Deal Breakers

Round 4

One hour until round four, we'd gotten the memos that we'd be doing a three-legged race through an obstacle course of the Deal Breakers' making. I was in the community cabin scarfing down eggs and bacon, definitely feeding my feelings today.

I'm being haunted, not by a ghost but by the memories of seeing Chase's shirtless torso in the moonlight. I felt guilty when I got back into bed because the moment I did Peter wrapped me up in his arms like always. I was squished against his chest and I wondered if he could smell the guilt on me. Innocent and guilty at the same time.

The CC was buzzing with everyone's chatter, the only two missing were Peter and Chase. I was a recluse, eating my plate of protein in the abandoned corner by the window. I was people-watching from my favorite arm chair, or maybe I was waiting for someone.

Samantha was in a corner chatting with Lizzie and Peter J. Her dark hair was in a high ponytail and her form-fitting all-black athletic wear was tight in all the right places. I looked down at my blue V-neck and Black shorts, why couldn't I be more like her?

I dragged my eyes away from her, scanning the room to see if Peter or Chase had made it to breakfast yet. The craft people were already picking up the warmers and packing away any leftovers. A short woman with a pixie cut was just throwing the eggs in a garbage can and it felt wasteful.

"Hey," the velvety voice said from behind. I hadn't t even realized Chase sat down across from me. He was in his usual black shorts and Nike shirt.

"You just missed breakfast," I gestured toward the now-empty buffet.

"That's okay," he shrugged. " I wasn't hungry." Chase was sitting with one leg crossed over the other, his hands in his lap. We were staring at each other again, silently. He looked like he had something to say, but like usual his lips were sealed tight.

"Have you seen Peter?" I asked, breaking the silence.

He shook his head yes, his ocean eyes dimming. "Yeah, we were in my cabin chatting." Chase's eyes wandered the room, till they found Samantha. He clapped his hands on his knees twice, making a low whistle before standing up. "I'll be right back."

He darted over to her, grabbing her by the waist. She seemed to recoil, or maybe I'm just imagining that because I'm jealous.  I can admit it, I'm jealous. I don't know why, or how so many years later this feeling sparked back up.

Peter burst in, looking a mixture between angry and remorseful. He scanned the room till his eyes locked on me. "Lay, there you are. I've been looking everywhere for you!"

"I told you I'd be at breakfast," I say with a cocked brow. I place my empty plate down beside me, giving him a questioning look. He and his brother both look out of sorts today.

"Right, I forgot." He takes a deep breath. "I'm starved, did you save me a plate?"

I shake my head, annoyed. "You said you'd be right behind me, that was an hour ago." I fold my arms a little annoyed by how strange he was acting. "What took so long?"

He shoved his hands in the pockets of his cargo shorts. "I was just-" he looked around the cabin. "I'm sorry, I was taking a dump."

I know he's lying, but why? Chase just told me they'd been talking in his cabin, so why would Peter lie? "A dump?"

I wasn't used to Peter lying to me. This was the most I'd seen him lie, at least that I know of. The feeling was starting to pull at my insides, when did he start to bend the truth so much and why?

Peter shrugged. "Better now, than later."

"Right, good strategy," I said with a huff. I'm not going to confront Peter right now. He'll just have a fit and then I'll be the reason we lose today.