Page 122 of Broken Ties (Rixon High 4)

“Poppy June Ford, are you trying to give me a heart attack?”

“Sorry, Dad.”

Mom chuckled and I glanced up at her. “What?” she asked.

“Nothing.” I really didn’t know what to make of her right now. And I hated it. Hated that I had to question my own mom’s motivations. But when I’d spent so long vying for scraps of attention from her, it wasn’t always easy to figure it out.

“Can I go up to bed? I didn’t get much sleep.”

“Sure, sweetheart. Go on up and I’ll bring you some pain pills and a drink.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

I slipped past her and into Dad’s awaiting arms. He dropped a kiss on my head and whispered, “Get some rest, sweetheart.”

As I slipped down the hall, I heard their muffled voices. They were angry but relieved. Unsurprised but concerned. I was different to Lily. Willing to push the boundaries and take risks. But it was Dad’s final words that caught me off guard.

“I’m just glad she’s got someone like Aaron in her corner.”

As I went upstairs to my room, I couldn’t help but wonder if he’d feel the same knowing what Aaron had done to me in the dark.

What lines we had crossed.

Lines that would be forever broken.

I hid out in my room for the rest of the day. Sofia texted me. Peyton and Eli too. But there was nothing from Aaron. Not that I’d really expected it.

Last night was just that. One night. A chance to purge some of the tension between us, the longing. And although in the harsh light of day it hurt, I couldn’t regret it. For those few moments I’d known. I’d gotten to experience what it would be like being his.

Maybe that made me a masochist but it was too late now. I knew his touch, I knew what it felt like to come undone for him. I knew the sounds he made right before he came, the way he liked to be touched.

It had been so intense being with him like that. I was surprised I could remember everything so clearly. But I could.

And something told me, I would for a very long time.

The vibration of my cell phone pulled me from my thoughts, and I reached over to grab it. My heart stuttered at the sight of his name.

Aaron: I’ve been going back and forth all day over whether to text you… but I figured we should probably talk about what happened last night. Clear the air.

Clear the air. I scoffed. Was that what we were calling it?

Me: It’s fine, I’m not going to tell anyone.

Aaron: That’s not what I meant and you know it. I… I lost control. I shouldn’t have taken advantage of you like that. I’m sorry.

Before I could even begin to formulate a reply another text came through.

Aaron: You’re one of my best friends, Poppy. The thought of losing you… it scares the shit out of me. But everything’s different now…

I couldn’t do this, not over text message. Hitting his number, I waited.

“Hello?”

“Hi,” I said. “It didn’t feel right to have this conversation over text.”

“I wanted to call but I didn’t know if you would pick up.”

Silence echoed between us.

---