Page 162 of Broken Ties (Rixon High 4)

Leo?

What did he have to do with anything?

“Well, something happened between us. And I’ve been struggling to deal with it and I… fuck, this is really hard for me.”

“W-what are you saying?”

“I like you, Poppy, I really like you. But I like Leo too. At least I think I do. It’s confusing. I’m confused.”

“You’re gay?” Bitter laughter spilled out of me. “Is that what you’re telling me?”

“N-no. Yes. Maybe. Fuck, I don’t know. I’ve never liked a guy before. But it’s Leo and he’s my best friend and there’s always been something there between us. And he kissed me and well… now I can’t stop thinking about it, and I think that maybe I do like him back. But I’m not sure I’m ready to be out there you know, so I thought—”

“You thought you’d date me and try not to have feelings for your best friend.”

My stomach sank.

“Do you hate me?”

I wrapped my arms around my midriff, ice trickling through my veins. “I really don’t know what to say right now. I-I thought you actually liked me.”

“I do. Fuck, Poppy, I do. But Leo? I think he’s my Aaron.”

“Oh.”

“I tried to tell you earlier. I didn’t want things to be weird between us, but you were so happy and then Aaron texted you—”

“It wasn’t Aaron, it was Zara,” I whispered. I’d at least worked out that much. “Aaron might be an asshole but he isn’t cruel.”

“Are you sure he slept with her? Because it doesn’t make any sense. I watched the two of you tonight and he only had eyes for you, Poppy.”

“I wish I wasn’t. I wish it was all some bad dream, but he was right there, Eli. Half-naked and covered in her lipstick.”

“You should talk to him. Get all the facts before you make any rash decisions.”

“You mean like trying to jump your bones to make myself feel better?” Another wave of shame crashed over me.

“We can pretend it never happened if you want.”

“So you like Leo, huh?”

I still didn’t know what to think about that. Not that he liked his best friend, love was love, but the fact he’d been using me the way I’d been using him.

What a pair we were.

“I never meant to hurt you, Poppy. I hope you know that.”

“I wasn’t exactly upfront with you either. Truce?” I held out my hand, but Eli grabbed me and pulled me into his arms.

“Friends, Poppy. I’d really like it if we could be friends.”

“I think we can arrange that.” I smiled and it wasn’t forced or fake, but a real, genuine smile. Because maybe we had both been trying to kid ourselves, but apparently, we did share something. We were both hung up on our best friends.

“It makes so much sense now,” I said.

“What does?” Eli released my shoulders and stared down at me.

“Why Leo was such an asshole to Sofia the night we all went bowling. He’s in love with you.”

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