Page 9 of The Amazing Date

“You can be disqualified if…” I begin and bite my lip when I see the scolding gaze from Roberto. I know he must be confused by my words. When he saw me last, I was like Laredo, bending every rule in the book for an advantage, doing what I needed to get ahead. It was that reckless approach that destroyed Roberto’s plans. A future he had mapped out for years, shattered beyond repair in mere seconds by me. It is the reason I’ve embraced change. Why I tamp down my impulses and now follow his sister’s approach of checklists and moderation. I hope he sees the change in me.

“He won’t, don’t worry.” Adam lays his hands on the table, his eyes flitting between me and Gabby. “I’ll make sure we run an honorable race.”

“Sure we will.” Laredo winks at his sister while Adam punches him on the arm. I guess Roberto and I won’t be the only dysfunctional team in this race.

Movement on the dais silences the table, and all eyes and attention shift toward the front of the room. The lights go low, and the theme music for the It Takes Two competition starts up. A spotlight waves across the curtains, ricocheting from the ceiling to the front tables and back to the stage. A deep voice rises as the music fades. “Ladies and gentlemen, competitors of all ages, welcome to the thirtieth edition of It Takes Two, the competition that proves hard work and good teamwork leads to success. Here is your host, Wilma Reed.”

The room breaks into applause, and the spotlight lands center stage on Wilma Reed. I feel Gabby’s excitement in the squeeze of my thigh. We’ve spoken about this moment, the night before the kickoff of the competition. At least we get to experience this together.

“Good evening, competitors.” The applause returns, and I take in the woman we’ve been stalking for the last year. Wilma is black, five seven, and sports a perfectly cut small Afro. She’s recently celebrated her fiftieth birthday and looks stunning. A floor-length purple and gold gown that sparkles under the stage lights has my mouth hanging open.

“Welcome to this special thirtieth edition of our little competition. Our team there in the back”—she waves and claps toward the back of the room—“has been working hard over the last few months to prepare what will be a particularly challenging and rewarding course, with a few surprises. Are you ready?”

Laredo stands, raises two fingers to his mouth, and lets out an ear-piercing whistle. Adam pulls him down to his seat by the ends of his frayed T-shirt.

“I see table one is already in mid-competition form.” Wilma chuckles and returns to her speech. “Over the next four days, you will face a series of challenges, some physical, some mental, but all requiring you to work together with your partner. At the end of each day, the last team to arrive to the designated home base will face elimination from the race. The first team that arrives will receive a special prize and a head start the next day.”

I lean into Gabby, and we whisper like we used to in the back of our college classes. Wilma continues to go through the rules, which we’ve already memorized. Talks of penalties, disqualification, restrictions on personal cell phones and GPS, and half a dozen more. “Can you believe this is happening,” I whisper.

“I’m so excited for you, Ry. I know how much you’ve prepared. I’m sorry I can’t do this with you. Please go easy on my brother. He’s not trained for this. He’s going to stumble out of the gate, but if you give him time, he may surprise you.”

I glance over at Roberto. Instead of taking notes and paying attention, he continues flirting with Hailey. My chest tightens, not with jealousy but loss. There was a time Roberto leaned his body toward me that way. Elbow on the table, two fingers rubbing against the pad of his thumb as if he is sketching. His unique concentrated stare making you feel seen—special.

I force myself to turn away, yet the pressure in my chest remains. “Whatever. We’ll probably get eliminated on day one. Are you staying in LA like your controlling brother insists?”

She giggles, familiar with me slinging arrows at her brother whenever I get the chance. It’s a stupid reflex meant to assuage the hurt I feel for destroying us before we had a chance to become a true couple, the only action that soothes the hurt of the cold shoulder he continues to give me. “It only makes sense. I’ll crash at his place until you guys are finished.”

I note how she doesn’t say until we win. Even the rose-colored glasses she wears for her big brother refuse to let her see this partnership being successful. “I’ll rest up and will be ready for some bestie time when this is behind us.”

“Deal.”

A beaming intern steps to our table holding an iPad. Wilma continues from the front of the room. “The start is on the Colorado Street Bridge tomorrow morning at seven. Don’t be late.”

The intern taps Roberto on the shoulder. “Sir? Since you are a last-minute replacement, you need to complete this survey.”

Roberto takes the iPad, his gaze shifting from the intern to me and back again. “I thought I filled out all the paperwork this morning. Medical insurance, food allergies, and all of that.”

I dive in. “This survey is more about you. Everyone had to complete it. They use the information as part of some of the challenges. There are over one hundred questions; most of the information won’t be used. They ask that many questions so you can’t predict which ones are important.”

The intern nods, pleased I’m aware of the survey. “Oh, and…” I begin as Roberto taps away on the iPad. “You can’t tell me any of your questions or answers.”

I catch his mumble. “As if I would.”

A nasty retort sits on the tip of my tongue but is held back by Gabby’s firm grip across my leg . “Easy. Remember?”

“Fine,” I grit back. “Let’s go grab some food. I have to be in bed by nine to adjust my clocks from the shift in time zones.”

“I thought it was midnight when you’d turn back into a witch,” Roberto scoffs as his fingers fly across the screen.

“I think you may have me mistaken for your last date who had to leave and check in with her probation officer.”

His smirk catches me by surprise. Did I say something complimentary in the middle of my insult?

“If she’s on probation, at least she’s proven she’s not afraid to bend a rule or two and have some fun, Miss In Bed by Nine. Look around. There’s a room full of new people, new adventures, free food and drinks. Live a little. You used to love a party.”

Of all the cards to play, he chooses that one. Why? My feet pause. Does he hate me that much? Party. Partying leads to impulsive behavior, which leads to bad things happening. He, of all people, knows this. I’ve worked too hard and too long to not stick to my plan. I glance around the room. It’s filled with laughter and chatter. People are clustered in small groups, making connections and spreading joy. What’s the point? I need my sleep. I need to be ready for the task that matters. After a week, most of these people will be a distant memory, hopefully teams I’ve conquered. The only person in the room I need to connect with is Wilma Reed, and I plan on seeing her at the finish line.

“I’m living just fine.” My hollow words are no match for the slight he’s laid at my feet.

---