Page 100 of Missed Notes (Rixon High 5)

Kaiden Thatcher was Poppy’s sister’s boyfriend. He and Lily had fell hard and fast last year in their senior year, but there had been one huge problem. Kaiden was the son of Coach Ford’s high school nemesis.

The drama that unfolded around their relationship had made for an interesting junior year. But they’d come out stronger for it, and they were at college together now atPenn State.

“Yeah, I guess. Although, sometimes, I don’t know what she sees in him.”

Case and point, my brother lowered Poppy to the ground and started covering her in wet sloppy kisses.

“He’s such a goofball,” I added.

“He’s a good guy, Sofe. One of the best I know.”

I turned in Cole’s arms and smiled up at him. “Well, the best guy I know is you.” Going up on my tiptoes, I kissed him. “I need to pee. I’ll be right back.”

“I’ll walk you in. I want to get another drink anyway.”

Cole let my brother and Poppy know we were going inside. I left him at the drinks station to go to the downstairs bathroom.

Tonight had been a good night. The best. I didn’t want it to end.

I made quick work of peeing and washed my hands, eager to get back to Cole. But when I reached the kitchen, I paused, watching from the doorway.

Cole wasn’t alone. Kacie was talking to him, smiling up at him with that dreamy look in her eyes. Jealousy rose inside me, almost choking me. She reached for his arm, touching him. A warm smile on her face. He laughed at whatever she said but made no move to put some distance between them.

My stomach dropped, glum realization settling over me.

This would be my life soon. Standing on the sidelines. Too sick to attend parties or football games. Stuck at home in bed or the hospital, wondering what Cole was doing, who he was talking to.

Kacie moved closer, so close she was practically pressed up against him. This time, Cole did step away. And whatever he said made her frown with disappointment. She gave him a little shrug and walked off.

He scanned the room, spotting me. The smile on his face should have patched up the hole in my heart, but it didn’t.

“Hey.” He approached me. “Everything okay? You look a little pale.”

“What did Kacie want?” I asked.

“Oh, nothing. She was just saying hey.”

I didn’t answer.

“Sofe?”

“I’m fine. It’s getting late though and I’m pretty tired. I think I’m going to go.”

“You’re upset.”

It wasn’t a question.

He rested his hands on my hips and studied me. “You have nothing to worry about where Kacie is concerned. You know that, right?”

“I… it’s not even her, Cole. It’s the situation. You deserve to be with someone who—”

“Don’t. Don’t do that. I want you, Sofe. I’m falling foryou.”

I inhaled a deep breath, trying to banish the doubt circling my thoughts.

“Sorry. I’m not good at this.”

“We’ve had a good time tonight, haven’t we?” he asked, and I nodded. “Then let’s forget about everything else, okay?”

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