2
The show, The Family Project, was filming for seven days at a sprawling mountain resort, all of it broadcasted live. From the seco- nd we set foot on the property, a drone was buzzing over our heads, capturing everything.
When Liam and I arrived at the base of the mountain, another pair of contestants was already there. The guy looked to be in his mid–twenties, tan and tall, with a girl in athletic wear standing next to him. They were huddled together, whispering, and the girl Nooked seriously pissed off.
The moment she saw us, her chin shot up and she let out a sharp, disdainful huff.
Chapter 1
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Liam leaned in and murmured in my ear, “That’s Adam Vance. On that reality show two years ago, he was ranked 12th–the last
one cut before the finale. The internet trolls all say I stole his spot.”
I got it instantly. Classic reality TV drama–baiting.
As we walked over, Adam put on a show of being the humble, wronged martyr, offering us a meek greeting. My brother, already
terrified of the online hate, was practically trembling as he reached out to shake Adam’s hand, a nervous, almost apologetic smile
on his face.
Even so, the live–stream comments were a firestorm of abuse for Liam:
“Poor Adam. Having to film with the guy who stole his dream.”
“That manufactured pretty–boy face of Liam’s makes me sick. How can a guy be so soft?”
“Adam is such a good guy, greeting him like that. Liam has zero class.”
“If it wasn’t for his face, what does Liam even have? Adam is better in every way!”
I stood there, my face a blank mask, just watching Adam. He finally turned his friendly, practiced smile on me.
“You must be Liam’s sister, right? I’m Adam Vance, and this is my sister, Zoe. She won the national youth dance championship last
year.”
At the mention of her title, Zoe’s chin lifted even higher. She shot me a dismissive look. “Oh, so Liam actually has a sister.”
Adam added, a hint of pity in his voice, “Liam doesn’t like to talk about his family in public. It’s understandable if you didn’t know.”
Zoe’s smirk widened. “Makes sense. When you get by on looks alone, I guess your family isn’t much to brag about.”
