Page 153 of Missed Notes (Rixon High 5)

“All anyone cares about is that you’re okay,” I said, immediately regretting my choice of words when Sofia flinched.

“I’m not okay though, Cole. I’m not…” She sucked in a sharp breath, agony radiating from her.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”

The door opened and Mrs. Bennet appeared. “How are you feeling, sweetheart?”

“I’m more embarrassed than anything.”

“Oh, Sofia. You don’t have to worry about all that.”

“I keep telling her that.”

“Any word from Aaron?” she asked.

Her mom grimaced. “I’m sure he’s just licking his wounds.”

Damn him.

I knew when the truth came out it would hurt him, but I hadn’t expected things to blow up quite so much. I was trying really damn hard to put myself in Aaron’s shoes, but I kept coming up short. Because he was Sofia’s brother—her twin. Regardless of his hurt feelings, he needed to be here for her.

“Your dad will find him.”

“Find him?” Sofia shot up. “What the hell do you mean, find him?”

“I, uh, crap,” Mrs. Bennet flustered. “It looks like he took off after he…”

“Found out.” Sofia let out a weary sigh, flopping back against the stiff hospital-issue pillows.

“Do you want me to go look for him?” I offered. I hated seeing my girl suffering like this.

“That’s very sweet, Cole, but I think we should let Ash handle it. Aaron was very upset.”

“It’s all my fault. I should have—”

“No, sweetheart.” She grabbed her daughter’s other hand. “No one is to blame here, especially not you. This is an awful situation with no easy answers. You did what you thought was best at the time, and Aaron will see that. He’ll come around, baby, you know he will. If anything, knowing him, he’s more upset that he didn’t see the signs.”

Her phone started ringing and she stepped away, digging it out of her purse. “It’s your dad. I’ll step outside to take it, okay?”

“Sure, Mom.”

“Try and get some rest, sweetheart.”

Mrs. Bennet left us, and Sofia closed her eyes.

“Tell me what you need,” I said.

“I wish it were that simple.” Her eyelids fluttered open, and she gave me a defeated smile. “You really won in the girlfriend lottery stakes, huh?”

“Sofe, don’t do that. I’ve told you before, I don’t care about any of that. I want to be with you. You.”

“I probably won’t be able to come to your gig tomorrow.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“It does to me. I was looking forward to seeing you play. You always look so happy when you’re playing.”

“Sofia, the last thing on my mind is the gig. There’ll be other opportunities—”

---