Page 110 of Sporty Girls Don't Fall For Loners

I look into her eyes. “I’m trying to be happy. I keep telling myself that I want to build a good future for myself. But it’s hard sometimes. My dad’s dead and Mom’s hardly living. But I know they wouldn’t want me to be gloomy all the time. They’d want me to live.”

Zoey nods. “Of course they would. They love you and want only good things for you.”

Fresh tears form in my eyes and run down my cheeks. “For so long, I felt alone in the world. But I don’t feel alone anymore.”

“You have me and Aunt Ally and Uncle Zack. We’re not going anywhere and we won’t abandon you.”

I bury my face in her arm. “That means a lot to me. Thank you.”

We stay in each other’s arms for I’m not sure how long. Being this close to her, opening my heart to her, is the best feeling in the world. Even though bringing up the past is so painful, she makes me realize that everything will be okay.

I’ve lost a lot, but I’ve also gained. And even if things look bleak sometimes, there’s always hope for a better tomorrow.

Zoey pulls back and looks at me. “Did the shooter pay for what he did?”

I shake my head, my jaw clenching. “They never found him. They had no leads or evidence or anything, so they closed the case.”

Her eyebrows lift. “They just gave up?”

I raise my hands helplessly. “It’s terrible that he’s walking freely. But there was nothing they could do.”

“That’s crazy.”

“I vowed to find him one day and make him suffer.”

Her eyes widen. “What do you mean?”

“I’m not obsessed with crime shows just because I’m curious. I like watching them because I like learning as much as I can. I want to be a detective and find the guy who shot my parents. I’ll bring him to justice and make sure he doesn’t hurt anyone again.” I frown. “I know it’s a long shot, maybe even impossible, but I need to do this. And I want to do whatever I can to make sure no kid goes through what I’ve been through by keeping criminals off the streets.”

Her arms come around me. “I think that’s very noble of you. With Kade Sanders around, the world will be a safer place.”

I bury my face in her arm again. “Thanks for believing in me, Zoey.”

Chapter Thirty-One

Zoey

“See you guys later.” I hug my friends after school on Tuesday, and then we separate to our extracurriculars. Because I’m going to visit my grandparents and brother in Boston this weekend, I won’t be able to make it to the game, since my flight is Friday evening. The backup QB will start. I’m still needed at practice, though, and I’m running a little late.

After stashing a few textbooks in my locker, I whirl around to hurry to the girls’ locker room, and that’s when I notice Kade standing a few feet away at his locker. He’s staring into it, as though his mind is elsewhere.

Is he thinking about his mom? His dad? My heart lurches as I watch him. I can’t believe he’s been through such a tragedy. I wish I could gather him in my arms and jump through a wormhole and take him back to that awful day. Maybe we could try to convince his parents not to go out that day. Maybe we could save their lives.

But unfortunately, life isn’t science fiction.

He closes his locker and turns around, his eyes widening in surprise when he catches me staring at him. I wave and offer him a sweet smile, hoping to lift his spirits. His features that were contorted in pain before soften, and he returns the smile.

Heading over to him, I say, “Hey. How are you?”

“Honestly? Much better because you’re here.”

“Oh, um…” I nervously tuck some hair behind my ear. “I’m glad to be of service, then.”

His smile grows, though I can’t mistake the pain in his eyes.

“Hey, do you want to hang out after practice?” I ask. After the hard day he had yesterday, maybe we could do something fun to cheer him up.

His face brightens. “Sure. What did you have in mind?”

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