Page 101 of Sporty Girls Don't Fall For Loners

“It’ll have to be over the weekend, though,” Dad points out. “This way, Zoey won’t miss school and she can spend the whole weekend in Boston.”

“Yes, yes, a million times, yes! I’m so excited.”

Mom laughs. “Okay, we’ll make the arrangements. We can’t wait to see you, sweetie. Have fun at the sleepover, okay? We’ll talk to you later.” She presses her fingers to her lips and then to the screen. “Mwa, my darling. We love you so much.”

“I love you, too.”

Dad waves. “Good night, Zoey. And enjoy the rest of the weekend.”

We say goodbye and hang up. As I continue packing for the sleepover, my cheeks are lifted in a huge smile. Visiting my grandparents and brother in Boston will be so much fun! I can’t wait.

When I have everything I need, I sling my backpack onto my back and make my way downstairs. Aunt Ally and Uncle Zack are still into the K-drama, my aunt on the edge of her seat with her eyes glued to the TV. Kade is perched on the armrest, his eyebrows furrowed as he watches the show.

“I thought the same thing when Ally first introduced me to K-dramas,” Uncle Zack says to Kade. “How could you read a TV show? But after a bit, it doesn’t even feel like you’re reading the subtitles. You get sucked into the show.”

“Oh my gosh, oh my gosh.” Aunt Ally shushes them with her hand. “This part is so intense.”

The woman on the screen is tiptoeing in what looks like an alleyway, eyes frantically looking around, chest rising and falling heavily. Then a monster jumps before her, opening its large mouth and showing off super sharp teeth. Aunt Ally releases a small yelp and grabs hold of Uncle Zack’s arm. Just as the monster is about to chomp the woman into a million little pieces, a guy appears out of nowhere and launches himself at the monster, slashing him with his sword ten times. The monster cries out in pain before crashing to the ground in pieces.

Aunt Ally grabs hold of her chest. “Oh my gosh. That was crazy.”

Uncle Zack nods, his eyes wide. “Crazy indeed.”

“I love when he saves her,” Aunt Ally says with a happy sigh. “She’s strong on her own, but he’s always looking out for her—in a total non-stalker way. So romantic.” Her eyes move to Kade. “What did you think?”

“It was pretty good,” he admits. “Zack was right—I forgot I was reading subtitles.”

“They have the episodes dubbed in English, but there’s something special about watching a show in the native tongue,” Aunt Ally says. “It feels more authentic, you know?” She notices me standing in the doorway and sits up. “Zoey! I didn’t see you there. Are you ready to head to Rylee’s?”

“I can wait if you want to finish the episode,” I offer.

“That’s okay. It’ll still be here when I get back.”

“I can give Zoey a lift,” Uncle Zack says.

“Thanks, but I want to catch up with Kara.” She pecks his lips. “I’ll see you later. Bye, Kade.”

“See you.” His eyes shift to me. Something flashes in them. Is he thinking about what happened at the theater when our hands touched? Because I sure can’t stop reliving it over and over in my head.

“See you, too, Zoey,” he says. “And have fun with your friends.”

“Thanks.”

Aunt Ally and I leave the house and get in the car. She smiles at me as she starts the car and pulls out of the driveway. “I remember all the sleepovers I had with my Musketeers. Those were some of the best nights of my life. Try to cherish them as much as you can, Zoey. Because the next two years will fly like the blink of an eye and you’ll find yourself in college.”

I groan as I hit the back of my head against the seat. “Ugh, don’t remind me. We’ll have to start thinking about college soon and I really don’t want to deal with that. I wish my friends and I could go to the same school and stay together forever.”

“I know how you feel. It was so hard to separate from my friends, too. But each of you needs to pick the right school for yourself. The bond between the three of you is stronger than the toughest glue, and it will withstand the separation of college. And beyond that, too, if any of you leave Edenbury. Dani lived in New York City for a few years while she was on Broadway and we all stayed in touch with her and remained just as tight as we were before. The same with Charlie when she worked in NASA’s California office to stay close to Asher as he focused on his acting career. I know the future might be scary, but you girls are strong and determined and you can tackle anything that comes your way. And who knows? Maybe you’ll all settle down in Edenbury and build lives here.”

“That’s the hope and dream,” I say.

“Everything always works out for the best,” she says with a smile. “That’s what I believe, anyway.”

“I think I believe it, too,” I say, thinking back to Kade and how happy he’s been the last few days. But then my thoughts shift to Brock and everything he’s been through the last two years. I hope one day he’ll see the light at the end of the tunnel.

“Here we are,” Aunt Ally says as she pulls into the Barrington driveway. We unbuckle our seatbelts and get out of the car, then walk to the front door. I ring the bell, and a few seconds later, the door flies open to reveal Rylee.

“Yay, you made it!” She pulls me into her arms. Then she waves at my aunt. “Hey, Ally.”

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