I was standing in the middle of a festival with over a hundred people milling about and I felt completely alone.

Finn was out of eyesight and the rest of the Westons were still playing with Penelope near the bubble machines. Who knows what Mel was telling Cade and Wendy right now? I did so good to avoid revealing who I was today, and Mel was the one to blow it for me. I had every right to be extremely anxious about meeting her today.

I had successfully avoided Ollie walking by us when we were smelling candles and Ryan and Alyssa didn't say anything to blow my cover. Finn never made it to mingle with Logan who was there with Cooper and I was so happy to learn Cade hadn't said anything either. It boiled down to Mel and boy does she still hold a grudge.

I watch couples walk over to the field area and I know capture the flag is about to start. My partner just stalked off and I really don't care about playing games anymore. This was all for Finn anyway.

The park is only a few blocks from my house and it might be good to walk off my frustration. I think I need to let Finn mull things over even though I want to chase after him and explain myself fully. That I had been racking my brain over how to tell him the truth about everything without having him run off. Which is exactly what he did anyway.

I slide my hands down my sweaty face and start off across the field. At least the sidewalk is lined with shade from the trees so I won't melt completely as I shlep it back to the house.

I am reaching the middle of the field when Matty and Layla come strolling up from the opposite direction. Matty grins but I am in no mood for his flirty attitude.

"We saw Finn take off, does that mean he forfeits?" Matty taunts gleefully and I freeze. Layla has a smirk on her pretty face and she adds, "Was he too scared to face Matty again this year?" She said nothing to me when Finn was next to me but is fully sassy when I'm alone. Coward.

"I am the guard this year, so this time, he has to come to me," Matty says playfully with a hand to his chest and he is clueless that Finn and I are both annoyed as fuck right now.

"Oh, he just needed to grab something from the car," I lie and then turn my body towards the players, "We'll be right there."

Matty rubs his hands together and they both take off toward where the action is after Layla gives me a condescending smirk. I slide out my phone and try calling Finn. We can't let Matty win.

I'm not at all surprised he doesn't answer, so I scroll through my contacts to find Cade. He shockingly does answer.

"Hey, what happened?" Cade asks after he answers and I turn toward the bubble machine. I wave over toward him as I say, "Finn left. Will you please be my partner to beat Matty Quinn?"

"You still want to play?" Cade asks me like that was the last thing he was expecting to come out of my mouth.

"Matty just shit-talked me enough to not want to forfeit. I want that fucking flag for Finn, Cade." I hear him sigh and mumble something to Wendy. He gets back on the line and says, "We need Wendy to play to make our team even. We need to find someone else."

As if on cue I spot Cooper strolling across the grass, smiling and muttering something to the cute girl he's holding hands with.

"I got it. Meet you on the field," I tell Cade and then hang up. I jog over to Cooper and he looks caught off guard when I stop him.

"Coop!" I say loudly as I walk over to him. "I desperately need your help."

"With what Miss Sadie?" Cooper asks and then glances at his girl like it better be real fucking important to leave this pretty little thing right now.

"I need to win capture the flag. I need a teammate."

"I thought you were with Finn."

"It's a long story, but he had to leave and we'll forfeit without an even team. Please, please be my teammate and I'll buy you a fucking PS5," I beg and then realize I shouldn't have cursed in front of the teens. His girl is looking at him like who the hell is this lady, but he looks at her and says, "I'm being summoned. I gotta go." He drops her hand as she says, "Seriously?"

"PS5," is all he replies to her with serious eyes. "I'll find you after." He then gestures for me to follow him.

"Thank you, Cooper!" I gush and we jog over to the other players. "You have no idea how badly we have to win."

"Finn and Cade are tied and Matty has one. I know how badly you have to win," Cooper agrees as we make it over to the cluster of couples waiting to play. Cade and Wendy stand on the opposite side of us and Matty finally waves everyone over to listen.