Help Me Remember (Rose Canyon, #1)(48)

I turn and try not to glare at the group of boys. They are maybe nine years old and have goopy white sunscreen on their noses.

“Relax, I’m just registering and then you’ll get your turn.”

The one kid laughs. “Great, now the old people are here too.”

“Yeah, Mom said it was supposed to be without parents.”

“I’m not a parent,” I say more to myself.

Brielle laughs again.

The kid groans. “This guy is taking forever.”

I’m going to take my sweet ass time now.

Brielle cuts in, smiling to the woman. “If you could give us the paperwork so we can fill it out, we’d appreciate it. I know these boys are excited.”

The other woman leans down to grab the form. “Okay, if you insist.”

I have no idea why she’s being so weird about this. “Are we in the right place?” I ask.

“I’m not sure, sir. You said something about a flyer?”

“Yes, I saw it posted in Rose Canyon.”

She rummages through her purse and pulls out a paper. “You saw this flyer?”

I swear to God. “Yes, the water balloon tournament and carnival. It said it’s from . . .” I lean down and point.

Brielle bursts out laughing.

“What?” I ask.

“Oh, nothing, Best-Date-Planner-in-the-World.”

I look at the paper again and dread fills me. That’s not the time . . . it’s the ages.

You have got to be kidding me.

“This is for kids?” I ask her, not willing to glance at Brielle, who is still laughing.

The older woman leans closer. “Yes, it’s a kids’ carnival.”

“So, no rides for adults?”

She shakes her head. “Nope.”

I want to sink into a hole. I had it all planned out. We were supposed to be doing something completely crazy and different. I must salvage this.

“Is there one later? Maybe after hours?”

“Honey, it’s this or nothing.”

I look to Brie, who is standing there with a shit-eating grin on her beautiful face. “We’ll find something else.”

“Oh, no we won’t. We’re here, and you promised me a date to remember.”

“Wait, you want to do this?”

She nods. “Why wouldn’t I? We’re here, and I mean, the flyer says a day of fun, so . . .” The kids behind us are complaining louder about missing out. “Besides, we’re holding up the line.”

This is going to bite me in the ass. I know it. I turn back to the women at the table. “We’ll do the water balloon competition please.”

Brielle grabs my arm, resting her head on my shoulder. “And some rides. Also, he’d like to cover the boys behind us since they’ve been so patient.”

They start giving each other high-fives and cheering when they hear her. “Thanks, lady!”

“My pleasure. You know”—Brie releases my arm and turns as I pay a ridiculous amount of money for rides and water balloons—“I could use some help on my team.”

“What team?” I ask.

Brielle looks at me and smirks. “You didn’t think we’d be together, did you?”

“That’s the point of a date.”

She slides back a few steps so she’s standing behind the four boys. “Well, then you should’ve planned better, Spence. My new friends here and I are going to kick your butt.”

“Yeah we will!” says the kid who called me old. “You’re going down, old man.”

“You should watch it, or you’re going to be my first target.”

Brie crouches so she’s closer to their height. “Don’t worry, boys, I played softball in college.”

“You were a bench warmer,” I correct.

“And what sport did you play? Oh, that’s right, you didn’t because you were too busy doing what again?”

I love her. I fucking love her even more right now. She’s back to the girl I remember, who’s all quick wit and humor.

“I was running the journalism club.”

The boys snicker. “You’re a nerd.”

“He totally is,” Brie agrees.

“You know, I did train with the Navy SEALs.”

That at least earns me a little respect from the kids. “Whoa, that’s cool!”

I nod. “Are you sure you don’t want to be on my team?”

Brielle puts her hand on two of the boys’ shoulders. “Find your own team, Cross. These boys and I have to go strategize.”

The woman from the table smiles and hands each of the boys a white T-shirt. “I don’t have adult-sized shirts for you since this was meant to be a youth event.” She looks to Brielle. “The youth extra-large should fit you.” Then she turns to me, her lips pinched in thought. “We could pin one to your shirt. Helena and I were going to be captains, but you and your girlfriend will definitely be better. I’m Sara, by the way.”

“Thank you, Sara. I’m Brielle, and this is Spencer,” Brie says, taking her shirt. “We are really excited.”

“Oh, so are we.”

I bet. It’s going to make for a great story no matter what.