Free Second Chance (Cruiser & Lex, Book 2) by Dee J. Stone Page A

girls?”
    “Not sure. But I can look around.”
    “I don’t want him to feel like we’re making him a charity case or anything.”
    “Don’t worry.” She bounces on the bed. “This is so exciting. We can play matchmaker.”
    I laugh and kiss her. “You’re so cute.”
    The idea of finding a girl for my bro makes me excited, too. I want Rey to be happy. Want him to stop with all this crap and be his old self again.

Chapter Twelve
    Lex
     
    As I walk home from Cruiser’s, there’s a bounce in my step. I feel so much better than I did last night. I was so worried about him. After Dani dropped me off, I marched right over there and was prepared to demand answers. How could he ruin such a special night for Dani? The double date meant so much to her and all she wanted was for it to be perfect. But then I saw him. How bent his shoulders were, the pain and worry in his eyes. I didn’t know what happened, but I understood in that moment that he didn’t need someone to bombard him with questions. He needed someone to comfort him.
    I planned to get my answers today as I tutored him math, but then I saw how alive he was. I saw the spark in his eyes. He was in such a good mood, so I decided to let it slip and bring it up another time.
    As I open the door to my house, I hear shouts coming from the kitchen. My heart falls. Mom and Dad are arguing.
    They haven’t argued in weeks. Well, of course they argue because all parents argue, but not the way they did in the year following Rosie’s accident. I swallow before walking inside. Rosie’s sitting on the couch, playing a video game. I give her a quick hello before heading into the kitchen.
    Mom’s at the counter with her arms crossed over her chest. She must have been in the middle of making dinner because vegetables are peeled and half-chopped. Dad’s at the fridge, holding pudding. His forehead is wrinkled.
    I step in. “What’s going on?”
    Mom rubs her head. “Nothing, Lex.”
    I want to ask them what they’re arguing about, but it’s none of my business. With all the arguments last year, I thought my parents would get a divorce. My fear was calmed when they started going out on their romantic dates. But maybe Rosie’s accident isn’t the reason they were constantly arguing. Maybe it was something much more. Something that’s still bothering them now.
    Mom pastes a smile on her face. “When’s your dance meet, Lex?”
    I walk to the counter. “In a few weeks. Need help with dinner?”
    “That’s okay, honey. The meet, it’s on a Saturday?”
    “Yeah. Why do you ask?”
    “I want to clear my schedule.”
    I stare at her. Mom hasn’t been to any of my meets in over a year. Not since the accident. “You’re coming?”
    “Of course I’m coming.” She strokes my hair.
    I turn to Dad. “You’re coming, too?”
    “Do you want me there?” he asks with a teasing smile. “I wouldn’t want to see you fall on your butt in front of hundreds of people.”
    I roll my eyes and smile.
    “I’ll be there, sweetie.”
    “And what about Rosie? I’d love for her to come, too.”
    “You’ll have to ask her,” Mom says.
    I lean against the counter. “Speaking of Rosie…I know we discussed this already, but is it possible for you to consider the procedure Jamie’s going to do? I know you said you don’t believe in it, but if there’s a chance it’ll help Rosie walk—”
    “Lex.” Dad steps closer to me and rests his hands on my shoulders. “We all desperately want Rosie to walk again,” he says, his voice low so Rosie won’t hear. “But it’s wishful thinking. No surgery can repair a damaged spinal cord. I know it hurts to accept it, but that’s the reality.” His eyes meet Mom’s. “We need to put everything behind us and move on. Just like you told us, Lex.”
    I nod as his words sink in. I begged them a month ago to treat Rosie just as they did before the accident. But to learn there’s absolutely no hope for her makes my throat