Page 121 of Sporty Girls Don't Fall For Loners

I didn’t even have a chance to process it fully yet. Am I upset that it didn’t happen? Relieved? I guess I have the whole flight to try to make sense of it.

“So…I guess this is it,” Kade says.

“Yep.”

He makes a move like he wants to hold out his arms and hug me, but then he steps back, as though he’s not sure if I want to hug him. I close the gap between us and wrap my arms around his waist, pressing my face to his chest and inhaling his scent. His arms come around me.

Why does it feel so freakin’ good to be in his arms like this? I don’t want to step away.

But I have to if I want to make my flight.

Stepping out of the hug, I smile at him. “I’ll see you. We can video chat while I’m there.”

“Thanks, I’d like that.”

Aunt Ally hugs me again. Then all three of us wave goodbye and I walk away with my suitcase.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Zoey

I’d like to say I’m doing a lot of reading on the plane, but it’s mostly a lot of thinking. As much as I try to concentrate on the book Kade got me (which is super interesting) all I can think about is Kade. And our almost-kiss.

All of us Hastings know about the famous almost-kiss between Aunt Ally and Uncle Zack. Lily has always found it so romantic, but it was always a meh for me. I always wondered what the big deal was—just kiss and get it over with. But after experiencing it…darn, was I wrong.

The fact that we almost kissed is driving me insane. What would have happened if we did? Would I have liked it? Or would I have made a total fool of myself? And what about Kade? How would he feel about it? Which makes me relieved that it didn’t happen because what if I had a terrible experience like Mia did? She doesn’t have to see the guy anymore, but Kade still lives with me. Talk about awkward.

But what if it would have been as earth-shattering as all the romance books and movies claim? What would have happened to our relationship?

“Concentrate on the book,” I mutter as I study the paperback before me. “It’s much more interesting than your uncontrollable thoughts.”

Yeah, right.

The plane finally lands. I follow everyone off and to the baggage claim, get my bag, and find the exit, where my grandparents should be waiting for me. Mom and Dad will return from New Zealand tomorrow evening.

I search the many people waiting outside the airport for the familiar faces of Grandma and Grandpa. Then I catch Grandpa waving at me. Lugging my suitcase along, I dash over to where he stands with Grandma.

“Grandpa and Grandma!” I cry before running into their arms.

“There’s our girl!” Grandma hugs me and Grandpa stretches his arms over both of us.

They moved to Boston from Edenbury fifteen years ago, after Grandpa got a job offer. They’re my mom’s parents and my only grandparents, since my dad’s parents died in a fire when he was four, leaving him and Uncle Zack orphans. I love and appreciate them so much and wish I could spend more time with them, but unfortunately, it’s not so easy.

“Let’s get a good look at you,” Grandma says as they release me from the hug and study me. Her chest puffs up with so much pride. “Oh, sweetheart. You’re so beautiful.” She hugs me and sways. “My gorgeous granddaughter. I’m so thrilled you’re here with us.”

“Please share,” Grandpa says.

Grandma reluctantly releases me into his arms. He gives me his famous massive hug, lifting me a few centimeters off the ground. I thought he’s getting too old for that, but I guess he still has it in him. “This is like a dream,” he says. “We’ll have lots of fun together.”

“Can we sail on the boat?” I ask. My grandparents own a boat and go sailing many times. Brock and I loved it when we visited as kids, and now Brock can go sailing whenever he wants. Grandpa has taught him everything he knows.

“If the weather is nice,” Grandpa promises. “It’s getting a bit chilly out here.”

The three of us head to the car.

“I wondered if Brock would be here,” I tell them.

“He wanted to come, but a friend has a birthday,” Grandma informs me.

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