Page 90 of Broken Ties (Rixon High 4)

“He’ll have to make some hard choices. I don’t want to overstep, but I asked him to take a look at some brochures for other colleges. Smaller colleges with good football programs. Maybe you can—”

“Dad.” I groaned. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”

“Okay, okay.” He held up his hands. “Forget I said anything.”

Easier said than done. He’d planted the seed now. And it was Aaron.

MyAaron.

Of course my natural instinct was to want to talk to him about it. But I couldn’t because I wasn’t sure we even had that kind of friendship any more. The kind that wasn’t tainted with kissing mistakes and fake words.

“I’m not sure he’d listen to me anyway,” I said.

“Sweetheart, you’re probably the only person that boy would listen to. The two of you have always shared such a special bond.” Dad hooked his arm around my neck and guided me toward the building. “You know, it makes me feel a damn sight better knowing he’s always looking out for you. Maybe I should send him to West Chester with you, keep all those horndog college guys away from you.”

“Oh my God, Dad,” I breathed, my heart beating wildly in my chest.

“What? I’m just being realistic. Lily is all shacked up with Kaiden. And you’re eighteen soon enough. You’re both growing up.”

“Well, yeah, Dad, that’s what happens. We grow up and you get older.” I grinned.

“Alright smart aleck.” He ruffled my hair. “I’m just saying, I need all the help I can get.”

It didn’t surprise me Dad didn’t even consider Aaron a threat. Why would he? In his eyes we were friends. Family. Aaron was like the son he’d never had.

This… this was what Aaron didn’t want to risk. Betraying my dad. Betraying years of friendship. But my heart still couldn’t accept that. Because it wasn’t a silly schoolgirl crush or a fleeting feeling I had for him. It was soul deep.

Aaron was the first great love of my life. He wasn’t something I could just get over.

“You don’t have to worry, Dad.” I laughed but it sounded a little strained.

“What about Eli, huh? The two of you seem to be getting friendly.”

“Friendly?” I peered up at him and snorted. “Is that what we’re calling it?”

“Poppy June Ford, I hope to God you’re not referring to…” He swallowed.

“Sex? Bumping uglies? Tapping ass? Bang—”

“Okay, okay.” He pulled away from me and covered his ears. “I get it. Point made.”

“You can relax, Dad. I can confirm me and Eli are not doing it.”

“Enough, enough already.” He pressed his hand over my mouth. “Let’s pretend this conversation never happened. Okay?”

I nodded, fighting another grin.

“Good.” He slipped his hand away. “I need to grab my things from the office. Meet me out front?”

“Sure, Dad.” I went to move around him but he called after me.

“Poppy?”

“Yeah?”

“I love you, sweetheart. And I hope you know that when you’re ready to… well, you know…” A pained expression washed over him. “Just make sure you’re doing it for all the right reasons.”

“Okay, Dad.” I skipped away with a smile pasted on my face.

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