Page 133 of Broken Ties (Rixon High 4)

“Sofia…”

“No, Poppy. Listen, I get it.” Her eyes narrowed at me. “It sucks. I wanted you and my dimwitted brother to work it out too. But do not for one second think it’s because you are somehow lacking. You are beautiful and intelligent and you can defy gravity with your body… Any guy would be lucky, so freaking lucky to call you theirs.”

My lip twisted.

“One day, he’ll realize, Pops.” Her expression softened. “One day he’ll wake up and realize he lost the best thing ever to happen to him.”

Emotion swelled in my chest but I swallowed it down. Because that was the kicker.

I didn’t want to be Aaron’s biggest regret.

I just wanted to be his.

“Hi, Mom. I’m home,” I called out, dropping my keys on the sideboard.

“I’m in the kitchen.”

The scent of freshly baked muffins pulled me down the hall. “Something smells good,” I said.

“I made blueberry muffins.”

“You did?” My brows crinkled.

“Well, yeah, you used to love them when you were little. Anything blueberry really. Muffins. Pancakes.” She wiped her sticky hands on the towel she was holding. “You even made me make blueberry cookies once but the fruit dyed the dough and you wouldn’t eat them.”

“I don’t remember.” I hopped up onto the stool. “Is everything okay?”

She was acting kind of weird.

“Yes. No. I mean… I’m sorry, sweetheart,” she blurted.

“Sorry? What are you—”

“I’ve been neglecting you. Ever since Lily—”

“Mom, we don’t need to do this.”

“Yes, we do.” Guilt flashed in her eyes. “I’ve been so preoccupied and worried over Lily moving to college and settling in. It’s been harder than I thought, letting go. And I haven’t been fair to you.”

“Mom, it’s fine.”

“No, Poppy. It isn’t. You’re so strong, baby. So much like me. I forget sometimes that you need me too.”

“I-I don’t know what to say.”

“That’s exactly what I mean. We don’t talk anymore. You don’t tell me about boys or school or your friends.”

“Lily needs you—”

“No, she doesn’t. Your sister is doing fine, sweetheart. She’s actually the one who made me realize that I’ve let things get too distant between us.”

I didn’t have the heart to tell her that I’d felt like that for a long time. But it was different when Lily was here. She was the anchor, bridging the gap between us.

We were both so fiercely protective of Lily. It wasn’t hard to get along when she was around. But once Lily left, it was like the distance between me and Mom only grew wider and neither of us knew how to reach each other.

“It’s okay.”

“It isn’t, Poppy. I love you so much, sweetheart. And I’m so proud of the young woman you’re becoming. I don’t tell you nearly enough.”

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