After an early and hurried supper, her parents rushed off to DIA for the broadcast. She knew they didn’t know the results yet, and it was just as nerve wracking for them as it was for their children. And she knew from the way her mom and dad were looking at her since the breakup that they were worried about her.
She was worried too. Worried she’d disappointed them enough already. And worried these results would only forge that disappointment deeper.
Not knowing what else to do, Kennedy decided to pop some popcorn. Because snacks. The Reed household seemed to run on snacks and sarcasm, so she’d do her best to provide for the first half of that.
She put the popcorn on the coffee table and sat down, which lasted all of three seconds before she realized she was just too damn nervous to sit. So she walked around, and it wasn’t until her third lap between the kitchen island and the living room that she realized she was pacing.
What if she didn’t qualify?
What if Josiah qualified and she didn’t?
What if none of the Reeds qualified?
And if both her brothers qualified and she didn’t, what would people say about her then?
If she happened to possibly, maybe qualify, what would the other girls think of her? This thought hadn’t entered her head because everyone now knew she wasn’t a virgin—since a lot of the girls probably weren’t—but because of the timeframe. She had been with Josiah rather recently, and now she’d be expected to find someone else.
So many questions. And no answers.
But soon there would be.
Eli interrupted her thoughts. “Stop with the incessant sighing, Kens. Reeds—no matter what.”
As she took a deep, unsteady breath, she noticed both of her brothers were now settled into spots on the couch. Results would be any minute now. Not trusting her voice, she whispered, “Reeds—no matter what.”
James reached a hand behind the couch to her. “Reeds—no matter what.”
The screen came to life as their hands high-fived, and the new Culling emblem made everything seem that much more real. They had watched dozens of broadcasts, but none like this.
When the emblem faded, they could see their parents standing there. Both looked composed, but she knew they weren’t. Especially her mom. Her mom was nervous. Kennedy could see it in the way her smile didn’t quite meet her eyes. Her mom’s hands were holding something small, probably a tissue, which meant her mother was expecting tears.
“Good evening, State of the Union.” Her mom’s eyes looked directly into the camera. “The time for a change in leadership is nearing. The upcoming Culling will certainly lead to exciting opportunities for our country while we elect a new Presidential Couple who will further strengthen our country with innovative ideas. Sadly, this does also mean it’s time for us to say goodbye to all of you.” She paused. “Though the Culling brings us the best and brightest our country has to offer, let us exercise due diligence as citizens while electing the best couple to support our country in the future. We must abandon our biases and search out the strongest couple. Because we must continue to thrive. There is no other option.”
Her dad’s deep voice went next. “We won’t keep you all waiting. Without further ado, here are the fifty boys and girls chosen for the State of the Union’s sixth Culling.” He paused. “First up, the ladies.”
Holy crap. The ladies? This was happening.
This was happening!
She took a breath that got lodged in her throat and almost choked her, but she refused to cough—because all that mattered were the fifty names now showing on the screen.
Please. Please. Please.
The list was organized by township and then alphabetized by last name. Her eyes found Denver in record speed, then scanned down to the R’s.
Kennedy Reed.
She was in.
She quickly read through the rest of the Denver girl names and noticed that Cassie was too.
She released the breath that had almost choked her, gasping and taking in huge pulls of air into her lungs.
Holy hell. She did it. She was in. She had done it.
James’s massive arms were around her before she saw him coming. “You did it, Kens!”
“Hell yeah she did!” Eli said, joining them in a group hug.
Then the tears stung her eyes. These two brute brothers of hers were annoying and protective and sometimes just too much, but they also had her back.
Their dad’s voice on the television broke the moment. Kennedy didn’t want to let go of them, though, and grabbed each brother’s hand, clamping down tight.
Please. Them too. For them and for me.
She didn’t know how to do it without them. She needed them there with her for whatever this stupid Culling might bring.
“And for the gentlemen.”
Her eyes lasered in on Denver, went to the R’s, and saw two Reed names stacked on top of one another.
They had done it.
All three of them.
She took a shaky breath, smiling through the tears that threatened to spill over.
All. Three. Of. Them. Qualified.
They all clutched each other’s hands as they stared at the screen.
“Is this real life?!” Kennedy whispered.
Her overwhelming joy momentarily faltered when she read through the rest of the Denver names. There, at the bottom where she was avoiding looking, was a name she had hoped wouldn’t be there. But of course, there it was—taunting her, tainting her joy.
Josiah Whittaker.
Jerk Nose Blabbermouth McGee found himself qualified for the Culling.
She was one hundred percent sure he was going to make it awkward too. One hundred percent.
Before she could plot his Culling demise, the screen returned to their parents. Her dad was smiling. “The honor the one hundred of you have just been handed is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You will be pushed and pulled in the coming weeks and months. Your qualifying shows us you have the potential needed to fill these shoes. But whether or not you will prevail is up to you. It’s not about who is the smartest, or most charismatic, or prettiest. It’s about who is the best equipped to lead our nation. That is what we are looking to find.” He paused for a few seconds, letting the gravity of his words settle in the minds of his audience. “There are one hundred of you now. Only two will remain. Prepare yourselves for the ride of a lifetime. The State of the Union’s sixth Culling has begun.”
Her mother went on and described the two-hour timeline for candidates leaving their homes. During the entire talk, Kennedy could tell her mother was struggling to keep her emotions at bay; tears glistened in her eyes right up until her dad ended the broadcast.
Their mom was just so happy for them. You could see it clear as day. Kennedy had always thought if she could be half the mom her mother was, then she’d still be a damn good mom.
The three Reeds were still just standing there with hands intertwined after the broadcast ended.
They’d done it. The Reeds had proved the heirs were going to try like hell to beat out the so-called Heir’s Curse.
Three for freaking three. Plus Cassie. So four for four.
“Tell me this is real life,” she whispered again. So Josiah qualified too. Whatever. She was not going to let the ruiner of all things also take this moment from her.
Eli let go of her hand to throw an arm around both the twins’ shoulders. “Reeds? No matter what?”