Page 144 of Broken Ties (Rixon High 4)

Tonight was a huge deal for Aaron, and I wanted to support him the way I knew he’d always support me. Regardless of how strained things were between us.

“I have a good feeling about tonight.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” My eyes narrowed because I felt like she was hinting at more than just the game.

“Nothing. Come on, we have a game to watch.”

Dawson Stadium was a full house. The whole town had come out to support the Raiders. When we’d arrived, everyone was already here, so we smushed in on the end of the row with Xander and Peyton.

“Oh my God, I’m so excited for him.” Peyton squeezed my arm.

“Is it safe to say hi to Xander?” I whispered and she chuckled.

“It’s safe.”

“Hi, Xander.” I leaned around her.

“Poppy,” he said with a half-smile. “Nice bruise.”

“Nice… jacket.”

Peyton’s laughter danced around me. “Nice jacket? Seriously?”

“Oh, hush. I’m nervous.” My stomach hadn’t stopped churning all day.

This game was a huge deal for Aaron. I couldn’t imagine how nervous he was. Well, I could because despite everything that had happened lately, I knew him.

I knew his heart.

“Here they come.” Sofia, laced her arm through mine, bouncing on the spot to the team’s song. “Come on, Aaron,” she murmured.

I couldn’t find words, my heart beating furiously in my chest, blood roaring between my ears.

The team gathered around my dad, wholly focused on the game ahead. When they were done with the pep talk, the huddle broke away so the guys could warm up and stretch. But not Aaron. My dad slipped his arm around Aaron’s shoulder. Pride swelled in my chest. Tonight was his big moment, it had to be. He’d worked so damn hard and he wanted it so freaking much. It didn’t matter that things were broken between us, this was his dream and I couldn’t not want it for him.

“He’s got this,” I whispered, but then I noticed Aaron stiffen. Dad gripped his shoulder pulling them eye to eye as he said something to him.

“What’s going on?” Sofia said.

“I-I don’t know.”

Aaron went to walk off, but my dad grabbed him and gave him a stern look. Even from our spot in the bleachers, I could see the warning in his eyes, the devastation written all over Aaron’s expression.

“Shit, shit.” Sofia burrowed into my side. “What do you think happened?”

“If I had to put my money on it,” Xander said. “The recruiter isn’t coming after all.”

“What? He has to come… he has— Oh, Aaron.” Sofia tugged the ends of her ponytail.

“You really think he isn’t coming?” I asked Xander.

“I’d say not.”

We all watched as Aaron stormed over to the water table and kicked a bucket over. Cole and Ezra rushed over to his side to try to comfort him, but he was anger personified, barking at them all to leave him.

Coach Macintosh jogged over, hooking his arm around Aaron’s shoulder and pulling him away from the rest of the team.

“Mom?” Sofia said as Mya appeared, squeezing in behind us. “Where’s Dad?”

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