Page 13 of Broken Ties (Rixon High 4)

“Hey,” I said.

“Sorry about the last minute change of plans. Jerk face asked me if I wanted a ride and I’m so freaking tired, I said yes.”

“It’s fine.”

I made the mistake of glancing up and Aaron caught my eye in the rearview mirror. Dropping my gaze, I found something on the floor interesting. Aaron murmured something under his breath, but I didn’t acknowledge it.

“Big game Friday?” Sofia asked.

“Every game is a big game, Sis. We’ve got a championship to defend.”

“Don’t I know it. It’s all Dad and Jason talked about last night. They’re hailing Cole and Ezra, saviors of the team.”

“Jeez, thanks. It’s not like I’m captain or anything.”

“Aaron, I didn’t mean—”

“I’m joking.”

He wasn’t though. I heard the tightness in his words, the slight inflection in his voice. I knew him almost as well as I knew myself.

At least, I thought I did.

I wasn’t so sure anymore.

“So who was at Cole’s last night?” Sofia changed the subject.

“Just a few guys from the team.” He shrugged. “It wasn’t a big deal.”

“You couldn’t have a night off and hang out with your family?”

“Jesus, Sofe, what do you want from me? I was there for a bit. I didn’t realize hanging out with my friends was such a big deal.”

“Pissy much?” she shot back.

“Whatever.”

The two of them didn’t talk for the rest of the ride, and I didn’t want to get in between their spat so I kept quiet.

By the time school came into view, the air in the car was thick with tension.

“Thank fuck,” Aaron muttered, pulling into an empty parking spot and cutting the engine.

“Come on, Poppy, let’s leave Mr. Ego to it.”

“Sofe, that’s not—”

“See you later, loser.” She smirked, shouldering the door and climbing out. I hurried after her, wanting to avoid any further awkward interaction with Aaron. But the universe obviously wasn’t done messing with me because Zara Willis appeared.

But she wasn’t waiting on us.

Sofia and I stood and watched as she sauntered over to the driver’s side and waited for Aaron to climb out.

“Uh, hey, Zara,” he said, trying to wrestle her out of the way.

“I had fun last night,” she said loudly, casting me a smug look.

“I… yeah. It was—”

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