Magic Mansion by Jordan Price (best fiction books to read .txt) 📕

relationship with another man would compromise that? Come on, Marlene. We’re both out. And he’s hardly butch.”

She shook her head. “People see what they want to see—and then they gossip about it on the message boards. There’s a whole thread about how and where he should propose to Sue.”

Of course, Marlene was right. Only a few more challenges, and then he and Ricardo would be absolutely free to do as they pleased.

Unless Marlene was right about their bond being volatile, and outside of the Mansion, their chemistry would fizzle.

John couldn’t say what the future would hold, but for now, he could certainly wait a few more weeks to put the Mansion behind him. He was about to tell Marlene as much and thank her for her warning, when she added, “Neither of you have anything about your personal lives online, so there isn’t any dirt for the casual fan to dig up. And Ricardo might not be particularly masculine, Professor, but you are. I think you should consider feigning an interest in Jia so the powers that be won’t have any reason to read into your longing looks.”

Marlene fussed with her thin cardigan in a finicky gesture eerily like Rose Topaz…and as vividly as if it had just happened that very day, he heard his mother’s voice, sharp and incisive, seething up out of his long-forgotten memories.

What you reading? I never give you this. What you care about Guam for? You born in California. You American, Johnny. American. You go around and tell the other kids you Chamorro? You think that make you a big shot? Huh? You special? You different? You stupid, Johnny, that what you are. It no good to be different. It only make people hate you.

Every spiteful accusation was accompanied by a page torn from the book…a library book. Later, John’s stepfather had quietly slipped him two dollars and fifty cents, which covered the cost of having it replaced. But once John had mumbled the excuse about his nonexistent dog eating it and handed over the fee, he’d been too ashamed to show his face in that library again.

The desire to acquiesce to Marlene’s wishes evaporated.

“I appreciate your concern,” John told her, “but I’m too set in my ways to duck back into the closet. And I respect Jia. She deserves better.”

Marlene didn’t blow up. She simply shrugged. She didn’t have as much personally at stake as Rose had. “Out and proud. Well, good for you, Professor. I guess at the end of the day, you’re the one you’ve got to live with.”

“But it shouldn’t reflect on Ricardo. If he’s the viewers’ favorite…” dare he read into what Marlene was saying? That Ricardo was poised to win? “Don’t let my personal decisions stand in his way.”

___

Eight magicians gathered in the yard. The wind was still high and dry, and Iain had set a few crewmen with leaf blowers to flush out debris from the perimeter of the location and minimize the potential of a wayward leaf or candy bar wrapper flying into a shot. Ricardo was wearing another one of his clingy, sparkly outfits. John had only allowed himself a glance. But the glance was enough to test his newfound resolve to keep his eyes on the prize.

The prize (for John) being the chance to distract Kevin Kazan so Ricardo could take the win.

Hopefully Marlene hadn’t been exaggerating about Ricardo’s chances. It appeared she’d been correct so far about the physical nature of the upcoming challenge. Huge circus props were arranged the length of the back lawn, too many to cover with a tarp for a dramatic reveal. It was the type of setup an animal trainer might use—platforms and hoops and a giant ball. But given that the magicians hadn’t even been allowed to use power tools, it was unlikely they’d be coaxing any big cats through the performance. Or even house cats, for that matter.

At one end of each course was a pegboard full of pegs. The other, a fiberglass tiger with a roaring, open mouth.

No, there wouldn’t be any real animals. Just the magicians. And whatever ridiculous task the producers had dreamt up.

The lighting director selected the best spot to have the contestants stand while the sound men miked Monty. Gold Team was pointing and whispering, trying to work out what the challenge might be. John might break the ice with Jia and Faye since he liked them well enough, but they were both wound up tight with the knowledge that one of them was going home.

And, John realized, he knew which teammate that would be…if Marlene had been steering him right, anyway. Because Marlene wouldn’t have suggested he make romantic overtures toward someone who was leaving.

Interesting.

Once the futzing and positioning and throat-clearing was complete, cameras rolled, and Monty donned his on-camera smile and said, “Greetings, Gold Team. Red Team. As you know, circuses are home to many types of entertainers: clowns and acrobats, jugglers and side shows. Another staple beneath the big top is, of course, the magician—and many of you should feel right at home. Welcome, Magicians, to Circus Week.”

The closest John had come to performing in a circus was the county fair. And that was a standard close-up coin and rope act. Judging by the unenthused looks on the faces of the rest of his team, none of them possessed circus experience, either. Not that it would matter. The stunts’ themes were usually tacked-on, flimsy at best.

Although if any juggling were to be involved…John allowed himself a momentary glimpse of Ricardo, who would surely come out ahead in that case. Ricardo had his arm around Sue, who was whispering in his ear. Ah. Yes. The golden couple.

John supposed their closeness could be presented as romantic, even without any clever edits.

He looked away before his own interest could be filmed, and edited into anything it was not. John had no doubt they could dig up some jealousy music readily enough.

“Many great magicians,” Monty said, “use animals in their acts, creatures as