Page 125 of Sporty Girls Don't Fall For Loners

She turns around and heads inside, smiling when she sees us. “I love seeing the two of you together. Are you done unpacking, Zoey?”

“Yep.”

“Okay. Dinner will be ready in fifteen minutes. I made one of your favorites, Zoey.”

“Oh, that was so kind of you, Grandma, but you didn’t have to.”

“It’s my pleasure, honey.” She puts her arm around me. “You know I love preparing your favorite dishes.”

“Thanks so much.”

After she returns to the kitchen, Brock and I chat for a bit longer before going downstairs for dinner. The kitchen smells so delicious. We sit at the table and dig in, the four of us never running out of things to talk about. I notice that Brock is more talkative than he used to be, though he’s still much quieter than he was before the accident. And he doesn’t get too personal.

“The weather should be nice tomorrow morning for sailing,” Grandpa tells us. “Which is a surprise because it’s been quite chilly the last few days.”

“In honor of Zo’s arrival,” Brock says.

“Indeed,” Grandma adds with a laugh.

We finish eating, and then I head into the shower and change into pajamas. Back in my room, I play with Lexi’s letter. I feel guilty for not giving it to Brock yet. Lexi looked so hopeful when she gave it to me. But I worry he won’t like it. I know he’s been through so much, but I don’t think he’s treating Lexi and his old friends right. I love my brother and don’t want to judge him, but maybe he just needs some encouragement from his big sister.

Taking a deep breath, I enter his room.

“Holy crap,” I gasp when the most humongous great white shark I’ve ever seen in my life swims across his computer screen. The thing leaps in the air, showing off its many razor-sharp teeth. Then it chomps a fish. “Why are you always throwing sharks in my face?”

“You’re the one who walked into my room,” he points out. “But isn’t it amazing? They’re not called apex predators for nothing.”

I walk into his room and lower myself next to him on his bed, careful not to bend the envelope.

Brock eyes it suspiciously. “What’s that?”

Releasing a breath, I say, “A letter from Lexi.”

His whole body stiffens and he tears his gaze away.

I gently touch his arm. “You don’t have to read it right now. I’m going to put it here.” I walk to his desk and put down the envelope with the words “Brock” written in Lexi’s handwriting.

When I glance back at Brock, he’s staring down at his knees, the smile he wore when I first came into his room long gone. I lower myself back on the bed and just sit next to him, giving him the option to talk if he wants to.

But five minutes pass and he hasn’t said a word. He just plays with his phone.

“I see you put new posters up,” I say, studying the many sharks on the walls. “That one is my new favorite.” I point to the hammerhead. “Or maybe that one.” I point to a great white that’s staring straight at me. Even though it looks intense, there’s also something peaceful about it.

“The great white is my favorite, too,” he says.

I playfully knock my shoulder into his again, though I’m gentler this time. “One might think we’re related,” I joke.

He doesn’t say anything.

“I’m sorry, Brock. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I just—”

“I’m not hurt.”

He’s totally lying. Every time I bring up Lexi or his old friends, he shuts down. I wish I knew more about what happened between them so I could help him, but he never talks about them. I think he’d rather pretend his old life never existed.

“Do you want to start the puzzle?” I offer.

He finally lifts his eyes to me. “I thought you said you didn’t have patience for it.”

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