Page 80 of Damaged Boys Don't Fall For Bubbly Girls

“Well, Brock hadn’t been there in four years,” I remind him. “And I can never get sick of it. Ooh, do you think the guys would want to go to the Silverton Aquarium? The entrance fee is super expensive, but there are supposed to be awesome exhibits.”

Silverton is the super-rich town next to ours. They may be stuck up, but they have so many fun things to do there. My family went to the aquarium a few times once Mom startedmaking more money. It was one of the best experiences of my life.

“I think Brock would be the only volunteer,” Finn says.

“He bought this really cool LED shark light,” I gush. “Did he send you a pic of it? It looks so amazing in his room.”

“No, I don’t think so. Should we start the assignment? I want to have enough time to read the comics.”

“Right. Sure.”

Thankfully, the assignment isn’t that hard. It’s super annoying, though.

“Break?” Finn asks.

“It’s only been like five minutes.”

He glances at the clock on my wall. “That clock is broken.”

“Unfortunately, it works just fine.”

Finn groans.

After another ten minutes pass, Finn asks, “Break?”

I drop my pen and stretch my arms. “Yes.”

He’s about to reach for his comic, but I slap his hand away. “No way. You won’t be able to stop once you start.”

“Seriously?”

“Do you want to finish the assignment or not?”

“Geez.”

“Brock actually wanted to watch the new teen superhero movie with me. He said he wanted to give another one a shot because the last one sucked so bad.”

Finn’s brows fly up. “That was a poor choice. Because that movie sucked, too.”

I playfully slap his arm. “You watched it without me and the guys?”

“I had to make sure it was good…”

“Such BS. Do you think we could get Brock into superhero comics? We just need to find one that he will connect with.”

Finn shrugs. “He’s fine with his novels. He doesn’t have to read comics.”

“I know, but I know he feels left out when we’re constantly discussing them.”

“You don’t always have to protect him, you know. Brock’s not that same twelve-year-old kid.”

My mouth snaps shut. Then I shake my head. “I know. I just don’t want him to feel isolated.”

We’re both quiet. The only sound is from the clock.

“Want to continue the assignment?” I ask.

He nods.