Page 67 of Sporty Girls Don't Fall For Loners

There’s pain in his eyes, but he quickly hides it. I wonder if he’s thinking about his dad. I wish I knew more about him.

Asher slows down before the Barrington house, where Rylee and Mason are sitting outside. It’s a bit of a tight fit, but we manage to make room for everyone.

“Hey, Kade,” Rylee says. “I didn’t know you’re going to the party.” She widens her eyes. “Wait, did Zoey convince you to come? We had to practically pull her with a hook.”

Kade shrugs. “I didn’t have anything else to do.”

We chat on the way, and then Asher slows the car before Elena’s house. “Shall I remind you of the rules again, precious children?” he asks.

“Ugh, Dad,” Mia groans.

“I’ll take that as a yes. No drinking, no drugs, no running off with a boy you just met. And if you ever feel unsafe or uncomfortable, call your parents or any adult you trust. Yes?” he asks each of us.

“Yes,” we say.

“And Mia? No boys.”

“Ha.”

We get out of the car. Even though Asher wants Mia to find love, he wishes she could stay his little girl forever. Which is why he always says “no boys” even though he technically doesn’t mean it. It’s become a thing they do whenever he drops her off at a party, dance, or any other social event.

“Ugh, the place looks packed with people,” I complain.

“We’re going to have fun!” Rylee says. “Come on.” She grabs Mason’s hand and mine and pulls us into the house. The place isn’t as packed as the last party we were at, but still, too many people. My friends, the guys, and I find the main room, where everyone is dancing to a fast-paced song.

“Great music!” Mason yells. “Loud, but great! Want to dance, Miss Fearless?” He holds out his hand to Rylee.

“It would be my pleasure, Dr. Mason. Come on, guys! Join us.”

Mia shrugs. “I’m game. Maybe someone will see my awesome dance moves and fall in love with me right on the spot.”

I glance at Kade. “Um…”

He holds up his hands as he backs away. “I don’t dance.”

“Me either. But…”

“Go join your friends. I’ll just stay back here.”

“Are you sure? I mean, I could stay here…”

He shakes his head. “It’s cool.”

“Okay.”

I follow my friends to an empty spot on the dance floor. Mia loves doing dorky moves, even though she’s a great dancer. All of us took dance classes with Dani Knight at the Edenbury Dance Studio when we were younger, but we didn’t have much time for it because of school and our extracurriculars. Lexi has stuck with it, though.

As I’m dancing with my friends, my eyes slowly creep over to Kade. I don’t know what I was expecting, but definitely not him leaning against the wall with his gaze pasted on me.

I yank my eyes away.

“You could have tried to convince him to dance,” Rylee says to me as Mason spins her.

“W-what? I don’t want to dance with him. He looks totally comfortable over there.”

“Uh huh.”

“Seriously. I’m content hanging out with you guys. Kade doesn’t see me as a friend. I have no idea why he agreed to come.”

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