Page 68 of Sporty Girls Don't Fall For Loners

My eyes act on their own and peek at Kade. He’s focused on the can of Coke in his hand, but then his gaze raises to mine. I quickly look away.

Chapter Twenty-One

Kade

I’m still wondering why I came to this party. I never in my entire life did something like this. Never really cared to mingle with others or do the things kids do at parties.

Yet here I am.

All because I wanted to go with Zoey.

I’m leaning against the wall, can of Coke in hand, watching the kids laugh and dance and make out. There are so many of them, but I’ve got my gaze on one and one alone. She’s dancing with her friends, her eyes so bright and happy. I don’t know what it is about those eyes that draw me in.

A part of me wants to go over to her and dance and share in her excitement. But of course I don’t do that. First of all, I would just drag down her mood. Second. I don’t dance.

Tearing my eyes from her, I take another sip of Coke. Maybe I should leave. But I don’t want to leave her…would she care if I left?

Loud laughter to my left catches my attention. It’s the three guys who almost got me suspended. They’re chatting with a group of girls, all of them whispering and pointing at me. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that they see me as the devil. Most of the kids at school think I started the fight and that these three scumbags were unfairly suspended.

I don’t care what these people think of me, it’s just not easy when everyone looks at me a certain way. Like I’m lower than them.

Walking away, I squash the empty Coke can in my hands. I find a garbage bin in the kitchen, toss it inside, then shove my hands into my pockets.

I stay here for a bit before more kids come and crowd the place. I return to my spot at the wall and cross my arms over my chest. A few kids standing there slide away, as if they’re worried I’ll hurt them.

Zoey is still dancing, but she slows down as she looks around the room. Like she’s looking for someone.

Me?

When she finds me, she raises her hand in a small wave. I tilt my head and nod.

The music is very loud and fast and everyone’s dancing, cheering, and laughing, as if they have no care in the world. I’ve forgotten what it feels like to not always worry or watch my back.

Zoey and her friends are having fun, but no one seems to pay attention to them. She told me she sometimes feels invisible. I don’t know how no one else notices her. To me, she stands out like a bright star in the night sky.

After a bit, Rylee and Mason leave to dance together while Mia remains with Zoey. They dance for a little longer before a guy steps up to them. He says a few words to Mia and holds out his hand. I think he’s asking her to dance. Mia refuses—I think because she doesn’t want to leave Zoey alone—but Zoey practically pushes her to him. They walk away together.

I can feel Zoey’s energy start to diminish, like she feels weird or awkward dancing alone. Her movements have basically stopped. She folds her arms over herself like she doesn’t know what to do to ease her discomfort.

My legs have minds of their own and I close the distance. The next second, I’m standing in front of her.

“Kade! You scared me.”

“Sorry.”

She squints at me. “Everything okay?”

“Was going to ask you the same thing.”

She shrugs. “I feel like a loser dancing all alone. I mean, I’m so happy Rylee and Mason are dancing together and Mia is with this cute guy—”

I take her hands. “You’re not alone anymore.”

She gapes at me, then at my hands. “What? But you told me you don’t dance.”

“I don’t. Never learned how.”

Her eyebrows furrow. “So why…?”

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