3
Poppy
“Yeah, like that, except faster. Also, for the love of all things, stop thrusting your freaking hips,” I say, pointing to Cade. “We’re not making a porno here.”
“Or are we?” he throws back, moving his eyebrows up and down. “Because if you’re into it, we totally can. It wouldn’t be my first rodeo.” He makes some insanely weird face, like he’s trying to be sexy, but it’s just…not. “Ballerina meets hockey player. And he shows her his… huge stick.”
I’ve never felt the urge to laugh while also being disgusted at the same time. “Dude…no.” I shake my head. “Never going to happen. Never. Ever.” I drive my finger into his chest. “Ever.”
He pretends to pout, but I know he’s just joking. This is our second time practicing in two days, and I’m already starting to see how little he takes seriously. But it could have been worse. I could have been paired with someone else.
Someone like the traitorous asshole Walker James.
But instead, my roommate Lana is working with him. Which actually sucks equally as much.
The bliss of not having to partake in the fundraiser originally was quickly demolished a few days ago when Jolene called me. Apparently, Cade Huff’s partner injured herself, and now, I’m stuck working with debatably the biggest man-whore of puck boys, who also has the mind of a freaking child. Cade spends ninety-nine percent of our practice cracking jokes. Which is great and all, but I need him to learn this routine in the next few weeks.
On the bright side, he’s a pretty good dancer. But no way am I telling him that. If I did, his head wouldn’t even fit through the door to get in and out of the studio.
“From that move, we’re going to go to this.” I show him the next move, and once I’m done, I glance at him, nodding to the side. “Ready?”
“Babe, I was born ready.” He winks, and I restart the music.
Together, we run through the first thirty seconds of our routine, which is all I’ve choreographed so far. Going into this yesterday, I had no idea what sort of music we should dance to. But because I got thrown into dancing with Cade a week after practice began, Jolene was kind enough to let me choose our music—unlike the other couples, whom she chose for. And after spending an hour and a half with the infamous playboy, I realized it had to be something fun and carefree. And when I was walking home from work last night, listening to music, “What a Night” by Flo Rida came on, and I knew I had found our song.
Cade has this charismatic energy about him that you can’t really help but smile about. He might flirt or joke about sex, but he’s harmless. And considering how dark and dramatic my life has been lately, it’s sort of nice to spend time with someone who’s all…light and shiny.
“I think that’s good for today,” I tell him. Walking toward my bag, I grab a water from it and take a drink. “I’ll text you with some possible times to get together again and see what works for both of our schedules.”
Pulling his sneakers on, he nods. “Sounds good, Princess Poppy.” He stands. “Hey, need a ride?”
My cheeks heat. When he saw me walking into the parking lot yesterday, he asked me if I didn’t have a car. Then, he offered me a ride home yesterday and picked me up today. I don’t want to be his charity case.
“That’s okay.” I wave my hand toward him. “I don’t mind walking.”
He rubs his chin with his fingers for a moment before shaking his head. “Nah, wrong answer. No one likes walking that much.” He nods his head toward the door. “Let’s go.”
Giving him a shy smile, I trudge behind him as we head for the door. But before I get there, my eyes find those of a man who is staring at me through the studio window. My heart lurches into my throat, and I feel like someone just sucker-punched me in the chest.
Walker freaking James.
I might have been aware he was on campus, but nothing could have prepared me for this moment—seeing him for the first time in over three years.
And, yeah…he’s grown up—a lot.
*********
Walker
If there’s background noise, I can’t hear it. Hell, if the room was filled with smoke and someone yelled fire…I wouldn’t know it. Because the second I walked into this hallway and saw her dancing through the window, the entire world melted away. And all that’s left is me and the girl I haven’t seen in over three years.
The girl I’m supposed to hate.
But she’s not a girl anymore. She’s a fucking woman. A beautiful, sexy, enchanting woman. Who is still scrawny but has filled out in the right places enough to make me notice. I can’t tear my eyes from her even though I know I need to. Especially when her eyes find mine, snapping me back to reality. And then it hits me.
She’s dancing with Cade Huff.
Moments ago, his hands were on her body. And now, after freezing for a second, she’s following behind him, headed right toward me. As much as I like Huff, I want to fucking murder him right now for touching her. Because she’s not his to touch.
Sadly, she isn’t mine either.
“Walker?” Lana’s voice is muffled, though I know it’s just my brain making it that way.
I know I should look at her and acknowledge that I heard her. But as Poppy and Cade walk through the door, mere feet from me, I can only look at Poppy. Her green eyes do everything to avoid looking up at me, which is probably for the best because if she looked right at me, I might stop breathing.
“Sup, James?” Cade grins. “Got me a new dance partner.”
He slings his arm around Poppy’s neck, and I grind my back teeth together, swallowing hard. My entire body fills with rage, but I know I can’t act on it. How would Cade know how fucking crazy that girl makes me?
“Sweet,” I mutter, glaring down at Poppy, who looks straight ahead, avoiding eye contact with me at all costs.
“Hell yeah, it is,” Cade says slyly before bumping my shoulder with his fist. “Later, my man.”
As they walk outside, I watch them go to Huff’s truck and get into it. I feel sick, imagining him taking her home.
Fucking A. This day blows.
“Are you going to stare at my roommate all day, or can we rehearse?” Lana snaps. “Seriously, Walker, what is your deal?”
When Cade’s truck pulls out of the parking spot and drives away, I stand there, completely numb, for a few moments before finally turning back to Lana.
“Yeah. Let’s, uh…let’s go.” I inhale. “Sorry about that.”
As she walks into the studio, I follow close behind. She bends down, setting her things on the floor. Since we started rehearsing together, her every move has been intentional. She’ll lean forward, giving me a perfect shot of cleavage, or move her ass against my crotch, or rub her tits against me every chance she gets. And I feel bad because I don’t want any of it.
Lana is a gorgeous, attractive woman. And, yeah, I considered hooking up with her because she seems to want it so bad, and sometimes, I like to take my mind off the past by burying my cock in an eager chick. But now that I’ve seen Poppy, all thoughts of that are out the fucking window.
Tightening her ponytail, she gets positioned in the center of the floor. “You didn’t answer my question.” She raises an eyebrow. “What’s your deal?” She looks down. “Do you have a history with her? With…Poppy?”
“No,” is all I offer. Walking behind her, I plant my hands on her hips to begin practice. “Let’s just get this over with.”
“Fine,” she huffs out, annoyed as hell.
I won’t be worth a fuck this practice. Because now, the only thing on my mind is that dirty-blonde, green-eyed beauty with lost eyes and lips that curved down in a pouty frown.
Oh, and I’m feeling sick over Cade Huff and her being together right now.
***
Poppy
I stare out the window on the short ride home from dance practice with Cade. I knew I’d eventually run into Walker. I just didn’t think it would be today. Then again, nothing could have ever prepared me for that moment.
He looked at me like he had seen a ghost, and I knew right away that he had no idea I was here, attending college at Brooks.
I couldn’t bear to look his way when Cade and I walked by him. I was afraid of what would happen if I looked at him for too long. If I did, I’d probably be at his feet, begging him for forgiveness, even though I don’t think I’m the only one who has fucked up.
He’d left. He chose to break the pact that we had made. Briar had only followed his lead because he called the shots.
In my eyes, he’s just as much of a traitor as I am.
There has never been a day when I haven’t thought about Walker James. That I haven’t gone to bed, wearing his hoodie, closed my eyes, and pretended he was holding me. For so many years, he was my knight in shining armor. And then … he was gone.
Seeing him today felt like seeing a stranger. Because the last words we’d spoken made me realize that maybe I didn’t know him as well as I’d thought.
No one is ever really who they say, I suppose.
“You’re awfully quiet over there, Princess Poppy,” Cade drawls from the driver’s side of his truck. “I hope none of my jokes offended you. I was just playin’ around.”
I give him a small smile. “No, they didn’t. I’m just tired, I guess.”
Pulling in front of my house, he shifts the truck in park. “Is something going on between you and James?” He pauses. “He was staring at you like he might pass out. And then he looked at me like he wanted to put me through a window. Pretty sure that fucker’s eyes were black. And normally, he’s got some pretty fucking blue eyes.” When he sees the look of surprise on my face, he shrugs. “What? Dudes can notice these things too, you know.”
Wringing my hands together, I shift nervously in my seat. “No, definitely not.” I shake my head. “I have no idea what you saw, but you’re clearly delusional.”
He gives me a suspicious look, but reaches over and pats my hand. “If you say so, lady. But just FYI, that dude is a fucking scrapper. There’s been talk that even though he’s been living with his rich uncle for the past few years, he was basically raised in an abandoned junkyard and is a stone-cold killer. I don’t really want to be on his bad side.” Pulling his hand back, he spins his hat backward. “And that’s saying something because everyone knows I’m a complete fucking psychopath who loves fighting on the ice. And even I don’t want none of the snacks he’s packin’ in his lunch box.”
I snort at his weird analogy. I really can never predict what will come out of Cade Huff’s mouth. But I’m not surprised by any of what he’s saying. Walker is one of those guys who moves like he’s ready to attack. My brothers weren’t fighters, but Van always seemed to run his mouth to the wrong people and get into bad situations. Lucky for him, he had Walker James always willing and ready to back him up.
“Nothing is going on between me and Walker,” I assure him before pushing the door open. “See ya next time. Stay out of trouble.”
“I make no promises!” He cackles like a little kid who just got away with something. “Have a nice night, Princess Poppy.”
Shutting the door, I wave good-bye as he pulls out of the driveway before heading toward the front door. When I walk inside, Sutton and Ryann are painting their nails at the counter, giggling like they are sixteen-year-olds at a slumber party. I mean, I’ve never been to a slumber party, but I imagine that’s how it goes down.
“Hey, Pop,” Ryann says, blowing on her nails. “Come. Sit. Let me make those stubby little nails of yours prettier.”
Glancing down at my nails, I scowl. “What’s wrong with my nails?”
She scrunches her nose up. “Well, I mean … you chew them so much that I’m surprised you even have any fingers left.” Holding up a few bottles of polish, she widens her eyes and gives me a big smile. “If I put some paint on those bad boys, you will have no choice but to not bite them. Right?”
My eyes shift to Sutton as she twists the top onto the nail polish she chose. And when she glances up at me, she chews her bottom lip before standing. “I have some homework to do, Ry. Thanks for letting me use your nail stuff.”
“Anytime,” Ryann mutters, her eyes staying fixed on me. And once Sutton leaves the room, she gives me a pointed look. “Girl, do you always have to scare everyone out of the room every time you enter it? I mean, good gawd.”
Happily taking the seat next to her, I hold my hand out now that Sutton is gone. “Just an effect I have.” I shrug. “You’re welcome. Now, you don’t have to listen to her talk.”
“I like listening to her talk.” She shakes her head before twisting the cap off the polish and bringing it to my nail. “Good grief, girl. Why do you insist on being such a bitch?”
Ignoring the name-calling because this is just how Ryann and I talk to each other, I look down at the nail once she’s swept the brush over it. “Black?” I scoff. “Am I emo now?”
Glancing up at me, she narrows her eyes. “Black … just like your heart.”
I scowl at her, but don’t protest for another color because to be honest, I like the black. It’s edgy and dark, and it goes with everything. Not like I have a huge selection of clothing to choose from, but still.
“You act like you aren’t the same way,” I say, pressing my lips together. “I mean, just look at you with your poor dance partner, Watson Gentry—aka Brooks University’s very own golden retriever. I have seen you guys during practice. He’s so sweet to you, and you are straight-up rotten to that dude for no good reason.” I tsk her, rolling my eyes. “But now, here you are, all pissy with me for not being shoved up Sutton Savage’s asshole—which, I’m sure, smells like flowers. However, I hate to break it to you, with you already shoulders deep there, it’s too crowded!”
She doesn’t stop painting my nails. And she doesn’t look up at me either. She simply sighs. “You know that men are a trigger for me, Poppy. He might be known as the golden retriever, but to me, he’s just the dude trying to get in my pants.” She bobs her head from side to side like she’s having an internal argument with herself. “Well, guess what. I’m not falling for it.”
“You’re protecting yourself,” I say, thinking out loud. “From getting hurt by him.”
“Someone has to,” she utters. “Men are always sweet when they want something. But once they get it? Pfft … see you later, nice guy. Hello, dickwad.”
Ryann is the kindest, most down-to-earth girl I’ve ever met. She’s always up for a fun time. But when it comes to men and dating, she becomes a monster. She’s mean and downright terrifying to those who try to pursue her.
She’s how I am with girls like Sutton Savage.
“Well, maybe I’m protecting myself too,” I toss back. “Ever think about that?”
Her eyes move to mine, and she snorts. “From five-foot … maybe three, Sutton Savage? Who might possibly weigh one hundred ten pounds soaking wet?” She laughs. “You’re insane. I love you. But you’re a nut.”
“I mean, she did take my number one spot on the dance team. But … yeah, no biggie, right?” I roll my eyes. “Don’t worry about me. Make way for the princess of Tennessee.”
“Dude, shut up. Jolene never even said that.” She rolls her eyes.
“She didn’t have to,” I sass back.
“You get crazier by the second.” Closing the polish, she looks proudly at her work. “And now, you have bitchin’ nails to go with your bitchy self!”
I think I’ve always felt more comfortable with Ryann than the other girls in the house because it’s so easy to talk to her. I guess that’s because I know she’s faced her own hardships in life, and maybe that somehow connects us. She works as a stripper and sends money to her little sister back in Canada because her own mother isn’t the best parent. The moment Ryann told me that, I felt a deep connection to her. I felt the pain in her words as she talked about her sister and her mother. And weeks ago, we learned that we were going to be dancing in Brooks’ annual Nutcracker show together. And I’m so glad it’s her and not Sutton Savage. Praise the Lord.
Maybe it isn’t fair to judge Sutton when I don’t know her, but my brain has this picture painted of who she is, and it’s hard to overlook that.
“Oh, hey,” she says, sliding her polish back into the bag it came from. “How’s working with Cade Huff? Is he, like, totally cray-cray? Everyone says he’s the hot dude with some screws loose. Similar to the infamous Brody O’Brien. Only Huff has apparently done time in rehab for drugs.” She widens her eyes. “How insane is that?”
I frown. I had no idea he had a history of addiction. I’m glad he went to rehab though. And more than anything, I hope he can stay on the straight and narrow. He deserves that. He’s a good person—that much I can tell.
“It’s good,” I answer softly. “He goofs off a lot of the time. I had no idea he had been to rehab, but I guess I shouldn’t be surprised because I’ve heard he parties a lot.”
“But, like, do you find him hot?” She pauses, shaking her head. “What am I saying? Obviously, you find him hot. Look at the guy. Yum. But, you know, do you guys have chemistry?”
I stare at her before scrunching my nose up. “No! Ew. Yes, he’s attractive. But I don’t think of him like that.” I give her a curious look. “Do you and Watson Gentry have chemistry? Because last I saw him, he’s also pretty freaking hot.”
“No,” she says quickly. “I mean, not really. He’s … we’re just dancing together! That’s it.”
Ryann isn’t the type of person who gets flustered that often. And right now, she’s flustered as hell.
Tapping my now-dry nails on the counter, I grin. “Ryann has a cruuushhh.”
“I do not!” she belts out. “Don’t ever say that again. Trust me, he’s basically obsessed with me. I don’t need him getting the wrong idea.”
“Yeah, yeah.” I nod slowly. “Whatever you say.”
“Why don’t you ask Lana about her partner when she gets back? She’s literally in love with the dude after a week and a half of practicing together.” She sighs. “That’s Lana though. God love her, but the girl falls hard and fast. According to her, she’s close to hooking up with him. She said she can sense he’s getting more into her.” She giggles. “She is pretty charming—I’ll give her that.”
Lana isn’t just incredibly boy crazy. She is also recently single and is wasting no time jumping back into the dating … or sleeping-around pool. Not just in the pool, but in the deep end. I knew the moment I found out that she and Walker were paired up, she would be crushing on him—hard. But it still sucks to hear.
Standing up, I inhale and tell myself to fix my face. I don’t want Ryann or anyone else to suspect that there’s history between Walker and me by showing I’m a jealous bitch. Even though it’s actually painful to attempt to smile and stop glowering.
“Good for her,” I say, trying to sound like I don’t care. “Hey, I have to go get ready for work.” I hold my hands up, wiggling them. “Thanks for the new nails.”
“Don’t you dare chew them! It’s black, so it’ll look like you have bugs in your teeth!” she hollers behind me as I head toward my room.
“Yeah, okay! Maybe bugs will keep Cade Huff from hitting on me!” I laugh—or pretend to.
Going into my room, I close the door behind me and lean against it.
Lana and Walker. The thought of the two of them together … right now … it’s enough to drive me insane. And make me incredibly grouchy. Or … grouchier than normal.
Lana is beautiful. And when she wants something or someone … she gets it. Walker is a catch by anyone’s standards. Of course they are going to hook up. And I have no right to care either. He’s practically a stranger to me now.
I swallow back the lump of emotion, knowing that I don’t cry. I haven’t in years, and I’m not going to start now just because I’m envious of Lana working with Walker.
Seeing someone who used to be such a big part of my life for so long has derailed everything. And the way my heart is aching, I feel like I’m right back on that sidewalk, watching him leave me. Feeling the same pain again.
I can’t avoid him forever, especially with this fundraiser coming up. I just hope that I can avoid seeing him for a little while. Because when we run into each other … that’s bound to mean trouble.