Page 147 of Broken Ties (Rixon High 4)

“Uh, I think we’ll pass for now,” I said, but Sofia threw me a ‘what the hell’ look.

“I would love a drink, Ryan. Why don’t we go to the bar?”

His brow arched as she slid her arm through his, and Eli and Pax chuckled. “I’ll come with.” Pax followed after them leaving me alone with Eli.

“Is everything okay? The game was—”

“Hard to watch.”

“Yeah, Bennet seemed upset.”

“It’s not my story to tell.” I gave him a weak smile and glanced at the doors again.

Where were they?

Eli muttered something under his breath, and I whipped around to meet his gaze. Except, he wasn’t looking at me, he was staring at his cell phone.

“Problem?”

“Leo,” he said, as if that explained everything.

“He’s not happy you’re here?”

“Something like that. I think I’m going to get a drink after all. Do you want—”

“Go. I’ll be okay.”

“You’re sure?”

I nodded.

Eli hesitated for a second, but then headed toward Sofia and his friends. I went over to the entrance and checked the hall. But there was still no sign of them.

“Oh, it’s you,” Zara sneered, joining me in the hall. “What are you doing out here?”

I glared at her, and she scoffed. “Don’t tell me you’re waiting for my date. Seriously, what is wrong with—”

“Aaron is my friend.”

“Yeah. Friend. I’m his date, Poppy. That should tell you something.”

“Whatever, Zara. It’s a free country. I can stand out here if I want to.”

“So pathetic,” she hissed. “It isn’t any wonder Aaron dropped you this year. Always following him around, cramping his style. Is that why you agreed to come with Eli? To make Aaron jealous?”

Heat bloomed in my cheeks as I tried to school my expression, but she saw right past it. “Oh my God, that’s it, isn’t it? You wanted to make Aaron jealous. In hopes he would, what? Choose you over me? Please.” She flipped her hair over her shoulder. “I’m ten times the girl you’ll ever—”

“Zara.”

His voice made my breath hitch.

“Aaron, thank God.” Zara hurried over to him, running her hands up his chest. “I’ve been so worried. Are you okay, baby? We don’t have to stay if you don’t want to. We can get out of here and—”

“Come on, Pops.” Cole slung his arm around my shoulder and guided me back inside the gym.

“He’s… okay?” I asked, not daring to look back at him.

“He’ll live.”

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