“True.”
She wiggles against my waist. “I can see why you’d want our private pool now.”
“Property, view, pool, big house, and a gate to keep these fuckers out.”
Her smile grows so wide it fucking pierces straight to my heart.
“Nice battle scars.” Pierce pulls our attention upward where he’s standing with Devin in his arms and an all-knowing grin.
“Oh, hell,” Poppy groans, taking a large gulp.
Devin is wearing one of those body inflatables and not happy about it. He sees us, lunging down with a screech. Poppy moves off me, placing her drink on the side of the pool and reaching up. “Come here.”
Peirce crouches to hand him over and warns, “His good mood is limited. He didn’t get a decent nap. Darby’s hoping to wear him out.”
“Evin and I can handle wearing him out.”
Pierce flashes her an appreciative grin and goes to join the other men. I lean back on the edge, sipping my beer and watching them. He’s trying hard to get close, but the inflatable is in his way, which pisses him off.
He wails and I step over, unzipping the back and easing it off while she balances him. The minute it’s off, he dissolves into her, laying his head on her shoulder.
She kisses along his temple, staring at me, and our thoughts are the same. I can’t fucking wait until this is our life.
“You’re the baby whisperer.” Ashlyn swims up quietly.
“He’s just tired and cranky.” Poppy bounces him until his eyes are closed.
Darby comes out, takes one look at the scene, and sighs in relief. She strips off her cover-up and joins us, her smile appreciative. “Thank you. Mom took him all over town today, and he was too wired to sleep.” She slings her eyes to me. “I don’t want to know, don’t want to hear, but you better have a good excuse when the other kids get here and see your back.”
“Got it.” I place my beer on the deck, kiss the side of Poppy’s head, and take Devin in my arms. “Enjoy, baby, I’ll put him down.”
Pierce motions to the large lounger under the veranda already set up for him to sleep.
When I join them, Jackson’s arrived, and there’s a beer waiting for me at the bar. “Thanks,” I say to no one in particular, settling into a barstool. Miller turns on the TV to SportsCenter.
“Man, I hate to bring this up, but what’s your take on Poppy’s family situation?” Pierce asks what everyone is undoubtedly thinking since Poppy shared her story.
“There isn’t a situation. Poppy cut those ties. As far as I can tell, the Bindels kept up their end of the deal. His life in politics doesn’t touch her.”
“Marco has gone to great lengths to ensure that.”
The hair on the back of my neck prickles at Scottie’s remark. It isn’t an off-the-cuff statement. There’s a sense of confidence there. I slice my eyes to him, barely controlling the irritation brewing in my chest. “Why do you sound so sure?”
“Because I looked into the Bindels. Don’t tell me you didn’t do the same.”
A deep growl rumbles in my throat.
“I have the talent, skills, and resources to dig deep and get answers. Especially when it affects the people I care about. Glaring at me like a raging bull won’t change that.”
“Scottie, maybe you should tell us what you uncovered while digging into his wife’s past without their permission.” Pierce tries to smooth the tension.
“Marco Bindel’s original campaign manager eight years ago had the right strategy. The pre-taped interview Poppy did gave them the leverage to keep up appearances. It didn’t air for a few weeks, buying them time to get their stories lined up. To anyone who asked, the campaign maintained the front that Caitlyn Bindel was fulfilling a lifetime dream of dancing and performing around Europe.”
“That has nothing to do with Marco. That was the campaign manager scheming and protecting his candidate,” I point out.
“This is where it gets interesting. Toward the end of the campaign, Marco had his personal lawyer draw up an iron-clad non-disclosure and confidentiality agreement for Tasha.”
“Why is that interesting?”
“The Senate race was heating up, the opponent’s popularity was spiking. Having Poppy surface and join the campaign could sway the voters. The timing coincides with when she returned and Karen was pressuring her to rethink her decision. According to my source, Marco made it clear she was to remain untouched. This agreement specifically prohibited Tasha from harassing Poppy. He knew she was a ticking time bomb who was unpredictable. They instructed everyone to stick with the original story that Poppy was dancing and to never discuss details of her life.”
“What were the repercussions if she refused? The campaign was up and running. They had spent millions of dollars. Was he going to walk away and ruin his career?”
“Something like that. I’m waiting on those details.”
“Anyone else completely fucking confused on this man’s motives?” Jackson clips.
“This is where it gets weirder. Marco hired a no-name outsider as an advisor. He retained the campaign manager but relied on this guy and his lawyer to guide him. His only concern was Caitlyn. The advisor wasn’t popular on political circuits, but he knew his shit. Marco kept up with the ruse of Poppy dancing and her desire for privacy. It worked.”
“Fuck me,” I mutter. “Does he know where and who she is now?”
“They all stuck with her returning to California.”
I knew California was where Cirque held their auditions, and that’s where Poppy was for a very brief time.
“Why?”
“Because that’s the last known place for her during her auditions? I’m looking into it.”
“A good private investigator and simple social security search would tell him all he needs to know.”
“My gut says Marco was protecting her.”
“He has a shitty way of showing it. For years, she busted her ass while they watched on. Then he walks away and protects her?”
“The important thing is Poppy’s living free, and the Bindels are all happy in the political world. There is absolutely no reason for their paths to cross.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I catch the women coming from the pool. Poppy wraps herself in a towel, grabs my shirt, and struts over.
“Shit,” Jackson draws out under his breath.
“If you’re ogling my wife, I’ll kill you.”
His gaze drops to my back and his face lights up. “Nice. Lucky bastard.”
“Hey.” Poppy slides between Scottie and me, laying the shirt over my shoulder. “Your parents will be here soon. Put on your shirt.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“Damn, look at that!” Miller gets all our attention to the television where Isaac Blake is full-screen with pre-season replays. “Evin’s wiping the floor with us again this year.”
Poppy’s eyes cut to the screen and back to me. “I didn’t know he was on your team.”
“He’s not. At least, not anymore.”
“Since when?” Jackson inquires.
“Since I got back from Vegas in July.”
“Why did you drop him? Are you crazy?”
“Nope.”
Poppy purses her lips, her shoulders shaking until she can’t hold back. “You are a caveman.”
“What am I missing?”
“Evin’s a little sensitive that I dated Isaac in college. He wasn’t exactly a faithful boyfriend.”
A hush falls over the crowd as every man takes this in. Pierce’s body goes hard, him understanding more than anyone.
“Good call on dropping him.” He takes a long slug of his beer.
Poppy squeaks, “You all are crazy.”
I link my arm under her ass and hoist her onto my thigh. “Get used to it, gorgeous. This is your life.”
Chapter 20
Poppy
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Ryanne asks for the fourth time.
“Yes, go e
njoy your trip.”
She plops next to me on the couch, blowing out a breath. “I hate leaving you.”
“You’ve traveled for years. Why are you acting weird?”
“Because you’re depressed and it’s not cool to leave you alone.”
“I assure you it’s not depression. It’s lovesick.”
“Ugh, that’s even worse. If anyone else said that to me, I’d whip their ass into shape.”
“Lucky me.”
She picks up my hand and twirls my wedding ring. “Evin called me last night. He’s not happy about you here by yourself.”
“Like the rest of you, he’s overacting. It’s a few days. Plus, I have tons to keep me busy.”
“Never thought I’d dig the overprotective brute style, but he’s changing my mind.”
“Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”
“Don’t get any ideas. There’s a fine line between overprotective and controlling. Chris Hemsworth’s kind of assertion isn’t controlling, it’s hot. He doesn’t want to change you. My experience with it has been opposite.”
My head bobs in understanding. “You just have to find the man who knows the difference.”
“Apparently, Charleston’s where it’s at.”
“I think it’s more about the man than the location.”
“Maybe, but I’ve given Vegas a chance. Can’t wait to try my luck in a new spot.”
My mood instantly lifts. As I suspected, Ryanne and Dante both took my plans about moving next year to heart. Dante may not be ready to give up the performance lifestyle that soon, but Ryanne’s reaction surprised me. She admitted to wanting a change and has no problem starting over in a new city. Unlike me, she is tight with her family, and most of them are in Florida. South Carolina would be a good choice. Her family will be closer, but not too close, and she’ll have a built-in network with Evin’s family and friends.
“I can’t wait for this weekend. You will love everyone.” I sigh dreamily, thinking about the crew arriving on Thursday.
My phone rings, and I’m surprised it’s a Facetime request from Maya. I am immediately struck by her puffy, splotchy face.
“Oh, no,” Ryanne whispers, leaning in.
“Maya, what’s wrong?” I ask, my stomach churning.
“My mom!” she wails, tears pouring down her cheeks. “She’s ruining everything.”
My first reaction is relief that nothing is seriously wrong, belatedly realizing an adult would have already called. The relief is short-lived when it hits me I’m way out of my depth here. Teenage girls and their mothers are like powder kegs, and this is most likely none of my business.
“Honey, calm down. Take a few deep breaths, let it out.” I inhale loudly to demonstrate, and she does the same until her lips are barely trembling anymore. “Better?”
“I think so.”
“Tell me what’s on your mind.”
“Mom is putting up a fight about me missing school for this trip. She’s claiming my math grades are suffering.”
“Is that true?”
“Aunt Poppy, we’ve only been in school two weeks. Nothing has had time to suffer. We don’t even have grades yet.”
I’ll never tire of hearing Aunt Poppy, but the crack in her voice overrides any joy. “I’m not there to get a read on the situation, but maybe your teachers could give you the classwork to do?”
“Dad already asked and they had no problem with it.”
Okay, good. My suggestion was in line with Pierce, which means I haven’t overstepped.
“It’s not the work, it’s… it’s…”
The truth slams into me, and Ryanne observes me sympathetically. “It’s me,” I finish for Maya.
She nods, sobbing again. I’m Darby’s sister-in-law, which makes me the enemy forever. I only know what I’ve heard second-hand about the woman, but none of it is positive.
“That woman is a menace,” Ryanne mutters softly.
“Okay, let’s try to calm down again. Tell me what happened.” My voice is soothing, even though anger builds in my chest.
She huffs and puffs rapidly, swallowing hard, and lets out a long breath. “We were at mom’s last night and things were fine. This morning, she told me I’m not allowed to go out of town. When I got to school, I tried to let it go, but by third period it was too much. I called Darby to come get me, but Mondays are her busy days. She sent Dad, and when he saw me, he lost it, calling mom. They fought and she said some awful things I overheard. She’s not budging on this, saying you’re not even family. Then she said if he puts me on a plane, she’s taking him back to court. Dad hung up on her. He’s mad.”
My heart breaks for her, and the anger simmers to a boil. Ryanne leaps up and crosses the room, grabbing her phone.
“Maya, they will work this out. You can’t let yourself get upset.”
“This is important to me.”
“Sure, it is, you’ve been looking forward to this trip.”
“It’s not the trip. It’s you.”
“Me?”
“You’re my aunt now, right?” The hesitancy in her tone sets me back in dangerous territory.
I’m an aunt through marriage to her step-mother. To Pierce and the rest of the family, that is still family. Connie disagrees.
I decide to take my chances. “Yes, I’m your aunt.”
“You’re awesome. You’re a professional performer and that couldn’t be cooler. I want to see you so badly. And my mom is ruining it!” We’re back on the verge of tears.
Ryanne flashes her phone to me, and I read over the text thread quickly.
Ryanne—Heads up, Pips has a very upset Maya on the phone. What should we know?
Darby—Pierce is on the warpath and I’m trying to diffuse World War ten at this point. Welcome to life with Connie. Sorry to drag Poppy into this, but Maya idolizes her. We’re working things out. Pierce will make this happen for Maya.
Ryanne—Okay, we’ll try to calm her down and let her know things are going to be okay.
Darby—I appreciate it and will call later. Now I must try to calm my raging bull of a husband, so I’m not stuck with four children visiting the jail every week.
I grin at the last comment and focus back on the hysterical teenage girl. “Maya, I think you’re beautiful and sweet and it hurts to see you this upset. Why don’t we calm down and let the adults handle this? Sometimes, it’s out of our hands.”
She nods, fingering at the necklace I gave her. “You’re right.”
“Think about something else. Fill me in on school.”
“Better yet, tell me about the cute boys.” Ryanne shoves herself back on screen.
The splotches on Maya’s face fill in pink, and she presses her lips together shyly.
“Oh, this looks juicy.”
“Promise not to tell Uncle Evin?” Maya directs the question to me.
I hesitate a bit too long and Ryanne elbows me. “Ummm, I guess?”
“Never mind. I’m telling Darby tonight. She has to help me with Dad.”
“What are you telling her?”
“Chad Mason asked me to come to his football game next week,” she squeals. “He’s in eighth grade and the quarterback, which is beyond cool. He’s the cutest boy in school, and all the girls crush on him. My best friend said he’s asked no one to come see him play. But yesterday, he walked up to me and…”
She rambles, detailing everything about their encounter, and my chest burns for a different reason. Sweet Maya has a serious crush.
After a few minutes, she’s breathless, and her mood has done a complete turnaround. Peirce calls her name in the background. “I better go. Thanks, Poppy, for listening.”
“Any time, see you soon.”
We disconnect, and I fall back on the couch. “That was an emotional rollercoaster.”
“Yes, it was. Hate to do it, Pips, but I have to leave.”
“Let me know when you get to the hotel.”
“I’ll text. And you
keep me updated on what’s happening with that situation.”
“Will do.”
She gathers her things and waves goodbye.
My phone beeps with a reminder and I haul myself up, grabbing the folder for my appointment, and head out. The entire way toward the strip, Maya’s call replays in my head. God, I’d love to be there next week to see what happens at that football game.
I turn into the parking lot and shoot off a quick text to Evin.
I Love you.
It’s simple and to the point. He’s busy this week and needs to focus since he’s coming here for ten days starting Friday.
“Here goes nothing.” My hand rubs the stone around my neck for luck.
Elliot is waiting for me in the lobby with a kind smile. “Poppy, you ready to do this?”
“Ready as I’ll ever be.”
“I look forward to meeting Evin.”
“Let’s hope he doesn’t kill me for this. It’s a surprise.”
“The best kind of surprise.”
I follow him to the elevator, hoping he’s right.
Evin’s silence stretches out, and my euphoria of the day dies quickly.
“Say something.” I pick at the ruffle on my pillow.
“Let me get this straight. Ryanne gets on a plane to Seattle, Dante is in Colorado, I’m across the motherfucking country, and you met with a realtor by your goddamned self?” he roars so loud, my eardrum rings.
“Honey, we know him. He’s a friend of Dante’s.”
“I don’t care if he’s in line for sainthood, you never meet with a man in a strange place, especially when I don’t know where the fuck you are.”
“Evin!”
“Warning you, Poppy, it’s been a shit fucking day. Connie's drama is usually hilarious, but today it fucking pissed me off because she stepped onto my turf. Insulting you was a big mistake. Then I find out you already know Connie’s up to her bitch ways. Now it’s three in the fucking morning and you share you met with a man to tour sublets?”
Oh boy.
“Okay, I should have rethought sharing until tomorrow.”
“The hell you should. My wife meets with a man to view apartments, I should have been the first to know.”
Evin's Fight (Southern Charmers Book 3) Page 21
