Page 152 of Missed Notes (Rixon High 5)

“He’ll come around,” Mom said, tears rolling down her cheeks. “He’s scared and hurting.”

“It’s okay, Mrs. B. I can handle Aaron,” Cole said. “I’m more worried about Sofia right now.”

“I’m sorry you had to witness that,” Mom said to the medics who had stepped away to give us some privacy.

“In light of your situation, we recommend that Sofia go to hospital to get checked out.”

“No, Mom. I’m not—”

“Of course. I’ll drive her there myself.”

“Or we can call for an ambulance.”

“No, absolutely not. I’m fine,” I insisted.

“I’m taking you, Sofia. No arguments.”

“Your mom is right, Sofe.” Cole ran his hand over my hair. “You need to get checked out.”

“Fine.”

Relief etched into both of their expressions. “If you don’t mind, Mrs. B. I’d really like to come with you guys. But I’ll need to quickly change.”

“Go. Be quick.”

He nodded. Dropping a kiss on my head. “I’ll be right back.”

Cole left the room, and Mom thanked the medics. “I’ll make sure she gets seen by a doctor. Thank you.”

They talked for another minute or so, but I was too lost in my thoughts to pay them any attention.

Aaron knew. He knew and he hated me.

I didn’t blame him. I had lied. But it wasn’t because I didn’t trust him. It was because I wanted to protect him.

Surely, he knew that?

When Dad stepped back into the room a minute later without my brother, I had my answer.

He was alone.

Aaron was gone.

CHAPTERTWENTY-SIX

Cole

“You should be at the party,”Sofia said with a weak smile.

“No,” I leaned closer, pulling her hand to my mouth, brushing a kiss over her knuckles. “I should be here, with you.”

“I feel so stupid.”

“Don’t say that. It’s not like you have any control over it.”

“I know but in front of all those people. How embarrassing.”

I kissed her hand again, needing to touch her, to know that she was here, and she was okay.

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