by Bijou Hunter
“I don’t care what you say to me. I’m hooked.”
“Because I’m hot or a virgin or both?”
“Both and neither. I’m hooked because you’re Poppy.”
The girl loses her smile and stands up. Thinking she’s offended, my brain thinks back at my words.
“Very well played,” she says, sitting on my lap and wrapping her arms around my neck. “You may kiss me for two minutes. Let’s set a timer.”
Before Poppy can go for her phone, I plant a wet kiss on her surprised lips. She gasps into my mouth before melting against me. Poppy lets me wrap her tightly in my arms. She allows me to slide my fingers into her hair and enjoy the soft strands. She even permits me to suck hungrily at her tongue. Poppy is all kinds of agreeable.
But she manages to stop us around the two-minute mark. I don’t know how her internal clock works, but the damn thing is punctual as hell.
“Do you want to take me out to dinner this weekend and we can kiss more?” she asks, wiping my lips with her thumb. “The more we kiss in public, the more people will think of us as a couple, and I won’t have to worry so much about pervs staring at my hot bod or hooches grabbing yours.”
“My dick says yes.”
“And your brain?”
“It hasn’t worked since you sat on my lap.”
“Fair enough,” she says, sliding seductively off me. “The question still stands.”
“If you want something, I’ll give it to you.”
“I don’t want a pet, Emmett.”
“Don’t you?” I challenge.
Sitting across from me, Poppy tosses her hair over her shoulder. “Okay, maybe a little, but I don’t want you losing your balls. The guy I’ve been fantasizing about for the last two years has a big brass set. I’d like that to continue.”
Poppy’s words are magic, but the meaning is even better. She knows she belongs with me. I’m the only guy she needs. Hell, I’m the only fucking one that exists, leaving us on the same page. No other woman will do when I know Poppy exists.
10 Train Wrecks - Poppy
Like a gentleman, Emmett brings me home early. I know he’s playing a game where he’s the eternally patient guy willing to wait for me to find my way into his bed.
I also know despite his good behavior he’ll be on his knees begging for sex within a week. There’s nothing patient about his kisses.
I’m no lady, and I don’t mind putting out with Emmett. Unfortunately for him, I’m not a saint, either. I ache to torment the crap out of him before I give in. I mean, when will I ever have such power again in my life? No, I really ought to make him literally beg on his hands and knees before I drop my panties.
Watching him drive away, I smile at how I can still feel him on my skin. Through his shirt, I felt his heart beating hard and fast for me. All of his impressive maleness hungers for what only I can provide.
Damn, power is intoxicating, yet I’ll need to be careful with our kisses. Stopping him when he tastes so good won’t be as easy in the future. No doubt I’ll crave just a bit more until I won’t be able to stop at all.
In the house, my sisters and mother wait for me. I don’t know where Jared is and I assume the kids are in bed.
Justice wraps me in a tight hug. Before I can ask if someone died, I catch her sniffing me.
“She’s still a virgin,” Justice announces before returning to where Journey waits on the couch.
“It’s our first date,” I point out.
“You were planning to wear a cutoff shirt?” Journey asks, shaking her head. “Someone needs to use her vibrator more.”
“Why?” I ask, tossing off my shoes. “I have a real life penis at my disposal now.”
When Mom sighs, I wait for her to say something about her baby growing up. Instead, she pats my head and nods.
“You are very mature.”
Journey and Justice share an eye roll before the former tugs me onto the couch.
“Did you have fun?”
“Yes.”
“Did he pressure you?”
I laugh at her expression. Journey smiles, but Justice pretends to be worried.
“We know how easily persuaded you are,” Justice says, playing up her concern.
Mom hugs me and won’t let go. “My baby is growing up.”
“This is embarrassing. When you came home from your first dates, I asked horrifying questions. You three have clearly dropped the ball.”
“Speaking of balls, what is your stance on sucking them?” Justice asks.
Journey and I laugh, but Mom only shakes her head and finally frees me from her death grip.
“She should be thinking about her long-term plans rather than servicing a man.”
Justice snorts. “That would mean a lot more if you weren’t a big slut who banged our father in a parking lot.”
“We didn’t bang,” Mom growls. “We only kissed. The banging happened behind closed doors.”
“That’s not what it looked like to us, the Kroger patrons, and God,” I say, emphasizing the last word. “For shame.”
“Let’s not make this conversation about me.”
“Well, I assumed it would be about me, but you’re not asking any interesting questions except for that balls one. Oh, and to answer Justice’s question, I will give ball sucking a try. If it’s gross, I’ll probably write a long rant about it on Facebook.”
“Good to know.”
“Did he feel you up?” Journey asks.
“No, but he wanted to.”
“Did he hump you at all?”
“No, but his dick nearly tore a hole through his pants after we made out.”
“Again, good info to have,” Justice says. “Has he mistakenly called you ‘Poopy’ yet?”
“No, but I assume that’ll happen when we fuck. You know because of all of the blood rushing to his pee-pee region.”
“This is fascinating stuff.”
“I’m going to bed,” Mom mutters.
Journey snickers. “All the ball and dick talk made someone horny.”
Mom gives her oldest daughter a nasty frown, but Journey only laughs harder. Justice pretends to be horrified, though.
“That’s our daddy she’s about to use for sexual stimuli. I just don’t know how I feel about that.”
Mom tells me goodnight but ignores her lesser daughters before disappearing down the hallway.
“Want to watch TV?” Justice asks Journey and me.
“Don’t you need to go home?”
“No. Court filled up at the restaurant tonight and dozed off already. The kids are in bed. I’m a free woman.”
“How about you?” I ask Journey.
“Donovan is watching a Western, and the boys are sleeping. No way do I want to head home yet.”
Cuddling between my sisters, I turn on the TV and flip through the channels. Finding only crap, we decide to check out a Bob’s Burgers episode from the DVR.
Despite my big talk, I’m relieved they’re here. I felt so powerful and sexy with Emmett nearby. Now I’m left a little uncertain. What kind of impression did I make on our first official date? Had I come on too strong? Was he only biding his time until my cherry was his? What happened after we exchanged fluids? What did I even want to happen?
11 Train Wrecks - Emmett
My place is too quiet, so I end up at The Rock Tavern. I’d rather spend the evening with Poppy, but she’s not mine yet. So I watch Lethal Weapon on the big screen TV in the nearly empty club bar. The waitress brings me a fresh beer every half hour but doesn’t waste time trying to make small talk. Like most local ladies, she knows where my heart belongs.
It’s nearly eleven when my phone rings. Not a lot of mothers would call their sons so late, but Adriana Mercer isn’t most women.
“Hey, Ma.”
“Where are you? It’s loud in the background.”
“I’m at the club bar, watching a game.”
“You spend too much time there alone. When was the las
t time you had a home cooked meal?”
“Are you offering to come visit me?”
“I would if I could, Emmie. You know I would, but the Charleston boys are still smarting from your decision to leave. They wouldn’t look too kindly on my visiting you.”
“It’s been over two years.”
“That’s club life. You know how they feel about members walking away.”
“Well, I don’t regret a thing even if I miss the shit out of you, Ma.”
“I miss you too, baby, but that’s not why I called. I wanted to know how your big date with Poppy went.”
Smiling, I close my eyes and think of Poppy wiggling her ass on the golf course whenever she took a shot.
“That girl is wrapping herself real tight around my little finger.”
“You’re being sweet to her, aren’t you?”
“Of course. She’s a keeper.”
“I know you’ve been waiting a long while. I just don’t want you to come on too strong.”
“I know how to date.”
“Not really.”
“I’ve had plenty of girlfriends.”
“Those girls never mattered to you. They weren’t special like Poppy.”
“Yeah, she is special. I love watching her think. You can see her working things out in her head and I never know how she’ll respond. She’s a smart chick. Smarter than me, that’s for sure.”
“Does she treat you nice?”
“Yeah, but not too nice. Makes me work for what I want.”
“Good. You’re lazy, Emmett. Always have been. If she makes it too easy, you’ll half-ass this thing and I want you to have something special.”
Hearing worry in her soft voice, I say, “I’m doing good here.”
“You need a family around you to keep you grounded. Some men don’t, but you’re not them.”
“Maybe, but I can’t push Poppy for something she isn’t ready for. The girl just turned eighteen.”
“I know, and I’m not pushing you. I’m just worried in the way I’ve been worried since you moved out there. I miss checking on you.”
“Those last cookies were something extra special.”
I feel a smile on Ma’s face. Her life revolved around her family until one day they were all gone. She was our rock, but never able to keep us from ruining what we had. My sister chases bad men and attacks the women in her way. My brother has never seen a lame con he couldn’t fall for. My dad is simply one of the dumbest fuckers to ever exist. He once got drunk and crashed into a police car speeding by with its lights on.
Through it all, Ma held strong. She made our home a sanctuary from all the stupidity we created, but now she’s alone. I know she had a busy life with friends and work. My ma doesn’t spend her days weeping over what could have been. Nonetheless, I hear the worry in her voice that I’ll fuck up this thing I’m building with Poppy for the same reason all the Mercers ruin things. Stupidity runs strong in my family.
12 Train Wrecks - Poppy
My father isn’t a sexy biker like Jared. He can’t win a fight. In fact, he even got sucker punched by Journey years ago. Paul Adams isn’t a special person. He isn’t even that nice of a man and can be a straight up asshole most days.
But I’m a bitch so I can’t hate on him too much. When I do talk crap about him, I do it behind his back. Whenever we talk on Skype, I try my damnedest to be a dutiful daughter.
“Hey, hon, did you have a good birthday?” Dad asks while fixing the few strands covering his bald head.
“Yes. I had a lot of cake and presents, and a boy asked me on a date. I’m super happy.”
“What boy?”
“Why did you zero in on that?”
“You haven’t mentioned a boy before.”
“Why do you seem so surprised? Did you worry I was a lesbian like Journey?”
Dad gives me a weird frown. “I thought she married a man.”
“No, she’s living in sin with a man. Same difference, I guess.”
“Not really.”
‘Yeah, it’s about the same.”
“It’s not that similar actually.”
“Well, yeah, it is.”
This back and forth continues until Dad gives up and changes the subject. “Have you considered what we talked about?”
“You mean about you wanting me to try a short haircut like Justice?”
“I never said that.”
“Didn’t you?”
“No, Pauline, I didn’t.”
“Mom calls me Poppy. Did you know that?”
My father gives me a stern gaze, but I only smile. “Is that your way of saying you knew that?”
“Yes, I knew that. I am curious about when you’ll apply to a college out here in Indy.”
“I don’t remember us talking about that.”
“Yes, you do.”
“Maybe a little, but the details are foggy.”
“Does West Virginia even have colleges?”
“I hope so since a few of my friends are attending them in the fall. Wouldn’t it be so weird if they showed up to something that didn’t exist?”
“You need to go to college, Pauline. We’ve discussed how bleak your future will be without it.”
“I remember you describing a post-apocalyptic wasteland ensuing if I didn’t receive a college education. I also remember saying something about my having no interest in attending college.”
“Waiting for college is a mistake. You should go when you’re young.”
“I don’t think people should go to college until they know what they intend to do with their lives. How else can they focus if they don’t know what to focus on?”
“College will help you grow up.”
“You mean the keggers and roofied sex? Yeah, I’ll grow up real fast.”
“I enjoyed college,” Dad says as if this ought to sell the idea for me.
“Of course, you did. What guy wouldn’t enjoy the keggers and roofied sex?”
“You sound like your mother.”
“I doubt it. She’s a nice person who says nice things.”
Based on his Facebook statuses, my father doesn’t know what to do with me. He also thinks I’m wasting my potential. My situation is very tragic, and he receives many sympathetic likes.
“My plan,” I explain, “and I feel like I mentioned this before, but I’ll say it again because I need you to understand. My plan is to bum around with various jobs for the next few years until I know what career I’ll enjoy. Then I’ll go to college while working and eventually get a degree in something rewarding. You’ll be very proud. Mom will cry at my graduation. Journey and Justice will seethe with jealousy. Life will be perfect. The end.”
“That’s all very nice, but dating boys can stop you from that plan.”
“Wouldn’t I date boys at college? You know with the keggers and roofied sex?”
“Do you want to end up like your mother?”
“You mean a beautiful, successful woman with a hot lover and three adoring children? Sure, I guess, but I might want to do something different too like end up miserable and alone. I haven’t totally decided yet.”
“Do you want me to hang up?” Dad threatens.
Paul Adams is free to pull the angry man routine whenever he wants, but he really ought to know better than to mess with me.
“Why didn’t you call me on my birthday?” I immediately ask.
Despite knowing the question is coming at some point, Dad stammers, “I had to work.”
“For twenty-four hours straight? And you didn’t get a single moment to call or text or send me a cute gif of a unicorn farting rainbows? Wow, your job is tough. Did you go to college for that ball-busting position?”
Paul narrows his eyes at me. He likes to poke and prod people, wearing them down. I like doing that too. We both know I’m a helluva lot better at it.
“Good night, Pauline.”
“Good night, Biological Father.”
After he hangs up, I r
est on my back and laugh at his final expression. Okay, so maybe my version of the dutiful daughter isn’t the same as most people’s, but he’s lucky I love him enough to even try to be nice. Though I might share his last name and chin, I’m all Earlham.
13 Train Wrecks - Emmett
Poppy bounces down the porch steps and hurries to where I stop my Harley. I don’t know why I expected her to make me wait, but I’m still startled by her appearance. She’s all smiles when I cup her soft cheek.
“Is it safe to kiss you?”
Poppy twists her lips and sighs. “That’s a pussy question, Emmett. Are you a pussy? I refuse to date a man afraid of my sister.”
“I was thinking more about your step-dad.”
“Jared isn’t my step-dad. He’s my sisters’ dad.”
“If he marries your mom, he’ll be your step-dad.”
Poppy glances back at the house before gazing at me with big eyes. “What have you heard? Is Stache gonna pop the question?”
I answer by wrapping my hand around the back of her neck and pulling her closer. Her pink lips know what’s coming. Parting, they let me take what I’ve been craving since I last tasted her.
Poppy moans slightly before tensing in my grip. She must realize we have an audience. Normally, I wouldn’t care except her family has no problem firing water pistols at people, and Poppy received a water cannon for her birthday.
Not looking to take another shower, I gesture for her to get on. Wearing heels, Poppy joins me carefully.
“What’s with the shoes?” I ask since she’s also wearing shorts and a tank top.
“Got them at a garage sale yesterday. I think they make me look glamorous without me having to do anything. You know how I like not doing stuff.”
“Glamorous is a good look on you, baby.”
“I think they make my legs look longer,” she says, lifting her left leg so I can admire the bare, shiny skin.
“If you ask me, your legs didn’t need any help,” I murmur, running my fingers over her flesh.
Poppy makes a choked sound. We’re playing with fire while a nosy army lurks nearby with plenty of water to cool us off.
“Hold on,” I say, shifting on the bike, so my hard dick has more room.
