Page 25 of Damaged Boys Don't Fall For Bubbly Girls

“I love it,” I tell Brock with a huge smile. “It really is so romantic! I always love seeing your parents together. They have like the perfect marriage.”

Brock nods. “They really do.”

“Okay, this just got weird.” Cooper stands and throws his backpack over his shoulder. “Bell will ring soon. We heading to English or what?”

As the others trail him out of the cafeteria, Brock hands me back my phone. “Thanks for showing me the video. There are just never enough vids on ocean life.”

“And not enough time to consume them.”

He pushes some of his bangs out of his eyes as we follow the others out of the room. “So true.”

“Hey, Lexi,” Dean calls over his shoulder. “You catching a ride with us to dance class after school?”

“Duh. How else will I get there?”

“Oh, right. You guys have dance today,” Brock says.

“You gonna sign up?” Nate asks him.

Brock shakes his head. “Not really my thing.”

“You should hang out at the studio with us,” Dean suggests. “Watch us practice. We have a ballet coming up.”

“That won’t disturb you?”

“Heck no,” Gael says. “People come and watch all the time. Dani and the other instructors don’t mind unless you’re disturbing the dancers.”

“You used to hang there all the time,” Finn reminds him.

Brock nods. “Yeah, I remember. Sure, I guess I can hang out there after school. But I have an online appointment with my therapist later.”

For some reason, we all get deathly quiet. I don’t think it’s because any of us have a problem with Brock being in therapy. But more likely because for the last few minutes, it kind of felt like old times and it was easy to forget that it’snotlike old times. Brock is still very much in the process of healing from the past.

Brock laughs lightly. “She just wants to make sure I’m doing okay.”

“Of course, dude.” Gael throws his arm around him. “You do what you need to do. We all support you.”

We all agree with nods and encouraging smiles.

“But I think I can make it to the studio to watch you guys before my appointment,” Brock says.

“Neat,” Dean replies. “Now we can show Brock what he’s been missing by turning up his nose at dancing.”

“I didn’t turn up my nose,” he argues as we enter Mrs. Hastings’s class and sit down in the back. “I just preferred to do other things.”

“Like read.” Cooper rolls his eyes.

“Yes, like read.” Brock holds up his chin. “And sports.”

Nate is about to respond, but Mrs. Hastings walks in and starts her lesson.

I can’t help but watch Brock during this class. He gets so excited during the discussions, really coming alive. I bet this is his favorite class.

As though he feels me watching him, he turns his head in my direction. Oh, shoot! I don’t want him to think I think something is wrong with him.

But he gives me a sweet smile and focuses back on the lesson.

Chapter Ten