Page 135 of Sporty Girls Don't Fall For Loners

Brock and I scramble off his bed and dash out of his room, nearly running each other over as we fly down the stairs. Grandpa and Grandma left over an hour ago to pick up Mom and Dad from the airport, and it looks like they just arrived!

When we burst into the living room, we find our parents taking off their jackets. Brock and I launch ourselves into their arms.

“How was the flight? How was New Zealand?” we both ask. “Were there any good movies on the plane? Did you go out of your mind on such a long plane ride? Did you get us any presents? Are we ever going to visit New Zealand?”

Mom chuckles to Dad as she squeezes us to her chest. “I think our little munchkins missed us, Zane.”

He laughs as he stretches his arms around all of us. “Your assessment is correct. And I have to admit, a teensy-weensy part of me might have missed them, too,” he jokes.

We spend a few minutes hugging and kissing, and then we sit in the kitchen to eat the feast Grandma prepared. It’s not really a feast, but she put so much effort into it because we haven’t gotten together since the summer and we won’t see each other again for a while. Our small family reunion is exactly what all of us need.

Mom and Dad tell us so many stories about their trip, and Dad was so inspired that he even wrote on the plane, completing two chapters.

“I can’t wait to read them,” I tell him.

“Me, too!” Brock says as he reaches for the mashed potatoes. “I loved what I read so far.”

“Count us in, too,” Grandpa adds.

“Thanks for all your support,” Dad says. “I’m really lucky to have a family like you.”

After a few hours, when we’re all stuffed to the max, Mom and Dad give us our presents. We each get a T-shirt and cap with the New Zealand logo. I also receive a kiwi bird keychain and Brock gets a shark model. Then I help Grandma and Grandpa clean the kitchen while my parents talk to Brock in his room.

After I’m done, I go back to my room and read the book Kade got me. Thankfully, I manage to actually get through a few chapters. About half an hour later, my parents join me in my room and we talk for a bit. Then they go to bed because they’re dead tired.

Just as I start another chapter, Brock walks into my room and collapses on my bed. “They were talking to me forever.”

Placing my bookmark in my book, I turn to him. “Is everything okay?”

“They just wanted to make sure I’m okay. And they wanted to know if I’m ready to come home.”

“Are you?” I ask.

He lifts his shoulders. “No.”

I try not to sigh. I know the decision is up to him, but this is really hard.

He removes something from behind him and holds it up.

“Lexi’s letter?” I ask.

With a hard swallow, he nods.

“It doesn’t look open,” I realize.

“It’s not.”

“Oh.”

He’s quiet for a bit before sighing and sitting up. “I don’t think I can read it.”

“That’s okay. You should do it when you feel ready.”

He shakes his head. “I don’t think I’ll ever be ready.”

“I’m sure you will be—”

“Can you read it?” he asks, eyes shining with hope and a drop of panic.

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