Broken Ties Page 2

  “Uh, yeah,” I murmured, my stomach dipping at her knowing glance.

  Sofia knew how I felt about her brother. It was an unspoken thing between us. But she didn’t push. Because Aaron didn’t feel the same—he never had.

  A trickle of awareness went through me and I knew, the way I knew the sky was blue and the grass was green, that he was behind me.

  “We’re heading out,” he said.

  “Already? But it’s still early,” Sofia said.

  His eyes burned into the back of my head, but I didn’t look at him. I couldn’t.

  “Yeah, we have plans though.”

  “What plans? And why weren’t we invited?”

  He chuckled. That deep rumble of amusement that always made my stomach dance. “We might have shared space in the womb, Sofe, but that doesn’t mean we have to share everything.”

  “Ew, gross.”

  “See you tomorrow,” he said.

  “Guess we’re not cool enough for you now you’re captain of the football team,” she called after him, and I finally peeked over at his retreating form.

  Cole glanced back, shrugging a silent apology.

  Sofia tsked. “It’s totally gone to his head. He’s like a different person.”

  “It happens to the best of them,” Lily said, and she and Sofia broke into a conversation about the team’s chances for the season.

  But I was too busy watching Aaron walk away. Wondering how we’d gotten to this point. Was he really so clueless that he didn’t know how I felt?

  Or had he simply decided to ignore the elephant in the room?

  Either way, it was too late now.

  I was dating Eli. And he was flirting and kissing cheerleaders at every turn.

  As far as I was concerned, he was free to sow his wild oats wherever he wanted.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Aaron

  Cole was pissed at me.

  He sat across from me on the opposite side of the firepit, beer in hand, glowering at me while the rest of the guys from the team goofed around.

  “Come on, Kandon, one smile won’t kill you.”

  His eyes narrowed. “What’s going on with you?” he said.

  “What? Nothing.” I sipped my beer, staring at the flames dancing above the pit.

  “You’ve been like a different person since the start of senior year.”

  “I haven’t—”

  His brow arched, and I swallowed the words on the tip of my tongue.

  He wasn’t entirely wrong. Things had been different since school started back. But we were seniors now, and I had a lot riding on this season.

  My entire life had been building to this moment. I was Asher Bennet’s son. He’d been a Rixon Raider back in the day. He and his best friends, Cameron Chase and Jason Ford, had won the championship in senior year, and each had gone on to play Division I football in college.

  Now it was my turn. I couldn’t really explain it, but it felt like a rite of passage. A legacy I needed to uphold. It was a part of me, the same way blood flowed through my veins and oxygen circulated my lungs.

  I’d never been the star of the team. I didn’t play quarterback or catch the eye of the top college recruiters. But I was committed and knew the game, and I worked my ass off for my team.

  And I wanted it.

  I was thirsty for it.

  So fucking thirsty.

  “Hey, Cole.” Madison Staines appeared, her big eyes drinking up the sight of my best friend.

  “Hey,” he said, barely looking twice at her.

  “I was hoping we could talk.”

  “Yeah, bro.” I chuckled. “You should go talk.” Maybe she could help him remove the giant stick from up his ass.

  “Not tonight, yeah. I’m busy.”

  Dejection shone in her eyes as she stuttered out, “O-oh, okay. Maybe another time.”

  “Seriously?” I gawked at him as she walked off. “Have you lost your goddamn mind?”

  “Lay off it,” he murmured. “I already told you, I’m not interested.”

  “That’s the thing though, you’re never interested.”

  He drained his beer and stood. “You should worry less about my love life and more about your own.”

  “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” His accusation plunked in my chest like a stone.

  Something caught his eye behind me and his lips pursed. “You’ve got company.”

  I glanced back to see Zara Willis strutting toward us. “Oh fuck,” I hissed under my breath. “You invited her?”

  “Like hell I did,” Cole said. “She must have found out from one of the guys.”

  “Ugh.” Just what I didn’t need.

  “Cole,” Zara said, reaching us. I kept my eyes on the flames, refusing to meet her heavy stare.

  “I’m going to get another beer. Try not to kill each other.”

  The traitorous motherfucker left me with her.

  “Can we talk?” she said.

  “We have nothing to say.” I glanced up at her. It was impossible not to trace her curves. Narrow waist, long smooth legs, and a rack most guys would die for. Zara Willis was a pretty package hiding a Grade-A bitch underneath.

  But she stood there twirling a strand of her glossy blonde hair around a finger, with lust and seduction shining in her eyes and fuck, it was hard not to be affected by that.

  “Come on, babe. Don’t be like that. I was a bitch.”

  “You can say that again.” I huffed.

  We’d kissed at a party the other weekend and Zara had gotten the wrong idea. Told everyone we were together… We weren’t.

  She dropped onto my lap, sliding her hands over my shoulders, smiling down at me in that way few guys could resist. “You know we’re destined, Aaron. You’re the football captain, I’m the cheer captain. It’s the natural order of things.”

  “I’m not looking to play games.”

  “Neither am I.” Her hands ran down my chest, and she curled her fingers into my t-shirt. “We could be so good together.”

  I stared at her. Big dark lashes framed her pretty eyes as she smiled at me. Most guys would kill to be me right now… so why the fuck did I feel like a heavy weight was pressing down on my chest?

  You know why.

  I shut that voice down. It wouldn’t get me anywhere good.

  “I’m not looking to go steady, Zara.”

  “Who said anything about going steady?” Her lips curved with devious intent. “But we could have some fun.”

  “Fun?” My brow lifted.

  Girls like Zara had fun until they got their claws so deep into you there was no backing out.

  “After last year, it’ll be good for optics.”

  I couldn’t argue with that. The team and cheer squad had suffered some bitter rivalry after Coach’s eldest daughter caught the eye of last season’s star quarterback. But he’d also caught the eye of the cheer captain. Things had gotten pretty cutthroat and caused Coach and his daughter Lily some heartache.

  “Come on, Aaron.” She smiled, her eyes heavy-lidded and dark with lust. “I’ll make it worth your while.”

  Heat snaked through me. Zara knew exactly what buttons to press. But she didn’t know my secret.

  I was in senior year and still a virgin.

  Because there had been a girl once.

  One of my best friends.

  The object of all my desires.

  Poppy Ford was everything I’d ever wanted. Sweet, funny, loyal. She was one of my favorite people in the whole world.

  There was just one glaring problem.

  She was Coach Ford’s youngest daughter…

  And my sister’s best friend.

  “Good morning, Son,” Dad said when I entered the kitchen. “Where did you get to last night?”

  “Hung out at Cole’s.” I grabbed a juice box from the refrigerator.

  “You know, kid. I remember what it was like senior year. Riding the high of my final season, the parties… the girls…”

  “Relax, Dad, I know the deal.”

  He held up his hands. “All I’m saying is don’t lose sight of the end goal. If you think senior year is intense, wait until you get to college.” Gentle laughter rumbled in his chest.

  “You had Mom,” I said around a smile. “There’s no way she let it go to your head.”

  “You’re right.” Mom breezed into the room. “She didn’t.” She dropped a kiss on Dad’s cheek before heading to the coffee maker. “You were out partying again last night?”

  “Chilling. We were chilling,” I corrected.

  “Just don’t lose sight of—”

  “The end goal.” I moved around her but stopped to kiss her cheek. “Yeah, yeah, Dad already gave me the lecture.”

  “We’re not lecturing you, Aaron. We’re just aware you’re under a lot of pressure.”

  “Not this again.” Sofia shuffled into the kitchen, bleary-eyed and yawning.

  “Something you want to tell us, sweetheart?” Dad’s brow went up at her bedraggled state.

  “I didn’t sleep well. Is there coffee?”

  “Fresh pot,” Mom answered. “I’ll make it. Sit.” She went over and pressed her hand to my sister’s forehead. “Are you feeling all right?”

  “I feel fine. Exhausted, but fine.”

  “You let me know if you start to feel sick, okay?”

  “Sure, Mom.” Sofia dropped her head onto her arms and I glanced at Mom.

  “And you worry about me burning the candle at both ends.”

  “I’m fine,” Sofia murmured, lifting a hand in a small wave.

  “Where’s Ezra?” Dad asked.

  “Probably over at the Chases’.”

  “He’d better not—”

  “Morning.” Ezra clapped Dad
on the back.

  “We were just talking about you.”

  “What’s up?”

  “Do you know when you and Ashleigh might want to go to New York yet?”

  “It’ll have to be a bye week or we’ll wait until after the season ends.”

  “Listen to you.” I chuckled. “Who knew Ezra Bennet could be such a team player.”

  He flipped me off behind Mom’s back.

  “It’s good to see you so motivated, Son,” Dad said. “After everything…”

  “Let’s not go there.” Ezra clicked his tongue.

  It had been a rocky few years for Ezra and our family. He was our foster brother—adopted brother now—and had found it difficult accepting things. Accepting that we loved the shit out of him and wanted to make him a Bennet permanently.

  “You’re right.” Mom smiled at him. “The past is the past. We’re only focusing on the here and now, and the future in this house.”

  “Is that official guidance counselor speak?” Dad’s laughter echoed through the room.

  “No, that’s Mya Bennet knows best speak.” She wrapped her arm around his neck and dipped her head to kiss his cheek.

  Ezra and I smiled. Maybe it was a bit gross watching your parents paw all over each other, but it had never really bothered me. I liked that they still had a spark. Sure, I didn’t want to see too much PDA, but their relationship, the way they’d weathered every storm that blew their way, together, was something to strive for.

  “Are you riding with Ashleigh?” I asked my brother, and he nodded.

  “You know, we could all ride together.”

  “Do you really want to ride with them?” Sofia’s head popped up. “They can’t keep their hands off—”

  “Less talk about hands and other body parts over breakfast, please and thank you.” Dad grinned, and I smothered another chuckle.

  “Okay, I’m out of here.” Ezra tore open his protein bar and waved it at us.

  “Ashleigh’s here already? But it’s still early.” Mom frowned. “Why do you need to go in so earl— oh. Oh.” Her eyes crinkled as me and Dad started laughing again.

  “And on that note, I’m out.” Ezra left and Mom turned her attention on me and Dad. “Should we be worried?”

  “About E? No way. He’s happy.”

  “Yeah.” Her expression softened. “He is, isn’t he?”

  “Life is good, my love.” Dad brought her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles.

  “Can you two please stop?” Sofia said. “It’s just too much cuteness for this time in the morning.”

  “At least you think it’s cute and not gross.” Mom smiled.

  “No way. It gives me hope.”

  “Hope?” Dad asked.

  “Yeah, you two were high school sweethearts and stayed the course.”

  “Something you want to tell us, Sofia?”

  “No. I just mean most guys of today are so… flaky. It’s nice to know that true love still exists.”

  “Oh, it exists, but it’s rare, baby.” Mom kissed Dad’s cheek again before going to the refrigerator.

  “What your mom is trying to say is that when you do find it, you hold onto it. But when you’re older, sweetheart. Much, much older.”

  “Typical,” Sofia huffed.

  “What? I’m just saying there’s no rush for all that.”

  “Ash,” Mom warned, and I fought a grin.

  This was typical them. Dad got carried away and Mom had to rein him in.

  I was definitely more like him than her.

  “You want a ride to school?” I asked Sofia, and she shrugged. “We’ll have to stop and get Poppy.”

  Her name rippled through me.

  There had been a time when I’d have been the first person at her door, wanting to ride together.

  But everything was different now.

  We’d grown up and things that once had meant nothing, now meant everything.

  “Aaron?” Sofia stared at me with a strange expression. “If you don’t want to—”

  “No.” I forced a smile. “We can get her.”

  “Why do I feel like I’m missing something?” Mom said. “Did something happen between you and Poppy?”

  “Nope,” I said at the same time as Sofia said, “She’s dating Eli Hannigan.”

  “Eli seems like a good guy.” Mom launched into a recital of all Eli’s good qualities. His gleaming GPA, successful swim career, his plans for the future. But I shut it all out.

  If Eli was who Poppy wanted, I was happy for her.

  I was.

  Even if it meant I’d lost her.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Poppy

  “Poppy. Aaron and Sofia are here.”

  Crap.

  He wasn’t supposed to be here. I snatched my cell off the desk ready to text Sofia and ask her what the hell she was thinking.

  But that would suggest I cared.

  And I didn’t.

  At least, that’s what I wanted her and Aaron and the rest of the world to think.

  I was done being the girl in love with her best friend. It was exhausting.

  My entire life, I’d been his best friend, his confidante, his partner in crime… but I’d never been his girl.

  I’d never been the girl he looked at and wanted to kiss or touch or love.

  Jesus, I needed to get a grip.

  Senior year had made everything more intense somehow though. Aaron had cheerleaders hanging off him at every turn. He was hot property. The guy all the girls wanted a piece of.

  That hadn’t been a big surprise. Aaron was gorgeous. Tall, dark, and handsome, he had his father’s piercing blue eyes, a tanned complexion thanks to his mom’s Latina roots, and some new ink that gave him that bad boy edge.

  What was surprising was the way Aaron ate up the attention. The first time I’d seen him in the cafeteria with Zara Willis—head cheerleader and vapid mean girl—draped all over him, I’d thought I was seeing things.

  Aaron had the attention of most of the girls in our class. Of course he wasn’t going to ever notice me. But Zara… did it really have to be her?

  “Poppy—”

  “Coming, I’m coming,” I yelled, stuffing my cell phone in my pocket.

  Checking my reflection, I grabbed my bag and swung it over my shoulder.

  “Morning, sweetheart,” Mom said when I entered the kitchen.

  “Hey, Mom.”

  “You look a little flustered, are you feeling okay?”

  “Fine, I’m fine.” Plucking a banana from the fruit bowl, I went over and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Busy day at the clinic today?”

  “Every day is busy.”

  “I might stop by later. I need my puppy fix.”

  “Great. I’m sure they’d like to see you. We just got a couple of dachshund puppies in and they are adorable. I sent Lily a bunch of videos yesterday… so cute.”

  “Cute, right.” Of course, she hadn’t thought to show me. I fought the urge to roll my eyes. “I’d better head out.”

  “Okay, have a good day. Say hi to Aaron and Sofia for me.”

  “I will, see you later.”

  My heart fluttered wildly in my chest as I made my way out of the house.

  Sofia waved from the passenger seat in Aaron’s car, and I climbed in the back.

  “Hey,” I said.

  “Sorry about the last minute change of plans. Jerk face asked me if I wanted a ride and I’m so freaking tired, I said yes.”

  “It’s fine.”

  I made the mistake of glancing up and Aaron caught my eye in the rearview mirror. Dropping my gaze, I found something on the floor interesting. Aaron murmured something under his breath, but I didn’t acknowledge it.

  “Big game Friday?” Sofia asked.

  “Every game is a big game, Sis. We’ve got a championship to defend.”

  “Don’t I know it. It’s all Dad and Jason talked about last night. They’re hailing Cole and Ezra, saviors of the team.”

  “Jeez, thanks. It’s not like I’m captain or anything.”

  “Aaron, I didn’t mean—”

  “I’m joking.”

  He wasn’t though. I heard the tightness in his words, the slight inflection in his voice. I knew him almost as well as I knew myself.

  At least, I thought I did.

  I wasn’t so sure anymore.

  “So who was at Cole’s last night?” Sofia changed the subject.

  “Just a few guys from the team.” He shrugged. “It wasn’t a big deal.”

  “You couldn’t have a night off and hang out with your family?”