Page 4 of Sporty Girls Don't Fall For Loners

“Let’s play a game,” Rylee announces.

Mason raises a brow. “A game?”

“Yeah. What food do you think he’ll pick?” She taps her chin as she narrows her eyes at him. “He looks like a grilled chicken kind of guy.”

“Hmm,” Mia muses as she studies him. “Yeah, I don’t see him as a soup guy. He’s totally a grilled chicken kind of dude.”

“You can’t choose my answer. That makes the game not fun.”

“Why did you have the honor of going first?”

“Because I created the game.”

“Fine,” Mia surrenders, returning her eyes to Kade, who is almost at the front of the line. “Even though it’s not my true answer, I’ll go with a tuna sandwich.”

“I think he’ll take a mountain of mashed potatoes,” Mason says. “And a Pepsi.”

“Your turn, Zoey,” Rylee says.

“You know there are like no options left. But all right, I’ll play.” I examine the selection of food offered today. “I’ll go with a turkey sandwich.”

As he moves up the line, a few girls standing in front and behind him try to talk to him. Flirt with him, I guess? He doesn’t seem interested in anything they say. He just focuses on his phone.

Then he finally reaches the front of the line. For the first time since I’ve met him, I see some light in his eyes. Like it’s been a while since he’s had good food. It makes my stomach churn a little because I know he’s had a pretty hard life and who knows if he even had a decent meal? Thank goodness he’s living with Aunt Ally and Uncle Zack. They’ll make sure he’s super cared for.

He contemplates all the options, ignoring the kids down the line who are complaining that he’s taking forever. Then he asks the lunch lady for some mashed potatoes, a turkey sandwich, and he grabs a can of Coke.

“Zoey is the winner!” Rylee announces. “With Dr. Mason coming in second.”

“Look at that,” Mia says in a teasing tone. “You and Kade are connected telepathically. You even chose the same sandwich.”

“No we’re not. There were like five options to choose from, Mia.”

“Uh huh,” she says as she takes another spoonful of soup.

I give her a look before continuing to eat.

Kade takes a few steps toward the tables and looks around. There aren’t any empty tables, and the majority of students have already claimed most of the chairs. He does a quick sweep of the room, eyes flitting over the vacant chairs. With a grunt I swear aliens can hear on Saturn, he heads to a table all the way in the back, where two freshmen sit. They glance at him with dread as he makes himself comfortable, but when they realize he doesn’t pose any threat, they ignore him and continue chatting. Except, the girl glances at him from time to time like she thinks he’s hot.

“Why are we watching him like he’s on a reality show or something?” I demand to my friends.

Mia blinks and looks away from him. “It’s so boring here at school. We hardly ever get new students.”

“And he’s kind of mysterious, isn’t he?” Rylee says.

“Yep,” Mia agrees.

“You mean, he’s the jerk of the century,” I remind them.

“Aren’t you curious what his story is?” Mason asks me.

I shrug. “I’m sure I’ll find out sooner or later, if my uncle decides to reveal anything about him. And anyway, I don’t have the time or energy to obsess over a new student. I need to focus on school and football.”

“You’re no fun,” Mia complains. “I guess Rylee, Mason, and I will have to wonder about him without you.”

“You do that.”

But as my friends talk about a TV show, my eyes move on their own to his table, where he’s playing on his phone while eating. I am curious by nature, and I guess a part of me does wonder what his story is. He reminds me of my dad, Zane, and his older brother, Uncle Zack. They, too, were in the foster system and had a pretty tough time. Aunt Ally’s dad basically saved them. I’m positive Uncle Zack hopes to do the same for Kade.

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