Page 112 of Broken Ties (Rixon High 4)

By the time we pulled up outside the Bennets’ house, I had to force down the tears burning the backs of my eyes. My face hurt something fierce. I needed some pain pills, an ice pack, and at least eight hours sleep. But something told me, sleep wouldn’t come easy knowing Aaron was only down the hall.

We all piled out of his car and made our way toward the house. The door flung open and Mr. and Mrs. Bennet stood there, disappointment radiating from them.

“Poppy, what happened?”

“I’m fine.” I waved them off.

“You probably did the right thing coming here. When Jase sees the state of you, he’ll—”

“Ash,” Mya warned. “It’s late. I’m sure the girls are tired and want to sleep off their poor decisions.”

“Sure, Mom. Sounds like heaven.” Sofia slipped past them and traipsed inside. I followed, leaving Aaron and Ezra with their parents.

“You did the right thing, Son,” Mr. Bennet said.

Aaron had done what any good brother would, I guess. So why, even after everything, did my heart still misconstrue it?

She was fluttering with elation at Aaron’s white knight routine.

Fickle, foolish heart.

Hurrying after Sofia, I didn’t stick around to hear his reply.

I couldn’t sleep.

The house had fallen quiet hours ago, but I’d been unable to doze off. My jaw hurt too much and my head was too busy.

Dipping my cell phone under the covers, I checked the time. Almost two thirty. Maybe if I took some more pain pills I would finally manage to get some sleep.

Slipping off the covers, I tiptoed out of bed and across Sofia’s room into the Jack and Jill bathroom she shared with Aaron.

The door clicked shut behind me, sending my heart into a tailspin. But Sofia was out cold, snoring softly as she hugged her pillow. She hadn’t wanted to talk about anything when she got into bed. Not Cole or the fact she’d fainted again. And within minutes, she had fallen asleep. All while I’d laid there, listening to her little murmurs. The gentle hum of her television.

Turning on the vanity light switch, I searched the cabinet for some Tylenol, relieved when I found a packet. Popping a couple of tabs, I placed them on my tongue and dipped my head under the faucet.

When I was done, I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand and inhaled a deep breath.

“Poppy?”

“Jesus, Aaron,” I hissed, whirling around to face him. “You scared me half to death.”

“Sorry. I heard you come in here and wanted to check if you were okay.”

“I’m fine.”

His brow lifted as he stood there, leaning against the doorjamb looking every bit my fantasy and nightmare all wrapped up in one. “So the Tylenol is what exactly? Recreational?”

“Whatever. It’s late. I should—”

“Wait. Just wait here, okay?”

“I—”

“Please.”

The desperation in his voice softened something inside me and I found myself nodding. “Fine.”

“I’ll be right back.” He slipped out of the bathroom and I gripped the sink, forcing myself to take a breath.

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