He loved this game, this team. It radiated from every single inch of him. Aside from his family, football was Dad’s life. And he wanted nothing but good things for each and every one of his players.They ran the play again, and again, slightly tweaking the arrangement. Defensive players charged at Ezra but he was fast. Really freaking fast. How he’d never ended up playing football before this season was still a travesty. But football wasn’t important to Ezra, not the way it was to my dad. To Aaron. And the rest of Rixon.Everyone thought Aaron was the laid-back, easygoing joker of our class. He didn’t take himselftoo seriously or put too much pressure on himself. But I knew better.Aaron was his own biggest critic. He’d lived in his dad’s shadow ever since the first time he held a ball in his hands. He was just damn good at hiding it, at protecting himself from the inevitable disappointment. Because he truly believed he wasn’t good enough. He wasn’t the star quarterback or the rising

“Whoa, whoa, now just hang on a minute.” He clambered off the bed and stood. “I’m not sure I’m equipped to deal with the technical questions. Maybe I should get Mom.”“But I thought you wanted me to talk to you about this stuff?”His brows crinkled as he stared down at me. “I am here for you. I am prepared to kick the ass of any guy who doesn’t treat you right. But, sweetheart, there are some things a father never ever, under any circumstances, needs to hear.”Aaron“I GOT US HOMECOMING TICKETS,” Zara said the next morning when she accosted me outside my locker.“You did what?”Her brows furrowed with annoyance. “I got us Homecom—”“I heard you the first time, Zar. You thought that would be a good idea. Why exactly?”“Because it’s senior year, and I’m the cheer captain and you’re the football captain so it makes sense for us to go together. Besides, who else would you go with?” Who else indeed.My eyes searched the hall for any signs of Poppy but I hadn’t seen her yet.Or Hannigan.“S

We both laughed, and it was the first time in days I felt lighter.Now if only I could figure out what to do about Poppy… And my future.“Didn’t expect to see you two here,” I said to Ezra and Ashleigh as they slipped into the man cave later that evening.After my heart to heart with Sofia, we’d come out here to hang. I’d texted Cole and Ezra inviting them, but I hadn’t actually thought Ezra and Ashleigh would show.“You invited us.” He frowned.“Yeah, but I didn’t… I’m just surprised you managed to put each other down for a minute.”“Asshole.” Ezra smirked. “I hope you’re kicking his grumpy ass,” he said to Cole who was taking his shot.“No Poppy?” Ashleigh asked, and I pressed my lips together.“She’s… studying,” Sofia answered for me.“And is studying code for ‘out with Eli?’” Ashleigh slid her gaze back to mine and I shrugged.“Hell if I know.”“What’s going—”“Leigh Leigh, come keep me company.” Sofia made grabby hands toward her, and Ashleigh chuckled, pressing a kiss to Ezra’s

“That sounds kind of dangerous.”“We could go to Bell’s and get someone to sneak some drinks.”“Too risky.”“Hang on. I have an idea.” She whipped out her cell phone and started texting someone.“What are you up to?” “We could go to Halston.” “Halston?” I balked.“Yes, it’s perfect. We can visit Peyton and I bet she can take us to a bar.”“You do know she’s only eighteen still, right?”“Yeah, but it’s Peyton. She’ll be up for it.”“And what about Xander? He’s not going to like it.”“Well it just so happens Dad, your dad, Cameron, and Xander have poker night on bye week. And tonight it’s the Chases turn to host which means—”“Peyton is home alone.”“Bingo.”“Should we invite Ashleigh?” I asked, a kick of excitement skittering through me. I hadn’t seen Peyton in forever since she couldn’t make Ashleigh’s birthday. Sofia was right, this was the perfect solution.“No, she’ll tell Ezra and he’ll tell Aaron and then it’ll be a big thing.”“You’re right. Although she hasn’t even said yes yet

They needed me.“Come on,” I said, shouldering my door and climbing out. The security guy didn’t look twice as we slipped inside. Music pulsed through me, the air thick and heavy. I pulled out my phone and texted Poppy.Me: We’re here. Where are you?“Aaron, thank God,” Peyton appeared looking flustered.“What happened? Where’s Sofia? Poppy?”“They’re okay. They’re in the back. Come on.” She grabbed my hand and I motioned for the guys to follow me.The hulk of a security guy let us follow her through a door marked ‘PRIVATE,’ the skin along the back of my neck tingling with awareness.What the fuck had happened tonight?But when I ducked into the room Peyton disappeared into, I would have never predicted the scene in front of me.“What the fuck happened to you two?” I said as I scanned my sister and Poppy propped up against each other on a table.Sofia pursed her lips and groaned, “Hi, Brother.” But Poppy barely looked at me, and it hurt.It hurt so fucking much that the girl who used