5

“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.

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.