Page 10 of Broken Ties (Rixon High 4)

“Listen to you.” I chuckled. “Who knew Ezra Bennet could be such a team player.”

He flipped me off behind Mom’s back.

“It’s good to see you so motivated, Son,” Dad said. “After everything…”

“Let’s not go there.” Ezra clicked his tongue.

It had been a rocky few years for Ezra and our family. He was our foster brother—adopted brother now—and had found it difficult accepting things. Accepting that we loved the shit out of him and wanted to make him a Bennet permanently.

“You’re right.” Mom smiled at him. “The past is the past. We’re only focusing on the here and now, and the future in this house.”

“Is that official guidance counselor speak?” Dad’s laughter echoed through the room.

“No, that’s Mya Bennet knows best speak.” She wrapped her arm around his neck and dipped her head to kiss his cheek.

Ezra and I smiled. Maybe it was a bit gross watching your parents paw all over each other, but it had never really bothered me. I liked that they still had a spark. Sure, I didn’t want to see too much PDA, but their relationship, the way they’d weathered every storm that blew their way, together, was something to strive for.

“Are you riding with Ashleigh?” I asked my brother, and he nodded.

“You know, we could all ride together.”

“Do you really want to ride with them?” Sofia’s head popped up. “They can’t keep their hands off—”

“Less talk about hands and other body parts over breakfast, please and thank you.” Dad grinned, and I smothered another chuckle.

“Okay, I’m out of here.” Ezra tore open his protein bar and waved it at us.

“Ashleigh’s here already? But it’s still early.” Mom frowned. “Why do you need to go in so earl— oh. Oh.” Her eyes crinkled as me and Dad started laughing again.

“And on that note, I’m out.” Ezra left and Mom turned her attention on me and Dad. “Should we be worried?”

“About E? No way. He’s happy.”

“Yeah.” Her expression softened. “He is, isn’t he?”

“Life is good, my love.” Dad brought her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles.

“Can you two please stop?” Sofia said. “It’s just too much cuteness for this time in the morning.”

“At least you think it’s cute and not gross.” Mom smiled.

“No way. It gives me hope.”

“Hope?” Dad asked.

“Yeah, you two were high school sweethearts and stayed the course.”

“Something you want to tell us, Sofia?”

“No. I just mean most guys of today are so… flaky. It’s nice to know that true love still exists.”

“Oh, it exists, but it’s rare, baby.” Mom kissed Dad’s cheek again before going to the refrigerator.

“What your mom is trying to say is that when you do find it, you hold onto it. But when you’re older, sweetheart. Much, much older.”

“Typical,” Sofia huffed.

“What? I’m just saying there’s no rush for all that.”

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