Page 141 of Broken Ties (Rixon High 4)

McKay snorted, and Sofia homed in on him. “You, you can buy me a drink.”

“A soda,” I said.

“Yeah, yeah, spoilsport.” She went to walk off, but I grabbed her hand and pulled her back to me.

“What’s with you tonight?”

“Nothing.”

“Sofe…”

“Fine. I got into it with Mom before we left.”

“You told her about Friday night?”

She nodded.

“Good. It was the right call.”

“Well, now she wants me to go in for more tests.”

“What tests?”

“I don’t know. She’s overreacting. The doctor said fainting is a side effect of the anemia. Come on, McKay.” She grabbed Gav’s hand. “To the bar.”

“Sofi—” But she was gone.

Running a hand down my face, I glanced at the sign for the restrooms and without overthinking it, headed in that direction.

Poppy was just coming out by the time I reached the archway leading to the restrooms.

“Hey,” I said, and her eyes darted around me skittishly.

“Hi.”

“How are you?”

“I’m okay, thanks. I heard about the Iowa recruiter. That’s a big deal. You must be so excited.”

“Yeah, it’s good news.” Good news I would have usually rushed to tell her. But things were so fucked up between us and I hated it. “But I’m trying not to get my hopes up, you know.”

“Of course.” Her eyes dipped to the floor, tension seeping into the space between us.

“Poppy, I…”

Her head whipped up, her eyes glittering with something I couldn’t decipher.

“Listen, can we talk? Something tells me Ezra and Cole will be a while.” My lip quirked up.

“I don’t know…” She glanced over to Sofia who was laughing with McKay and Ashleigh.

“Please.” I miss you.

“Fine.” A faint smile traced her lips and my chest swelled. Even now, after everything, she still couldn’t deny me.

But wasn’t that what being best friends was? Being there for someone no matter what.

“Come on.” I motioned to a quiet booth toward the back of the room.

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