Page 17 of Sporty Girls Don't Fall For Loners

“And I’m always here if you want to bounce off ideas,” Uncle Zack offers.

“I have Lily for the romance and my brother for the overall plot. I have to say, I’m a lucky man.”

“You only just realize that now?” Uncle Zack jokes.

The five of us talk for a bit longer and then Mom and Dad need to leave. Their flight is in a few hours.

Outside the house, Mom yanks me into her arms. “Kick butt at tomorrow’s game and every game after that. And remember, I want hourly texts.”

“Hourly?”

She chuckles. “You know I’m kidding. Just keep us part of your life, okay?”

I press my face into her shoulder. “I’ll miss you like crazy, too. And I want updates on your life, too.”

“Of course, sweetie.” She kisses my cheek.

After I step out of the hug, Dad wraps his arms around me. “I’ll miss you to death, too, my little firecracker.”

We say a few more parting words, and then Mom and Dad get in the car. Uncle Zack, Aunt Ally, and I wave as they drive away.

“Well, looks like you’re all ours now,” Aunt Ally says as she puts her arm around me, leading me back into the house. “Do you need help unpacking? I moved around most of Lily’s belongings to make room for all your things, but if you need more room, I can stash her things in another room.

She and I climb upstairs and head toward Lily’s room. But she stops outside Evie’s room. “Oh! Do you want to say hi to Kade?”

“Um…I guess…”

She knocks on the door.

“You can come in,” he calls.

She opens the door and we take a few steps inside. Kade lies on his bed with his head propped on his pillow. He’s watching some sort of true crime show.

“Hi, Kade,” Ally says. “I just wanted to let you know that Zoey arrived.”

He and I lock eyes. Then he inclines his head in a nod.

I nod back at him.

“I’m going to help her get settled in,” Aunt Ally says. “Do you want some cookies?”

“That’s okay. Thanks.”

“If you change your mind, they’re in a jar on the table.”

He gives her a thankful nod.

“Okay, let’s get you all unpacked, Zoey.”

Chapter Six

Kade

Zoey is staying here for a little while. I don’t really care—it’s not like we’ll be best friends or anything. More like two strangers who happen to be the same age living under one roof.

After finishing my TV show, I grab my pajamas and head toward the bathroom. As I make my way down the hallway, someone emerges from one of the bedrooms.

“Oof!”

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