Page 50 of Broken Ties (Rixon High 4)

“I swear to God, Sofia, if you don’t shut the hell up, I will tell Mom and Dad all about this little incident.”

“Like you haven’t done exactly the same thing plenty of times over the last year.”

Actually, I hadn’t.

There might have been one or two occasions where we got a little carried away hanging out in the man cave—the shed at the bottom of the yard that my dad let me turn into a hangout of sorts—but overall, I didn’t like to feel out of control.

Not like this, at least.

“A-Aaron,” Poppy mumbled.

“Yeah, Poppy?”

“You’ll stay with me, right? You won’t leave.”

God help me.

“Yeah, I’ll stay.”

I couldn’t drive her home, and there was no way in hell I was asking Hannigan to take her home in this state. And besides calling her dad, there was only one other option.

“Come hold her,” I said to Sofia.

“Why? Where are you going?”

“Nowhere, but I need to make a call. Help her brush her teeth and drink some water.” I managed to climb to my feet and fish my cell phone out of my pocket.

Locating Deacon’s number, I hit call and waited. “Bennet?” he yelled over the line, a roar of laughter in the background.

“Listen, I need a favor.”

“Sure, man, anything.”

“Can I take one of your guest rooms?”

“Shit, dude. You and Zara—”

“It’s not for me, asshole. Poppy got sick. She needs to lie down.”

“Shit, yeah, okay. Last room on the left. It’s off-limits, but you can use it.”

“Thanks, man, I owe you.”

“Do you need any help or anything?”

I stared back at the girls. Sofia had taken up my spot, rubbing Poppy’s back as she hung her head over the rim of the bowl.

My mouth twitched. Two of the most important people in my life, ass over elbow drunk.

“No, we’re good.” I hung up and shoved my cell back in my pocket.

“Sofe, help me get her up,” I said.

My sister glanced up at me and frowned. “Your shoulder…”

“I’ll live. Come on, we can’t leave her down here.”

Together, and after a little struggle, we managed to get Poppy to her feet.

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