Page 92 of Broken Ties (Rixon High 4)

“Poppy, sweetheart, you don’t have to—”

I was already gone, slamming the door behind me the second I got in my bedroom.

She was so freaking clueless at times.

A second later, there was a knock at my door. “Poppy, it’s me,” Dad’s voice reverberated through my room.

“I’m fine.”

“Yeah.” The door creaked open and he stuck his head inside. “But I’m not.”

“Huh?”

“I need to hide out in here for a while before I say something to your mom I might regret.” A faint smile traced his mouth. “Room for a not so little one?” He glanced at my bed, and I rolled my eyes.

“Fine. But only because you’re scared of Mom.”

“Scared shitless.” He grinned and we both got on my bed, lying side by side. “She can’t help it, you know? When your mom worries about something it’s with her whole heart.”

“I know and I get it. I worry about Lily too, Dad. But it’s hard sometimes, never being the star in her eyes.”

“Sweetheart, that’s… You know you’re all your mom, right? From the way you love, the way you protect the people you care about. She doesn’t wrap you up in cotton wool because she knows she doesn’t have to. You’re so headstrong, Poppy. You know what you want and how to make it happen. We’re both so proud of you.”

I wasn’t so sure about that but I didn’t argue.

“So why are you up here apologizing for her?” I glanced at him.

His smile wavered a little. “I love your mom more than I have ever loved or will ever love another person on this planet. She’s it for me. I knew it the second we kissed for the first time. Fought it like hell but I knew it in here.” He laid his hand over his heart. “But admitting fault has never been her strongest attribute. She loves you, Poppy. So damn much. We both do.”

“I know that. It’s just part of me thought that when Lily went away it would bring us closer…”

“And it feels like the opposite?”

“I guess. Does that make me a horrible person?”

“Never, sweetheart. You have such a big heart, Poppy. Eli Hannigan is a lucky guy.”

“Dad!” I nudged him with my elbow.

“What? I’m just saying, he’s lucky—”

“Thank you.”

“Whatever for?”

“For being the kind of dad I can talk to about stuff. Even S-E-X stuff. Actually, while you’re here, I have a question or two.”

“Question?” He sat up, the blood draining from his face. “What kind of question?”

“Well, I know where everything goes, obviously.” I smirked, fighting back the laughter building inside of me. “But I wasn’t sure how to—”

“Whoa, whoa, now just hang on a minute.” He clambered off the bed and stood. “I’m not sure I’m equipped to deal with the technical questions. Maybe I should get Mom.”

“But I thought you wanted me to talk to you about this stuff?”

His brows crinkled as he stared down at me. “I am here for you. I am prepared to kick the ass of any guy who doesn’t treat you right. But, sweetheart, there are some things a father never ever, under any circumstances, needs to hear.”

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