“Welcome to challenge number two! I hope you’ve got your bathing suits on!” Cyrus chuckles in an almost evil villain way and I laugh, shaking off my funky mood this morning.
I’d woken in the tent alone, confused and bummed that Archer left without me. But more than that, I was confused by the entire night. I didn’t want to be confused.
I wanted to be the confident person I worked hard to grow into, not the lovesick teenager I used to be when I would pine away for Archer when I knew he was out with my brother instead of in with me.
My fault. I knew it was my fault. Doesn’t change the fact that it hurt, right?
But, I had pushed the thoughts aside and grabbed my swimsuit, pulling the high-waisted bottom over my butt and throwing the top on, struggling with all of it in the too-small changing area. I was halfway into my leggings, huffing and puffing around when the zipper opened and Archer started to duck in.
With the way he had to crouch, he was eye level to my lady area, basically on his knees and looking up at me when we both froze. He raked his gaze over my body, starting with my breasts that were a little heavy for the top I had for swimming and down to my half-covered legs.
“Shit,” he mumbled and then turned away as fast as he could, still staying in the tent. Logic told me that it would look weird if he exited and told people it was to give me privacy to change. We were, after all, engaged.
I’d hurried into my clothes and then we’d left to find food, Archer grasping my hand in his and a weirdness between us that I was half expecting. I didn’t want it to be weird.
So I decided to push it out of my mind and focus on the real reason we were here. To show the Hansen team that I was what they wanted on their team.
“Today, we have a fun little water challenge. A relay race of sorts!” He gestures to two large areas with sheets of plastic on the shore, buckets holding the plastic down, all filled with water. “This is what I like to call Banana Racing!”
I look at Archer with a raised brow, and he grins at me. The excitement already pulsing through him.
“Each person starts at one end and, as fast as they can, walks down the plastic to the first bucket, the bucket has a banana in it. You bob for the banana, and then you race down the other end of the plastic and tag your teammate. During your turn, your teammate can run alongside you to encourage you, but they are not allowed to help. Once you and your partner are through it, we’ll move on to the next challenge! Each challenge will build your endurance and your teamwork. You’re not just working for yourself, but for your team.”
I lean over and whisper. “I think Cyrus went to youth group as a kid.”
Archer chuckles.
We all position ourselves and Archer and I decide that I will start the race.
“Oh, and one more thing,” Cyrus says as he holds an actual air horn in his hand. “The plastic is covered in soap and water. Careful you don’t wipe out!”
Archer grabs me around the shoulders and leans his forehead against mine. “Alright, go slow and steady. Wiping out will take up more time for you to get up, stay focused and get back to me.”
I suppress a smile at his serious tone and nod.
How hard could it be?
I step up to the plastic, noting the other groups lined up as well and kick off my flip-flops. I stay in my leggings and tank top because I don’t need the girls popping out in front of my—hopefully—future bosses.
“On your mark,” Cyrus starts, holding the air horn high, a strangely gleeful look in his eye. “Get set,” I brace myself, focusing on the path in front of me. Surely this isn’t the only challenge, it looks far too easy. “Go!” He presses the air horn and I take off, running way too fast and nearly wiping out within the first few feet.
“You got this, babe! Slow and steady!” I try to ignore Archer next to me and focus on the objective.
Get the banana.
I turn on the plastic, falling onto my side with a shriek and carefully place my hands under me to push up, my feet slip and I curse myself for going too fast.
“Come on, Viv! You’ve got this!” Archer yells. Why is that not helpful? I love having the man I’ve been in love with forever watching me make a fool out of myself.
Why did I think this was a good idea?
Finally, I get back up onto my feet and move forward, this time at a slower pace.
“You got it! Perfect! You’re perfect, Viv!”
Alright, I’m taking that personally and storing away the memory of Archer screaming ‘You’re perfect, Viv!’ in my face for future use.
I make the last turn and decide to run for it, slipping and sliding my way to the bucket and immediately dunking my head in it.