Page 79 of Missed Notes (Rixon High 5)

“Upset.”

She let out a thin breath. “Asher shouldn’t have said that.”

“He didn’t mean it.”

“No, he didn’t. But it doesn’t take the words back. I’m worried about her, Cole.”

“She’s had a lot to deal with. It’s going to get harder before it gets any better.”

“I know. God, I know.” She reached for my arm, squeezing gently. “Just… promise me you’ll be there for her. Even when she pushes you away. I know it’s a lot to ask of you, but I can’t—”

“It’s all good, Mrs. B. I get it. And I promise I’m not going anywhere.”

“You’re a good boy, Cole.” Tears clung to her lashes, but she managed to hold them back.

“I should probably go. I’m going to try to talk to Aaron.”

“Do you know what you’ll say to him?”

I looked her in the eye and pursed my lips. “I’m sure I’ll think of something.”

* * *

“Hey,man, didn’t expect to get a call from you this morning.” Aaron approached the booth at Cindy’s Grill.

I’d figured meeting in a public place might be a better option than going somewhere private.

“Everything okay at home? You bailed early last night.”

“Actually, I didn’t go home.”

“You didn’t? Where the fuck did you go then?”

“I went to see Sofia.”

Fuck, nothing like ripping the Band-Aid clean off.

“Sofia?” He gawked at me, his brows pinched tight with confusion. “I don’t understand. Why the hell would you go and see Sofia?”

“So you know how I said I’d met someone…”

“You said it was a lie.”

“Yeah, well, it wasn’t.”

“Cole, bro, you’re not making any sense. Wait a second,” Realization dawned in his eyes. “Are you saying Sofia… you and my sister? That’s fucking messed up.”

“Is it? You know me. You know I would never hurt her. You know—”

“My sister, Kandon? You’re fucking my… mysister.” His expression morphed from confusion to betrayal to anger until he looked at me like he no longer recognized me.

“Aaron, we’re not… look, it’s new. So new I’m not even sure she won’t bolt yet.”

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”

“You know what Sofia is like.”

“Yeah… But really, my sister? This is as weird as fuck, you know that, right? I won’t be able to tell you stuff anymore. You’ll have to take her side all the time. I’ll have to threaten you if you even try to hurt her. Jesus, Cole,my sister.”

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