Page 25 of Sporty Girls Don't Fall For Loners

“Sure! You know I get along with most of the cheerleaders.”

Besides for Tiffany Myers and her evil minions.

“Is that okay?” I ask my aunt and uncle.

“Of course,” Aunt Ally says. “Just let us know if you need a ride home.”

“I’m going to look for Mia and Mason before they leave.” Rylee dashes away.

“We’ll see you later.” Aunt Ally and Uncle Zack hug me and walk away, with Kade following them.

I’m about to take a step forward, every part of me urging me to invite Kade to Mikey’s Diner. But I remain planted in my spot. I don’t think it’s his scene. He barely knows anyone from school, and the football team and cheerleaders are a pretty tight group. Besides, he seems perfectly content being alone. And just because he apologized, it doesn’t make us friends.

Once Rylee returns with Mia and Mason, we head to his car and get inside, Rylee taking the passenger seat and Mia and me sitting in the back.

“I’ve never celebrated with the other cheerleaders before,” Rylee says as Mason drives us toward the diner. “I mean, things are a little better now than when I first joined the squad, but Tiffany still rules over them with an iron fist. I hope she doesn’t make me feel unwelcome…”

“Just ignore her.” Mason removes one hand from the steering wheel and squeezes her hand. “She’s jealous of you.”

Rylee gapes at him. “She’s jealous of me? Yeah, right.”

“No, really. You’re a much nicer person than she’ll ever be. And most of the other cheerleaders like you. And…” He stops at a red light and stretches as far as his seat belt allows to press his lips to her temple. “You’re so much more beautiful than her, inside and out.”

Rylee looks like she has hearts in her eyes. She flings her arms around him and squeals, “I love you so, so much, Mason.”

He grins. “Not as much as I love you.”

She quickly removes herself from him when the light turns green.

Mia sighs like her world has just crashed down. “I want that so badly. What have I done to tick off the gods of love?”

I put my arm around her. “Patience, young Park. Your time will come when the time is right. Like I keep saying.”

She hangs her head. “Sorry for being so annoying.”

“You’re not annoying,” I assure her. “You can vent and complain however much you want. I just don’t like seeing you unhappy.”

“I’m not unhappy. I just feel like I’m missing out. Mostly everyone at school already has boyfriends or girlfriends and what do I have to show? A gross kiss.” She shivers in disgust.

“We’re sorry for being so mushy in front of you guys,” Rylee says. “We don’t mean to hurt anyone—”

“What are you talking about?” Mia demands. “Of course we want you to be as mushy gushy as you want. You guys are so freakin’ cute together. You’re like the perfect couple.”

Rylee and Mason smile at each other with love shining in their eyes.

“Thanks.” Rylee smiles. “Just please let us know if we’re too much.”

“You can never be too much,” Mia tells her.

When we pull up to Mikey’s parking lot, we find many of my teammates and the cheerleaders heading inside. After Mason parks, he runs up to the building and opens the door for us. “My ladies.” He bows.

“Thank you ever so kindly,” Mia says as she walks inside.

“He’s a keeper.” I wink at Rylee.

“I know!” She grabs him and plants a passionate kiss on his lips, causing his hands to break away from the door. I release a small yelp and dash inside before it hits me.

“I think they’ll be out there for a while,” I say to Mia with a laugh.

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