuck my life.

“You just want to use her,” Clay said hotly.

Brody laughed. “I’m trying to help you out. You’re not ready for someone like Landon, freshman.” It was his casual term for Clayton being a virgin since he was walking a line and the producers loved it. “She’s playing you.”

Clayton jabbed his finger in the air. “You’re the one playing her. Every time we have a conversation, you’re getting in our space, interrupting and showing off. What’s the matter? Afraid you’ll look like an ass when she chooses me?”

Brody blinked, then treated me to a hot gaze. “No. I’m afraid she’ll break your heart like she did her other two boyfriends. I’m protecting you, man.”

“Stop it,” I said forcefully, stepping between them. I felt everyone’s stares and swallowed back my unease. The only way I could get this done is to protect myself by acting the cold bitch like they wanted me to be. “None of you own me or know me, so stop pretending to. I’m tired of feeling like a piece of meat. Grow up.” I tossed my hair and marched off, pausing long enough to deliver my exit line. “Neither of you are worthy enough to hold my Louboutins, let alone kiss me.”

Clayton jerked back, obviously hurt. Brody’s voice snapped to my ears. “Then what was last night? When your tongue was in my mouth and my hands were up your shirt?”

“In your dreams,” I sneered. “You’re reaching, Brody. Why don’t you go play those games with the other girls? I’m sure Corinne will let you do all of that with a smile.”

I stalked off, breath shaky, keeping my head high. One of the cameramen gave me a thumb’s up, meaning I was free to leave and the scene was good. The boys kept talking and the crew kept filming. Some of my other castmates were surrounding the barn, bitching in style. I ignored them as I walked on by, while some taunted me about voting me out tonight because Clayton and Brody were under my spell.

Suddenly, it seemed like too much. The playacting and the stress and knowing it was all fake.

I was a fake.

I grabbed my phone and suddenly I saw all my texts had gone through.

Greedily, I ready Adam’s past messages. My horror mounted as he told me he’d seen a clip of me kissing Clayton and wanted to know what was going on.

Oh, God. How was that possible? The show hadn’t even aired yet!

With shaky fingers, I was ready to call him but Facetime popped up.

Finally, we’d get all of this shit cleared up.

I hit the button and began to talk.