Page 127 of Damaged Boys Don't Fall For Bubbly Girls
“Ah. Can’t say I’m surprised. My friends and I suspected you guys would, er, get involved romantically…sorry, I don’t want to invade your privacy.”
“It’s okay. I think the whole town suspected it. But I guess everything changed after Andy’s death.” I lift my head and look at her. “How did you and Aidan fall in love? I mean, you guys hated each other’s guts. How the heck did you change so much?”
Ava’s quiet as she contemplates my question, her toes dipping into the water. “We didn’t know anything about each other at first. We judged each other based on…well, nothing, really. Aidan thought I was a spoiled rich girl who was out to get him because your dad was mistreated by a rich person. It wasn’t fair for him to assume my family was just as bad. And I guess I thought the worst in him after our altercation. I only saw him as a bad guy because he said pretty awful things to me. He might have been right that I was spoiled,” she says with a laugh. “But I was always trying to help the people around me.”
“Like my family,” I say with a smile. “You got Skylar to dance and to smile. You made her so much happier. And me, too. Dance changed my life.”
“I’m so glad for that. It was my mom’s dream to offer free dance classes to every kid in Edenbury because she wanted everyone to reach the stars. I think once Aidan and I were forced to spend time together, we started to actually see each other. See each other’s hearts. I realized he was such a good brother, a good son, and a good person. And I guess he thought I was pretty decent, too.”
“Justprettydecent?” I tease.
“But what changed everything for me? When he saved me from a potentially dangerous situation. He had a bad feeling about the jerk and listened to his instincts. He saved me, and I will always be grateful for that. Ever since that moment, I felt so protected by him. And I still do to this very day. I know he’ll never let anything happen to me.”
I feel the same way about Brock.
“And you did the same for Aidan,” I tell Ava. “When I ran off to the science museum and freaked him out.”
“Oh my gosh, I don’t think I ever saw him that scared before. I knew I had to do whatever I could to help him find you.”
“And you did. You were the one who figured out where I was.” I duck my head. “Sorry about that, by the way. But in my defense, Aidan promised he would take me to see the blue whale model. He broke his promise, and you know you’re not supposed to break your promise to a kid.”
Ava leans forward to kiss the top of my head. “At least it all worked out in the end and everyone was safe.” She moves back and plays with my curls. “Do you want to talk about Brock? It’s okay if you don’t. You just tell me what you want.”
I puff out my cheeks. “I don’t know. I had a long talk with my mom last night and I’ve been trying to make sense of my feelings…I just wonder how you know when someone is the right one for you. Like, I feel in my heart that he’s my soulmate, but he’s been through so much. We both have been through a lot. What if it’s not healthy for us to be together? I’m so confused.”
“Oh, kiddo. This is a hard one.”
I laugh lightly. “Seems like my whole life is a hard one.”
She puts her arm around me and pulls me close. “I can’t believe you’re old enough to deal with these kinds of issues. Yikes, the time flew by way too fast.” Her chest expands and contrasts with a deep sigh. “I think this is something you’ll need to figure out on your own. Of course I’ll be here for advice, andyour mom, too, but I don’t think any of us have the right answer for you. The best you can do is pay close attention to how you feel. Think long and hard if this is something you want. I know what an amazing person Brock is. And yes, he’s been through a lot and has made some mistakes, but the kid has a heart of gold. I know he wants to be a good person and will try his best to make his girlfriend happy. Things aren’t always bunnies and rainbows. Relationships take a lot of work. But it’s worth it if you’re with the right person.”
“The only question I have to ask myself is if Brock is the right person. My mom said that if we’re meant to be together, we’ll figure out a way.”
“Exactly! That’s what I believe, too. It may take some time, but things will work out in the end. Trust me.”
“Okay.” I give her a brave smile.
She hugs me. “Want to order Chinese? We could buy from that expensive restaurant you love so much.”
“Yes, please!”
Chapter Thirty-Six
Brock
My thoughts are a jumbled mess as I drive to school on Monday. The weekend passed quickly with me thinking about Lexi a lot. But I also tried to busy myself with other things and tried to get used to her not being in my life all the time. Because she might decide she just wants to be friends with me. Which I’ll accept, no matter how much it’ll hurt.
I also took some time to think about what I want. My goal since I came back from Boston was to feel like my old self again, and I think I’m making good progress. But part of me feeling like myself again includes Lexi. It’s true that I might not be ready for a girlfriend, but I don’t feel that way about her. Because she wouldn’t just be a girlfriend—she’d be my world.
Shaking my head, I push those thoughts away. It’s not up to me. It’s up to her.
I reach the school building and park in the lot. Finn’s van isn’t here yet. After getting off my bike, I make my way into the building, heading to my locker. I’m a little nervous to see Lexi, but I’m also looking forward to it. Just seeing her smiling face makes the world a better place. Not just for me—for everyone.
It’s not long before the guys enter the building, chatting and laughing like usual. Lexi isn’t with them.
“Brock,” they greet and slap my hands. “What’s up?”
“Not much. Where’s Lexi?”
