Chapter 16
There are certain people that cross your path in life whom you will change your entire direction to follow. That was Poppy when I met her at seven years old, and that is Poppy this evening as she strides toward me on the night of my brother’s wedding.
She’s dressed in a short, bronze, sequin gown with long sleeves that reminds me of sparkling chocolate.
My eyes drink in her curves beneath the fabric that looks like it’s been painted on.
The wide neckline shows off her delicate collarbone, courtesy of her short blonde hair that’s swooped smoothly off to one side.
A shimmering gold dust illuminates her skin, complimenting her thickly-lashed emerald eyes.
She’s complete and total elegance.
I blink and my mind flashes back to the day I met her in that muddy yellow dress out in the park.
She was a mess but still so confident. The history we’ve shared together makes this moment even more special.
What she meant to me in my past is just as important as what she means to me in my present.
These past few days we’ve spent together since we danced by the food truck have reminded me how wonderful our friendship can be.
How easy and effortless. But it’s her inner beauty I see through all the sparkles that makes me desperate to know what our future holds and how I can continue to be a part of her life… forever.
She looks me up and down, a soft smile tugging on the edges of her lips. “You look rather fetching.” Her tone light and jovial—a far contrast to the intense feelings soaring through me at this second.
I clear my throat and adjust my thin black tie while staring at her glossy lips. “You’re as pretty as always, Poppy.”
My words are small and childish, but they feel like everything I never said as a boy or as a man. She’s always been stunning. I just never allowed myself to really look.
Her smile falls as I step into her space. She looks up at me, still a few inches shorter, even in her wedge heels. Desperate to feel her, I reach out and cup her cheek. Her eyes close and I stroke my thumb along her soft, pale skin.
I caress her and she feels like mine. She feels like she fits.
Like she should be with me, on my arm, going to this wedding by my side.
Not with someone else. An urgency overcomes me as a crippling fear descends.
What if she falls for this man? What if she kisses this man?
What if she stops spending time with me because of this man?
Can I really sit back and watch her leave tonight with someone else?
“Booker,” she whispers. Her voice is thick with emotion, but she isn’t opening her eyes. “What are you doing?”
The air feels heavy. The pressure of these feelings push my head down like an uphill ascent on a rollercoaster.
Truthfully, I don’t know what I’m doing.
I’m touching her because I need to. I have to.
It’s not a conscious choice. My mind knows that this is wrong.
That touching her leads to other things.
Things that don’t have a guarantee. Things that could make her leave me.
“I—” I’m interrupted by a sudden knock on the door.
Poppy’s eyes crack open and she turns her head, pulling her face out of my hand. “That’ll be Andrew.”
I blink rapidly as my hand drops and I step away from her. The silkiness of her cheek still tingles my palm. “Andrew from the gym?” I ask, my fists clenching at my sides.
She nods and turns, her wedges thumping as she walks over to the door.
I’m paralysed. Glued to my spot on the floor.
My head aches as I listen to her greet him.
He says something stupid in his thick Scottish accent I can barely understand.
She laughs that familiar husky laugh and then they fall silent.
I force myself to look toward the door. Poppy is gazing over her shoulder at me nervously. Her hand clenched tightly on the knob, as if she’s wisely shielding my view of the man on the other side. “Is your…erm…date coming here to meet you?”
I tug on my earlobe and reply, “I’m going to go pick her up.”
She nods. “I’ll see you at Tower Park then?”
I half smile and it hurts. The simple lift of the corner of my mouth pains me as I watch her wave and slip out the door without another look back.
“If Booker Harris doesnae fall for ye after tonight, I’m turning straight and dating ye myself, Poppet. Ye look pure, dead brilliant. A proper bonny lass.”
I smile politely as Andrew ushers me into his little yellow sports car. Glancing up before he closes the door, I say, “Can we maybe …not talk about Booker? Or my plan? Or my past? I’m feeling completely ridiculous about it all.”
Andrew frowns and nods politely, shutting me in the car and walking around to his door. He slides in and the space practically expands with the scent of his cologne. He puts his hand on my balled-up fist. “Let’s have some fun, shall we?”
I smile into his big brown eyes. “I’d love that.” He winks and pulls out of the parking stall.
“So,” Andrew asks after we’ve been driving a few minutes. “Where we headed?”
“Tower Park…for a wedding.” He looks at me in silent question. “It’s Tanner Harris and Belle Ryan’s wedding. They’re getting married on the pitch. Sorry I didn’t tell you before. They were worried about the press finding out.”
“Bloody hell!” Andrew exclaims, whacking the wheel with his palm as he hoots with excitement.
“This is going tae be fantastic! I’m no a Bethnal Green fan, but ye’d have tae be deed tae no ken who the Harris Brothers are.
Tanner and Belle had that big scandal in the papers earlier this year.
Caught bollock naked in a car or something.
By the sounds of it, Tanner Harris has turned shit around and is no quite the wild boy he once wis! ”
He giggles naughtily and I can’t help but giggle, too. Andrew’s enthusiasm is cute. “Maybe don’t mention that story tonight.”
Andrew nods dutifully. “Of course. So, who else will be there?”
“Well, Camden will be there with his fiancé, Indie, who is Belle’s best friend.
Then their oldest brother, Gareth. I don’t believe he’s bringing a date, but I could be wrong.
He’s always a mystery. Their sister, Vi, will be there with her fiancé, Hayden, and their baby, Rocky.
And a nanny, I believe, because Vi says she intends to party tonight.
Then of course their dad, Vaughn. Oh, and Belle’s older brother, Ronald, and his wife. ”
“Brill. No Belle’s parents? Her dad’s a judge or something, right?”
I nod. “Yes, but he won’t be there. You’re actually taking his place.”
He lights up. “Does this mean I get tae walk her down the aisle?”
I shake my head and try to hide my laugh. God, Andrew is adorable. “Doubtful, Andrew. But fingers crossed for you.”
A few minutes later, we pull up to Tower Park and are directed into a special parking area inside a fenced-in lot.
All is quiet as we make our way to the door that’s guarded by security.
He checks our IDs and marks our names on a list and then directs us through a long, dimly lit hallway.
The ceiling is low, so Andrew hunches a bit to avoid the fixtures.
He reaches out for my hand when I nearly stumble on some cracked concrete.
“Is now a bad time tae tell ye that I’ve got a fucking hard on?
” he whispers in my ear as he helps me right myself.
My eyes widen. “Andrew!” I chastise.
“Big fucking football fan, Poppet.” His voice is trembling as we approach some lights shining around the corner. “I’m a Heart’s fan, but that’s no matter. This is the stuff all footy fan dreams are made of.”
I can’t help but laugh. He looks like a kid in a candy store. “Well, try to tuck it into your waistband if you can.”
He nods seriously. “Good thinking.”
We turn the corner and the pitch is illuminated in bright stadium lights.
A small number of white wooden chairs sit on a platform in front of a net that’s covered in a sheet of white lights.
From a distance, I see Vaughn and Gareth standing in their slim black suits, identical to Booker’s.
They appear to be talking to a female preacher.
Beside them is a man and woman with acoustic guitars in hand, plugging into amps and adjusting their stools and microphones.
Vi and Hayden are in the chairs, passing Rocky back and forth as they try to straighten the white, puffy dress she’s kitted out in.
Indie’s red hair blows in the wind from beside them.
She sees me approach and scurries over to us in her floor-length silver gown. “Poppy, you look beautiful!” she beams and reaches her hand out to Andrew. “Hi, I’m Indie.”
“Indie, this is Andrew,” I say as they shake hands.
“I’ve got a wee hard on!” he blurts and then his face falls, his neck and cheeks flaming red as Indie covers her laughing mouth. “I’m sorry, I didnae mean tae say that. I just mean I’m chuffed tae be here. Walking on this pitch is the most exciting thing that’s happened tae me all year.”
“No worries. It’s pretty impressive. And we won’t judge if you develop tumescence.” She glances down at his package.
“If that means a Chubby Charlie, then cheers.” He snorts out an awkward laugh and Indie and I can’t help but join in. Andrew is a bit of a wanker, but a sweet wanker.
Indie points to the sideline. “There’s a small bar over there with a few cocktail tables if you want to grab a drink before the ceremony begins.”
Andrew looks at me.
“White wine?” I ask.
“I can handle that. I hope they have champagne!” He squeals and heads over.
“So, how’s it going?” Indie asks, walking me toward the cluster of white chairs.
I roll my eyes. “Andrew’s great. Gay as the day is long, but Booker has no idea, so he’ll do for tonight.” I exhale. “As for everything else, I have no bloody clue. I’m more confused now than ever.”
Her face falls. “But why? Belle’s plans always work.”