Page 14 of Sporty Girls Don't Fall For Loners

“Kade? You don’t have to talk about your day if you don’t want to,” Ally says. “Just, like Zack and I told you, you can come to us for anything. Whatever you need. Don’t be shy or embarrassed.”

“Yeah…thanks.” I shift in my seat, uncomfortable because she’s being so kind to me. The last time someone was nice to me, they betrayed me, hurt me. I learned over the years to never lower my guard. There’s something different about Ally and Zack, though. Genuine kindness. But I still won’t let myself be vulnerable.

I think back to her relationship with her niece in the car earlier. They get along so well, like they truly care for each other. I have some distant family across the country. They didn’t step up to help take care of me. I think they like to pretend I don’t exist.

Ally discusses other topics, about school, the town, and some more memories. When Zack enters the kitchen, he folds his arms around his wife and plants a sweet but passionate kiss on her lips.

“Zack!” She laughs, her face turning red as she places her hands on his chest. “Kade’s here.”

Zack stiffens and slowly turns to me. “Sorry, Kade,” he says with an awkward chuckle, plowing his hand through his long dark hair. “I didn’t see you.”

Seeing how much they love each other makes this weird feeling come over me. Hopelessness. My parents were like that. They were crazy about each other. I wish I could reassure myself that they’re together and okay, but they’re not together. Mom’s still here—if you can even call her being here—and Dad’s gone. I don’t know where people go after they die, but I hope he’s happy.

“Dinner’s almost ready,” Ally tells her husband.

Zack inhales. “Smells delicious. I had a hard day and it’s wonderful to come home to my amazing, beautiful wife, and our lovely home, and Kade as well.” He smiles at me. “And the fact that we can all eat together makes me feel very fortunate.”

My eyes lower to my test paper as I try not to think about everything I’ve lost. It’s been six years, but sometimes it feels like yesterday.

A short while later, we sit around the table for dinner. Zack and Ally try to include me in their conversation, but I don’t really feel like talking.

After we’re done eating, I thank my foster parents for the food, help clean up, then go upstairs to my bedroom. So far, they’ve given me everything I need, plus more. I haven’t told them this yet, but I do appreciate their accommodations. At the same time, I can’t lower my guard and allow myself to be vulnerable or get too comfortable.

Plopping down on my bed, I watch my favorite detective show on TV. A little while later, there’s a light knock on my door and Zack peeks his head in. “Can I come in?”

I shrug as a “yes.”

He gives me a kind smile before grabbing my desk chair, sliding it over, and sitting down. “How are you doing?”

I shrug again. “Fine.”

He searches my eyes for a bit. “Anything you want to talk about?”

“Nope.”

He nods as his eyes roam my room. “You can personalize this place, you know. Tell us what you want and we’ll get it for you.”

What’s the point if I’ll be out of here soon? I think back to all the other homes I was kicked out of, how hopeful I was that my life would get better. It never did.

“Kade?”

“Yeah, thanks.”

He places his hand on my shoulder. “I want this house to feel like your home.”

He’s making it seem like I’ll be here for a while or that he truly cares about me, but I know better.

He squeezes my shoulder. “All right, I’ll leave you to your show. Like my wife and I keep telling you, please don’t hesitate to ask us for anything. You’re part of our family now.”

I force myself to nod, but I won’t let myself believe him, even though a large part of me wants to.

Zack gets to his feet, resting his hand on my shoulder again. “Good night, Kade. Sleep well.”

“Good night.”

As I watch him leave my room, I swallow the lump in my throat.

Chapter Five

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