Page 181 of Broken Ties (Rixon High 4)

Poppy

His.

I was his.

I wanted to believe it. Part of me did. But how was I supposed to just forget the last few weeks? All the pain and heartache and crushing disappointment?

“You’re quiet,” he said, gazing down at me.

“I… There’s a lot to think about.”

He stilled, pulling away slightly. “You… you don’t feel the same?”

“You know I do. But you hurt me, Aaron. And it’s not about punishing you or making you work for it, it’s—”

“Poppy, look at me.” He gently gripped my chin and held my face there. “Do you love me?”

I nodded, a rush of emotion overwhelming me.

“And do you believe I love you?”

Another nod. Aaron loved me, I didn’t doubt that. But sometimes love wasn’t enough.

“Then it’s that simple.”

“It isn’t—”

“Yes, it is. I messed up. I know I messed up. But I’m going to fix it. I’m going to prove—”

“Stop, just… stop. It isn’t about proving anything, Aaron. I know you regret what happened. I know you’re sorry about hurting Eli. But so much has happened.” I dropped my gaze, and he slid his fingers under my jaw refusing to let me hide from him.

“Poppy?” Fear shone in his eyes.

“I kissed him Aaron. After I found you and Zara, I… I kissed Eli. I almost—”

“I know I fucked up. I know I pushed you into his arms. But what happened between you and him, I’ll never hold it against you. I swear. Just tell me what I can do. Tell me what I can do to fix this?”

I inhaled a shuddering breath. It wasn’t that simple, was it? To forgive and forget.

But it was Aaron.

My Aaron.

The boy who had unknowingly stolen my heart and never given it back.

He owned a piece of me—he always would.

“I’m scared,” I whispered, my confession hanging between us. Filling the cracks.

“You don’t need to be. I’m right here, Poppy. I’m all in.”

My breath caught at that.

All in…

“That sounds kind of serious.”

“Oh, it is.” He pressed a kiss to my forehead. “I’m talking glued at the hip, can’t get enough, missing you like crazy when we’re apart, serious.”

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