Page 128 of Broken Ties (Rixon High 4)

“To you. It doesn’t mean anything to you. But what about Sofia? Poppy? And we all know Zara thinks it means you’re hers.”

“They know I’m only trying to keep the peace. It’s just a dance, Kandon. And Zara can get fucked. I’m only doing it for an easy life.”

“No, it’s a statement. You’re choosing a side and it’s the wrong one.”

“Come on, man.” I let out a heavy sigh. “What would you have me do?”

“Tell her to find another date. Put an end to this little game you’re playing. It’s not worth it.”

I searched for Poppy in the crowd but she and Sofia were already gone.

Cole had a point. But it wasn’t like I could ask the girl who’d haunted my every waking thought since Friday night. Even before then.

It was supposed to have been closure. Except it had torn a hole right through me, a void I feared only Poppy could fill.

“Did something happen?”

“What?” I frowned at Cole.

“Between you and Poppy, on Friday?”

“No, why do you say that?”

“I don’t know, you seem… distracted.”

“This shit with Homecoming is giving me a headache, that’s all.”

He clapped his hand on my shoulder and chuckled. “So make your life easier and tell Zara it’s not happening.”

“You saw how she was with Sofia and Poppy. If I pull out now she’ll take it out on them.”

“I think they can handle the likes of Zara.”

But I didn’t want them to have to. Not after everything that happened recently.

“It’s one dance,” I said.

He shook his head. “More like your funeral.”

“Aaron, son, come in.”

I entered Coach Ford’s office and sat down. “What’s up, Coach?”

“A couple of things. Firstly, I wanted to say thanks again for helping the girls Friday. It’s a huge relief knowing you’re always in Poppy’s corner.”

Guilt streaked through me.

“Uh, sure thing,” I managed to choke out.

“Second thing. I wanted to give you a heads up that I spoke to the recruiter down at Iowa.”

“And?” I sat up straighter.

“It’s not a definite yet. Not by any stretch. But they wanted to let me know that they’re considering you. We should know more by the end of the week.”

“What’s your gut telling you?” I asked.

I shouldn’t have asked. I didn’t want to get my hopes up. But this was a big deal.

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