Irresistible Bachelors: Books 1-5 by Landish, Lauren (bts books to read TXT) 📕

starts up the logs while Cassie and I start our own, working together to balance each other as we step from log to log. Tony is jumping, skipping logs, and is nearly at the end when he falls again, having to start over. Caleb screams in frustration, but Tony seems calm as he starts back, and as Cassie and I finish, he’s actually behind us.

“Go, go, GO!” I yell to Cassie, who takes off as hard as she can. It’s close, and I’ve never run harder in my life, but we cross the finish line just ahead of Tony, who doesn’t look as dejected as he should be for losing.

Caleb, on the other hand, doesn’t look pleased. “What the hell, man? You’re a former athlete. Coordination is supposed to be your thing.”

“I fucked up. I was too winded,” Tony says, clapping Caleb on the shoulder. Wesley gives Tony a sly look and Tony looks away. Cassie jumps up and down, hugging me, not believing we pulled it off. Her joy is infectious and I find myself smiling back at her when the guys give us a high-five, Tony saying, and Caleb grumbling, their congratulations.

“Hmmm, it was fun to watch. Perhaps not in the ways I expected, but you all showed great heart today. I’ll see you in the main room at three o’clock,” he says quietly. “Congratulations.”

He leaves, and I look at Tony, who’s still red-faced. He gives me a small, chagrined smile, and I shake my head. “You shouldn’t have done that.”

“Shouldn’t have done what?” Tony asks.

I cross my arms, raising an eyebrow. “Winning is good, but sometimes, you lose when you win. I guess some of Wesley’s voodoo shit is soaking in.” I step closer, looking in his eyes. “I don’t want to win like that. Got it?”

Tony smiles, nodding. “Got it.”Tony

“Now for the final challenge,” Wesley announces as the four of us gather. “I want you to complete it by tonight and turn it in to me before the night's end.”

Regardless of the victory in the obstacle course, I know that if I take this, then I’ll win. Wesley says it’s the most important of all the ‘challenges’.

I don’t really know what the hell I was thinking, letting her win the last one. Caleb’s still a little annoyed since it was one he knows we should’ve won. And I think he at least suspects I didn’t give it my all.

I look over at Hannah, who’s biting her lip and trying to hide her nervousness.

She knew I boned it on purpose. I guess it was the look I had in my eyes. Wesley looks between the both of us, his expression grave. He suspects what I did too, I can tell, but so far, he hasn't said anything. I guess he figures if I want to give up, that’s my prerogative.

“The final challenge . . . is an essay. You have both been here for quite a few days and have learned a lot. I want you to tell me what you have learned during your stay and why you should be the winner. You can say anything you want, as long as it's from the heart and honest. Don't share it with anyone, seal it in the envelope, and I'll announce the winner tomorrow.”

“An essay?” Cassie gawks.

Wesley nods. “This is for Tony and Hannah only. I want their thoughts and their feelings. If you would please give them their privacy.”

“Come on, Cassie,” Caleb mutters, walking away. “Let’s go.”

Cassie lingers for a moment before walking over and giving Hannah a hug, whispering something in her ear. They kiss each other on the cheek and my heart warms at their friendship as she slips away. I don’t miss the fear in her eyes at what's to come, and I feel the weight on my shoulders increase. Cassie’s under the same guillotine that Hannah is, I’m sure of it. And I like the petite firecracker too, even if she is a pain in the ass.

Wesley sighs when everyone’s gone. “You can use the desks over by the windows to write. You’ll find pens, papers . . . everything you need. But you absolutely can’t communicate with each other. Your words will be yours and yours alone.” He gives us a stern look to drive his point home. Now if you’ll excuse me, Mo Mo and I will give you some space.”

Wesley crosses the room, settling down on one of the mats, crossing his legs in a lotus position before picking up a book. I have no doubt I don’t even want to know what it is.

Hannah looks at me, her eyes filled with anxiety. “Are you ready?”

I look across the room, where there are two sets of writing tablets, and nod. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”

We walk over, but neither of us can sit down yet. I look out the window and see the mango trees, and my mind fills with the images of last night. I keep looking, and I can see the beach through the trees, and the rock where I first kissed her, and the path that leads to the village, and the clearing where I took her last night. I look, and I think . . .

It’s a long time before I look down at the blank piece of paper. My thoughts are like dust on the wind. Every time I try to focus, they scatter, fleeting and swirling so that I can’t concentrate. I glance back over my shoulder at Hannah. Surprisingly, she’s already writing furiously.

I stare at her for a while, seeing the intense concentration on her face. Finally, I sigh and sit down. I know what I’m about to do would infuriate a few people. They’re depending on me. And I’ve worked hard to come to this spot. But I place pen to paper and begin to write my first line.

Dear Wes, this might not be what you thought . . .

Hannah

I scribble on the piece of paper, biting on a strand