Page 81 of Damaged Boys Don't Fall For Bubbly Girls

After forty-five minutes, we’re finally done. Finn hops onto my bed with his comic while I study for my psychology test. But before I start, I say, “I’m just going to send Brock a quick text to see how he’s doing. I told him that if his hand feels weird, has a weird color, or if he has a fever, he needs to go to the hospital ASAP.”

“I’m sure he’s fine,” Finn says as he turns the page.

After I send off the text, I begin studying.

My phone buzzes with Brock’s response.

Brock: All good here, Nurse Lexi. Thanks for looking out for me.

I smile and tell Finn, “He’s good.”

“What?” Finn glances up from his comic.

“Brock’s feeling good.”

“Oh. Right.”

I focus on my test while he continues his comic. After about half an hour, I get sick of studying and join Finn on my bed with my own comic. I’ll have time to study after he leaves.

We read in silence. Then I find myself laughing.

“Is the comic funny?” Finn asks.

I shake my head. “I was just thinking about Brock’s expression when he bit into the burger at Mikey’s. You shouldhave seen the light in his eyes. It’s like he died and went to heaven.”

He averts his gaze to his comic. “They do make the best burgers in Edenbury.”

“You kidding? They make the best burgers in the world.”

“You haven’t tasted every single burger in the world,” he points out.

“Haha.”

We continue reading. And when we’re done, we switch comics.

“Brock might like this one,” I say. “The character loves to read. He might relate to that.”

“Doubt it. He’s far too cocky.”

“True, but you never know. I’ll bring it to school tomorrow and see what he thinks.”

Finn lowers his comic and looks at me.

“What?” I ask.

“You and Brock…you guys are getting very close.”

“Um…” I play with my curls. “Yeah, I guess we are. I mean, yeah, we are. We’re definitely closer than when he first arrived. I think we all are.”

“He’s been spending most of his time with you.”

“I don’t think so.”

His chest heaves. “Do you like him?”

“Of course I like him. He wouldn’t be my friend if I didn’t.”

“Lexi, you know what I mean. Do you like Brock as more than a friend?”