Page 96 of Broken Ties (Rixon High 4)

“No? So it’s not one big game? Poppy goes with Eli to try and forget all about her feelings for you. You go with Zara to try and prove a point that you’re not jealous about Eli. It has disaster written all over it.”

“You’re wrong. I’m not—”

“Aaron, if you tell me you’re not jealous, I will scream.”

“Fine, I’m jealous.” I threw my hand up. “Is that what you want to hear? That seeing them together drives me in-fucking-sane.”

“It’s a start,” she said smugly.

“It doesn’t matter, Sofe. Don’t you get it? Me and Poppy together, crossing that line, is a mistake. We’re friends. We’re family for fuck’s sake.”

“What are you scared of?”

“Losing her,” I breathed, a heavy weight plunking in my chest. “I’m scared of losing her.”

“Aaron, that’s—”

“I love you; you’re my sister. You’re literally part of me. But you’ve got to stop with all this bullshit. I love Poppy. I will always love her. But the same way I love you or Mom. That’s all it is.” That’s all it can ever be.

“Fine. I won’t say anything again.”

“Thank you.” I ran a hand down my face. “So about Homecoming…”

“Shouldn’t Cole be the one asking me to go?”

“It’s not a real date, Sofe. It’s just a favor.”

“A favor, right. And what if I have an actual date lined up?”

“Well, do you?”

“No.” Her expression dropped.

“So it’s perfect. We can all go together after the game.”

“I can hardly wait.” She rolled her eyes. “How is your shoulder feeling?”

“Sore but okay.”

“Still no word from Connecticut or Iowa?”

“Nothing.” My teeth ground together as I stared at the wall.

“Maybe you should—” My eyes snapped to hers and widened. Sofia held her hands up. “Forget I said anything.”

“You think I should broaden my horizons? Look at other schools?”

“I can’t tell you what to do, Aaron.” Pity shone in her eyes and I hated it. I fucking hated that everyone felt sorry for me.

“I wanted Pittsburgh so badly.”

“I know. But it’s one college. There are other opportunities out there.”

“Says the girl who knows exactly what she’s doing with her life.”

“Aaron…”

“Yeah, yeah. We can’t all be academic geniuses like you.” I blew her a kiss and she scrunched her nose at me.

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