Page 142 of Broken Ties (Rixon High 4)

Sofia spotted us and her eyes widened with surprise, but quickly softened.

“Do you want a drink or anything?” I asked Poppy as we slid into the booth.

“No, I’m fine.”

“Well, I hope if I get the nod from Iowa soon you’ll celebrate with me and at least one drink.”

“If you get the nod from Iowa, I’m sure the entire town will have a drink to celebrate with you.”

I didn’t care about them though. I cared about her.

“So Sofia said something to me earlier and I wanted to make sure you didn’t think…” My palms turned clammy as I stuttered over the words.

“Aaron?”

“I’m not with Zara, Poppy. I need you to know that. I know we’re going to Homecoming together but it doesn’t mean anything.”

“It’s okay if it did,” she said with a dismissive shrug.

She might as well have stabbed me in the heart.

“We’re not together.”

“No, I guess we’re not.” The air turned thick and I swallowed. “But Zara is… it isn’t like that. I swear.”

Poppy stared up at me, her green eyes big and wide, and filled with uncertainty. “Why are you telling me this?”

“Because I never wanted to hurt you, Poppy. And I’d like to think that on Friday we can hang out, maybe even have a dance together.” I smiled. “We always did say we’d go to Homecoming together.”

“We said a lot of things, Aaron.”

Fuck. She wasn’t making this easy.

“And I’m not sure Zara will appreciate her date dancing with another girl. You know how possessive she gets.”

“You’re one of my best friends. If I want one dance with you, then nobody, not even Zara Willis will stop me.”

Soft laughter spilled from her lips. “I might hold you to that, just to piss her off.”

I lowered my head, looking up at her through my lashes, and said, “I hope you do.”

“Oh they’re done.” Poppy tipped her head toward the door where Ezra and Cole appeared.

Disappointment sank into me. I’d hoped we’d have more time to talk. But Poppy was already sliding out of the booth.

“I’ll see you,” she said.

“Poppy, wait.”

“Yeah?” She glanced back at me.

“You’ll be there, right? On Friday? You’ll be there to watch me play?

The faintest of smiles touched her lips as she nodded.

“Always.”

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