Page 23 of Broken Ties (Rixon High 4)

“I can hardly wait,” Leo murmured.

My brows crinkled. He didn’t seem too pleased to be here, and Sofia looked less than impressed at her date for the evening.

“I can’t wait,” I said with fake bravado.

Maybe this was a bad idea.

But it was too late now.

“Oh my God.” Sofia grabbed my hand and held me back while the guys headed for our lane. “This is the worst. He doesn’t want to be here.”

“I’m sure that’s not true. Maybe he’s just having a bad day.”

“I love you, babe, but you’re a terrible liar. He hasn’t looked twice at me. He let the door close in my face on the way in here and he didn’t even offer to get me a drink.” Her gaze dropped to the slush in my hand. The one Eli had bought for me.

“Eli asked you if you want—”

“Not the point, Poppy. I thought Eli vouched for him.”

“He did.” I glanced over at the guys. “I don’t get it.” He’d told me all about Leo. How cool and funny he was.

But that guy wasn’t the guy who had showed up tonight. He looked like he wanted to be anywhere but here.

“I knew this was a mistake.” Sofia hugged herself, glancing at anywhere but me.

“He’s a fool if he doesn’t want to get to know you. You’re amazing, Sofe. I hope you know that.”

“You’re right, I am pretty awesome.” She smirked. “Leo would be lucky to know me.”

“That’s the spirit.” I winked. “Now let’s go bowl our cute asses off and have some fun.”

Sofia gave me an encouraging nod, but I saw the doubt shining in her eyes. Damn Leo for making her doubt herself.

We reached the guys just as they exploded with laughter about something.

“What’s funny?” I asked, glancing between them.

“Hannigan here thinks he has a shot at beating me,” Leo said, suddenly animated. “But like I’ve told him a hundred times before, nobody beats the master.” He picked up his bowling ball and blew it.

Sofia smothered a snort and I elbowed her in the ribs. “Let’s see what you’ve got then,” I said.

“It’s on, Hannigan.” Leo grinned at Eli, not even bothering to acknowledge me. “You and me, best of three games.”

I glanced at Sofia and her eyes widened as if to say, ‘I told you so.’

“If you two want us to leave, we can just—”

“What, no!” Eli looked horrified. “He’s joking. Right, Leo?”

Leo’s expression hardened as he stalked off down the lane.

“I’m just going to go to the restroom.”

Before I could stop her, Sofia took off in the opposite direction.

“Is she okay?” Eli asked.

“What do you think?”

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