Chapter 33
33
Laird
Poppy fits right in— to my life, my social circle, and my family .
My mom has held her captive for half an hour. Anytime I’ve tried to rescue her, she chooses to stay. Travel. Art. Me. They have a lot in common. To say this is my mom’s dream come true would be an understatement.
She has a married daughter who’s given her a grandchild. I thought the baby would take some heat off me, but my mom’s my mom. She cares and still worries too much about me. She’s not in a hurry for me to jump into a relationship again. She wants me to find my soulmate like she and Dad found each other.
They’re an incredible example of a great marriage. It’s also difficult to live up to that expectation. Sometimes shit goes wrong. Love goes sideways.
I’m with Poppy after the worst time in my life, and I can tell I’m finally on the right path.
The party winds down as the sun sets. Seeing Tulsa’s brothers and their families before we hit the road again was good. The tour is something I can’t stop thinking about. I just got Poppy back, and now I’ll be leaving soon. We’ve successfully avoided discussing what happens next, choosing to live in the moment. The downtime of the past few days has been good for both of us—her decompressing from being on a boat for weeks and me gearing up for a high-energy tour. My workouts have doubled per day. I’m eating leaner and drinking to hydrate and to help me build up endurance for the performance I want to give across the US during the sweltering summer months.
The remaining piece to a perfect puzzle is her.
Poppy traveling with me is my ideal plan, yet I don’t expect it. She has a life, her own goals, and this fucking wedding she’s still being guilted into catering for her mother. I don’t want to add to her stress. The tour is twenty cities in two months, but I can’t live without her for that long. I already know that, but I won’t force her to go for me. I want her to be there for her.
A hand on my shoulder has me turning around, but I already recognize the familiar grip. “Hey, Dad.” We’ve already talked a few times at Nikki and Tulsa’s party, but it’s always good to spend time with him and get his thoughts on things I struggle to work out on my own.
“Will you have time to cruise down to La Jolla to catch some waves before the tour?”
“Maybe. I’m not sure.”
“It would be nice.”
It’s never lost that Nikki and I have the best parents. Whatever our dreams were, they were there cheering us on. Sports? Sitting front row in their lawn chairs. Dropping us off on the first day of school? Parking the car and getting out to wave goodbye. The reason I can walk on stage and perform in front of a stadium full of people? Our confidence in life and our band is all rooted in them.
Slapping our palms together, we hold on as we bump shoulders. “I’ll make sure to come visit.”
Widening his stance next to me, he says, “Poppy’s different.”
I look at him and laugh. “What the hell does that mean?”
A subtle punch to my arm has me sway away from him in mocking. “What’s she doing with you?” He chuckles, his eyes stretching across the pool to where the love of his life chats with mine.
He’s easy to hang with—a businessman who managed to stay grounded in his success, always put his family first, and can be a friend or dad, whichever you need at the time.
Grinning with pride that I scored the girl and won her heart, I’m tempted to peacock around the joint, but he doesn’t put up with bullshit like that. “She’s pretty fantastic,” I reply. No matter how old I get, I still value my parents’ opinions and want their approval. “She’s agreed to move in with me.”
“That’s a big step, Son.”
“She still has a few months left on her lease, but truth be told, it feels right being with her. I hate even saying it, but . . .” Dropping my head down in embarrassment, I rub the back of my neck.
“But what?” he asks, giving me the time I need to share things like this. He’s never one to rush someone pouring out their emotions even though it feels like exposing a part of me that makes me uncomfortable in front of others.
Peeking up, I say, “She makes me feel whole. Eh, I know . . .” I chuckle, shaking my head. This isn’t just to anyone. It’s admitting it to my dad and one of my best friends. He’s always got my back. “I haven’t felt like that in a long time.”
Reaching over, he grabs my shoulder and gives me another solid squeeze. “Love is funny like that. Kind of chews you up and spits you out sideways, changing you in ways that can be challenging to your comfort zone. But isn’t that the beauty of it? If we stayed in our comfort zones, we might as well travel this journey on our own.”
“I keep thinking it’s because of my age.”
“It’s not. It’s here. She’s the difference, hence different ,” he says, looping back to his opener. I’m not always as quick as he is with the greater picture of our place in this universe, but I imagine wisdom comes with age. I sure hope so. “You’ve spent the past few years cleaning up messes you left all over the place, Laird. Sounds like you somehow still ended up right where—”
“I’m supposed to be.” I nod. “I told Poppy that recently.”
“Truth is found in the proof. You’re changing. That means growth in new ways.” His eyes track across the pool again. “This relationship looks good on you. You look healthy. Body, mind, and soul, my son.” He was born a little late to be called a hippie, but he’d fit right in. He’s my dad, and he is respected in his industry and has done well despite appearing to be laid-back most of the time. He says that’s what helped him. He’ll always be a Southern California surfer at heart.
“I am. Body, mind, and soul.”
I pat his back and return that shoulder squeeze. “Thanks, Dad.”
“I’m only a phone call away. You know that. With just a short drive, we can hit the waves anytime and talk through any troubles.”
“You don’t have to worry about me anymore. Your job here is done—not because I found Poppy but because I finally found myself again.” I catch Poppy sticking out her tongue and twisting her face at me.
So fucking adorable.
At home with my family.
Can it get any better than this?
“I think your mom approves.”
I chuckle. “The lady waving frantically at us?” I joke as if we can’t see her gesturing us over.
“That would be the one.” We walk over to join them.
Grabbing my hand as soon as I approach, my mom says, “You’re not going to believe this, Laird.”
Poppy’s smile kind of says it all as she tries to hide it behind a glass of wine. What are these two up to? This should be good. Restraining my grin in response is impossible. The sight of my mom and my girl bonding so easily, like they’re fast friends, causes a knot in my chest. The good kind that doesn’t need to be broken. Maybe it’s my heart.
I ask, “What am I not going to believe?”
Presenting Poppy like a new car, my mom says, “Poppy was prom queen.”
My gaze darts to my girlfriend. Interesting . “I’m not surprised. She’s beautiful.” Inside and out would make me sound like a lovesick puppy, but it’s true. I’m more drawn to who she is, her laughter, and her smile than outward appearances. She just happens to be the full package for me, custom-made to attract me like a bee to her honey.
Clasping her hands together, she holds them in front of her. I’m not sure that Poppy knows where she’s going with this, but I do. I will let this play out and let my mom have her fun.
Her mini, my sister , comes over with Autumn on her hip. “What’s all the excitement about? ”
My niece is already reaching for me, her favorite uncle. She’s stinkin’ cute and loves her uncle Laird. Though the competition for best uncle is fierce when the Crow Brothers are also competing for the title.
Nikki stuck with Crow tradition the best they could. Those two . . . apparently couldn’t figure out where she was conceived on our last tour because they were doing it so much. I’d punch his lights out if they weren’t married.
They went with the season instead . With her blue eyes and strawberry-blond hair, Autumn suits her.
Poppy comes around the group, greeting Autumn with the most infectious smile I’ve ever seen. Maybe the last of the sun’s rays are getting in my eyes, but I can see her smiling at our child one day. Luckiest kid in the world to have her as their mom.
The results of the paternity test shocked me, but I was relieved more than anything else. The loss changes forms. It was never about having kids. It was about having kids with Poppy. Almost three years together if it weren’t for the accident. Would we have kids by now?
Taking my hand, Poppy rests her head against my arm, and whispers to me, “She’s happier for me than my own mom was.”
The others don’t hear her, and I’m sure she’d like to keep that part of her life at bay for the night. So it’s good when Nikki says, “That is the cutest. We’re going to have to Photoshop those pictures together.”
I roll my eyes. “I’ll leave that to you guys.”
Poppy looks confused. “I don’t get it.”
My mom says, “Laird was prom king of his class.” Did she just waggle her eyebrows? “It’s kismet.”
“This is a lot of mania,” I say, “over something that doesn’t matter.” With Autumn fully entertained by my scruff, rubbing her fingers over the pointy hairs and laughing, I turn to Nikki. “We didn’t get this much hype over playing Wembley Stadium.”
My sister starts laughing again. She knows it’s absurd but also loves to be a part of the fun. Who doesn’t? I just wish it weren’t aimed at me.
Poppy giggles, though, so if this is the reward, I’ll let them tease away. She finally says, “She said it’s kismet.”
Nudging Poppy, I then rub her lower back and whisper, “We’ve always had a date with destiny, baby.”
Nikki says, “I’ve never met two people more meant to be.” Nikki feeds my mom’s delight in the little things, even encouraging it. I shoot her a look to please end this torture. But torturing her brother is what brings her joy. “I love that for you two.”
“Are we over this bit yet?” I ask, glancing to my side where Tulsa’s walked up.
He asks, “What bit?” Then he swoops in to take his baby, and I take the opportunity to hold mine by wrapping my arm around Poppy’s shoulders.
I exhale, ready for a different topic of conversation that doesn’t include me at the center of it. Turning to Poppy, she’s quiet but still grins as she stares ahead. Something feels off in our connection, her hand loosening from mine. As the others pivot their attention to Autumn, who’s giggling up a storm in her daddy’s arms, I tilt my head to catch her eyes. Her usual vibrant life is void of emotion. The fun she was having has vanished under the guise of a fake smile.
Turning to shield her from the group, I caress under her chin. “Are you okay?”
Her gaze finally reaches mine as if she’s returned to me. “I’m not feeling well.”
“We can go. ”
The nod is subtle, but I see it—her eyes still stretched into a distance beyond Nikki’s backyard. She’s shaken, but I have no idea what happened.
“Hey, guys.” I wave with my free hand. “We’re going to take off. Thanks for the food and . . .” The goodbyes are fast, and Poppy is hugged at least four times, which is more than I was, before we’re freed to leave.
As soon as we’re safe in the confines of my Ferrari, she says, “You’ve said that to me before.”
“Said what?”
“We have a date with destiny.”
She remembers.