Page 115 of Missed Notes (Rixon High 5)

“So what’s—”

“Yo, asshole,” Aaron’s voice pierced the air. “Are you going to suck face with my sister all night or come bowl?”

“Jesus, he’s a pain in my ass,” I murmured. “Come on. We should probably go over before he makes a scene.”

“This is Aaron we’re talking about.” She chuckled. “He always makes a scene.”

We joined them at our lane and Aaron glowered. “Took you long enough.”

“Babe. You promised.”

“Yeah, I know. But then I see them together all… kissy kissy, and it icks me out.”

“We promise to tone down the PDA. Happy?” Sofia said.

“Speak for yourself.” I grabbed her by the waist and pulled her into me, dropping my chin to her shoulder. “I need Sofe-kisses. I need lots and lots of them.” I started smothering her cheek in them. “They’re like my life source.”

Poppy clapped a hand over her mouth, trying not to laugh while Aaron glared at me.

“You’re not funny, Kandon.”

“I think I’m pretty damn hilarious actually. Are we bowling or what?”

“Yeah,” he said. “But it’s your funeral.”

Sofia flinched and I gave her an apologetic smile.

Aaron didn’t know the truth so I couldn’t blame him for his slip of the tongue. And I loved the guy, I did, but he was really testing my last nerve.

We both chose our bowling balls and stalked closer to the lane. “You know, I get it. You’re pissed at me. I can take it. But would it really hurt you to at least pretend to be happy for us, for Sofia’s sake?”

He glanced back at the girls and let out a heavy sigh. “I’m being a dick, aren’t I?”

“Yeah, you are. And I get it,” I said. “You’re pissed at me for going after her. But it wasn’t like we planned it. Sometimes things just happen.”

And I was so fucking happy they had. Even if I was still lying to him—still keeping him in the dark about Sofia.

But that was her choice. Her decision. I had to respect that. If we were going to work, I had to trust that she knew what she was doing.

Still felt like crap though, lying to my best friend. And I didn’t doubt shit would hit the fan when he discovered the truth.

“What are you two whispering about?”

The girls joined us and Poppy hugged Aaron from behind.

“Just making a little wager with Cole,” he said. I gawked at him, and he added, “I beat his ass, he pays for dinner.”

“We didn’t agree to that.”

“We did now.” He chuckled, stepping up to the line. “Prepare to lose, asshole.”

But I looked down at Sofia and smiled even though my stomach knotted.

Losing the game, I could live with. But losing Sofia, the girl who was quickly becoming everything to me?

I wouldn’t survive that.

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