Page 30 of Sporty Girls Don't Fall For Loners

I scoff. Happy? Sure. How can I be happy when I’m completely alone?

“I was just like you,” he says in a soft tone. “I thought the world was a terrible place and I was just surviving one day to the next. But my life got better. I determined my happiness. I decided what kind of life I wanted to live. You can do the same.”

I don’t say anything.

“And I thought I could take care of myself and my little brother all on my own without help. But I learned that asking for help wasn’t a sign of weakness, but strength. Ally’s father put me and Zane in a good home with people who cared for us. They took care of my little brother in a way I never could on my own.”

I lift my head. “Is this your way of telling me you found me a new home?”

He shakes his head. “Like I told you, I’m not going to place you in any home. I want to make sure it’s the best home for you.”

I tear my eyes away, not believing him. Even though his tone is sincere, and sure maybe he really is trying. But at the end of the day, no one cares about me. Only I can care for myself.

Ally peeks into the living room with a plate of pizza. “Pizza’s getting cold. Where’s Zoey? Zoey!” she calls. “Pizza.”

Zack chuckles. “She’s doing her homework and told me not to disturb her. Though I think a pizza break will do her good. Zoey!”

“Studying!” she calls back from her room.

Ally sighs, also with a chuckle. “I swear she doesn’t get the discipline for schoolwork from her parents.”

“Nope. Zane was too lazy to get good grades, but Bailey was a good student.”

“Sure, but neither of them cared about their grades as much as they cared about football.” She turns to me. “Come get some pizza. I’ll warm up a slice for you.”

She, Zack, and I settle around the kitchen table and eat. Zack and Ally discuss different topics, but I mostly keep to myself.

Once we’re done, Ally frowns at the door. “She hasn’t eaten since lunch. You mind bringing her up a slice, Kade?”

She warms it up and gives it to me. I make my way upstairs to Zoey’s room. The door is open and I watch her poring over her homework like the world will come to an end if she doesn’t finish it within the next few minutes.

I step into her room, placing the plate of pizza next to her homework. She looks up. “Oh, thanks.”

I push my hands into my pockets. “Ally asked me to take some up to you. She didn’t want you to starve.”

“Yeah, I have a math test on Monday, so I’ve been busy studying.”

Leaning against her desk, I cross my arms over my chest. “I thought jocks aren’t supposed to be so studious.”

“I’m not a jock.”

I tilt my head to the side, my hair falling over my face. “You’re the quarterback.”

“So?”

I shake my head. “Never met anyone like you, that’s all. Your pizza’s gonna get cold.” I walk out of her room and go to mine. The last thing I want to do is homework, but Ally keeps reminding me that I need to keep my grades up.

Chapter Eleven

Kade

I don’t have much to do on a Sunday afternoon, so I take a walk around the park to try to clear my head. I didn’t sleep well, something that usually happens after I visit Mom or think about the past.

It’s mid-October, so the weather’s pretty nice. I remember how my parents and I used to go on picnics in the park, just the three of us. It was something they did when they dated and it kind of became a tradition.

There are many kids and parents here, teens, and older people. Everyone just wants to spend the day with the people they love.

Trying not to let the memories consume me, I stroll around the area for a bit longer before deciding I’ve had enough. Maybe I’ll go home and distract myself with my favorite crime show or a game on my phone.

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