She hastily tucks the stray strand of hair behind her ear. “I can do that myself.”
She stands and storms off. I have two choices, stay, and eat this delicious food or follow her.
“Fuck it.” I get up and rush after her, calling her name. Only, she doesn’t stop and keeps going until she’s at her door. She gives me a look, which stops me dead in my tracks, before she disappears into her room.
I don’t know how long I stand in her hall. It’s at least long enough for other couples from our show to walk by—holding hands and acting stupid—no less. I suppose when you only have two weeks to make a connection, you don’t waste your time in paradise.
I finally decide to leave and when I get to my room, I flop onto the king size bed and stare at the ceiling, hoping the painted white piece of plaster will give me the answers I seek.
Nope.
Nothing.
My phone rings and I roll over onto my side to answer it. That’s when I notice the dozen roses sitting on the table, along with a chilled bottle of champagne and two glasses. This production team isn’t messing around, pushing us all into romance.
“Hello?” I sigh heavily into the phone.
“Dude, you’re a moron.”
“Wow, Dave. Nice to talk to you too.”
“Do you know who you are matched up with?”
“Are you watching or something?”
“Yeah, it’s a live stream. We get to vote on our favorite couples and shit.”
“Lovely.” Just what I need, no one editing out my stupidity. I sigh, much more dramatic this time. “Yeah, Allie something is her name. She’s a raging bitch though.” As soon as I say it, I frantically, look around the room checking for cameras.
“Again, moron. It’s Allie Wood.”
“Yeah, her.”
“No, Hudson. It’s Allie Woodie—the chick you tormented the shit out of in high school because you had a massive crush on her.”
“Huh?”
Dave groans. “Allison Wood. You tripped her—by accident—the first day of freshman year and she fell and broke her nose. You tried to make it up to her, but someone pushed you from behind and she slammed her head into her locker. Another time, you were running down the hall, not paying attention and rammed right into her and threw her about fifty feet. After that, you made it a point to seek her out, but she didn’t want anything to do with you.”
I sit there, frozen. I remember it all as clear as day. What are the odds of it being the same person? Just my luck. Karma is definitely being a bitch to me right now.
“Hudson?”
“Yeah?” I say, rubbing a hand over my face.
“To her, you’re a bully. Now’s your time to fix it.” Dave hangs up. The room spins with memories from high school. I never meant to hurt her, I just couldn’t control myself when I was around her. Each year, I tried to be better but with two left feet, I was afraid to make a fool out of myself. I stand and go to the flowers, picking them up. I need to show her I’m not the same jackass I was in high school.
Her room is down the hall and around a corner from mine. I set the flowers down in front of her door, knock, and walk away. When I hear a door open, I keep walking. I don’t want to look back in case it’s not her. And if it is, I don’t want to do something stupid, like speak.
5
Allison
If I thought Hudson was an arrogant ass in high school, it turns out he’s an even bigger one now. Who the hell does he think he is? The jerk doesn’t even know who I am. I cringe at the thought of him coming to my door, but luckily, an hour passes by and nothing. Feeling as if I can breathe again, I change out of the pink dress and into a pair of shorts and a tank top. The mini bar has a vast selection of liquors and small bottles of wine, so I reach in for the strong stuff first … vodka. After the night I’ve had so far, I need it.
I open the bottle and toss it back quickly, loving the burn as it as goes down my throat. Hopefully, after a couple more, the name Hudson won’t even register with me. At least, until tomorrow when I’m forced to be stuck with him again. As much as I love Aruba, I can’t wait for the two weeks to be up so I can go home.
Reaching into the refrigerator, I grab another mini bottle of vodka and open it, but before I can indulge a knock sounds on my door. Groaning, I close my eyes. “You have got to be kidding me.” I’m not answering it if it’s Hudson. Then again, maybe I should and break his nose like he did mine in high school. I could conveniently trip and fall and push him into the wall. Another knock. I smile and quickly swallow the vodka. “I can totally do this.”
However, when I go to the door and peep through the hole, it’s my sister. I’m relieved, but disappointed. I really wanted to break Hudson’s nose. I open the door and Erin rushes in past me, holding a bouquet of flowers. She tosses them on the coffee table. “Those were at your door. I assume they’re from Hudson.” I groan and she purses her lips at me. “What the hell, Allie? What’s going on? You were so freaking rude out there.”
She glares at me and I don’t even bother getting mad at her. It’s her show, but she’ll change her tune once she hears what I have to say. “Do you remember when I was a freshman and I came home with
