5
*********
Poppy
Iwash my hands and look at my reflection in the mirror. I look tired, but that’s probably because I am tired. And, yeah, I guess I am skinny, just like Walker made sure to throw in my face the other night, but I’m always on the go. And it’s not like I have endless cash to buy snacks either.
Taking my strawberry ChapStick out of my pocket, I smear some across my lips and rub them together before capping it and sliding it back in.
My hair is down in messy waves, and for once, I’m having a damn good hair day. Too bad it’s wasted on this not date with Cade at Club 83. After dance practice, he asked if I wanted to get a bite to eat. I could tell he was down in the dumps about something, so here I am. I’ve grown a soft spot for that guy—and he’s the last person I expected to say that about.
Swinging the door open, I head down the short hallway that leads back into the club.
“Huff, huh?” A deep voice comes from behind me, and I instantly know it’s Walker.
My steps slow to a stop, but I don’t turn around. I don’t speak either. I just simply wait to see what the hell he’s going to say to me that he thinks might hurt my feelings.
“Never took him for your type.” This time, he coos the words in my ear. “But lucky for you, everyone is Huff’s type.”
“Some could say the same about you,” I mutter, staring straight ahead.
His body doesn’t touch my backside, though I know he’s there. I feel everything about him. His body heat. His energy. All of it makes me want to back up a mere inch and physically feel him there. But I remain strong and don’t give in to my desires.
“Careful, Poppyseed. You almost sound…jealous.” This time, his lips are closer to my ear.
“Jealous?” I let out a loud laugh. Surprising him, I spin my body to face him. “I’m here with Cade Huff, Walker. What the fuck do I have to be jealous of?” I shrug. “And of course, he’s my type. Have you seen him?” I coo. “He’s everyone’s type, babe.”
“Shut up,” he growls. “Shut the fuck up.”
Satisfied as I watch his jaw tense, I continue to stare up at him, batting my lashes innocently. “What, James? You don’t want to think about me fucking your teammate?”
All at once, my back is pressed to the wall, and his hands are gripping my wrists at my sides. I have to stay strong. I can’t give him the satisfaction of thinking I want him now. This battle is mine. Taking two losses to this asshole isn’t an option.
“Now, who’s jealous?” I say slowly, remaining cool as a cucumber on the outside. But on the inside, I’m in a puddle at his feet, begging for more.
“I’m not fucking jealous,” he says through gritted teeth.
“Are you sure?” I roll my tongue over my lips. “So, it’s okay with you if I bring Cade into the back room, drop to my knees, and suck his—”
His hand covers my mouth, his face barely hovering over mine. “Don’t finish that fucking sentence, Poppy. I’ll burn this entire fucking place down if you do. And I’ll fucking kill Cade Huff, and it’ll be your fucking fault that he’s dead,” he growls, his eyes floating to my lips, but I don’t give in.
Through his pants, I feel his growing erection brushing against my stomach, making me physically ache. But I’m not letting him make a joke of me again. It was a joke to him the other night. Who’s laughing now?
“Everything is fine and fun until the rabbit gets the gun, isn’t it?” I taunt, pressing my chest to his. “Stay the hell away from me, James. Consider this a warning.”
“Oh, I’m shaking in my sneakers from your empty threat,” he snarls. His chest thrusts against mine with every breath he takes.
Finally, he drops my wrist down and steps back. And I keep myself composed, stepping around him and heading toward the door leading me back to where Cade sits.
“You should be. And I’m no soldier…but I don’t think you won this battle, big boy,” I say calmly. “Guess that means we’re all tied up.” I wink before walking back into the club. Inside, I’m shaking from feeling his hardness on my body, knowing I did that to him.
On one hand, I’m proud that I got him worked up this time, just to let him down. On the other, I’m turned on as hell right now, and there’s only one person who could help relieve this pressure. And hooking up with him isn’t an option.
Everyone knows you don’t sleep with the enemy. And Walker James has proven that’s exactly what he is.
*********
Walker
My dick has been unbelievably hard since I saw Poppy in the hallway after she came out of the restroom. From the corner of the bar, I had watched her and Huff laughing and chatting it up since they had come in. Each passing second pissed me off more and more. And when she went to the restroom, I couldn’t stop myself from following her. I knew I shouldn’t, but my self-restraint had snapped.
The anger I felt while watching them talk was nothing compared to right now. Elias and Nixon continue their conversation, but I can’t hear any of it. All I can do is fix my eyes on the bar, where Poppy flirts with Huff, never looking my way. Her hand slides up his arm, and before I know it…she’s fucking kissing him.
She kisses him. Initiating the entire thing.
My teeth grind together so bad that it gives me an instant headache. And my jaw tenses to the point that it fucking hurts. The kiss doesn’t last long, but it’s long enough to ruin my entire night.
And it makes me want to murder Huff.
Right now, with A-fucking-1 timing, Lana chooses to strut her way toward me and plop her ass down onto my lap. Her dress is short. So short that I can almost see her pussy. She smells like vanilla. Absolutely delicious. But it doesn’t matter because she doesn’t smell like cinnamon, and that means she doesn’t smell right to me. But if she wants me so bad, who the hell am I to push her away? Especially since on the other side of this fucking bar, Poppy’s tongue was just down Huff’s throat. She even threatened to suck his dick.
I ball my hands up at my sides, just thinking about my girl with anyone else’s cock down her throat that isn’t mine.
“Hi, handsome.” Lana giggles, brushing some hair away from my face. “How’s it going?”
“Fine now,” I mutter just as I rest my palm on her thigh. Maybe being with her could make this ache in my soul lessen. Maybe it would make me forget, even if just for a moment. I’d give anything for a few measly seconds when Poppy wasn’t the only thing on my fucking brain.
No, I know deep down that while I was balls deep in Lana, I’d squeeze my eyes shut and imagine I was buried inside Poppy’s tight pussy. Wishing that I were. And that’s not fair to Lana.
Lana kisses my neck, and then I feel her tongue drag across my jawline.
She’s intoxicated—that’s pretty clear. Then again, after all the shots I poured down my throat after my interaction with Poppy, I’m not in my right mind either.
“Come on,” she whispers in my ear. “What’s a girl got to do to get laid around here?” She pulls back, poking her bottom lip out. “I get that you don’t do relationships. But I need a…release.” She winks. “And I think you’re a prime candidate to give me just that. Besides, it’ll make us dance better, don’t you think?”
“You’re right about one thing: I don’t do relationships,” I tell her, glancing at Poppy and Cade as they laugh about something else. “Not sure about the other shit though.”
“Come on. Don’t be a party pooper,” she whispers as she reaches down, placing a hand on my thigh, dangerously close to my cock.
I’m begging for it to harden the way it just did for Poppy a mere five minutes ago. But nothing happens. Lana’s tan legs are fucking scrumptious. I should be rock hard right now, ready to fuck her.
“Lana, come dance with us!” a few of her friends yell from the dance floor, waving for her to join.
Smirking down at me, she hovers her lips above mine. “I’m going to dance with my friends, but just know, big boy…it’s you I’m dancing for.” Slowly moving off my lap, she slides her palms down my thighs. “Eyes on me, handsome.”
As she saunters off to join her friends, Elias nudges my side. “She’s rather…aggressive.” He nods toward where she’s dancing, rubbing her palms down her body. “But, wow…she’s fucking hot. And willing. Really, really fucking willing.”
“Then, you should go join her,” I say, patting his shoulder and standing up. “I’m gonna pass.”
“Yeah, I, uh…that’s not really how I move.” He looks nervously at her, and I swear the fucker doesn’t even blink. “But she’s beautiful. Really, really beautiful.”
Elias is one of those players who is terrifying on the ice. Can probably bench the most on the team, yet is bashful with the ladies. Hell, Lana might be perfect for him. At least she’d get him out of his shell.
I walk toward Lana, and the hope in her eyes when she notices I’m approaching her makes me feel even worse than I already do. Seductively, she snakes her hands on my body, biting down on her bottom lip.
I waste no time dipping my lips to her ear when I reach her. “Hey, look, I’m going to talk to Huff for a minute. But just so you know, my friend over there, Elias…he’s been checking you out all night.”
When I pull back, her face falls, and her lips form into a frown. I can tell right away that her feelings are hurt.
She tilts her head to the side. “Who’s got you too worked up to blow off some steam with me tonight?” She bites her bottom lip. “No one turns me down.”
Cupping her cheek, I look her in the eyes. “You’re fucking beautiful. And hot. And your body…sexy as hell. And trust me, I know I’m one crazy fucker for walking away from you tonight.” Nodding toward the bar where Elias sits, talking to Nixon, I smile at her. “I promise you, he’s a good guy. Much better than me. And he thinks you’re gorgeous.”
Nervously, she glances his way before she suddenly seems to sober up, tucking her hair behind her ear shyly. So not like the girl that was practically begging to ride my cock minutes ago.
Swallowing, she turns toward me. “And he’s been checking me out?”
“You know it.” I nod. “See you at practice, babe.”
Walking toward the bar, I clasp my hand on Elias’s shoulder. “She’s waiting for you, big boy. Be good to her.”
He looks like he might actually piss himself. And I don’t wait to see if he heads toward her before I walk toward the other end of the bar, where Poppy and Cade still sit.
Knowing it’ll piss her off, I take the seat next to Poppy, and I instantly feel the anger spilling from her body. Sort of like a fucking fire that someone just threw some gasoline on. In this case, I guess I’m the gasoline. And something about that—something about knowing I have the ability to get under her skin like nobody else can—makes my dick harden the slightest bit.
She shoots me a harsh glare. “There’s, like, twenty other open seats, asshole.” She waves her hand around. “Pick one.”
The bartender, Tasha, slides me a beer and gives me a flirty wink. Which only seems to piss Poppy off more.
Satisfied that she’s jealous, I bring the beer to my lips and take a swig. “Nah, think I’ll sit right here. It’s a bit chilly outside, and I figured Satan herself could put off some warmth.”
“Careful. I might melt off some of those fancy clothes you’re so fond of these days,” she coos, giving me a once-over before she looks at Cade. “Cade, I’m out. I’ll message you in a few days to find a time to meet.” Standing, she holds up her middle finger. “And, Walker…fuck off.”
Once she’s gone, Cade gives me a curious look, and I shrug.
“Think she probably just wants my dick or something. You know how it is.”
“Wow,” he mutters, shaking his head.
I can’t tell him or anyone the truth. I don’t want anyone to know where I came from. To them, I’m the rich kid from Charleston. I’m okay with that because they don’t actually know who my uncle is, and they don’t know that I grew up five minutes from here in a house that was overrun with drugs and rats. Some things are just better left in the past.
Just like Poppy Wilson.
Holding his hand up, Cade orders us a bunch of shots. And even though I really want to warn him to stay the fuck away from Poppy, I don’t. Not yet anyway. One way or another, I’ll keep them apart. Aside from practice, that is.
Holding the first shot up, he clinks his to mine, and we toss them back. I wish I could get so fucked up tonight that my brain couldn’t even begin to think about her. But I know that’s hopeless.
That girl is like a tattoo, permanently under my skin. And no matter what I do, I can’t rid myself of her. Not completely anyway.
It’s always been like a sixth sense I have, knowing when she needs me. Tonight is no different. I just woke up out of a dead sleep, consumed by the feeling in the pit of my stomach, telling me to go to her to make sure she’s okay and to rescue her if she isn’t.
After throwing on my shirt, I pull my sweatpants over my briefs and slide on my sneakers. Heading through my front door, I move quickly across the dried-out lawn and beeline it to her house.
I don’t even make it there before I can hear her somewhere outside. And in the night, I squint my eyes to follow the soft sounds of cries.
“Poppy?” I call into the night.
She sniffles, and when my eyes adjust to the darkness, I barely make out her figure as she sits against the old shed near the edge of the woods. Her knees are pulled to her chest, and her face is buried against her legs.
Running to her, I crouch down, pulling her body against mine. Her head rests against my shoulder, and I kiss her forehead.
“I’m right here,” I whisper. “You’re safe now. I promise.”
For a long time, she doesn’t say anything. And I don’t push it because I don’t want to force anything out of her. Poppy isn’t someone who cries very often. In fact, I think this is the third time I’ve ever seen her cry since we were kids.
Finally, with her voice small, she tells me everything.
“Ron owes the wrong people money.” Her voice breaks. “As payment, he offered…” She cries into her hands. “He offered me.”
My heart breaks while the rest of my body fills with anger.
“My own dad was going to let his suppliers rape his child. Just so that he wouldn’t be hurt.”
I feel like I’m going to puke. “Did…” I can’t even get the words to come out. I don’t know if I want to know the answer.
She shakes her head. “I had a bad feeling about those men, so I cracked my door and listened to the exchange. I escaped through my window and hid out here as that deal was made.” She wipes her sleeve across her face. “They’ll come looking for me. I heard them yelling at Ron once they went into my room and saw I wasn’t there.”
Crying harder, she looks at me. “And even if they leave, he’ll punish me, Walker, because he’ll know that I ran to escape them. Leaving him to be hurt and probably lose his supplier.”
“Fuck him,” I growl. “I’ll kill that motherfucker, Poppy. I will.”
“I want him to die too,” she whispers. “But if you kill him, then the three of us will get put into the system.” She pauses. “I’m not scared for me. I’m scared for Jake. He’s going to be eighteen in a year and a half. And then he can finally live on his own.” She shakes her head. “If he gets taken now, they’ll just stick him in a group home for the rest of his life. I can’t let that happen. I just can’t. He wants so much more than that.” Her voice is barely a squeak. “He deserves so much more than that.”
“So do you,” I say gently. “Poppy, I can’t let your scumbag father hurt you anymore.” I try to keep my voice soft, but it’s hard. “I’m supposed to protect you, and I fail all the fucking time.”
At fifteen years old, I know I can’t give her the protection she needs. I want to rescue her, but my own life is a mess. I love her more than I’ve ever loved anything. And sometimes, I think she feels the same way.
“I just wish we could all run away,” she whispers. “To someplace better than this. Where our parents aren’t high and dads don’t abuse their children. Where we get what we need and don’t have to be scared every day.” Her lip trembles. “I’m so tired, Walker. I’m so tired of this life.”
I pull her against me tighter. “I promise you, Poppy, one day, this street will be our past. Van will be running his own restaurant, just like he’s dreamed of. Jake will have his own place, be on a football team, and maybe even get to meet Tom Brady,” I say in an attempt to lighten things. “You’ll be dancing for a huge dance company, and I’ll be in the NHL, somewhere near where you’re working, I hope.” I kiss the top of her head. “One day, Poppy. One day, it’ll all be okay.”
“I hope you’re right,” her voice squeaks.
“I’ll make sure of it.” I kiss the top of her head, wishing it were her lips, but not wanting to push things while she’s upset. “I’ll always be here.”
I drag my hand over my face. The ache from my skull making it almost impossible to sit up. I haven’t had a dream or a nightmare in years. I don’t dream. Yet, after a ton of liquor and a few encounters with Poppy, here I am.
Sadly, that night wasn’t the worst night of our childhoods. There were many, many times when all I wanted to do was be her hero, and I couldn’t save her from her own father. Just like she suspected, her dad punished her. She came to school the next day with a black eye and a bruised stomach. And when she was questioned, she said that she was in an accident.
The school let it go. They always let it go.
When I saw her, I started toward her house, ready to put that fucker in the grave. But before I could, Poppy got to me. Begging me not to go through with it. She said that it would only make her life worse. In a way, I knew she was wrong. The three of them risking getting separated would have still been safer than the horrors inside that trailer. But because she asked me, I listened.
It fucking killed me. But I listened.
Van had stood up for her, and he had gotten his ass beat too. One thing that worked in Jake’s favor was the day program he was in. Ron was smart enough to know that if he laid his hands on Jake, suspicion would rise if he showed up in places with bruises. That gave Poppy a little peace, knowing he was somewhat protected.
My parents died three days later from drugs that had come from her old man.
If I hadn’t let her stop me, maybe my parents would still be alive. They could’ve seen me go pro one day. Maybe they could have gotten clean and stayed clean. Briar wouldn’t have been brainwashed by our uncle, and all would be good.
But like always, Poppy took her father’s side. Only making everything worse.