Page 157 of Missed Notes (Rixon High 5)

“Hey, look at me.” I grabbed his shoulders and shoved him a little. “We are not going to lose her. She’s strong. She can fight this. But she needs you by her side, man. She needs you to be in her corner.”

“Yeah,” he breathed. And then he said something I hadn’t expected to hear. “Thank you. For being there for her when I couldn’t. For looking out for her.”

“It’s more than that, Aaron,” I said, realizing he deserved the complete truth. “I love her. I’m in love with her.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“You do.” My eyes widened. “But how?”

“Because I know you, Cole. And I know you wouldn’t start something with her unless you were pretty damn serious about it.”

“Want to kick my ass for it?” I flashed him a weak smile, trying to lighten the mood.

“Nah, I’ll save that for when you break her heart.”

“Never going to happen, man.”

“Yeah, I know that feeling.” He sank back against his chair, scrubbing a hand down his ashen face. “I guess we should get out of here.”

“Yeah, that would be good. I can call Deacon and see—”

“Fuck that.” For the first time since I got in the car, he smiled. It was weak and it didn’t quite reach his eyes, but it was something. “You can stay at our house. You’re practically family now anyway.”

* * *

“Son, thank God.”Mr. Bennet pulled Aaron into his arms. “I’ve been worried sick.”

“Sorry, Dad. I just need some time to think. Found a straggler on my way home though.”

He glanced back at me, and I said, “Hi, Mr. Bennet.”

“Cole, for God’s sake, call me Asher. Come here, son.” He moved past Aaron to hug me.

I couldn’t remember the last time my own father had hugged me. But here Mr. Bennet was, holding me like I was his own.

“So Cole’s dad kicked him out and he needs a place to stay.”

“That’s not… he didn’t kick me out, I left. It’s complicated.”

Mr. Bennet frowned. “Well, you’ll stay with us for however long you need.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“And if you need me to talk to your father, I’m sure I can sit down with him.”

“No, that won’t be necessary. I can handle my father. But some space from him is probably a good thing right now.” Before I said or did something I couldn’t take back.

He might have been an asshole, but he was still my father—family.

“Well, you’re always welcome here. I’m going to check in with your mom,” he said to Aaron. “Ezra is staying over at Ashleigh’s house. I talked to him and Ashleigh’s parents. Coach Ford and Felicity know too. Do we need to talk about what happened tonight or can it wait until tomorrow? I’m sure Cole can answer most of the questions you have.”

“I’m good, Dad.”

“All right then. You two boys think about turning in soon, okay?”

“We will.”

Phone in his hand, Mr. Bennet went to leave, but Aaron called after him, “Dad?”

---