You've Found Oliver (You've Reached Sam, #2)(38)

“Which one?” I ask her.

“The blue panda,” she says.

I squeeze her hand. “Well, let’s get him.”

We walk up to the tent where three bottles are stacked on a circular stand. The rules are pretty simple: You have to knock them completely off the stand to win. The guy behind the counter places a pile of beanbags in front of us. I look at Ben and say, “Wanna see who can knock down the most?”

He smiles. “Only if we make it interesting.”

“Go on…”

“What if the winner gets a special prize?”

“And what should that be?”

“Good question.” He rubs his chin. “I have to think about it.”

“How about the winner decides later,” I suggest.

“I like that idea.”

I offer to go first. I don’t tell Ben that I’m an expert at this. It’s one of the games our school always had at spring festival. I used to have fun beating Sam all the time. Of course, I have to play it cool. I don’t want to go too hard on the first throw. I toss the beanbag, knocking two bottles off the stand.

Ben smiles. “That was pretty good.”

“Just warming up.”

He stretches his arm before throwing the beanbag, hard, and knocking all the bottles off the stand.

“Where did you learn to aim like that?”

“Varsity tennis,” he says casually.

How did I forget about that? I read his bio in the article I found online. I should have guessed he had a competitive side. He runs a hand through his hair and winks at me. But I don’t let this intimidate me—because I have a competitive side, too. I crack my knuckles and pick up another beanbag. My eyes focus on the center of the bottles. I throw harder this time, knocking them all over.

“An improvement.” Ben nods respectfully. Then he picks up another beanbag. His first throw clearly wasn’t beginner’s luck, because he knocks off all the bottles a second time. This kicks me into Super Saiyan mode and I deliver another perfect throw, but Ben does it again, and again. This goes on for several more rounds, each of us missing a few here and there until I ultimately win by a single point.

Ben shakes my hand and says, “Good game. Didn’t realize I was up against a world champion.”

“Headed to the Olympics next year.”

“Glad you’re representing our country.”

We win enough times to get the extra-large blue panda. It’s twice the size of Leah. I have to carry it for her as we continue down the street. We buy some chocolate bars from one of the tents, and then Leah wants to go on the kiddie rides. She picks the bumper cars, and we wait by the railing.

“Sorry you have to babysit with me,” Ben says.

I shrug. “What do you mean? I’m having a good time.”

Ben smiles. “Good. We can do something after, too. I’ll have to take her home soon. Unless you have other plans.”

“I may have to meet some other friends.” I pretend to check my phone. “Oh, they just cancelled. Guess that means I’m completely free.”

“You’re cute,” he says, smirking. “Have you decided what you prize you want?”

“I’m still thinking about it…”

“Take your time.” He unwraps his chocolate bar and takes a bite. Then he holds it out to me and says, “Wanna try?”

“Sure.”

I lean forward and take a small bite. There’s caramel inside. I must have gotten some on my face, because Ben wipes it off with his thumb. We look at each other for a moment. Then we turn to the bumper cars. Competitiveness must run in their family. Leah is unforgiving as she bumps into the other kids, regardless of their age. I cheer her on.

“Good aim, Leah! Take him out, too!”



* * *





We leave the fair around sunset to take Leah back to her hotel. Ben carries her on his shoulders the whole way there. It’s sweet, the way he takes care of her. I’m reminded that he once had a sibling, too. I let him say goodbye before we head off on our own.

“Should we hang at my place?”

“Lead the way.”





Chapter

Fourteen



“Wanna listen to some music?”

Ben lights a candle on the coffee table and lifts the lid of the record player. The place is smaller than I remember. There’s a fire escape directly outside the window that’s cracked open. I stare at the laundromat across the street and say, “I didn’t notice the view before.”

“Yeah, it’s not much to look at.”

“I’d take this over a roommate any day.”

“For sure.” Ben opens the drawer beneath the television, revealing a modest record collection. “There’s no one to complain about my music taste. Except for the woman upstairs occasionally. Are you feeling something upbeat or moody?”

“Have anything from the Velvet Underground?”

Ben smiles. “Unfortunately, no. But I have Joni Mitchell.”

“Ooh, which album?”

“Court and Spark.” He holds up the cover to show me.

“I don’t think I’ve heard that one.”

“Allow me to indoctrinate you.” Ben moves the needle and puts the record on the turntable. “This thing can be a little wonky.” He hits the side of the record player. The sound of a piano slowly fills the apartment. “There we go.” Ben turns around and smiles warmly. Then he grabs the bag of snacks we picked up earlier and hands me my drink.