Chapter 41
Evin
“Marco knows how to throw a party.” Darby slides a fresh drink in front of me.
“Money and influence help with that. Plus, I think he dropped your name a few times.”
“Psssst, these people don’t care.”
“You’d be surprised. DG Creations’ partnership with Brasher made its way through the circuit.”
“Whatever you say. I’ll argue he pulled the Governor of Virginia card to get special treatment.”
“Most likely.” I glance around the lounge packed with family and friends.
Customarily, this would be for VIP Suite ticket holders, but Marco secured the entire area. The staff was more than happy to accommodate his request, setting up a cocktail reception and all the pre-show extras. A few of the performers are chatting with Mom, Jill, and Maya while they take advantage of the photo-op.
There’s only one performer I’m thinking about, and she’s backstage preparing for her final performance as a member of this show.
Tonight is her night. Her swan song.
She will take her final bow.
Poppy Graham beat the odds. It’s taken seven months and a grueling training routine, but she didn’t let her injuries end her career. She’s leaving on her own.
Marco joins Darby and me. He’s a jittery, nervous mess.
“I’m not sure this is a good idea. Is she truly ready?”
“She’s ready,” I confirm.
“How can you be sure? And how can you be so calm?”
“He’s not calm, he’s trying to hold it together,” Darby answers for me.
I arch my eyebrows at her and she shrugs. “It’s a twin thing. Your nerves are fluttering in my stomach.”
“That’s a stretch.”
“Do you deny it?”
“No, but she’s been doing this for two weeks now. She’s a pro.” I don’t admit that the first time she took the stage for her return, my heart stopped. I purposely sat in the back in case there was a need for a quick escape.
There wasn’t. She was perfect. The same with every performance since.
“I can’t believe we’re standing here,” Marco goes on. “She told me it wasn’t possible.”
“She wasn’t in the right mindset at that time. You being here makes me question her mindset now.” My grin is short-lived when Darby pops me in the gut.
“Play nice.”
“Don’t worry, dear Darby, I know my son-in-law has a soft spot for me.”
“Hardy,” I mutter.
“I plan to enjoy my night out as an adult. For once, I’m not pregnant and there are two sitters upstairs in the suite with my babies. I can let loose and enjoy Vegas the right way, watching my fabulous sister-in-law.”
As if on cue, Pierce is at her side with another martini. She flashes him a grateful smile, takes a sip, and groans in appreciation. “God, I forgot how much I love these.”
“Go for it, baby, Maya and Cole will help me in the morning so you can sleep in.” He kisses the side of her head.
“Thanks for arranging this, Marco. It’s very nice.”
“Anything for Poppy’s family.” There’s an underlying despondence in his tone.
Darby slices her eyes to me and jerks her head in an obvious suggestion for me to say something.
“Poppy wanted you here, Marco. That speaks for itself.” I sip the bourbon and watch his reaction.
He gives a small grin. “Like I said, anything for Poppy’s family.”
When Poppy found out they cleared her to return, she had already decided. Her boss tried to change her mind but ultimately was amenable to her proposal. With only a month left before contract renewal, she got her two weeks in shows and then will train with her replacement.
My family jumped on the news, wanting to be here for her comeback show, but she persuaded everyone to wait. Then she called Marco and invited him personally and mentioned Karen was welcome to join.
I didn’t agree with her generosity until I understood her motives. Once again, Poppy had the upper hand. The invitation wasn’t about smoothing things over with Karen—it was a crossroads.
Natasha was discharged from her rehab facility today in Virginia.
Poppy’s last show is tonight in Vegas.
It is impossible to be in two places at once.
If she was serious about trying to reconnect with Poppy, Karen had to make a choice. She came to Vegas.
Something happened to Karen that day in December. It could have been the interview, the harsh reality of her life, or the way I laid her out, but whatever it was, she changed her tune. Marco admitted she came to him with a sincere apology, taking responsibility for her actions, and asked for his forgiveness. She knew their marriage was over and accepted it. She then asked him advice on how to proceed with Poppy. Unlike Marco, she didn’t have the excuse of the injury to rely on.
Whatever he told her—she listened.
Her first message to Poppy was a full apology. No excuses, no bullshit, no trying to justify her actions. It was a straight-out apology.
Poppy mulled it over for a week before responding with a simple acknowledgment. Since then, Karen messages every day, sometimes simple messages or links to something she thinks will interest Poppy. But always with the same ending, an apology.
I’m not ready to accept her into our life, but typical Poppy, she’s taking it in stride. Karen’s slowly chipping away at her resistance.
“Oh, good lord.” Darby sucks in a sharp breath. My gaze swings to where Scottie and Billy are walking in. Scottie is decked out in a shiny gold suit complete with crystal-studded sunglasses. They come straight to us.
“Don’t be rude,” Darby speaks to no one in particular.
Marco’s wide eyes swing to me. I shrug, taking a large swallow of my drink to avoid talking.
“Ashlyn and Miller are on their way,” Scottie informs us casually.
No one replies, Pierce keeping the rim of his glass to his lips.
“Andrew and Ryanne are with them.”
Silence.
“We’re late because Stephanie is brooding. She’s not happy about missing this. I’ll be glad when her baby gets here.”
Darby clears her throat. “Ummm, thanks for the information, Scottie.”
“Why is everyone mute?”
“Because I’m trying not to piss my wife off by saying you look like an idiot,” Pierce tells him.
“This is the perfect outfit for a night in Vegas.”
Billy drops his chin, but I catch his smirk.
“Y’all know nothing about style,” Scottie quips snidely.
“Neither do you, apparently,” I add.
He pulls the glasses down the bridge of his nose, peering at me over the rim. “Wait until we’re clubbing later. My outfit is all the rage.”
“We’re not clubbing later.”
“You may not be, but Billy and I are taking our beautiful bohemian out on the town. This is a big night.”
“Your flawless flower child has a husband that says no.”
“We’ll see. My guess is she’ll love my outfit.”
I can’t argue with that. It’s loud, flamboyant, and ridiculous, which means Poppy will love it.
“We’re getting drinks and mingling with people who can appreciate my awesomeness.” He waves us off, prancing to the bar.
“I packed his grey suit. Surprised the shit out of me when he came out wearing that,” Billy explains.
“Well, if anyone can pull it off, it’s Scottie,” Darby sympathizes.
“I’d better go over there. Looks like Annie is stealing his glasses.” He trails after Scottie.
“When Poppy introduced us this afternoon, he seemed normal,” Marco states with confusion.
“He’s eccentric; it’s an acquired taste,” I clarify.
“He’s also partially the reason you met Poppy,” Darby adds smugly.
“Now I really don’t know what to think about him.”
I slice my eyes to Marco. “Watch it, old man. Don’t forget the reason you’re standing here.”
Darby snorts as Pierce chuckles. Marco’s eyes light in a way that reminds me of Poppy.
“Don’t worry, I know I’m here to pay for the festivities and pack up a house.”
“You complaining?”
“Nope, it’s an honor.”
“Oh, we all have it under control. The sitters Ryanne arranged will be back tomorrow afternoon. All the women will have that house packed in no time.” Darby goes on to tell the plans I’ve heard about this week.
As expected, the talk Andrew had with Ryanne back in January went his way. She took a leap of faith, and moved to Charleston. Her job didn’t want to lose her so she went virtual and agreed to limited travel. She insisted it was an eight-week trial, knowing Poppy and I were keeping her house in Vegas if things didn’t work out.
No one argued, even though we knew the truth. This was working out. Andrew loves the crazy, outspoken, wildly unapologetic Ryanne just as she is. Unlike the men that came before him, he’s not interested in changing her. He wants to enjoy that every day. It took less than three weeks in Charleston and she was ready to put her house on the market.
I waited until we knew Poppy’s fate. Once she had the details secured, the house sold in less than four days. Ryanne signs the papers on Tuesday.
It worked out well that everyone is here at the right time. We’ll load the U-Haul tomorrow night once the house is packed. Dozer and Austin will start the trek to Charleston on Monday. Janie will fly back with the rest of the family. Ryanne and Andrew will drive her car after she closes on Tuesday. And that leaves Poppy and me living back in the Bellagio until her job is done.
“The entertainment has arrived,” Marco announces.
My attention is drawn to the side where Isaac saunters in, wearing a custom-made suit and his million-dollar smile. He goes to Grady, shaking his hand and is immediately assaulted by Cole.
“Traitor,” I grumble.
“You invited him,” Pierce counters, not hiding his grin.
“Poppy invited him.”
“Poppy has a soft spot for him,” Marco goads, and my eyes cut to him.
“I don’t get the animosity. I thought it was all water under the bridge-type stuff. Isaac turned out to be a good guy. Why the raging bull?” Darby’s question is aimed at me, but it’s Pierce who answers.
“Baby, the man may have redeemed himself with his screw-up, but he still dated Poppy.”
“So what? We know what didn’t happen there.”
Pierce’s eyes shift back and forth, and then his chin tilts in silent communication. She catches on and her jaw drops.
“You hold a grudge because he was her boyfriend?”
She gets it. The man touched her, held her, slept in the same bed with the woman who fucking owns me.
“Yes,” I answer unapologetically.
“Are you kidding? That’s the most hypocritical and ludicrous thinking. It’s like saying Tommy Ashes, who I dated my senior year and spent prom night with is a threat.”
An icy chill settles in the air, Pierce’s face a mask of stone. He takes her martini, sets it on the table, and grabs her hand. “Excuse us.”
She points at me. “I’m not done with you. After I deal with my overbearing husband, you’re next.”
He hauls her away, and Marco chuckles at their departure.
“Never a dull moment with your family.”
I nod in agreement. He doesn’t know how right he is.
Chapter 42
Poppy
I stare into the dim and empty theatre, digging through memories. It seems like a lifetime since I stood in this same spot, doing the same thing, all those years ago. That girl with such big dreams and aspirations is barely recognizable in my brain.
The excitement and sense of accomplishment remain, but tonight is different. The excitement is about what lies ahead.
My eyes are on the VIP section where, an hour ago, people that mean so much screamed and cheered as I gave my final bow on this stage.
Scottie and that outfit—there was no way to miss him.
The unashamed shine in Marco’s eyes visible from this far.
The girls screaming their heads off. Annie and Lynda hugging and crying.
Isaac Blake with the men, smiling down with approval.
And Evin, front and center, his arms crossed, eyes locked to me, beaming. Pride, acceptance, adoration all filled me inside, and I know my instincts are leading me in the right direction again.
A prickle tingles the back of my neck, and I twist to find Dante waiting quietly. “You ready, Pips?”
“You didn’t have to wait for me.”
“We walked in together, we walk out together.”
A lump lodges in my throat at that memory, and my fingers go to the tattoo on my hip.
“With me this time.” Ryanne steps around him. The faint splotches on her cheeks that tell me she’s been crying.
“Ryanne—”
She throws a hand in the air. “Stop right there. I just calmed down. It took me an hour to do my makeup and you ruined it in three minutes. My false eyelashes came off on Andrew's shoulder, and the perfectly crafted smoky eye was more like a horror movie queen.”
“Sounds tragic.”
“It was mortifying.”
“You did an outstanding job on recovery.”
“That’s because I’ve been at your dressing table doing damage control while you’ve been reflecting.”
At the word reflecting, my attention goes to the enormous water feature that is the highlight of the stage. “Dante, do you remember the first time we both aerial-dove into the pool from the platform?”
“I remember like it was yesterday.”
“I have that same excitement and adrenaline. The uncertainty, the anticipation, the fear… all of it. Last time, the water was my safety net; this time, it’s Evin.”
“I love that for you, Pops, but you don’t need anyone else. You’ve always been your own safety net.”
“That’s why you don’t need to worry about me. I’m content and at peace with my decision.”
“We know, but this is important to us. The end of an era.”
“You know I’m back here on Monday in my new position.”
“Not the same.”
I nod, sweeping my eye around once more, and join them, linking my elbows through theirs.
The lobby explodes with cheers when the door opens. Dante takes me in his arms and twirls us, dipping me low—like that first night. When he puts me back on my feet and we bow, my gaze goes to the spot.
The spot he’s always waiting for me.
Evin’s perched on the wall, one leg propped at the knee, his arms crossed and eyes zeroed in on us. Possession, fire, and love all drill into me, heating my skin.
He pushes off and I meet him halfway. “Did you enjoy the show?”
“Stunning.” He touches the flower behind my ear before threading his fingers through my hair.
“You waited in our spot.”
“Always.”
My heart explodes and my body moves on its own, leaping into his arms and wrapping around him. I kiss him hard and quick. The noise behind us fades away.
“We did it.”
“You did it. I was along for the ride.”
“I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“Yes, you could.”
I scrunch my eyebrows and twist my lips, pretending to think about this. “Maybe without you, but definitely not without Rexwell, Jesse, Cal—”
I’m cut off when his mouth closes over mine and he sucks my bottom lip between his teeth.
A throat clears loudly behind us, and I toss my gaze over my shoulder. Speaking of… “Hey, Dr. Rexwell.”
“Poppy, you have truly amazed me. I can rarely say that.”
“Not so bad working with a dancer, is it?”
“No, young lady, but you’ve set the st
andard.”
I fist pump both arms and fall back, relying on Evin to support me. “Medical Journal Miracles, here I come!”
This gains another roar of laughter as Evin juggles me to a sitting position.
“Most of this crowd is set on hitting a bar. You make the call.”
I scrub my nails along his cheeks and jaw. “Darby and Ashlyn aren’t pregnant and have sitters, all our crew is together for the first time in forever, and Scottie’s wearing that fabulously gaudy suit. Tonight, we celebrate. Let’s recreate our first night in this city, except this time you’ll kiss me on the dance floor, and at the end of the night we’ll end up naked and sweaty.” The last part is whispered for only his ears.
His eyes flare, his fingers digging into my ass. “Fine by me, but Scottie stays clear of me.”
“I heard that, Evin Graham!” Scottie yells.
“Will you let her down so the rest of us can congratulate her?” Annie hustles up.
A movement to the side catches my attention. Karen is hugging the wall, her face carved with anxiety. A stitch tugs at my heart, and I climb down, shooting Evin and Annie a silent message. He sighs unhappily, taking my hand.
He’s not letting me go alone.
“Hey, Karen.”
“Poppy, you were….” she trails off and swallows hard, “… exceptional. Your performance was breathtaking.”
“Thank you, it was kind of you to come.”
“There is nowhere else I’d rather be.”
The sincerity of her words has me reaching over to touch her arm. Regardless of her choice to be here, it was a tough decision. “Have you heard from Tasha?”
“She’s with her sober companion. Marco and I will meet with her in a few days.”
“I hope that goes well.”
“If I would have gotten her help years ago, maybe this wouldn’t be my life.”
“Don’t,” Evin growls, tugging me protectively to his side. “Deal with your guilt on your own time.”
She nods like a scolded child.
“We’re having celebratory drinks at the bar by the casino if you’d like to join.”
Evin’s grip tightens with disapproval.
“I don’t know if it’s appropriate.”
“I’m inviting you, Karen.”
Evin's Fight (Southern Charmers Book 3) Page 44
