Page 38 of Sporty Girls Don't Fall For Loners

We spend an hour talking. I tell them what’s been happening over the last few days—which isn’t much, but they want to know every detail anyway—and they tell me about the amazing sights they’ve seen so far and the delicious food they ate.

“And I hope to actually start writing tomorrow,” Dad says.

“Sounds great,” I tell him. “Send me the first chapter as soon as it’s done. I can’t wait to read it.”

“Thanks, sweetheart.”

Mom glances at the time. “It’s getting late and you still need to call Brock. I don’t want to say goodbye, but I wouldn’t want either of you to stay up too late. Lots of hugs and kisses.” She blows kisses at me. “And say hello to Ally and Zack for us.”

“And don’t forget those hourly texts,” Dad reminds me. “You know, for your mom.”

She whacks his chest again. “I think your dad wants them just as much as I do.”

He raises his hands. “Guilty.”

I laugh. “Okay, I’ll try. Talk to you guys later.”

We wave and blow a few more kisses before hanging up. I start a video call with Brock.

When he answers, a massive bull shark with razor-sharp teeth appears on my screen.

“Holy crap!” I say.

Brock chuckles and then his dark hair and blue eyes join the screen along with the rest of him. “I couldn’t resist. Check it out, Zo.” He faces his phone to what I now see is his TV screen, where his show is paused on the shark. “Look at its eye. See how intense it is? Bull sharks are one of the most aggressive species of sharks.”

“That’s like the freakiest thing I’ve ever seen.”

“Right? Sharks are awesome.”

“Funny that you mentioned sharks,” I say. “Lexi was just talking to me about sharks today at lunch.”

His smile completely vanishes. He picks up the remote and continues his show.

I sigh. “Are you going to say anything at all?”

He doesn’t answer.

“Brock, don’t ignore me.”

He reluctantly shifts his gaze back to me. “Why do you always have to bring her up whenever you call?”

“It’s not just Lexi, Brock. It’s Finn and all the other guys. You know, your old friends?”

“Yeah, right,” he mutters. “You’re always bringing her up.”

“Because she keeps asking about you! She’s worried about you. She cares about you—”

“Just stop it, okay? I don’t want to hear it. I get enough from Mom and Dad and Grandma and Grandpa, and my shrink. Can’t someone just talk to me like normal?”

A breath escapes my lips. I fall back on my bed and shake my head. “I’m sorry, Brock. Honestly, I am. You know the last thing I want to do is hurt you. It’s just…” I sigh. “I’m just trying to help you.”

“You and everyone else on the planet,” he mutters.

“I know you’ve been through something horrible. I can’t imagine what it feels like to lose a close friend. But—”

He squeezes his eyes shut. “Don’t, Zo. Please.”

“Okay. Okay, sorry. So tell me how your day was.”

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