Page 52 of Sporty Girls Don't Fall For Loners

We’re both quiet.

“Those guys better get suspended,” she says. “Or else…”

“Or else what?”

She shrugs. “I don’t know. Just or else.”

I can’t help the low laugh that seeps out of me. “You’re pretty tough for such a tiny person.”

She lifts a brow. “Meh.”

“I’m sorry I’ve been such a jerk to you. The way I treated you yesterday in the basement when we were working out…” I shake my head. “I’m terrible.”

“No you’re not. You were hurting and you lashed out.”

“Doesn’t make it right. I was terrible to you and to Ally and Zack. And even though you said some horrible things about me to your friends, it doesn’t give me the right to be a jerk to you.”

Her eyebrows furrow. “I said horrible things about you to my friends?”

“You…” I take a breath and let it out. “I overheard you talking to them on the phone the other day. You told them it’d be a nightmare to live with me and that you wished I found a permanent place to live so I could be gone from your life.”

She goes still. “Oh, um…yeah, I shouldn’t have said that. I’m really sorry. But did you hear the part where I told them it was wrong of me to say that and that I didn’t mean it?”

I shake my head. “I guess I heard those words and walked away.” I squeeze my eyes shut. “I really shouldn’t be eavesdropping on conversations, but I didn’t do it on purpose. I actually…” I shift on the bed. “It was after we fought over the shower when I came to your room to apologize for being such a jerk. But then I heard you talking to your friends and changed my mind.”

She searches my eyes. “Oh. I was upset about the shower thing, but I really didn’t mean it. You’re not a jerk.”

I tilt my head to the side. “I kind of am.”

“I don’t think so. I mean, I don’t know what you’ve been through and it’s not my business. I have no right to judge you or call you names. I’m sorry.”

I keep my eyes on her for a little bit before glancing away. “No, I should be the one apologizing. No matter what I’ve been through or what I’m going through, there’s no excuse to be a nasty person. You’re right about your uncle and aunt—they’re good people and they’ve been so kind to me. And how do I repay them? By being so ungrateful.”

“I think they understand.”

I shake my head as I get to my feet. “No, I need to talk to them. Thanks for…you know. All this.”

She nods. “I’m really sorry about the misunderstanding.”

“It wasn’t your fault. I shouldn’t have eavesdropped or listened to half a conversation. Or jumped to conclusions. I guess I could have talked to Zack or Ally about it.”

She laughs lightly. “Does anyone our age talk to the adults in our life about our problems?”

I squint at her. “Something tells me you do.”

She twists her nose. “Not all the time.”

“You’re a goody two shoes.”

She crosses her arms over her chest. “I am not…fine, maybe I am. But I’m proud of it. I’m a good student and I follow the rules. What’s wrong with that?”

I shrug, the corner of my mouth kicking up in a smile. “Nothing. I’ll catch you later.”

I leave my room and make my way downstairs, to where Ally and Zack are still in the kitchen. Their voices are hushed—probably whispering about me.

I wait a second or two, my ears straining to overhear their conversion, but I stop. I need to quit doing that.

Ally straightens up when I walk in. “Kade.”

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