Page 152 of Broken Ties (Rixon High 4)

The girl who held my heart in the palm of her hand…

Even if she would never know.

“Are you feeling any better?” Poppy asked as we sat on the bench. We’d danced for at least ten minutes, swaying to the symphony of our beating hearts.

I’d wanted to kiss her.

More than anything, I’d wanted to put my lips on hers and kiss her.

But I hadn’t.

Because although everything had changed, nothing really had.

She was still Coach Ford’s daughter, and we were still more family than friends. Our lives would be forever entwined. To risk that seemed irresponsible.

Besides, she’d made no move to kiss me or give me a sign that she wanted me to kiss her.

“I’ll survive,” I said. “Tonight was a knee-jerk reaction. But I’ll regroup and figure out a plan. Playing college ball is all I’ve ever wanted. But everyone is right, there are other options.”

Poppy’s purse vibrated and she dug out her cell phone. “It’s Leigh. They’re about to announce the Homecoming Court.”

I ran a hand down my face. I really didn’t want to go back in there and stand up on stage in front of our entire class on the night where everything had gone to utter shit.

“She said my dad said if you don’t get back in there, he’ll come out here and drag you in by your hair.”

“And I totally wouldn’t put that past him.” I stood, brushing my hands down my slacks.

“He’s a big teddy bear, really.”

“To you. He’s a teddy bear to you and Lily and your mom. To everyone else, he’s Jason Ford, NFL legend with a mean temper and a record-breaking throwing arm.”

Poppy chuckled. “Don’t let him hear you say all that. Come on, Aaron the Greatest, your kingdom awaits.” She held out her hand and I took it without hesitation.

“Thank you,” I said, gently tugging her into me again.

Poppy gazed up at me as if I hung the fucking moon.

Kiss her, Bennet.

Just fucking kiss her.

But I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t cross that line with her again.

Fuck.

“Aaron?” she whispered and the vulnerability in her voice slayed me.

“Yeah, Poppy?”

“I hope you know that you’ll always be more than just a Raider to me.”

I was in a special kind of hell. The stage lights glared down on me, making beads of sweat form along the back of my neck as Principal Kiln droned on about school spirit and unity and the heart of Rixon High—the football team.

The room erupted with cheers and catcalls and Zara lapped it all up as she stood beside me, preening in her crown as if it was the real damn thing.

“Aaron.” She grabbed my hand and hissed, “Can you at least look happy to be here?”

I flashed her a sarcastic grin, so over her bullshit. But I would never forgive myself if she went after Poppy because of me.

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