Page 141 of Sporty Girls Don't Fall For Loners

“Did you get all your things, Zoey?” Mom asks.

“Yep.”

Aunt Ally hands us containers with the food she prepared for us, since our fridge is empty. Mom and Dad thank my aunt and uncle for the millionth time for taking care of me.

Uncle Zack stretches his arm over Dad’s shoulder. “You don’t have to thank me, little man,” he says, using the name he’s called him since he was a kid. “We’re family and would do anything for each other.”

“And you’re sure she behaved, right?” Mom teases.

“Mom,” I groan. It’s a little annoying how she sometimes still sees me as the troublemaker I once was.

Aunt Ally smiles at me. “She was a perfect angel.”

We bid them goodbye. I give Kade another hug, and then the three of us leave the house with the rest of my things.

Before we’re gone, I turn around and meet Kade’s eyes. He gives me a sweet and kind smile that once again melts my insides.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Zoey

After I’m done with football practice on Monday morning, I meet Mia and Rylee at my locker. We have a few minutes before first period starts and I want to tell them more details about my trip.

My friends fling their arms around me, bright smiles on their faces. They ask me a million questions about Boston and I take a few minutes gushing as much as I can.

“But before I continue, I have something for you guys.” I glance around. “Wait, where’s Mason?”

“Meeting with the other mathletes,” Rylee says. “We probably won’t see him until after the bell rings.”

“Oh, I guess I’ll give him his present later.”

Mia’s eyes light up. “Present?”

“Did you not request I get you a lobster plush?”

She nearly bounces on her feet. “Yes!”

With a smile, I pull the adorable red creature out of my locker. “Here you go.”

“Yay, thanks!” She grabs it from my hands. “Wow. So soft and cuddly.” She wraps me in her arms, accidentally squishing her new stuffed friend. “Oops. Don’t worry, Lobsty. I’ll take good care of you.”

Rylee and I laugh. Rylee turns to me expectantly. “So what did you get me?”

I pull out the objects from my locker. “A T-shirt, a cap, and a mug. All with a Boston theme.”

“Awesome!” She accepts them from me and puts on the cap. “One can never have too many caps or T-shirts.”

“I got the same for Mason, so you guys can match.”

“So cute. Thanks.” She hugs me.

I tell them more about my trip, but my voice trails off when I spot someone coming my way. Lexi.

Rylee and Mia notice me staring at her and Mia asks, “What’s wrong?”

I don’t have a chance to answer because Lexi stands before me, an unsure smile on her face.

“Hi, Lexi,” I greet.

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