Page 150 of Broken Ties (Rixon High 4)

So fucking done.

“Fuck this,” I said, shooting upright.

“Come on, let’s take a walk,” Ezra said, grabbing my arm, but I shrugged him off.

“Nah, I’m good. You should go be with Leigh.” I spotted her watching us from across the room. Standing with Sofia and… Poppy.

My heart strained at the sight of her in that ridiculously sexy dress. When I’d first laid eyes on her when we arrived, I’d almost cut Zara down to get to her.

But I’d heard Zara’s little speech, and I knew if I went to Poppy, Zara would be out for blood. So I’d pacified her. I’d let Poppy walk away thinking I didn’t care. That I’d chosen Zara. But there was never a choice. Not where Poppy was concerned. She was inside me. Buried so fucking deep I wasn’t sure I would ever dig her out.

Wasn’t sure I wanted to either.

But everything was different now.

“Come and hang out with us. They all care, bro.”

“I can’t.”

I didn’t want them to be around me when I was like this. Especially Poppy.

And yet…

My eyes settled on her and she looked up as if she felt the tether between us. Her expression softened as she mouthed, ‘I’m sorry.’

Jamming my hands in my pockets, I flicked my head to the door and walked away from Ezra.

Wondering if she’d follow.

Wondering if I even deserved her to.

“Aaron?” Her voice drifted over me like a gentle breeze. A second later she appeared around the corner, a green-eyed angel who made it easier for me to breathe.

“Hey.” I kicked the dirt as I leaned against the wall.

“Hey.”

“You look… fuck, Poppy. You look so beautiful.”

“You brought me out here to tell me I look beautiful?” A faint smile traced her mouth but I didn’t return it. “Aaron, I am so, so sorry. I know how much you wanted—”

“Don’t, just… don’t. Walk with me.” I held out my hand, feeling calmer around her than I had all day.

“Where are we going?”

“Does it matter?”

Maybe it was the masochist in me, but I wanted her to choose me. I wanted her to trust me enough to follow me into the darkness.

“Zara won’t—”

“Zara is not important right now. Besides, she’s busy with Quinn.”

“Fine.” She pressed her lips into a thin line of disapproval, but took my hand all the same.

A warm current of relief rolled through me.

She was here.

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