Carson grinned. “It’s okay, Grace. I would do anything for you.”
A sweet smile spread across Megan’s face as Carson and Grace moved closer. When their lips met, the studio audience went wild with applause and cheers. The sparks between Grace and Carson didn’t show much on the episodes that had already aired, but the audience was getting a live show-mance now.
Wendy allowed the new couple to enjoy their moment for a few beats before she broke in. “Thank you, Kat.”
Kat stormed back to her seat. She hadn’t gotten what she wanted, that was for sure.
“Leo, you’re next.” Wendy raised her chin in his direction.
Megan smiled as Leo approached the microphone. He wore a white button down shirt and black slacks. His slick hair was neatly combed to one side. His shaven face was clean and shiny.
“I became fond of each and every one of you on the beach. You took an old guy like me under your wings and made me feel like one of the group. I’m going to have a hard time voting for any of you over the others. What I want from each of you is to answer this question. Who do you think should win and why? You can’t include yourself in the answer. You have to vote for one of the other two.”
Megan’s fingers tingled. Leo’s question was hard to answer.
“Grace?” Leo put one hand in his pants pocket.
“That’s a tough one, Leo. I feel like both of these two deserve to be here. But if I had to choose, I’d vote for Megan if I were on the other side.”
A small tear formed in Megan’s eye. Grace was so sweet and it meant the world to her to hear her friend would vote for her.
“Megan triumphed over a lot of obstacles and she outsmarted a lot of people. All of the eliminated contestants know it now, but when we were on the show, most of the plans we used to get people out were hers. We were a small alliance and we came out on top, all thanks to her.”
Megan hugged Grace and when she leaned back, they exchanged a fond look. She mouthed ‘thank you’ and turned back to Leo.
“Megan? What do you say?” Leo asked.
Megan wiped the tear from the corner of her eye. “I second what Grace said in that it’s hard to choose between her and Carson. They’re both amazing human beings and they showed huge strength out there on the beach.” Megan tugged on her ear. “But I’d have to pick Grace. And not because she chose me just now. She has a knack for being out there in the elements, and she’s small but mighty. Grace is the type of person who could fit in just about anywhere and do just about anything. If I were stranded on a desert island, I couldn’t think of a better person to take along.”
Grace squeezed Megan’s elbow and laid her head on Megan’s shoulder for a moment.
“That leaves you, Carson.” Leo adjusted the microphone.
Carson ran a hand through this hair and a small tuft stood up on one side. “Megan certainly did a lot for our alliance, even though it was done under the radar. But I don’t think I can choose anyone but Grace.”
Carson didn’t elaborate, but the look in Carson’s eyes told Megan the full story. His feelings for Grace didn’t allow him to vote for Megan and she understood that. She also agreed with him. Grace was the obvious choice to make between the two of them.
Leo bit his lower lip. “Thank you to all three of you. For your answers and for letting some old guy be part of the lean-to crew.” He walked back to his seat. Megan couldn’t wait to give him a hug after the show. She wanted to tell him he wasn’t just some old guy. He was a part of their group . . . an important part.
“Danae, you’re up.” Wendy extended a hand toward the final three.
Megan noted Danae’s asymmetrical haircut. She was The Wedge once again.
“I was wondering what each of you would do differently in the game if you had to go back and change something. Megan?” Danae pursed her lips.
Megan would have liked more time to think about her answer, but she didn’t have the luxury this time. She didn’t want to highlight her weaknesses too much, but she hoped self-deprecation would make her more relatable. “I think I’d take a few extra swimming lessons before the taping.” The audience tittered as Megan made a face. “I’ve never been a strong swimmer, but I think I would win the Most Likely to Drown Award if the show decided to give that out.” Megan shrugged and sat back to let the other finalists take over.
“I would start catching fish earlier,” Grace admitted. “I didn’t want to come on too strong and put a target on my back, but Tank had a serious medical episode that could have been avoided had he been able to eat sooner. I felt partly responsible for that.”
Megan smiled at her friend. She didn’t wish a medical emergency on anyone, but she’d never regret her night in the beach shelter with Cane. And she’d never forget the look on his face when he awoke with his head on Tank’s chest.
“Honestly, Danae, I don’t think I’d change a thing,” Carson admitted. “I don’t like looking to the past, I prefer to look forward to the future. The way things went down got us to where we are today and I’m pretty happy with the turn out.”
Megan noticed the look Carson and Grace exchanged and she knew he referred to their relationship as much as being in the final three. She turned her attention back to Wendy, with a sinking sense of foreboding.
“Andrew, it’s your turn to question the contestants.” Wendy nodded at the man in the suit.
Megan fiddled with the hem of her dress, but when Andrew stood behind the microphone and glared at her, she raised her eyes and met his stare.
“Congratulations to all of you,” he said in a menacing voice. “I would have thought I’d be sitting over there and one of you over here.”
Megan rolled her eyes. His ego was still intact.
“Grace, I admired your tactics and I ate the fish you caught. I appreciate that you made it to the end and wish you luck. Carson, though I felt I was a stronger player than you, it was smart of you to attach yourself to someone like Grace and ride her coattails to the end.”
Megan frowned. He certainly wasn’t giving Carson enough credit, but the focus was off her for another moment so she wasn’t going to complain.
“That leaves you, Megan.”
Megan squirmed in her seat. She knew this was coming. She’d wondered for hours on end exactly what he would say and how she would respond. Andrew was a firecracker, waiting to explode. But there was no way to predict how the sparks would fly.
“You want to pass yourself off as an everyday, normal girl, but that’s not who you are at all. You’re a villain.”
What?
“You’re a sly, conniving villain,” Andrew continued. “You hooked me on the lip when I was just trying to help the group get food. You made me believe I was safe when I found the Protection Piece in your bag. You let me have it and didn’t think to mention it was some kind of trinket your sister made and not the real piece. You let Grace take my tie and mutilate it when you knew how much it meant to me. And then, to confuse matters more, you threw yourself at me and kissed me right before we all left the beach.”
The audience gasped and Grace gave Megan a questioning look.
“My question is rather open-ended, Megan. All I want to ask is this—what do you have to say for yourself?”
Megan blinked into the bright lights as the audience settled down. Her eyes darted around as she tried to compose herself. There were so many things she wanted to say to Andrew, but she didn’t know if she could find her voice. Where should she start? How could she get it all straight and out in a manner that the group would understand? As she opened her mouth to begin, she swore a head of curly dark hair appeared at the edge of the set, next to the camera operator on the left. Megan smiled. Andrew’s comments shook her, but she felt her courage returning.
“Andrew.” Megan straightened her back and met his gaze. “You’re nothing but a bully and a mean-spirited excuse of a man who puts other people down to make himself feel better. You mention nothing about stealing my clothes when we won the
shower reward. You don’t bring up the dozens of times you cornered me and made me feel about this tall.” Megan held her thumb and forefinger close together. “Honestly, if you were sitting here and me over there, I don’t think there’s any chance you would win this contest.”
Andrew took a step back and frowned. She knew he had thought she wasn’t capable of standing up for herself.
She stood up and continued. “Before we talk about the kiss, why don’t we talk about the storm? There was a tornado and the wind was ripping the trees apart. So much so that one actually fell right in the middle of our group. Despite everything you did and said to me, who pushed you out of the way, Andrew?” Megan pushed her finger into her chest. “Me. I’m not sure many people in my position would have done that, but I did. You know why? Because I know there has to be more to you. There has to be a real man beneath the facade. Someone who cares about other people more than himself. Someone who was so hurt in the past, he put on a fancy suit and an attitude to shelter his fragile ego from the storm of life.”
Megan took a breath. “As for the kiss, the cameras didn’t see it so let’s tell the whole story and set the record straight. You brought it up so you must be comfortable letting the audience in on that moment. I appreciate that you thanked me for saving you from the falling tree in the woods before we left. You finally came off as vulnerable, and I wish the cameras had caught it—I think the audience would have liked that side of you. But no part of me wanted the kiss you laid on me. It was inappropriate and uncalled for and I think you owe me an apology.”
Megan held her hands up in front of her to indicate she was through and sat down. The stunned silence broke as the audience cheered. Grace leaned over and whispered, “Way to go!” Megan shrugged sheepishly as she shot a glance at the dark curls she had focused on between breaths. Even if it wasn’t Cane, the idea that he might be there gave her the extra bit of courage she needed to stand up to Andrew once and for all.
When the audience quieted, Andrew remained at the microphone in shock. His mouth hung slightly open and Megan wondered if he felt how she often did—unable to form the right words.
“Wow.” He ran a hand down his cheek. “I underestimated you.” She could tell he wasn’t doing well under the pressure she’d placed on his shoulders.
“I . . . I’m sorry, Megan.” And with that brief statement, he turned and briskly made his way back to his seat.
The audience clapped and Megan sat taller in her seat. She’d done it. She didn’t even care what resulted from the game now. She’d stood up to Andrew. In some ways, he was like all of the bullies she’d come across in her lifetime wrapped up in one. And she’d finally found her voice . . . and her self-worth.
“On that note, it’s time to vote. The contestants who left the show will cast a vote for the person they think should win the contest. The one with the most votes wins!” Wendy tapped her nails on the podium in front of her. “Who’s ready to meet The Leftover?”
Cheering picked up on the set again and Megan folded her hands in her lap. The ordeal was almost over and she was anxious for the bright lights to shut down. She hoped to get one last look at Cane before she walked away from him and the show for good. He’d managed to boost her confidence when she needed it during the taping, but now, she could do that herself.
Cane wanted to get up and close the distance between him and Megan. He couldn’t believe he’d been so wrong about her. When he’d seen her kissing Andrew, he’d jumped to conclusions. Looking back on it now, it made sense. Though he was finally over Eva, Cane still had a scar on his heart from when she abandoned him to be with someone else. Part of him had thought he’d always come in second place. Megan and Andrew together hadn’t made sense, but he’d let himself believe it anyway. Of course she hadn’t fallen for Andrew! Why would she? He was a bully and a jerk, just like she said. There was no way she’d willingly kiss her tormenter.
He shook his head. He was such a fool. He’d wasted weeks stewing over losing her instead of reaching out to her. And now he had the girl of his dreams right in front of him, but it felt like she was miles away. He couldn’t interrupt the live TV program to talk to her. He would have to wait . . . again.
He was anxious to get the vote over with. He hoped Megan would win, but he didn’t even care about that. He just wanted to go to her. He wanted to feel her in his arms and explain why he hadn’t called. Surely she’d understand what he’d thought, given his history, right? She’d forgive him and they’d ride off into the sunset together. It had to be a happy ending. Nothing else would fit.
Chapter Thirty-Two
After a commercial break, Wendy stood before the group for the final time. “I have the results!” She waved her hand in excitement. “Wendy Weathersby will now read the votes.”
Megan slid her arm through the crook of Grace’s elbow and Grace still held Carson’s hand. The three were connected, as they had been throughout much of the game. The only one missing was Leo, but he was just across the room and they felt his support.
“The first vote goes to . . . Grace!”
The audience clapped and cheered.
“Vote two . . . Megan!”
Megan’s heart pounded as applause took over the room.
“Third vote is for . . . Carson!”
Everyone cheered again as Megan exchanged looks with her friends. They were tied!
“That’s one vote for each of you.” Wendy paused. “Vote four . . . Grace!”
Once the audience calmed, Wendy continued. “The fifth vote goes to . . . Megan! That’s two for Megan, two for Grace, one for Carson.” Wendy looked at each of the final three in turn. “Vote six is for . . . Grace!”
Megan couldn’t believe she’d already gotten two votes. She examined the other contestants, wondering who had voted for her and grateful anyone had at all.
“Seventh vote . . . Megan!”
Megan’s eyes widened. She and Grace were tied again. It was some kind of miracle that they remained that close in the ranks, but Carson was falling behind.
“The eighth vote reads . . . Grace! Let’s review.” Wendy paused to count on her fingers. “Carson, you have one vote; Megan, you have three; and Grace, you have four. We have one vote left to read.”
The tension mounted as Megan squeezed Grace’s arm against her rib cage. She could barely breathe and willed Wendy to read that final vote . . . fast! The anticipation was killing her.
“Our last and final vote for the first season of The Leftover goes to . . . Megan! We have a tie! We have two Leftovers!” Wendy jumped up and down as she announced the final result to the group.
Megan looked at Grace who rested her forehead against Megan’s cheek. “We did it, girl,” Grace proclaimed. “You deserve this.”
“I never would have made it past day one without you,” Megan said in shock. She and Grace tied? The group put her on the same level as Grace? A woman who could do anything, anywhere? She was flabbergasted and incredibly flattered.
Megan felt people hugging her and patting her on the back as the contestants gathered around them. It was a surreal, almost out-of-body experience.
“Congratulations,” Andrew muttered as he clapped a hand on her shoulder. “I voted for Carson.”
Megan smiled as he walked away. She couldn’t expect him to change overnight, but she hoped something she’d said got past his facade. Wendy wrapped up the show off to the side, but Megan couldn’t hear what she said. The buzz around her was too loud. She’d lost track of the head of dark hair and she no longer searched for it. She didn’t need Cane to help her through this moment. She’d found her confidence and she didn’t plan to let it go again.
Cane couldn’t push his way through all the people that surrounded Megan and Grace. After ten minutes of trying, he gave up. This was her moment in the spotlight. He’d let her enjoy it.
“I need to get in there,” a voice next to him said.
“Hey, Molly.” Cane recognized the bright eyes and the familia
r features. She wasn’t identical to Megan, but they had similarities.
“Hey,” she glanced at him briefly before concentrating on the task at hand. “I really need to get in there.” She stood on her toes to try to see over the others.
“I know. I was hoping to congratulate her myself.”
“You?”
Was that a hint of disgust in her voice?
“Why would you want to talk to Megan?” Molly asked.
“To tell her I’m happy for her. And to clear some things up.”
“I think things are pretty clear.” Molly took a step in front of Cane as if to protect Megan from him. “You’re in love with someone else and Megan’s moving on. Let her enjoy this.”
Molly threw an elbow out to one side and moved through the group. She’d get her way and make it to Megan’s side. There was no stopping her.
Cane took a step back. What had she meant? Megan thought he was in love with someone else? Why?
He knew he’d spent a lot of their time together lamenting his relationship with Eva, but he’d told her he was getting over it, not that he was still in love with her. Confusion settled in. If what her sister said was true, Megan didn’t want to see him. If he burst through the crowd, she’d turn him away and that would not only be embarrassing, but also heartbreaking.
Cane broke free from his position and moved back into the darkness.
Chapter Thirty-Three
In the few days after Megan tied for first on The Leftover, she couldn’t believe how her life had changed. People recognized her all over the city, no matter where she went. And KETO even offered her a contract to do the voice-overs for their news promos. It meant daily trips to the studio and she found having a professional reason to be around people helped her feel more comfortable around them. Small talk was another story.
Brian Schaffer was a charismatic news anchor and she enjoyed watching him on the morning news as he wrapped up the program every day when she arrived at the studio. However, she was a bit shocked by what she encountered upon entering the newsroom a few days after starting her new job. Brian had a guest on camera, as he often did in the last segment of the morning news. Only this time, it was Cane.
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