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 a broken nose?”
Her eyes narrow. “What does that have to do with anything right now? We’re talking about my show and how you totally made yourself look like a bitch.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “Exactly. And I’m sure your viewers will understand when they find out I got matched with our high school’s number one Grade A douchebag.”
Clearly confused, she gapes at me, but then it’s like a lightbulb goes off in her head. “Oh my God.” She slaps a hand over her mouth and slowly drops it. “Hudson Bryant. He’s the one who broke your nose.”
Erin graduated two years ahead of me so I know she doesn’t remember everyone in my class, but there’s no way she could forget him. I nod. “Yep. And here I am spending my time in paradise with a guy I hate.”
Groaning, she sits down on the couch. “I can’t believe this.”
I open the refrigerator and toss her a mini bottle of tequila. “Drink that. It’ll help. It’s the only thing getting me through the night.”
Sitting beside her, I clink my bottle against hers. She sighs and downs her tequila. “I am so sorry, Allie. I really had high hopes that you’d be matched with your soulmate.”
I scoff. “Erin it’s a TV show. I love you and all but playing matchmaker on live TV isn’t the way to find a soulmate.”
She shrugs. “You never know.”
The room starts to spin, and I welcome the feeling. The one thing that sucks is that Hudson and I are going to be together on live TV every single day. The show isn’t just a once a week ordeal. No, this one is a two-week special. There are no lines to memorize or cue cards to read. This is all real. “I just wish there was a way to get rid of him,” I mumble more to myself than anything. Erin jerks up and gasps. I grab my chest and stare at her as if she’s lost her mind. “What are you doing?”
Her lips spread wide. “Allie, I have an idea. You just have to get through the day with Hudson and through the interview together tomorrow night and you’ll be golden.”
With a heavy sigh, I lean my head against the couch. “Interview? You mean I have to sit next to him and answer questions?”
I look over at her and she nods, but there’s a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. “This could work to your advantage, Allie. In the interview, make sure you tell everyone about your past with Hudson. That’ll get the viewers on your side. Right now, they don’t like you very much.” Great, that’s exactly what I wanted to hear. “I have an idea though,” she says, getting to her feet, “but I have to run it by my team first. In the meantime, deal with Hudson as best you can.”