Page 91 of Sporty Girls Don't Fall For Loners

I squeeze my eyes shut. “Please, can we not talk about it?” I want to move on and not be trapped in the past all the time. And even though I’ll visit Mom a lot, it doesn’t mean I can’t live my life. It’ll be hard, but she’d want me to.

“Okay,” Zack says with a nod. “Whatever you need or want, just tell me or Ally.”

“I know. Thanks. But I’ll be okay.”

He starts the car and we drive in silence. A few minutes later, he talks about many different topics. I’m happy he’s not leaving me alone with my thoughts because I really don’t want to wallow in pity.

“Have you…?” I clear my throat. “Have you found a home for me yet?”

“A few options have come up.”

I sit up in my seat. “And?”

He glances at me before focusing on the road. “I’m still looking into it, so I can’t tell you anything yet. But always remember that I have your best interest at heart.”

If this was a few weeks ago, I would have scoffed in his face. But I truly believe him now. He’ll do whatever he can to make sure I’m taken care of.

“Thanks,” I say.

He stops before a red light and wraps an arm around me. “Of course, Kade. Making sure you’re happy is my number one priority.”

I thank him again and the conversation shifts to the kid who was treated rottenly by his caseworker.

“He’s doing okay now,” Zack tells me. “He’s been assigned a new caseworker and has already been placed in a new home.”

“That’s good. I hope he’s happy there.”

“Me, too.”

We talk about other things before Zack pulls up before the house and we get out of the car. Zoey’s in the backyard, shooting hoops.

“Hey, Zoey,” her uncle greets. “It’s been a long time since anyone used the basketball hoop.”

She spins the ball. “I remember how Liam and Lily and Evie were obsessed with it. I can see why. It’s a lot of fun.” She shoots the ball and misses. “Darn it.”

Zack chuckles. “Keep practicing and you’ll be a pro in no time.”

I step forward. “Can I?”

“Sure.” Zoey bounces the ball to me. I jump as high as I can, launching the ball. It slams into the rim of the hoop before flying off somewhere. “Crap.”

“I’ll get it,” she offers.

“You kids have fun,” Zack tells us before heading inside.

Zoey’s bent in the grass near the neighbor’s fence as she searches for the ball. I crouch down next to her.

“I know it landed here somewhere,” she says.

“Sorry.”

“It’s cool. Oh, there it is.” She stretches as far as she can go and retrieves the ball from behind a bush. Getting to her feet, she grins at me. “Up for some one-on-one?”

I stand, too, dusting the dirt off my jeans. “Not sure you can take me.”

She rests one hand on her hip. “You’re that cocky?”

I bend close. “Want to find out?”

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