Evin's Fight (Southern Charmers Book 3) by Ahren Sanders (books to read for teens .txt) 📗

His expression is easily readable and anger burns in my chest. Tension escalates in the air and Darby speaks up.

“Jackson, Evin’s protective of Poppy.”

He throws his hands in the air. “You’re reading me wrong. Never in a million years would I have put the two of you together. She may not be what I pictured, but I get it now. That smile alone would have me chasing her across the country.”

“You have no idea.”

“She have a sister?”

“No.”

“A friend?”

“Not one you want to get tangled up with.”

“I’m eager to meet Poppy,” he says with a grin.

“You’ll get your chance. She will be in Charleston for a few days,” Darby announces freely.

I narrow my eyes and glare at her. “How do you know that?”

“Come on, did you think it would stay a secret?”

“Scottie has a big mouth.”

“Yes, he does, but not this time. I figured it out on my own. Your secrets are hard to keep from me. Don’t worry, I didn’t tell anyone. Well, until now.”

“Exciting, I’ll plan a dinner—” Ashlyn tries.

“No need,” I cut her off. “We’re keeping it low-key.”

The women share a look that is easy to read.

“Not kidding, Darby.”

“Okay,” she replies without an ounce of sincerity.

My eyes fall to my nephew, who’s dozing off. “Your mom is a pain in my ass.”

Chapter 13

Evin

What a shit fucking day.

The pounding in my head finally weakens when I park behind Poppy’s car.

It wasn’t enough that a four-hour delay in Atlanta blew my plans to hell. Then I had to run into the last person I expected waiting for the same flight. Too focused on rearranging the night, I didn’t see Rina coming until it was too late. The total scene was a clusterfuck and she didn’t take rejection well. Especially when drunk—or close to it. I made my escape to the sky lounge and boarded the flight last to avoid her walking through first class.

Now, it’s two-thirty in the morning, and I’m finally where I need to be. A text from Ryanne tells me she’s waiting.

I grab my suitcase out of the backseat and head up the walkway. Ryanne opens the door before I can knock and leans in for a quick hug.

“She’ll be relieved. She fell asleep with her phone in her hand.”

Guilt tightens in my chest that I missed all Poppy’s calls while in the air. “Thanks for your help.”

“Meh, you can thank me with a fabulous dinner.”

“You’re on.”

She smiles warmly and locks the door. “There’s a clean towel in the bathroom if you want to shower.”

I look at Poppy’s closed door and my heart races, knowing how close she is, but still wanting to wash off the grime of my day. “I’ll be quick.”

Ryanne’s grin slips and her expression turns thoughtful. “She told me you know about her family.”

“Those assholes aren’t worthy enough to be called her family.”

“She also told me you know everything.”

An uneasy feeling rolls in my gut. “Ryanne, I don’t think—”

“She said you think it’s beautiful.”

“I didn’t lie.”

“She has the most untarnished soul of anyone I’ve known. Her entitled family will never know the magnificence they let go. Poppy is a dreamer, but never underestimate her strength.”

“Never.”

“I’ve been waiting a long time for Pips to find someone worthy. Dante, too. He and I have both dated enough fucksticks to know it would take a special man to understand and appreciate all that is Poppy. Her beauty on the outside is nothing compared to the woman on the inside.”

Irritation sparks and slowly burns through me at the implication. “Jesus, Ryanne. You don’t know me well, but I’m not the type of man that needs to fly across the country to get a gorgeous piece of ass.”

“Good answer. Poppy has shared a lot about you. Your family, friends, job, the clingy skank that was chasing you down. She loves and gives with everything she has. Since you came into her life, that love is bursting wide. It’s disgusting and brilliant at the same time. It also makes me want to believe that love at first sight exists. Be the man that lets her chase her rainbows and has her back.”

“Goes without saying,” I grumble, tired of this conversation. “When Dante sandbagged me a few weeks ago, this was new but no less serious in my mind. You both have every right to your curiosity and grilling, so I’ll lay it out. What Poppy and I share is real. As real as it can be. My feelings run deep. So fucking deep I can picture a future that was never in my plans. Our situation isn’t ideal, but we’ll work through it. She’s trusting me to figure out a way to make this work. You’re right. That family she kicked to the curb will never understand the magnificence they let slip through their greedy fingers. With me, she’ll never feel that. I appreciate everything that makes her who she is. My job isn’t only to have her back, it’s to support her dreams and let her chase them. In return, I get all the wonder and amazement of sharing it.”

Her gaze flickers with satisfaction. “Glad we set that straight.”

“Now, at the risk of sounding like a dick, this conversation is over. I’ve spent almost twelve hours getting here. The woman I’m crazy about is across the house in bed. A bed I’m ready to be in with her.”

“Glad you’re not a fuckstick.” She waves me off, turning to her room. “Goodnight.”

I lay my suitcase in the hall outside of Poppy’s door, grab what I need, and go straight to the bathroom. The instant the door closes, a sense of familiarity washes over me. Her things are scattered around, her scent lingers in the air, and her crown with wilting flowers hangs on the corner of her mirror. I rush through my routine at record speed, with my mind on one thing.

I slip quietly into her room, dumping my clothes in the corner. It takes a few seconds for my eyes to adjust to