Page 35 of Sporty Girls Don't Fall For Loners

I shake my head. “Nothing. It’s just that…” My chest puffs up with a sigh. “I’m just confused.”

“About what?”

“Hey!” Rylee drops down at our table with her tray. “Today is book club! I can’t wait to discuss On Emerald Seas. It’s one of the best adventure books I’ve ever read.”

“How did you get your food so fast?” Mia asks. “We didn’t see you waiting in line.”

“Mason got my chili for me.” She waves at him, where he sits with his friends who are also part of his mathlete team. He waves back with the brightest smile on his face. “I was running a little late because I had to talk to my teacher about my physics assignment and he was so sweet to get my food for me.” She sighs in utter ecstasy. “I have the best boyfriend in the world.”

My eyes travel to Kade again. He’s focused on his phone, but then his eyes rise to mine. I quickly yank my gaze away and groan.

“Hmm?” Rylee asks as she eats. “You say something?”

“Didn’t you say you’re confused about something?” Mia reminds me.

“What? Oh, yeah. Just…something weird happened yesterday. I mean, not really weird. Just…odd.”

“Huh?” Mia asks.

“Hey, guys!” a voice says.

We turn around and find Lexi West standing before us with her posse of boys surrounding her.

“Hey, Lexi.” Mia waves. “How are you doing? Is high school kicking your butt or are you kicking high school’s butt?”

“A little of both,” she admits with a laugh. “The work is hard, but I’ve gotten used to it. Oh, and I got extra credit for presenting a report on blue whales in science class! Next presentation?” She holds up her hands in front of her. “Sharks: why they’re not as scary as everyone thinks.” She raises her shoulders. “Well, the title is still a work in progress.”

“Sounds like you’re having fun,” I say with a smile.

“Yeah! At least one of the boys is in each of my classes, so it’s all good.”

Ever since she was a little kid, guys have flocked to her. I made guy friends when I got into sports, but they like her just for her personality and who she is as a person.

“Well, make sure to cherish every moment with your friends,” Rylee tells her. “We only have two years left with each other and I’m already depressed about it.”

“Ugh, same,” Mia says.

“Um…Zoey?” Lexi moves closer to me with a pained and hopeful look on her face. I silently brace myself because I know what she’s going to ask. The same thing she’s been asking for weeks. An answer to a question I can’t give her, no matter how much I wish I could.

“Have you heard from Brock?” she asks, green eyes big and full of even more hope.

I try not to sigh. “I have a video call with him tonight.”

Her face lights up as her brown curls bounce. “Really? Can you give him a message for me?”

“Sure,” I say, my stomach twisting because it sucks how hurt she is.

“Okay, cool. Can you tell him that the guys and I miss him a lot and are looking forward to talking to him when he’s ready? But like, don’t sound pushy, you know? I don’t want to…” She bites her lower lip as she averts her eyes to her shoes. “I don’t want to push him away even more…”

I squeeze my eyes shut for a second and nod. “Yeah, I know what you mean. I’ll give him your message.” I smile weakly at her and the guys.

“Thanks,” they say.

Lexi puts on a smile. “Let’s get food, boys! Last one to the lunch line is a rotten egg!” She bullets over there, with them running after her.

I sigh heavily. “Sometimes I want to wring my brother’s neck. And then I feel horrible because he’s been through so much.”

Mia stretches to pat my hand. “It’s okay. You just need to be patient. Brock has been through a trauma and no one can tell him what pace to be at. I think Lexi and the boys get that. It’s just hard.”

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