“Why do I have to hate her now? Why can’t we just be friends? It would be so much simpler if my parents would fucking talk and at least be able to be in a room together. Think about it—wouldn’t you rather spend the holidays with both sets of your parents?”
“Sure, but our parents have kids, which is their motivation to remain friends—you and Candace don’t. You don’t have to be enemies, but having her over to the house and hanging out with her?” He shakes his head. “That’s asking for Poppy to be pissed off.”
“I told her about Poppy,” I argue. “I told her that it’s real.”
“It doesn’t matter. Do you think Rae would be cool with me hanging out with a chick while she wasn’t around? Much less a chick I dated? Hell, fucking no.”
I groan. “I fucked up. I get that, but there was no malicious intent. No lines were crossed. I told her I’m with Poppy and happy.”
“Why do you want to remain friends with Candace?” he asks, point-blank.
I shake my head. “I don’t know. I just feel…” I let out a sigh and shake my head again. “I don’t know, obligated or something, which is stupid because if it’s going to drive a wedge between Poppy and me, then fuck it. I’m not going to risk my relationship to hold onto a friendship with Candace.”
“You need to flush her out of your life. Cut all ties. Get rid of her shit, delete her number, and make it perfectly clear that you’re done because otherwise this is going to be your new carousel, and I have little faith that Poppy is going to hang on to this ride.”
Poppy
Smiling faces surround me, making me feel more isolated than I did alone at the apartment. I didn't know how to tell Rae about the fight when she got home, so instead, I pasted a smile on my face and followed along with the plans we’d made to come out tonight.
“Why are you frowning?” Sophie asks, appearing out of nowhere with her hands on her hips, or maybe she was here the entire time, and I just missed it because I’ve zoned out. I haven’t seen her since the Halloween party when her words sparked something that made me look at Pax a little closer than I’d previously allowed myself. “I’ve heard the rumors. You’re dating Paxton freaking Lawson.” Her eyes light up. “There’s literally nothing that should make you frown because whether it’s a failed class, a flat tire, or an eviction notice, your consolation prize is still Paxton.”
I grin. “How are you doing?”
She hugs me close. “I’m well. How are you?”
I nod. “I’m okay. It’s just been a long week.”
“I hear you. I’m already ready for summer.” We both laugh at this since it’s the beginning of December.
“Are you going to Vegas this weekend to watch the game?”
I nod, though I’m second-guessing the decision. “We’re not leaving until Friday night, though.”
“I’m jealous. I considered buying a ticket because football plus Vegas sounds like the excuse I need to have fun, but then my professor made my decision for me by assigning a colossal project.” She expels a wistful sigh. “I look forward to hearing about your wedding in a Vegas chapel.”
I scoff. “Negative.”
She grins, but before she can respond, my phone rings, and my mom’s picture appears on the screen.
“I have to get this really fast,” I tell her, taking a few steps back away from the crowds as I answer.
“Oh, thank goodness,” Mom says. “I need your help.”
“What’s going on?”
“Dylan’s sick. He’s running a fever and has been throwing up all day, and your father is stuck on a job site, and I’m supposed to be at the studio in twenty minutes. Is there any way you can come over and be with him? He’s asleep right now, and he’ll probably stay asleep so you can get homework done or watch TV or whatever.”
I rub a hand over my forehead, wanting to say I can’t and feeling bad over the fact. But if I stay here, my night will likely be worse because I’m still grumpy and unsettled about the Candace situation. Neither option is appealing. “I thought you redid the guest room so you could do the shows from home?”
“We did, but I’m doing this one for a local radio show, and they need me there. It’s for the book launch, and I really need you if you can make it.”
I glance at the group of people who are starting to pour alcohol and energy into activities, laughing and smiling which only makes me feel worse. “Yeah. Sure,” I tell her. “It might take me some time to get there. I’m at the beach.”
She sighs with relief. “That’s okay. I’ll let them know. Thank you. You’re a lifesaver.”
I hang up and start messaging Rae to explain that I need to leave and ask if I can borrow her car since we drove together.
“Hey,” Mike says, a cup in his hand. “It looks like you could use this more than me.”
I shake my head. The last thing I want is a drink, and with Mike, no less. “No. I’m actually getting ready to head out.”
“Already?” He looks around. “The football team hasn’t even arrived.”
“Why are you here?” The question bursts through my thoughts and straight out of my mouth.
He raises his eyebrows. “Poppy, I’m sorry if I offended you earlier. I wasn’t trying to cross any boundaries. I was just… I don’t know. I didn’t tell Maddie that you and I had dated because I didn’t want her to be uncomfortable and because I wanted to be friends with you again. I missed hanging out with you.”
“Where’s Maddie?”
He points. “Hanging out with some friends and grabbing a beer.”
“We shouldn’t hang out. I don’t want her to have any reason to be jealous.” I don’t want to be Candace.
“Poppy,” he
