Page 155 of Broken Ties (Rixon High 4)

“Yeah, we did, didn’t we?” His vodka-scented breath fanned my face as he pressed his head to mine, wrapping his arms tightly around my waist. “I’m sorry,” he breathed.

My heart galloped wildly in my chest. We were surrounded by our friends and classmates, our parents lurking somewhere in the shadows. It was loud and noisy, and the music pulsed through me, but I only saw Aaron.

We carved out our own little bubble right there on the dance floor.

“For coming with Zara. I’m so fucking sorry. It was a mistake. I should have been here with you.” He brushed his thumb over the fading bruise along my jaw and for a second I thought he was going to kiss me.

The air crackled between us, around us, filling every pocket of space.

This was it.

It was—

Aaron shifted slightly, tucking me closer and swaying me to the music. There was no kiss. No grand declaration of love. No promises.

But he was here and he was dancing with me, and it was more than I could have ever hoped for.

The after party at Deacon Faris’s house was wild. The entire senior class had descended on his house and it seemed more than a few had gotten drunk on the way over.

Sofia shoved people out of the way as we tried to get to the kitchen. “This is crazy,” she yelled, offering me her hand.

Eventually we made it, finding Cole, Ezra and Ashleigh at the breakfast counter making drinks.

“Where’s Aaron?” Sofia asked, and my heart fluttered.

We’d danced all night at Homecoming. Together. With Sofia and Leigh. I’d danced with Eli, and Aaron had danced with his sister. We’d all danced together.

It was perfect.

Except he hadn’t kissed me.

Hadn’t even tried.

Rationally, I knew he probably didn’t want to kiss me in front of his mom and my dad who were chaperones. But I’d thought—

God, I don’t know what I’d thought.

All I knew was that dancing with him, being wrapped in his arms, felt right.

It felt… perfect.

Even Eli had whispered to me that I shouldn’t give up on Aaron.

Eli.

Because everyone could see it.

Everyone except Aaron.

I hadn’t wanted to come to the party. But Aaron had asked me to, so here I was, searching the sea of people for any glimpse of him.

“He’ll be here,” Cole said, his gaze sliding to mine. But his words did little to ease the knot in my stomach.

“Hey,” Sofia laced her arm through mine. “You look like you’re about to puke.”

“I’m… God, Sofe, did I imagine it? Because I’m not sure I can survive it again if he…” I couldn’t even say it.

“He won’t. We all saw the two of you together. You practically burned up the dance floor. He loves you, Pops. It’s always been you.”

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