61. Chapter Sixty-One
I’m drenched in sweat by the time we reach our last song tonight. All night, I’ve looked over to see Poppy in her short skirt standing in the wings, watching me pour my heart out on stage. Usually, when groupies shout out their explicit desires, screaming out all the dirty things they want to do to me, I play along, reveling in the attention and fueling their desires with provocative gestures. But tonight, none of that matters. All I can think about is the girl standing on the sidelines, the one I can’t wait to take back to the hotel room and do all the dirty things that are on my mind. I give her another one of my trademark smirks, knowing it makes her blush, hinting at what awaits her once this performance is over. She fidgets and squirms, and I can imagine that if I were to walk over there and run my fingers along her slit, she would be wet. Wet for me.
Even after all this time, despite my many faults, she continues to see the good in me. Out of all the women in the world, she”s the one I”ve been longing for and desperately yearning for all my life. She is everything to me. It wasn’t until I walked away that I realized no one could ever compare to her and what we shared. It’s unbelievable that even after all these years, our connection remains unchanged. What does that say about us? That I found the love of my life when I was just seventeen—a foolish, ignorant teenager who failed to recognize what he had.
Afterward, I plan to take Poppy out on a date. I never had the means to do that before, and looking back at the arrogant asshole I used to be, I probably wouldn’t have even considered it because I didn’t realize how much she meant to me back then. Tonight, I want to find a quiet spot where we can have an uninterrupted conversation away from Reg and the others. This will be our first performance out of the five shows we have in Sydney before we get back on the bus and head to Brisbane.
Despite being here for almost three weeks, we haven’t explored the country because of our demanding schedule and the label’s obligations, which is something I want to address in tomorrow’s meeting in Ace’s room. We need some downtime. We’re constantly traveling the world, yet none of us have truly experienced any of it. And what better way to do so than with Poppy by my side? I want her to know that I’m prepared for any adventure that life may throw at us. I’ll strive to be the best version of myself for both her and Alex.
I make my way back to the mic for the final song of the night. I used to hate this time of the night when all the memories would come flooding back. But now, as I prepare to sing mine and Poppy’s song, it fills me with so much gratitude. This song has been my life, filling my heart with love. Love that started when my mother taught me the lyrics. Love that grew for the girl on the street who would change my life forever.
I long to return to that special place where we sang together on the rock, connecting with my mother once again. Now, singing this song in front of seventy thousand people in this stadium, all I feel is gratitude for the blessings in my life. It all stems from this song, like a tapestry woven with the threads of my life.
I’d ask Poppy to come out here and sing it with me, but I know she’d freak out. It took every ounce of courage for her to sing it earlier today.
“Okay, Sydney, you know the last song. Sing it with me,” I yell, extending my arms wide.
The crowd erupts in excitement as I turn to Theo, who begins counting in the band. The music starts, and I grab the mic from the stand, singing the first line. Holding the microphone out to the crowd, they belt out the next line, and then the next. I stand there in awe, listening to the thousands of voices filling the air, singing the song that has shaped my life.
Ace comes over, his fingers effortlessly gliding across the strings. Surprisingly, a huge smile adorns the typically grumpy asshole’s face.
“How amazing is this!” he says, redirecting his focus to the crowd, their phones held up to capture the last moments of the night.
And he’s absolutely right. It’s the best fucking high being up here in the spotlight, with the audience hanging onto my every word.
I join in on the chorus and continue singing the rest of the song. As the song comes to an end, the cheers intensify, giving me a surge of adrenaline. This is what I live for. That exhilarating rush. The spotlight. The music.
“Goodnight Sydney. Keep it real.”
Ace, Theo, and Nate come up to stand beside me. Together, we stand there in awe, basking in the thunderous cheers emerging from the packed stadium. We lift our hands and wave out to the ecstatic crowd before making our way over to the right side of the stage. As usual, I am the first to exit the stage, with the boys following closely behind. I’m not exactly sure why they’ve always done that, but it’s become a tradition they simply continue to uphold.
As I make my way across the stage, my gaze meets Poppy’s, and a smile graces her lips. Closing the distance between us, I wrap my arm around her waist, bringing her in close so I can plant a kiss on her lips. I love it when she makes that soft whimper. It always puts a smile on my face when I kiss her like that.
“I need to go do the meet and greet,” I say, pressing my forehead against hers. “But once that’s done, I want to take you out on a proper date.”
She looks up at me, her expression filled with surprise. “A date?”
“Yes,” I nod. “I’ve never taken you out on one before.” I lean in to press a kiss to her lips before intertwining our fingers and guiding her toward the green room. This is where I’ll leave Poppy while I do the meet and greet for those who brought backstage passes.
However, before I do anything else, I need to find a fresh shirt. The one I’m currently wearing is soaked with sweat and clinging uncomfortably to my body. I usually ask Kit to make sure there’s an extra shirt in the stockroom, which is conveniently next to the green room.
Up ahead, as I lead Poppy down towards the greenroom, I see the long line of dedicated fans. Tall barriers separate them from the side corridor near the stage. This is where Poppy has been standing all night, observing from the wings of the stage. Good thing they can’t see where we are.
As I enter the storeroom, I take off my wet shirt and quickly grab a clean, folded one from the stack. However, the voices of the waiting fans still reach us.
“I heard Xander has his dick pierced,” one voice says.
“Well, I heard he prefers blondes,” another groupie chimes in.
“I don’t care. I just want him to fuck me. I bet he’s good at it.”
I see the pissed-off look spreading across Poppy’s beautiful face. Seeing her jealous makes me grin. I can’t help but move in closer. “It looks like my groupies want me,” I tease.
“Asshole,” she says, pushing me away.
I can’t help but laugh, enjoying the jealousy that seems to consume her. Leaning in, I gently place my hand on her neck and plant a soft kiss on her lips. I fight the urge in my body. I”m dying to kiss her and whisper something dirty that”ll make her go wild. But if I give in, I won”t be able to resist bending her over and fucking her senseless. Not here. Later. There are some things I need to show her first, things that will make her see that it”s not just about sex.
“Just so you know, I never fucked any of them, no matter what you’ve read in the papers. It”s just a scheme from Reg and the label for publicity.” I reach up and tuck her hair behind her ears, my heart pounding against my chest. “They might want me, but you”re the only one who gets me.”
Her gaze transforms into one of fiery desire and lust, causing me to laugh as I feel myself growing aroused. “Soon Princess. I promise. Date first. Talk second and fuck later. God, I never thought I’d ever be saying that.”
“Who the hell are you and what did you do with that smug asshole, Xander?” she smirks.
I can”t help but laugh as I take her hand and lead her into the green room where Reg and the band are waiting for me.
“Well, it’s about time,” Reg says, a hint of frustration in his voice. I can’t help but notice his gaze shifting towards our intertwined hands. If he fucking starts anything, there will be hell to play.
“Leave him alone, man,” Nate says. “Just get on with the meet and greet, so we can get the fuck out of here.”
I nod at Nate, acknowledging him. It’s amazing how my brothers always have my back. Well, except for that one major mistake I made two years ago when I got high and passed out at a bar during our tour. You wouldn’t believe the things these groupies do to claim they’ve slept with a celebrity. Thank God Ace showed up just in time. He took her phone and deleted the video she was recording.
After signing dozens of tits, having multiple photos taken with girls and some guys, some who were a bit too hands-on, it’s time to leave. Throughout the night, I keep an eye on Poppy, who stands to one side, observing the interactions between the band and our eager fans, and others who’ve snuck into the room. All night I’m on alert, wondering if Reg is up to his usual tricks, trying to create a scandal that will skyrocket our sales once again.
Theo is his usual flirty self, while Ace stands off to the side, never cracking a smile. He poses for a few photos and signs autographs without uttering a word. He needs to lighten up. Back in school, he was never like this. However, as time has passed, he has become grumpier.
As I’m about to leave, I notice Ace sitting on the couch, engrossed in conversation with Poppy. Meanwhile, Theo is busy charming a curvaceous blonde, who, based on past experiences, will probably be the girl the guys spend the night with.
I grab a bottle of water from the table, quickly gulping it down before I make my way over to Poppy.
A smile lights up my face as I watch Ace burst into laughter in response to something Poppy said. It’s rare to see that asshole smile, but knowing that my princess had a hand in it brings a smile to my face. They both look up at me as I come to a stop in front of them.
”You ready?” I ask, curious if she”s as hungry as me.
”Yeah,” she says, getting up.
“Don’t fuck all night,” Ace says, getting up from the couch.
”Screw you, bro,” I say, taking hold of Poppy”s hand. I quickly shoot a glance at Neil, who”s at the back of the room, and give him a nod.
He returns the nod, letting me know Kit has already briefed him on tonight’s plans. He makes his way towards the door, opening it for us to leave the green room. I step forward, holding Poppy”s hand, fully aware that the few remaining groupies are watching my every move.
Neil takes the lead, scanning the area for any potential threats. Eventually, we reach a narrow corridor, and he opens a side door. Descending a flight of stairs, we find a black SUV parked, its engine already running. The driver kindly opens the door for us, and Poppy hops in, making room for me to join her.
“So, where are you taking me?” Poppy asks.
”We”re going to a burger joint that”s staying open just for us,” I say to her.
She presses the button on her phone and the screen lights up. “It’s past midnight,” she says, a look of shock crossing her face.
“For the right price, people will do anything. Plus, I need to talk about a few things, so we might as well enjoy a burger.”
“What kind of things?” she asks, with a hint of concern in her voice.
As we come to a stop at a traffic light, I take a glance out of the window. There”s this young couple totally lost in a passionate kiss against a brick wall.
As the car starts moving again, I look back at Poppy, who”s staring at me, waiting for me to answer. “There are a few things I need to tell you,” I say, pulling her closer. “I”ve got a few questions I should”ve asked when I first saw you.”
I refrain from adding too much to this conversation because Neil and the driver can hear everything I say. What I want to discuss with her is private, just between the two of us.
She nods, then her gaze shifts to the window. And I know her mind is racing once again. It saddens me to know I’ve caused her this doubt. In my eyes, she is the epitome of strength, yet self-doubt often plagues her.
After another ten minutes, the vehicle slows down and eventually comes to a complete stop.
“Where here, Mr. Williams.” The driver says.
I hate being called that name because it reminds me of my asshole father. But I choose to ignore it because the driver is unaware of that, as he’s never worked for us before. He switches off the engine, then promptly gets out to open the doors for us to exit.
Neil”s standing on the sidewalk, checking out the deserted street. There”s only a handful of people walking around. Since it”s a Wednesday night, the streets are noticeably quieter compared to the buzz of a Friday or Saturday night.
Getting out of the car, I grab Poppy”s hand as Neil heads towards the burger joint. Neil taps on the door and waits, scoping out the place. Eventually, the door opens and Neil enters, taking a quick look around to make sure there”s no media waiting. When everything looks fine, he gives me a nod and steps out of the building. Hand in hand, Poppy and I go into the restaurant.
“Welcome Mr Williams. Miss,” a man in his early thirties greets us. “My name is Walter. I’m the owner of this place.” He”s got a buzz cut and loads of tattoos on his arms. His eyebrow and lip piercings make him stand out from the typical burger joint owner.
“Thank you, Walter, but please call me Xander,” I interject, not wanting to be referred to by my last name for the rest of the evening.
“Hello,” Poppy says, smiling, as she extends her hand to Walter.
Returning the smile, he shakes her hand. “Now is there a specific place you’d like to sit?” he asks, gesturing towards the empty restaurant.
As I glance around the area, I can’t help but admire Kit’s choice in restaurants once again. The walls are adorned with posters and music memorabilia, creating a nostalgic atmosphere. It somehow reminds me of the first time I entered Poppy’s bedroom. “We’ll take that booth over there,” I gesture towards a secluded area, far from the bustling kitchen, offering us a hint of privacy. Not to mention, the booth’s curved seat allows me to easily slide closer to Poppy, creating an intimate setting.
“Alright, follow me,” Walter says as he grabs two menus.
Poppy walks ahead, and I take this opportunity to admire her figure. I’ve always had an appreciation for a nice ass, and Poppy’s is undoubtedly the best I’ve ever seen. It’s absolutely perfect. My excitement stirs at the sight of it, but I remind myself to stay focused. I can’t let my desires interfere with what I need to tell her. Tonight, I need to keep my wits about me. I can indulge in her later.
Poppy slides onto the leather seat, accepting the menu handed to her.
Deciding that I don’t want to sit across from her, I slide in beside her. This way, I can be close to her and touch her whenever I please. Walter hands me a menu, but I don’t bother glancing at it.
“What would you recommend?” I inquire.
“The burger with everything is a favorite among our customers,” he suggests.
“All right, I’ll go with that, along with a side of fries and a glass of coke.” I return the menu and glance at Poppy.
She meets Walter’s gaze and says, “I’ll have the same.”
I fucking love how she eats like any ordinary person, unlike those girls we’ve worked with over the years who only nibble on celery sticks.
Before Walter turns around, I quickly add, “And could I get two more of those? One for the big guy by the door and the other for the driver of the black SUV parked out front.”
”Sure thing,” Walter replies.
Left to ourselves, I steal a glance at Poppy and find her examining the environment. Her eyes take in the many framed music posters that adorn the walls—Nirvana, Alice in Chains, Sound Garden, Silverchair, and many others.
“This place is nice,” she comments, looking back at me.
“Yeah, it is.”
“It kinda reminds me of that time you took me for a burger when I was hungover. Do you remember that?”
“Yeah,” I recall. I refrain from mentioning that every time I’ve ordered a burger with the band, that memory resurfaces.
Walter returns, carrying our drinks.
“Thank you,” Poppy says. “Are you a music fan?”
Walter grins, “Yeah, I’m in a band. The frontman, actually.” He glances in my direction. “Not as good as you, man. I’m so honored to meet you and have you here in my restaurant.”
“So you manage a restaurant and still play in a band,” Poppy inquires.
“Yeah, we snag a few gigs here and there, but it’s more like a hobby now. We didn’t achieve our dream of hitting it big, but I suppose that’s how it goes.”
Curious, Poppy probes further, “What kind of music does your band play?”
“Yeah, we’re a rock band, and we used to write our own songs. I still do. I guess it’s in my blood. But most of our audience these days prefers covers. So, I suppose it’s come down to that.”
“Can I hear any demos of the songs you”ve written?” I ask.
“Yeah. Why?”
I grab my phone and extend it towards him. “Put your number here and send them my way. We”ll be on the lookout for an opening gig for the tour program next year. If you”re the right fit, are you guys interested?”
His eyes widen as he takes hold of my phone. “Hell yeah, we’d be interested. Thanks, man,” he says, adding his number and handing it back.
I quickly send a text so he has my number. “Shoot me something and I’ll run it by the band.”
“Thanks, Xander. I definitely will,” he smiles, reaching out to shake my hand. “Thanks for the opportunity, man.”
“No problem.”
“Well, I’ll be back shortly with your burgers.”
As he walks away, I glance at Poppy and notice a huge smile on her face. “You know you made his day, right?”
“Doesn’t sound like they got their lucky break like we did when we first started out,” I add, reaching for my drink to take a sip.
“Xander, share with me the story of how you got your big break. When did you get signed by the label?”
I know it”s hard to talk about when I left her, but we need to talk about everything if we want our relationship to succeed. I settle into my seat, position myself to face her, arm casually slung over the back of her seat.
“When Ace and I left, he found us this rundown apartment to rent. We were trying to save money because we didn’t know how long it would take to start making money from our music. This apartment was the worst I’ve ever seen—rats, mice, and cockroaches everywhere.”
“Yeah, I know the feeling,” Poppy says, grabbing her drink and taking a sip. I pause, wondering what she means by that comment. “Go on,” she prompts, encouraging me to continue.
“I got a job as a kitchen hand in this old burger joint, while Ace was serving tables in some other rundown restaurant. One night, Ace crossed paths with Nate and Theo, who were in the same shitty apartment building. They were also there, going after their dreams, and something just clicked. They joined our band, and Ace organized a few gigs. Next thing we knew, we were rocking out to packed crowds and getting a loyal fanbase. Eventually, a record label approached us.”
Walter comes over, carrying two plates. A towering burger stands proudly, accompanied by a generous serving of fries, and two remingtons hold tantalizingly zesty orange sauce and classic ketchup.
“Enjoy,” he says, giving us a smile, and leaving us to our meal.
Poppy stares down at her meal. “I have no clue how I’ll get my mouth around this.”
I lean in, moving my lips to the shell of her ear. “Trust me, Princess, your mouth works wonders,” I whisper.
She turns her head, and I notice a rosy blush on her cheeks.
Chuckling, I move my arm from behind her and grab my burger, taking a delectable bite. The taste is heavenly. I’m unsure if it’s the most exceptional burger I’ve had in a long time or if the sheer delight of enjoying it with Poppy amplifies the experience.
“Is it good?” she asks.
I acknowledge with a nod, savoring the last hints of sauce on my lower lip as I run my tongue over it. Poppy’s eyes track my tongue as it moves along my lip, gathering the last traces of sauce. When she meets my gaze, I smirk and give her a wink.
“You’re still a cocky asshole, you know that,” she remarks. I catch the sassy glint in her eye before she shifts her focus to her burger.
I keep my eyes fixed on her as she takes a big bite, her mouth wide open. After setting the burger down, she looks at me, still chewing. At that moment, I notice a mischievous sparkle in her eye and a trickle of sauce on her chin. A sudden desire compels me to lean forward and lick it off her chin, but she beats me to it by wiping it away with her fingers. Then, with a wicked grin, she slowly brings one of her fingers to her mouth and sensually sucks the sauce from it. As she does, her cheeks hollow out, and she playfully winks at me. With a loud sound, she pops her finger out of her mouth, then teasingly inserts another digit. The process repeats, accompanied by a seductive moan. I’m fucking turned on. My dick is hard by the time she removes her finger from her mouth. Then she throws a mischievous grin my way.
“Well played, Princess,” I remark, chuckling.
Can”t deny the sexiness of the woman by my side. She not only challenges me but also pushes me to be a better man, and I just want to give her everything in this life. I know we need to talk about our future after this tour, but her finger-licking seduction is seriously distracting. This once playful vixen has grown into a captivating seductress. I”ve never been a worshiper, but seeing the woman she”s become, I”d gladly kneel for her. She”s fierce, always pushes me, and she’s fucking sexy. I just want to get this conversation over with so we can go back to the hotel room and fuck all night.
Shifting my focus from her, I set my half-eaten burger aside on the plate in front. Slowly, I reach for my coke and take a sip.
“What’s on your mind?” Poppy asks.
“There are a few things I should have asked already,” I state, placing my glass back on the table.
“Such as?” she says, wiping her fingers on her napkin.
“You never got the chance to pursue your dreams like I did,” I remark.
“No, I didn’t. But I wouldn’t change the outcome because it gave me our beautiful little boy,” she responds.
Her words bring tears to my eyes.
“I regret not talking to you that night when I called. I really wish I had,” I confess.
“We can’t change what’s happened, Xander. But I don’t understand why you called me but you wouldn’t talk,” she questions.
“Because I knew I’d hurt you. I understood I wasn’t good for you.”
“That’s not true, Xander. You’ve always been good enough. I just wish you could see that.”
“I truly believed that what I did was for the best.”
“But I needed you.”
“I get that now,” I add, watching her pick up two fries and put them into her mouth. “I’ve mentioned that I’m in, and I mean it.”
“Yeah, I still don’t know what exactly that means,” she says, shifting her focus on her plate.
I extend my hand, softly gripping her chin and guiding her face back to me. “It means I want a life with you and Alex. I want the family we’ve created. I want it all.” She gulps when she hears what I’m saying. “You’re my one and only, Poppy. I wanna get to know my son and be his dad. I want us to be a family. If you’ll have me, then I want to give you and Alex the world. I have the means to do that now.”
“Xander,” she whispers.
My heart pounds in my chest, filled with the overwhelming fear that she might reject my plea. At that moment, my lungs tighten, making each breath feel like a struggle, but I push through. “I can”t get rid of the regret I have for leaving you. But what I really want is a future with you and Alex. Just tell me you want it to.”
“I do want it, Xander. Of course, I want that.”
“Then let me take care of you and Alex. Let me do what I should have done all those years ago. Let me do that for the both of you.”
She gazes up at me with misty eyes and nods. “I would love that.” Leaning forward, she kisses me, and if Walter weren’t about to join us any minute, if we were alone, I would solidify my promise by having her naked on this table, savoring her instead of finishing the half-eaten burger still on my plate.
I keep my eyes on her as she turns back and picks up her burger.
“Promise you’ll do something for me, Princess,” I add.
“What’s that?” she asks.
“Do you still want that dream you spoke about?”
“To run a music academy to help disabled children.”
“Yes.”
“Of course. One day maybe, I’ll get a chance to do that,” she says, before finishing what’s left of her burger.
“Is that why you agreed to do this job? Was the money going towards something like that?”
“No. It was to buy a home so Alex and I could move to somewhere better than where we currently live.”
Her words hit me harder than a punch. While I’ve been living a comfortable life, I never even considered what her life has been like raising my son on her own.
“Damn it, Poppy. Is that what you were referring to earlier with that remark about run-down apartments?”
She holds my gaze for a moment, and under my intense stare, she answers, “Yes.”
“Where do you live?”
It takes a few more agonizing seconds before she replies, “On the far east of town. The burger place you took me to is just around the corner.”
As I sink back into the chair, I grapple with the harsh reality of how everything has unfolded. That part of town used to be the roughest, a place that both Ace and I would dread during our younger days. And now, it’s the very place where Poppy and my son call home. The mere thought of it nearly shatters me.
My appetite fades away as I push my plate aside, struggling to comprehend how she ended up in such a situation.
Poppy wipes her mouth with a napkin, and all the while, I still can’t wrap my mind around the circumstances that brought her to live in this place.
“Can I ask how you ended up there?” I turn and see her watching me.
“I couldn’t stand living with my mother anymore. She was saying things to Alex that I didn’t want him to hear?”
“Like?”
“It was mostly about you. But where we live isn’t that bad. I have Mrs. B who lives across the hall, and she’s like a grandmother to Alex. She watches him for me, so I don”t need to pay for a babysitter when I go to work.”
I sit up straight, resting my elbows on the table and burying my head in my hands. A wave of relentless voices in my head keeps reminding me of the countless mistakes I’ve made and how I always end up hurting those who care about me.
“Xander,” Poppy says, and I lift my head when I feel her hand on my arm. “I did what I had to do. It’s not as bad as you think.”
“I know you did,” I say, hugging her tight, finding solace in the fact that our past is behind us. Whatever she and Alex desire, they can have it all, as everything I possess belongs to them now. I hold onto her a little longer before releasing her, my lips brushing against the top of her head in a gentle kiss.
“So, are you ready to meet your son?” she asks.
A blend of excitement and nervousness surges through my body as I smile and give her a nod.
She takes her phone out and swipes the screen, then presses a few buttons. Holding out the phone for a video call, I hear it ringing.
After three rings, Poppy’s mother’s face appears on the screen. Once she sees me next to Poppy, I see her body language instantly change.
“Hello, Mom, could you please put Alex on the phone?” Poppy says firmly.
I watch in silence as her mother pauses for a moment before she speaks. “Do you think that’s a good idea?”
I can’t help but hear her tone, the same tone she used on me that day when she called me a worthless lowlife and predicted that I would ruin her daughter’s life.
“Please, just put him on. I really need to talk to him,” Poppy says, her tone firmer this time. It’s clear that time hasn’t healed the strained relationship between mother and daughter.
Her mother rotates the phone, placing it on a counter, and for a moment, I think she”s hung up until I notice the seconds ticking away on the screen.
Poppy gives me a smile. “Are you ready?”
I nod, my heart beats frantically in my chest at the thought of meeting my son.
The phone turns around, but it’s not Alex, it’s Poppy’s mother.
“You shouldn’t be doing this, Poppy,” she says.
“Just put him on, Mom.”
Her mother continues to gaze at Poppy through the phone, and at that moment, I notice a small face appearing in the corner of the frame. It’s as if he’s curious to see who his grandmother is talking to. As soon as my eyes meet his, I am overwhelmed by the sight of a little version of myself with those same dark eyes. My heart begins to race so intensely that it feels like it might explode from my chest.
“Mommy,” he says, in his sweet voice and accompanied by the biggest smile.
A warmth washes over me, unlike anything I’ve ever felt before.
While lost in my thoughts, I suddenly realize that Poppy”s mother is no longer in the frame.
Alex’s smile suddenly fades and his brow furrows as he focuses on me. I smile when I notice, he holds his brows and his mouth the same way I do when something is confusing.
“Do you know who this is?” Poppy asks.
“Yes, it’s Daddy,” he replies with a smile.
When he calls me that name, it tugs at my heartstrings, almost bringing tears to my eyes.
“Hello, Alex,” I say.
“Hi, Daddy.”
My heart melts for this little boy; it’s as if I’ve traveled back in time, reminiscing about the days when I had a loving mother who meant everything to me.
“Are you almost done with your work, Daddy?”
I recall Poppy’s words, mentioning that she informed him about my busy schedule and our impending meeting.
Glancing at Poppy, I find her smiling, watching the interaction as I smile down at my son.
“Yes, I’m just about finished. I’ll be home soon.”
“Have you seen a kangaroo yet, Mommy?”
I’m smiling so much that the muscles in my cheeks ache.
“No, I haven’t seen one yet.”
“What about a koala? Have you seen one of them?”
“No, not yet,” she replies, “but if I do, I’ll take a photo so you can see it.”
“And see if you can get one that has a baby on its back.”
“Come on, Alex, it’s time to go,” I hear Poppy’s mother say through the phone, standing somewhere nearby.
“Gran said I have to go.”
I hear the disappointment in Alex’s voice, and I wish I could tell the old bitch to fuck off.
“Alright, sweetie. You be good for Gran, and I’ll see you soon. Love you.”
“I love you too, Mom. Bye, Daddy.”
“Bye, little man.”
Poppy’s mother comes onto the screen. “Can I talk to my daughter alone, please?”
Poppy takes a deep breath and releases it in a huff, as if frustrated. Within seconds, the video call transitions to a voice call, and Poppy brings her phone up to her ear. I refuse to let that witch destroy the emotions coursing through me after finally having the chance to meet and speak to my son.
However, despite her mother’s best efforts for a private conversation, her loud voice still penetrates through the phone.
“Do you really think that was a good idea, Poppy? After everything he put you through. He’ll just leave you, and not just you this time.”
I’m irritated by her words, so I pull my plate back towards me and finish my cold burger. The best thing to do is to fill my mouth with something so I don’t tell the old bitch what I think of her.
“It’s not your decision, it’s mine and I’ll decide what is best for my son. He’s our son. He should know his father,” Poppy retorts.
“When it happens again, I won’t be there to pick up the pieces like the last time.”
Poppy lets out another sigh. “Yeah, well you weren”t there the first time either, no matter what you think. Goodnight, Mother.” She ends the call and places her phone down on the table. I can tell that she’s pissed. “I’m sorry she ruined that moment for you,” Poppy says, leaning into me and resting her head on my shoulder.
I lift my arm and wrap it around her. “Don’t worry about it. Nothing could ever ruin this moment.”
Poppy straightens up as Walter approaches.
“How was it?” he asks.
“Best burger I’ve had in a long time,” Poppy replies, with a smile on her face.
”Yeah, man, it was great,” I add, standing up and grabbing my phone to pay the bill.
I give him a generous tip for not lingering and respecting our privacy.
“Send the demo and I’ll call you to let you know our decision.”
“Thanks, man. You should have it sometime in the morning,” he says, walking us over to the door. “I appreciate the chance.” He unlocks the front door and opens it.
Neil stands there, right where I left him about two hours ago.
Poppy says bye to Walter, then she goes over to the car and gets in while I shake his hand. Neil, who walks Poppy over to the car, comes back and waits for me, keeping an eye on what’s going on around us. As soon as I get in the vehicle, the driver closes the door behind me.
I wrap my arms around Poppy, bringing her close. Leaning back, she rests her head on my chest, the sound of the car engine providing a comforting backdrop as we make our way back to the hotel.