Page 7 of Damaged Boys Don't Fall For Bubbly Girls

Mom rests her hand on my shoulder. “Are you all right, honey?”

She doesn’t know what I said to Brock. No one does. Well, other than him, obviously, and whoever he told.Ifhe told anyone.

Putting on a smile, I say, “I’m okay. Whatever happens, I’m sure it’ll be okay. Um, I think I’ll get ready for bed. I don’t want to be tired for my first day of school.”

Mom glances at the time with a worried expression, knowing I never go to bed before midnight. But I’m glad she doesn’t prod me about my feelings. She knows Brock is a sore subject for me.

“Good night.” She stretches to kiss my forehead. “Be strong, my brave girl.”

I’m about to get up, but then I turn around. “Hey, you didn’t tell me how your lunch date went.”

She met a guy at the grocery store a few days ago and he asked her out. Apparently, they bonded over a new brand of pasta sauce that they’re both crazy about. Whatever the case, I’m super happy that Mom is getting back out there again. She dated a few years ago, but I don’t think she met anyone decent.

Dad died when I was seven, due to an accident at the factory he worked at. Mom had to support my brother, sister, and me all on her own, which was super hard. Even Aidan had to work a few jobs to help put food on the table. But then Easton Knight offered to pay for her to study nursing. It was Mom’s dream, but she had to give it up when she got pregnant with Aidan. She and Dad were pretty poor and couldn’t afford for her to go to school. But she’s a nurse at the elementary school now and is super happy.

Mom sighs. “No sparks.”

“Oh. Bummer.”

She gives me a reassuring smile. “I’ll meet the right one when the time is right. Don’t you worry, okay?”

I nod as I head to my room, but I am a little worried. I’ll be leaving for college in two years and Mom will be all alone. Ihoped she would meet someone by now, but I guess not. Maybe there’s no point worrying about things I have no control over. I’ve been trying to tell that to myself the last few years, but my heart refuses to listen. I can’t change the past, no matter how much I want to.

After taking a shower, I get comfortable on my bed with a superhero comic book and the blue whale plushie Ava bought for me at the science museum when I was eight. Whales, along with all other ocean creatures, are the best things in the world. My dream is to be a marine biologist.

It’s hard for me to concentrate on the comic because my thoughts keep creeping to Brock. I sigh and hold out my whale before me. “He’s back,” I say. “Maybe permanently. I’m so happy, but so, so nervous.” I sigh and hug the plushie to my chest.

Then I shut my light and try to get some sleep.

***

Finn drives me and the guys to school every day, and since he has a van, all seven of us fit inside.

After finishing my cereal, I wait outside on the steps like I do every morning, a part of me wondering if Brock will be in the van when Finn pulls up. I have no idea if he got his license, but if he didn’t, would he ask one of the guys to give him a lift? Or would he ask one of his parents? Considering he hasn’t contacted the guys, he probably asked his parents.

“Ugh, I’m obsessing again,” I grumble.

A few minutes later, Finn’s gray van slows down before me. My friends and I don’t fight over shotgun because I always get it. The perks of being the most valued member of our friend group. Nah, I’m just kidding. Maybe not.

“So who’s ready for the first day of hell?” Theo jokes once I’m buckled in and Finn steps on the gas. “Another two years of this.Can you imagine?” He groans and slams the back of his red head against the seat.

“You want to graduate already?” I ask. “You still have no idea what you want to do with your life.”

“It’ll hit me on the head sooner or later.”

The rest of the guys and I share snickers. Theo’s been saying that since we were in middle school. We, other than him, all basically know what we want to do after high school. He prefers to wait for God or the Universe or whatever to give him a sign.

“Dude, change the station,” Cooper complains. “That song is trash.”

“I like it,” Finn says.

“Can’t stand it, man.”

“I’m the driver and I choose.”

“You’re always the driver.”

“I guess it sucks to be you, then.”