Page 9 of Broken Ties (Rixon High 4)

She was Coach Ford’s youngest daughter…

And my sister’s best friend.

“Good morning, Son,” Dad said when I entered the kitchen. “Where did you get to last night?”

“Hung out at Cole’s.” I grabbed a juice box from the refrigerator.

“You know, kid. I remember what it was like senior year. Riding the high of my final season, the parties… the girls…”

“Relax, Dad, I know the deal.”

He held up his hands. “All I’m saying is don’t lose sight of the end goal. If you think senior year is intense, wait until you get to college.” Gentle laughter rumbled in his chest.

“You had Mom,” I said around a smile. “There’s no way she let it go to your head.”

“You’re right.” Mom breezed into the room. “She didn’t.” She dropped a kiss on Dad’s cheek before heading to the coffee maker. “You were out partying again last night?”

“Chilling. We were chilling,” I corrected.

“Just don’t lose sight of—”

“The end goal.” I moved around her but stopped to kiss her cheek. “Yeah, yeah, Dad already gave me the lecture.”

“We’re not lecturing you, Aaron. We’re just aware you’re under a lot of pressure.”

“Not this again.” Sofia shuffled into the kitchen, bleary-eyed and yawning.

“Something you want to tell us, sweetheart?” Dad’s brow went up at her bedraggled state.

“I didn’t sleep well. Is there coffee?”

“Fresh pot,” Mom answered. “I’ll make it. Sit.” She went over and pressed her hand to my sister’s forehead. “Are you feeling all right?”

“I feel fine. Exhausted, but fine.”

“You let me know if you start to feel sick, okay?”

“Sure, Mom.” Sofia dropped her head onto her arms and I glanced at Mom.

“And you worry about me burning the candle at both ends.”

“I’m fine,” Sofia murmured, lifting a hand in a small wave.

“Where’s Ezra?” Dad asked.

“Probably over at the Chases’.”

“He’d better not—”

“Morning.” Ezra clapped Dad on the back.

“We were just talking about you.”

“What’s up?”

“Do you know when you and Ashleigh might want to go to New York yet?”

“It’ll have to be a bye week or we’ll wait until after the season ends.”

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