Page 65 of Broken Ties (Rixon High 4)

“Ah, I did wonder if Bennet was somehow involved.”

“You did?” My heart skipped a beat. Had he seen Aaron?

Oh God.

What if—

“Yeah, I mean, I don’t quite understand your relationship, but I know he’s important to you. Plus, he’s also a guy and I’m a guy, and we’re dating. At least, I think we are.” An uncertain smile tugged at his mouth.

“You’re so cool about all this.”

“Would you rather me get all possessive and jealous?”

“No. Definitely not.” I chuckled, guilt eating me up inside.

“He’s seeing Zara Willis, right? Maybe we could all hang out, break the ice. Reassure him I’m a good guy with only the best intentions.”

“You’d do that?” I blinked up at him.

“Well, yeah. He’s basically like your overprotective brother… I’ve got to win him over if I’m going to win your heart.”

My eyes grew wide as I smothered a nervous laugh.

“Too much?” Eli’s mouth twitched.

“Maybe a little.”

“It’s not the same, but I get what it’s like to have an overbearing best friend…”

“Leo?” I guessed.

“Yeah, he’s… difficult sometimes.”

“What’s the deal with you two?” We walked back toward Eli’s car.

“We’ve been friends forever. Our moms are best friends, so we grew up together, but his family moved across the river in junior high.”

“That must have sucked, going to different high schools.”

“I guess. But I kind of think we needed it. Some distance, you know?”

In a strange way, I did. I could never imagine not being in school with Aaron, but sometimes, I did wonder how different life might have been.

He’d been the first boy I’d fallen in love with, the only boy. But maybe that was because when he was around, I didn’t see anyone else.

I couldn’t.

“We’re still tight,” Eli went on. “He’s my best friend. Always will be. But I like that he has his life at Rixon East and I have my life here.”

Something crossed over his expression and I asked, “Eli?”

“Yeah.” He smiled. “You want to go get ice cream or something, or are you ready to head home?”

“I think I’m ready for my beauty sleep.”

“I figured as much. In you go.” He yanked open the door, but I paused, leaning up on my tiptoes to press a kiss to his cheek.

“You’re a good guy, Eli.”

Too good for a girl like me.

His eyes twinkled and the air shifted around us. He was going to kiss me again.

So I ducked into the car like the coward I was.

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