Page 177 of Broken Ties (Rixon High 4)

Aaron

“How are you feeling?”Mom asked as I checked my reflection in the mirror again.

“I’m fine.”

“You look nervous.”

“I’m fine.”

“It’s okay if you’re nervous.”

“Mom,” I snapped, “I’m not—”

Fuck.

I was.

I was nervous.

But I wasn’t just hanging out with Poppy tonight, I was taking her on a date.

Our first real date.

The first of many, I hoped.

Mom came closer and smoothed her hands over my shoulders, smiling at me in the mirror.

“Mom…” I tried to shake her off but she smiled.

“You know, I’ve waited a long time for this. Your first date.” She shook my shoulders gently. “And with Poppy no less.”

“You aren’t… worried?”

“Aaron, sweetheart. Love isn’t something you can control. It’s wild and boundless and it springs up in the most unlikely of places.” She turned me in her arms. “She’s your person, baby. The one your soul calls to.”

“Okay, Mom… you can drop the high school counselor routine.”

“Hey, that was my best mom routine.” She brushed the hair off my face and beamed at me. “So do I get to know your plans or are they top secret?”

“My lips are sealed.”

“Well, if you’re anything like your father, I’m sure it’ll be extremely romantic.” Her eyes twinkled. “He’s quite the—”

My cell phone vibrated indicating my ride was here.

“Okay, Mom.” I grabbed her shoulders and backed her up. “Good talk, but I need to go.” Before she started giving me safe sex advice. I loved her dearly but there were some conversations a guy did not need to have with his mom.

“Say hi to Poppy for me,” she called as I headed out.

McKay was waiting outside his truck.

“You clean up good,” he said with a knowing smirk.

“What, this old thing?” I ran a hand down my navy plaid shirt. I hadn’t wanted to go over the top, not for what I had planned. But I’d wanted to make an effort.

“So you finally pulled your head out of your ass and asked Poppy out?”

“Something like that.”

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