Page 106 of Broken Ties (Rixon High 4)

“Aaron, this is Peyton.”

“Peyton?” My blood ran cold. “What happened?”

“So don’t get mad but we uh… we ran into some trouble.”

“Fuck. What happened? Do I need to call Xander?”

“No,” she rushed out. “Don’t do that. Just… can you come and get us?”

“From Halston? That’s a thirty minute drive at least.”

“I know but we’re all a little shook up.”

“What the fuck happened?”

“We’ll explain when you get here. Just… hurry, okay. But don’t panic, please. We’re all fine. Do you want to speak to Sofia?”

Disappointment sank into me. Of course I wanted to speak to my sister. But I also wanted to know that Poppy was okay.

“Hello, Aaron?” She sniffled.

“Sofia? What is it?”

“You’re coming to get us?”

“Yes, I’m leaving right now.” Covering the receiver with my hand, I called out, “Party’s over.”

“I’ll get rid of them,” Ezra said, making his way over to the rest of the guys.

They all mumbled their thanks and appreciation, filing out of the man cave like dutiful little soldiers.

“A-Aaron—”

“I’ll be there as soon as I can. Just hang tight.” I hung up and looked at Cole and Ezra. “What are you two doing?”

They both stared at me like I’d grown a second head.

“Well, I snapped. Are you coming or going?”

“Coming, we’re coming,” Cole said. “Besides, you shouldn’t be driving yet.”

“Fuck that, I’m driving.” I moved around them and headed for the door.

“Maybe we should call Xan—”

But I was already gone.

I needed to get to them.

I need to get to her.

Peyton texted me the address to the bar they were at. Thirty-five minutes later, we pulled up outside the place.

“Fancy,” Cole muttered.

It didn’t look like Bell’s, the local sports bar in Rixon, that was for sure.

“How exactly are we going to play this? They might—”

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