Page 134 of Broken Ties (Rixon High 4)

“Mom…” My voice cracked and a tear slipped free.

“Poppy, what is it? What’s wrong?” She threw the towel onto the counter and rushed over, wrapping me in her arms.

The dam broke and tears poured out of me like a river rushing toward the ocean. She thought I was crying about her, about our strained relationship, but it wasn’t that at all.

I was heartbroken, and I couldn’t tell a soul about it.

Not even Sofia.

Aaron hadn’t only hurt me, he’d destroyed a small piece of me.

And I’d let him.

I kept letting him.

“Oh, baby. I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.” She hugged me tighter as I cried harder.

I hadn’t realized how much I’d needed my mom until this moment. Even if I couldn’t tell her the truth, there were some things only a mom hug could soothe.

By the time my tears had dried, the blueberry muffins had cooled.

“Peace offering?” Mom added one to a plate and slid it toward me.

“Thanks.”

“You know, Poppy. If there’s something else you want to talk about, I’m here…”

“Like what?” I asked. But I couldn’t tell her, could I?

“I don’t know.” She shrugged. “Boys. School worries. Anything really. I know it hasn’t always seemed like I’m here for you, but I am.”

“Did you ever… like a boy who didn’t like you back?”

“Ah.” A faint smile traced her lips. “So there is a boy.”

“No, it’s hypothetical.”

“Well.” she smiled. “Hypothetically speaking, there was and has only ever been your father. But you’ve heard the story, you know he didn’t return my feelings in the beginning.”

“How did you do it? Put up with all his games? All the hurt?”

“When you love someone, you have to love them faults and all. I knew your dad cared, he was just a scared manboy with the emotional capacity of a flea, and the weight of the world on his shoulders.”

“Manboy.” I choked on the laughter in my throat. “Don’t ever let him hear you call him that.”

Mom grinned. “You’re right, let’s keep that between ourselves. Now, why don’t you tell me who has you asking me all these questions?”

“Nice try, but it was hypothetical, remember?”

“Of course. And how are things with Aaron these days?” Suspicion coated her words.

“Things are fine. Never better. Great.”

“That’s good. You two have been friends for so long, I always wondered if it would get difficult when you got older and—”

“Okay, Mom. Good chat. Thanks for the muffin, but I should probably go upstairs. I have a ton of homework to do.”

“Well, don’t work too hard. And if you ever need to talk about anymore hypothetical—”

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