Page 99 of Missed Notes (Rixon High 5)

I went stiff. “I’m not ready.”

“You’re going to have to pull off the Band-Aid eventually, Sofe.”

“I know. But he’s so close to making all his dreams come true. I can’t ruin that. I won’t.”

“Okay.” Cole sat up and pressed a kiss to my shoulder. “It’s your decision.”

“It is.”

And it was the right one.

Even if no one else agreed.

* * *

“He can’t takehis eyes off you,” Poppy said over the music.

After me and Cole had come downstairs, we’d found Poppy and my brother outside under the pergola. Someone had set up a speaker and some of the other girls were dancing.

When Poppy had grabbed my hand to join them, I’d gone willingly. Because tonight was about all the good things in my life. My brother, my friends… Cole.

“Pops,” I warned.

“What? It’s so freaking cute. He’s falling hard for you, babe.”

My heart swelled and then plummeted. But I brushed off the sharp stab of fear. I might not have known what the future held, but it didn’t change the fact that tonight had been one of the best nights of my life.

“Oh, he’s coming over here.”

I didn’t glance back, keeping my gaze on Poppy as excitement danced in her eyes.

Aaron appeared first, pulling her into his arms and swaying her to the chilled beats.

Strong arms enveloped me. “Hi.” Cole’s lips brushed my cheek.

“Hi.” I looked back at him.

“Are you having fun?”

“I am. All thanks to you.” I wrapped my arms over his, as we danced to the music.

“What were you and Aaron talking about?”

“You and Poppy mainly.”

“Is he still pissed?”

“I think it’s more a case of he thinks he should be pissed because I broke the cardinal rule of bro code.”

“Look at them,” I sighed, watching Aaron lift Poppy off the ground and spin her around, the two of them bursting with love and laughter.

“If I had to bet on anyone getting engaged before graduation, it will be those two,” Cole said.

“Coach Ford would lose his shit.”

I could picture it now.

“Nah, he talks a good talk, but I know how much he respects Aaron. And you know how much he loves Kaiden.”

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