Page 137 of Sporty Girls Don't Fall For Loners

Sitting on the edge of his bed, I say, “I’m really sorry, Brock.”

“It’s okay.”

“I hurt you. I’m such a horrible sister.”

He shakes his head. “You didn’t. You’re a good sister, Zo. No one else would put up with me, but you do.”

“I don’t know about that…”

“It’s true. You don’t have to worry about me. I’m okay. I’ll be okay.”

“Are you sure?” I ask. “I don’t want to be in your business all the time, but it’s okay not to be okay, you know. You can tell me if you’re upset.”

“But I don’t want to be upset when you’re here. I wanted to continue watching the shark documentary.”

“We can,” I offer. “I’d love to watch it with you.”

His face finally brightens with a small smile. “You do? Okay.” He scoots over on the bed, making room for me. “I’ll rewind it so you can catch up.”

As I lower myself near him, I can’t help but be concerned. I know I can’t spend my days worrying about him, but he’s my little brother and I want to protect him. But maybe this is something I can’t help him with. Maybe the only thing I can do is support him.

So with a smile, I say, “Let’s see that humongous shark’s teeth again.”

As we watch the show, Brock slowly shifts back to his normal self—well, his new normal self. I have no idea if he’ll respond to Lexi’s letter, but that’s not important right now. The only thing that matters is that my brother is okay. And I’ll spend every last moment we’re together ensuring that he is.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Zoey

Mom, Dad, and I are all packed and ready to go home. We spend the entire morning with Grandpa, Grandma, and Brock, soaking in as much time together because it’ll be a few months before we’ll see each other again.

Brock seems to be doing much better than last night. He’s smiling like he did before and joking around with me like the annoying little brother that he is. Just kidding. Brock is an awesome brother.

After we eat a delicious lunch, it’s time for Mom, Dad, and me to head to the airport. Grandma holds me tightly in her arms. “I’m going to miss you,” she says, squishing me even tighter. “Oh, my sweet granddaughter.”

I smile sadly. “Me, too. I wish you guys didn’t live so far away.”

Grandpa’s arms come around both of us. “We promise to visit Edenbury soon. We need to come to your games, Zoey.” He kisses my forehead.

Dad and Mom hug my grandparents as well. I face Brock, who’s still sitting at the table, squeezing in the last bit of food on his plate. He hasn’t given me a letter or response for Lexi, which probably means he doesn’t plan to answer her. And that’s okay. It’s up to him to decide when and if he’s ready to do so.

I walk to him and playfully jab my fist into his arm. “You gonna miss your big sis?”

He shrugs, a mischievous smile crawling onto his mouth. “Maybe. Guess you’ll never know.”

I close my arms around him. “Be good. Don’t give Grandma and Grandpa a hard time.”

“I never give them a hard time,” he says innocently.

I squeeze his shoulder. “I’ll see you soon.”

I hope he can read the message behind my words: I hope you’ll be ready to come home soon.

Mom and Dad hug him like crazy. Mom kisses his cheek and whispers something in his ear. I can’t hear what, but from the look on his face, it has to do with him coming home.

Then Dad kisses him, holding onto him for a long time. He lets go and also tells him something that I can’t hear. Brock nods reluctantly. When Dad walks away and my brother catches me watching him, he waves with a small smile. I know what he’s feeling. As important as it is for him to be here, he still wants to come home. He just needs more time.

We say our goodbyes one more time before my parents, Grandpa, and I get in the car and drive to the airport.

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