All in the Game (17 page)

Ty was surprised to actually feel suspense build. Winning a million dollars for telling a set of twins apart was definitely a departure from the formula. A rather stupid departure, in his opinion, but if Clark and Bobby wanted the
game to end differently from those past shows, they'd succeeded in that regard.

It was too bad both Shannen and Lauren looked ready to commit mayhem for having their identities turned into a contest.

“Time's up!” cried Bobby. “Konrad, what is your answer? Who is the twin on the left? Hold up your card.”

Konrad held up the card on which he'd printed “Shannen.” “She's the one who mouths off,” he said admiringly.

It was Cortnee's turn. She held up her card, which read “Lauren.” “Just a guess,” she said hopefully.

Bobby paused for heightened dramatic effect. And then: “Cortnee, you are victorious!”

Cortnee screamed and jumped up and down and hugged Konrad and the twins and even Bobby.

“It's like she won Miss Teenage America or something,” Jed said disparagingly.

Ty recorded it. He also filmed Konrad saying, “I'm glad for Cortnee. She deserved to win. I got the second prize, and a hundred grand is nothing to whine about.”

Finally, Ty recorded the twins' reaction when Bobby asked if they really minded being turned into a guess-their-identities contest.

“Yes,” they said together, and glowered at him.

“We're happy Cortnee won, though,” Shannen added. “She is so cute and she's going to be a big star.”

The filming was through, and the production assistants set to work dismantling the tribal council area. Ty had to push his way through the throng of contestants and crew to finally reach Shannen.

Before he could say a word, Cortnee joined them. “Cute dress, Shannen!” she exclaimed enthusiastically. “Silk, too, huh?”

“We should've known Clark Garrett was up to something when he insisted that Lauren and I buy new dresses—at network expense—in the hotel shop. Then he practically
begged us to dress exactly alike.” Shannen rolled her eyes. “He said it would be ‘good television.' We said no until that snake Jed slithered over and said he agreed with us and we shouldn't listen to Clark.”

“That took care of that,” Ty interjected wryly. “Lucky for Clark, you and Lauren wouldn't go along with anything Jed suggested.”

“We were duped.” Shannen was disgusted. “Clark also said the network was buying everybody new clothes to wear tonight, and that turned out to be a lie. It was just Lauren and me for his dumb plan to use us. Sorry, Cortnee. Though I really am glad that you won,” she added.

“As soon as Bobby said what the contest was, I knew I'd win,” Cortnee said happily. “I learned to tell you and your sister apart after Lauren started hating me. She'd shoot me these drop-dead looks, but you never did, Shannen.”

Cortnee glanced from Ty to Shannen. “Now that the game is over, care to tell me what's going on between you two?”

“Us?” Shannen and Ty said at the same time.

“Konrad told me about that day in the ocean when the camera was turned off and it was more than obvious you two knew each other well. He asked if we should use it against you, but I said no.” Cortnee smiled shrewdly. “We'd gotten Jed kicked off, and we might come across as mean and nasty if it looked like we were plotting against someone else—especially a twin. I told Konrad we had to think of our images for potential product endorsements. He saw my point.”

“Cortnee, you have the instincts of a marketing genius, packaged in a Britney Spears body. I predict you'll go far.” Ty laughed.

“I hope so,” said Cortnee. “Clark just told me there's a list of agents waiting to contact me. I'll make sure Konrad and Rico get some good deals, too. They're kinda like the brothers I never had, even though I never
wanted
brothers.”

“You're sweet, Cortnee,” said Shannen. “And whatever your reasons, thanks for—for keeping our secret.”

“Which you're not going to tell me, not even now?” Cortnee looked disappointed.

“We'll send you an invitation to our wedding,” said Ty. He caught Shannen's hand. “Think we can find a private place where I can propose?”

“I…I think you just did. Indirectly. You…you invited Cortnee to our wedding!”

Shannen was dazed as he pulled her along after him, away from the cast and crew, through the jungle path to the place where they'd first kissed what seemed like eons ago.

“Cortnee said that Konrad told her it was more than obvious that we knew each other well,” Ty said, taking Shannen in his arms. “Do you agree that we
do
know each other well?”

“If we don't now, I expect we'll know each other very well by the time of our wedding.” Shannen smiled up at him, her blue eyes shining with laughter and love.

“So you're accepting my proposal?”

“Actually you haven't officially made one yet, Ty.”

“I'll correct that oversight immediately.” Ty got down on bended knee and took her hand. “Shannen, will you marry me?”

“Yes, I will, Ty.” She knelt down beside him. “I love you, Ty. I love you so much.”

“And I love you, Shannen. I fell in love with you nine years ago and I'm still in love with you.” He took her mouth in a long, lingering kiss filled with love and passion and commitment.

The emotional intensity shook them both.

“I wish we could be together tonight.” Shannen sighed wistfully. “All night, in our own room. But Clark said the crew is staying here in the camp tonight.”

“They are. But I'm going to the hotel with you—and we're definitely getting our own room,” promised Ty.

“But, Ty—”

“My time with
Victorious
is over. The editors have the footage, and there is nothing more for me to film. I meant what I said about opening my own law practice, Shannen. I thought it could be in West Falls, if you'd like.”

“Where my job and my family are.” Shannen was thrilled. “I'd love that, Ty. But we'd better start economizing right away, because it'll take a while to get a law practice established in West Falls. Luckily my job at the hospital will provide us with health benefits, but I really don't think we can afford the five hundred dollars a night for a room at the resort. Maybe we can—”

“There's something else I've been meaning to tell you, Shannen,” Ty cut in. “Five hundred dollars for a room is chump change to me. You see, uh, I didn't lose my money. My personal wealth wasn't touched by any of the lawsuits against the other Howes. It can't and never will be.”

“You-you're saying that…that—”

“I'm rich. Very rich. Are you angry?” He challenged.

“I'm stunned! Why did you tell me that you'd lost everything?”

“You were the one who said I had money issues, Shannen. And you were right. But now—thanks to you—I no longer have them. At least as far as you're concerned.”

He kissed her deeply. And kept a firm hold on her, locking his eyes with hers.

“You're not even going to let me get mad because you didn't trust me enough to tell me the truth, are you?” she asked in the testy tone familiar to
Victorious
viewers.

“That's the plan.” He kissed her again. “I do trust
you,
Shannen. And I fully intend to use my money to buy your goodwill. You couldn't stay too mad at a guy who pays for the repairs to the family diner and Gramma's roof and sets
Jordan and Josh up in the landscaping business of their dreams, could you?”

“You remembered all that, even Josh's and Jordan's names,” Shannen marveled.

“I also know the names of their two kids, if you care to quiz me. Everything you told me about you and your family is worth remembering, Shannen. What's important to you is important to me, too.”

“How could I ever stay mad at a guy like that?” Shannen murmured in a warm, tender tone familiar only to those she loved.

“How could you?” agreed Ty.

And holding hands, they went to find the boat that was leaving the island.