Broken Ties, page 20
When I didn’t answer, he asked, “Does he know?”
I nodded. “But he doesn’t… It isn’t like that for him.” The words got stuck in my throat.
“I see. Well, it’s his loss, Poppy. I hope you know that.”
“That’s very sweet of you to say.”
“You know, if you want to go to Homecoming, I still would love to go with you. As friends.”
“Wouldn’t that be… awkward?”
“Well a bunch of the guys from the swim team are going. It can be a group thing. You’ll be going with Sofia anyway, right?”
“We plan to go still, yeah, so we’ll see you there?”
“Absolutely.” He stood, and I was relieved he didn’t want to drag this out any longer than necessary. “And Poppy?”
“Yeah?”
“Save a dance for me?” His lips quirked, and for a second, I wanted it to be Eli.
I wanted him to be the one my heart wanted.
“I will.” I smiled.
“I’ll hold you to that. I guess I’ll see you around?”
“Yeah.”
His gaze lingered for a second and he looked about ready to say something else. But someone called his name and he glanced over to them.
“That’s my cue,” he said with a small wave, and took off.
Sofia skipped back over to me, her brows raised. “So…”
“It went surprisingly well.”
“That’s a good thing, right?”
“Yeah. He even said we could hang out with him and the swim team at Homecoming.”
“That’ll give Aaron something to sulk about.”
“Sofe, I’m not trying to play games.”
“I know.” She laced her arm through mine. “Senior year sure isn’t working out how we thought, huh?”
“There’s still time for it to get better,” I said. “How are you feeling today?”
“Okay, I guess.”
“Did you tell them?”
“Poppy…”
“You promised.”
“I know but Mom will freak if she knows.”
“Is it such a bad thing that they care?”
“Of course not, but it’s just anemia. It’s not like I’m dying or anything.”
“God, Sofe, don’t say such a thing.”
“Relax.” She grinned at me. “I’m fine.”
We made our way into school and she tugged on my arm. “Oh, there’s Aaron. Are we talking to him or— I guess not.” Pulling me up short, we watched Zara bounce over to him and drape herself over his shoulder. “God, I hate her,” Sofia murmured.
“You and me both,” I said, swallowing over the emotion balled in my throat.
“Well, we can’t avoid them, so head held high, Pops.” She gave me a reassuring smile, and I nodded, rolling back my shoulders.
I could do this.
I had to.
Because whatever had happened between us Friday night was already a distant memory.
A dream that would fade a little bit more every time I saw them together.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Aaron
“Brother,” Sofia sneered, making no effort to hide her disdain for Zara.
“Sofe. Poppy.” I smiled but she didn’t return it.
Not that I blamed her.
Zara had some real shitty timing. I tried to shake her off, to put some space between us, but it only made her tighten her grip on my arm.
“Sofia, Poppy,” she practically sneered Poppy’s name. “Me and Aaron were just discussing plans for Friday. Isn’t that right, babe?” She smirked up at me.
Jesus.
This was quickly going to devolve into a bitch fight if the glint in Sofia’s eyes was anything to go by.
“Well, you’ll need to find another date for Cole because Poppy and I are going with the swim team.”
“The fuck?” The words fell from my lips before I could stop them.
I knew Poppy planned to go with Eli, but Sofia hadn’t breathed a word about having a date. In fact, I specifically remembered her telling me she didn’t have one.
Zara frowned at me, but quickly schooled her expression, flashing the girls a saccharine smile. “Too bad. I’m sure I’ll find a replacement for Cole.”
“I’m sure you will.” Sofia bit back.
“Oh, here’s Cole now. Cole, over here,” Zara called.
He came over, glancing between the four of us. “Do I even want to know what’s going on?”
“Sofia was just telling us she and Poppy are going to Homecoming with the swim team, but don’t worry, I’m sure I can find someone for you.”
“Yeah, thanks but no thanks.” He rubbed his jaw. “I’m happy to go stag.”
“But you can’t. I wanted us all to—”
“Leave it yeah, Zar,” I said.
“Well, this was fun and all but we need to go.” Sofia grabbed Poppy’s arm and pulled her away.
“No offense, Aaron,” Zara drawled. “But your sister is kind of a bitch.”
Cole choked on air while I glared down at her.
“What?” She shrugged, running her hand up my arm. “It’s not your fault she’s so salty. But I guess it’s hard when your twin brother is popular and you’re well, not.”
“I need to get to class,” I said, nudging her away.
I needed to get out here before I said something I would regret.
“But I thought we were going to—”
“Later, yeah?”
“Aaron,” she called after me, irritation coating her voice but I kept walking.
Cole caught up to me and whistled through his teeth. “You’re really going to see this thing through with her?
“It’s not worth the headache telling her no. It’s not like it means anything.”
“To you. It doesn’t mean anything to you. But what about Sofia? Poppy? And we all know Zara thinks it means you’re hers.”
“They know I’m only trying to keep the peace. It’s just a dance, Kandon. And Zara can get fucked. I’m only doing it for an easy life.”
“No, it’s a statement. You’re choosing a side and it’s the wrong one.”
“Come on, man.” I let out a heavy sigh. “What would you have me do?”
“Tell her to find another date. Put an end to this little game you’re playing. It’s not worth it.”
I searched for Poppy in the crowd but she and Sofia were already gone.
Cole had a point. But it wasn’t like I could ask the girl who’d haunted my every waking thought since Friday night. Even before then.
It was supposed to have been closure. Except it had torn a hole right through me, a void I feared only Poppy could fill.
“Did something happen?”
“What?” I frowned at Cole.
“Between you and Poppy, on Friday?”
“No, why do you say that?”
“I don’t know, you seem… distracted.”
“This shit with Homecoming is giving me a headache, that’s all.”
He clapped his hand on my shoulder and chuckled. “So make your life easier and tell Zara it’s not happening.”
“You saw how she was with Sofia and Poppy. If I pull out now she’ll take it out on them.”
“I think they can handle the likes of Zara.”
But I didn’t want them to have to. Not after everything that happened recently.
“It’s one dance,” I said.
He shook his head. “More like your funeral.”
“Aaron, son, come in.”
I entered Coach Ford’s office and sat down. “What’s up, Coach?”
“A couple of things. Firstly, I wanted to say thanks again for helping the girls Friday. It’s a huge relief knowing you’re always in Poppy’s corner.”
Guilt streaked through me.
“Uh, sure thing,” I managed to choke out.
“Second thing. I wanted to give you a heads up that I spoke to the recruiter down at Iowa.”
“And?” I sat up straighter.
“It’s not a definite yet. Not by any stretch. But they wanted to let me know that they’re considering you. We should know more by the end of the week.”
“What’s your gut telling you?” I asked.
I shouldn’t have asked. I didn’t want to get my hopes up. But this was a big deal.
A huge fucking deal.
“I don’t want to jump the gun, but it sounded positive. This could be the one, son.”
Shit.
Shit.
“Okay.”
The University of Iowa was a good school with a good program. Sure, it was a little further than I anticipated going but this was all I’d ever wanted.
“Just keep a level head, okay?” he said, and I nodded. “They could still come back and say no. So you need to prepare yourself for that possibility.”
“I know, I know. But thank you for telling me.”
“Yeah, well, I know it hit hard getting a no from Pittsburgh so I didn’t want to keep this from you.”
“I appreciate it, Coach.”
He gave me a small nod. “Now, how’s that shoulder looking? Our guy said your range of movement is better.”
“It feels good. The pain is nearly gone. I’ll be ready for Friday.”
He studied me, stroking his jaw in that contemplative way of his. “I’ll be the judge of that. But if he says you’re good to go, then you’ll be on my starting lineup.”
“Thanks, Coach.”
“Okay, get out of here. I’ve got a ton of paperwork to catch up on.”
I left the office feeling like a motherfucking king.
The Iowa Hawkeyes were interested and I was starting to think that maybe, just maybe, my luck was about to change.
“Yo, Carrick,” Dylan called. “Did you hear the news? Bennet’s going to be a Hawkeye.”
“I did not say that. I said they were interested.” I rubbed my temples. I hadn’t meant to tell half the team; I’d meant to tell Cole. But Dylan and Deacon overhead and the next thing I knew, they’d told everyone.
“About time he got an offer.” Carrick smirked. “I was beginning to think he’d be a walk-on at some Division II team next year.”
A few of the guys whistled, but I laughed it off, not letting him or anyone else see how hard his words hit me.
“Yeah, well. These things take time. You can’t rush perfection.” I held out my hand and Dylan high-fived me while Cole and Ezra watched on, unimpressed at my bravado.
But what was I supposed to do? Tell them all the truth? Admit there was every chance I would end up a walk-on somewhere?
“Oh my God, Aaron.” Zara practically ran over to me. “I just heard the good news. Iowa wants you.” She dropped in my lap and wrapped her arms around me.
“Whoa, Zar, that’s not… they’re interested. But there’s still a lot to figure out.”
“Well, yeah. I know. But of course they’ll want you. You’re a Raider.”
Cole arched his brow and Ezra chose that moment to excuse himself.
“I’m going to see Leigh.” He tipped his head over to where she sat with Sofia and Poppy.
“Actually, E, I think I’ll come with you.” Cole said. “This table is starting to get a little crowded.”
It was a low blow, but he was pissed about the whole Zara and this whole Homecoming thing.
“If you wait, I’ll come.”
“Go?” Zara whined. “But I just got here. I thought we could discuss plans for Friday. You know, everyone’s saying we’ll be crowned king and queen.”
Fuck my life. I wasn’t bothered about that. Not when my future was hanging in the balance. But of course she was because stuff like that mattered to girls like Zara.
“I can picture it now, Bennet.” Carrick snickered and I flipped him off.
“Keep talking, asshole, and let’s see how you like it.”
He glared at me but kept his mouth shut. He couldn’t afford to piss me or anyone else off. Least of all Coach Ford. But he had a point. If I was pronounced Homecoming king it would be a huge spectacle.
“Ignore him,” Zara said, scraping her nails along my jaw. “It’ll be fun.”
“Fun, yeah.”
“What’s gotten into you?” She studied me a little too closely. I didn’t like it because if she looked too hard, she might not like what she found.
“Nothing. I just have a lot on my mind.”
“You know.” She leaned in closer. “I could help you with that. I have some ideas of how to help you unwind.”
It happened in slow motion. Her hand slipped around my shoulder as she dipped her mouth to my skin, tasting me. Kissing me and dragging her fucking tongue up my neck.
“Zar,” I said, gently pushing her away.
“Oh, come on, Aaron,” she hissed. “I’m horny and you promised to make it up to me.” Her eyelashes fluttered as she thrust her tits at me.
Shit. I had said something to that effect the other week at the party when she’d wanted to fuck, and I hadn’t been into it.
“Yeah, but not here in the middle of the cafeteria.”
“So when? Tonight.” She ran a finger underneath the collar of my jersey. “You could come over and we could—”
“I can’t tonight.”
“Well, I have a cheer thing tomorrow and Wednesday, and Thursday is girls’ night. So Friday then.” She gave me a suggestive smile, all sin and seduction. Jesus, I was in deep shit. “Friday after Homecoming you owe me, Aaron Bennet. And I fully intend on collecting.”
She looked ready to kiss me again, but at the last minute, she drew back and licked her lips. “I’ve got to go. But think of me and everything you want to do to me Friday night.”
I let out a thin breath as she got up and sauntered away with an extra swish in her hips.
“Holy shit, Bennet,” someone said. “Please tell me you’re going to tap that at Homecoming, because if you don’t, man, I volunteer as tribute.”
The guys all exploded with laughter. But I wasn’t laughing. In fact, I was pretty sure my balls had crawled back up inside my body.
And when I locked eyes on Poppy across the cafeteria, the ground went from under me.
Hurt flashed across her face, but she quickly schooled her expression.
She’d seen everything.
Shit.
But we’d agreed, friends only. I wasn’t doing anything wrong. Besides, she had Eli.
She was dating Eli.
And letting you get her off Friday night.
I shut those thoughts down. No good could come from them. It was one time.
One moment of weakness.
I couldn’t go there again. I wouldn’t.
We could get through this weird patch and come out stronger for it. The same couldn’t be said if we kept crossing that line. Besides, if everything worked out with Iowa there would be almost a thousand miles between us.
My heart dropped at the thought. A future without Poppy. It had always been a reality but I hadn’t given it much thought before. Not when college and the future had always been a mere dream, hovering far off in the distance.
Now I couldn’t stop.
Losing her would be… Fuck, it would hurt.
But she would blossom at college. Poppy would flourish and she would make new friends and have new experiences and eventually, she would meet a new guy.
And that was something I had to accept.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Poppy
“I still can’t believe you told them we’re going to Homecoming with the swim team,” I murmured as I watched Zara fawn all over Aaron.
“Well, technically we are.” An amused smirk played on Sofia’s mouth.
“Yeah, but you made it sound weird. Like we’re dating all of them or something.”
“Good. Maybe my brother will pull his head out of his ass now.”
“Sofe.” I sighed.
“Yeah, I know. Sorry. She just makes me so mad.”
“You and me both.”
“You know we need to look killer for the dance, right? I’m talking the sexiest little dresses we can find.”
“And give my dad more reason to never let me leave the house again? He’s still pissed about Friday. I’m lucky he’s letting me go at all.”
“Imagine if he ever found out about you and Aaron. Now that I would pay to see.”
“Oh my God, Sofia. What is wrong with you?”
“What?”
“You know he considers Aaron like a son, right?”
“Yeah, that could be all kinds of awkward. Or.” She laid her head on my shoulder. “It could be a good thing.”
“You do know that there is no chance of me and Aaron working this out? He couldn’t have been clearer if he’d tried, Sofe. And the fact Zara is all over him right now is all the proof you should need.” I motioned to their table and Sofia groaned with disapproval.
“Guys.” She snorted. “Can’t live with them, can’t live without them.”
“Maybe we’re destined to go to college as virgins, after all.”
“Speak for yourself, sister. I fully intend on losing my V-card this year.”
“To who?”
“I haven’t quite figured it out yet. But it can’t be that hard. Guys like sex. Especially no strings sex.”
“And that doesn’t bother you?” My stomach dipped. “The no strings part?”
“It’s just sex, Poppy. We’ve got to do it eventually.”
“Yeah.” But I didn’t want to just do it. I wanted to do it with the right person. Someone I cared about. Someone who deserved me.
“Do you think Aaron and Zara have… you know.”
“What? God, no. She’s a total bitch,” she spluttered out.
“Yeah, but she’s so pretty and—”
And now I couldn’t stop thinking about it. About him having sex with Zara.
Oh God, I was going to puke.
Sofia whirled around on me. “Oh, hell no. Who are you and what have you done with my best friend Poppy?”
“Sofia…”
“No, Poppy. Listen, I get it.” Her eyes narrowed at me. “It sucks. I wanted you and my dimwitted brother to work it out too. But do not for one second think it’s because you are somehow lacking. You are beautiful and intelligent and you can defy gravity with your body… Any guy would be lucky, so freaking lucky to call you theirs.”
