Free Playing Games by Jill Myles Page A

Me,
I just want the consolation prize money."
    She snorted. "I told myself that until I made
the merge on Endurance Island . Trust me, when you get closer
to that big prize? You want that money."
    She had a point. I had to admit that when I
saw everyone racing, it made my blood get fired up and my
competitive spirit kick in. Still, I didn't know if I could
deliberately push ahead of Brodie, not when I'd be just as happy
with the last place check. It seemed selfish somehow. Even though
Brodie hadn't been awesome to me on the race, the race would end
and he'd still be my brother long after these people were out of my
life. So I said nothing.
    "Well, at any rate, I'm glad we're allied
with you and not Brodie. He doesn't seem the loyal type," she said
with a yawn. "You want the first shower? I'll wait until Dean gets
back and we can share ours."
    A shower sounded incredible. I pulled myself
up from the bed and grabbed my backpack. "I promise not to use all
the hot water."
    "Good." She waved me away, yawning and laying
back on her bed.
    By the time the guys got back with pizza, I
had showered and changed into new clothes, and was combing out my
wet hair. We tore into the pizza, divvying it up four ways. I only
ate two of my slices, being the smallest of the group, and nudged
my extra slice over to Liam. He was a tall guy and would probably
need the fuel.
    He took it with a wink at me, and then
devoured it.
    Dean patted his stomach and glanced at the
bathroom. "Shower free?"
    "All yours," I told him, uncapping my bottle
of water and taking another drink.
    "Wait for me," Abby said, getting to her
feet. "I thought we'd share."
    "Just like old times," Dean said with a grin,
and smacked Abby on the butt as she sauntered past him. They
disappeared into the bathroom and I was left alone with Liam.
    I glanced over at him as he wiped his hands
with the napkin, and then looked over at me.
    "So," he said, then paused.
    "So," I said back.
    He seemed more at ease now that it was just
the two of us, and now that I wasn't glowering at him every moment.
Instead, he simply studied my face, as if considering me. After a
moment, he stuck his hand out. "I think we got off on the wrong
foot on this race. Hi, I'm Liam."
    I laughed and took his hand. "Hi, I'm
Katy."
    "And what brings you on The World Races,
Katy?"
    "Well," I said, crossing my legs and getting
comfortable on the bed. "I actually didn't want to be on the show.
I got talked into it because Brodie needed a partner. And I want
the money to invest in my business."
    "Business?" He looked impressed. "What kind
of business?"
    "I have a custom cakes and cupcakes
business," I said proudly. "Katy's Short Cakes."
    He nodded, as if it somehow fit me, and then
he crossed his legs on the bed until he was sitting, facing me. "So
you're a baker?"
    "I am." It felt weirdly intimate to be facing
each other on the bed like this. It was…direct. And personal. There
was no hiding or averting eyes with this. We were one on one, face
to face.
    "And the pigtails? Are you a children’s baker
or something?" There was a hint of a smile on his mouth.
    I groaned and ruffled a hand through my
loose, wet blonde hair. "The pigtails were decided by casting, not
by me. I think they picked it because I'm short."
    "And because you're cute," he agreed. "It
makes you look perky."
    For some reason, I blushed at that. So he
thought I was cute? Or just perky? Perky didn't necessarily mean
attractive. Squirrels were perky. "So, what about you?"
    "What about me?" His dark eyes studied my
face.
    "What made you come on The World Races?"
    His mouth twisted a bit. "The label."
    I frowned at him. "The label?"
    "Yeah. Tesla wanted to go on the show.
Thought it'd be a good opportunity since our next record drops in
the fall, when this airs. We had a large lead time." He shrugged.
"The label wanted one of the band members to go with her. I was
picked."
    "So you and Tesla aren't," I gestured with my
hand. "You know."
    His eyes widened.