Page 97 of Broken Ties (Rixon High 4)

“You’re a real pain in the ass, Brother.”

“The feeling is entirely mutual, Sister.”

We both laughed, and it was the first time in days I felt lighter.

Now if only I could figure out what to do about Poppy…

And my future.

“Didn’t expect to see you two here,” I said to Ezra and Ashleigh as they slipped into the man cave later that evening.

After my heart to heart with Sofia, we’d come out here to hang. I’d texted Cole and Ezra inviting them, but I hadn’t actually thought Ezra and Ashleigh would show.

“You invited us.” He frowned.

“Yeah, but I didn’t… I’m just surprised you managed to put each other down for a minute.”

“Asshole.” Ezra smirked. “I hope you’re kicking his grumpy ass,” he said to Cole who was taking his shot.

“No Poppy?” Ashleigh asked, and I pressed my lips together.

“She’s… studying,” Sofia answered for me.

“And is studying code for ‘out with Eli?’” Ashleigh slid her gaze back to mine and I shrugged.

“Hell if I know.”

“What’s going—”

“Leigh Leigh, come keep me company.” Sofia made grabby hands toward her, and Ashleigh chuckled, pressing a kiss to Ezra’s cheek.

“Go do your thing,” he said, and she went to walk away, but he grabbed a handful of her ass and crashed his lips down on hers. Cole made a choking sound behind me and I dropped my gaze, running a hand down the back of my neck.

“Okay, E,” Sofia called. “Put the girl down before she combusts.”

“Crap, sorry. It’s just…”

“Yeah, we get it. It’s all new and exciting… but since the rest of us are all single and lonely, maybe keep the PDA to a minimum?”

Ezra grinned at me and Cole and I shook my head. “Who are you right now?”

“She does things to me.”

“We can see that.” Cole cleared his throat and my eyes went to the obvious bulge in Ezra’s sweats.

“Okay, that’s… okay…” I threw my arm up over my eyes. “Dude, at least try to cover it up.”

“Get over yourself,” he snorted. “Like you don’t get a raging hard-on every time Poppy crosses your—”

“Seriously, E. Shut the fuck up.”

“Oh wait, is it Poppy or Zara? I can’t keep up these days.”

“Asshole,” I murmured, moving to the pool table to take my shot.

Laughter rumbled from Cole and I pinned him with a hard look. “What?” He shrugged. “E makes a good point. Have you heard the latest?”

“What?” Ezra asked.

“Aaron is Zara’s date for Homecoming.”

“No shit. I bet you’ll be crowned king and queen too.” He smirked and I flipped him off.

“I don’t care about any of that crap.” I didn’t even want to go to the stupid dance. Even more so now that Zara had insisted we go together.

“What happened to ‘It’s senior year, we’ve got to make the most of it?’” Cole arched his brow.

I let out a heavy sigh and said, “Yeah, well, maybe it wasn’t everything I thought it would be.”

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