“You and Poppy Harris. Since when has that been a thing?”
“It’s not. I mean, not really. I don’t know. We’re just hanging out.” I shrug indifferently.
“Just hanging out. Since when? Because last time I checked, you avoided that girl like she had the plague and you’d die if you got within ten feet of her.” He gives me a questioning look.
“Things change.” I lift my cup to my lips and take a sip.
“What? Overnight?”
“Yeah,” I answer honestly. “We got to talking last night. Hung out a little earlier today. I don’t know, man. I think I really like her.” I play it up, knowing that Tripp will spread the shit like wildfire. Which is precisely why I would never tell him the truth. I love the dude, but he can’t keep a fucking secret to save his own life.
He looks at me like I’ve grown an extra head.
“Don’t look at me like that.” If I had a free hand I’d probably sock him in the shoulder. “We used to be really close. I guess I’m starting to remember why.”
“Man, I fucking knew it.”
“Knew what?”
“You didn’t just realize you like this girl, you’ve always liked her. Why else would you warn everyone else away from her? Now I get it. You were holding out hope that she’d actually give you the time of day.”
He’s not entirely wrong. Not the part about me liking her, but the part about me not wanting to see anyone else with her. I never really stopped to ask myself why that is and I’m not about to do it now.
“Whatever. Did you need something else or can I go now?” I ask.
“Don’t let me keep you, lover boy.” He bats his lashes dramatically.
Fucking asshole.
Without a word, I step past him, making sure to knock my shoulder into his as I do. He grumbles under his breath and I laugh. It’s just how we roll.
Crossing the crowded grounds, I have my gaze pinned on where Poppy is lounging next to the fire talking to April and Brock who joined us a few minutes ago.
I’m so laser focused on her that I don’t see the person approaching me until he steps right in front of me, cutting off my path.
“Blake,” I grind out, thinking this dude has a hell of a lot of nerve to step up to me after the shit he pulled.
“Hey, man.” He shoves his hands into the front pockets of his shorts, seeming rather nervous.
I’d be nervous too if I were him.
“I’m... I just wanna apologize for the shit that went down with Annika. I was wasted. Didn’t know what the hell I was doing.”
“You were drunk... That’s the excuse you’re going with?” I snort.
“It’s true, man. I never would have gone there sober. You know that. We’ve been friends for how long? Four years. You know me. You know I would never go after your girl.”
“So then what? It was just a onetime thing?”
“It was. Truly. She came onto me, you know. It’s not like I sought her out.”
“And yet for some reason that doesn’t make me feel any better,” I snarl.
“I get that you’re pissed. And you have every right to be. But I couldn’t let things go on any longer without at least saying my peace.”
“And you think now was the right time?”
“I wanted to give you a few days to cool off.”
“So that’s why you’ve been dodging me. Afraid I might bash your fucking face in?”
“Among other things.” He chuckles, rocking back on his heels. “Look, dude, I know what happened was fucked up. I just want to say sorry for the role I played in it. I hope we can put this behind us.”
“Consider it behind us.” My gaze slides past him to where Poppy is sitting, her eyes glued on me, concern tugging at her features.
“Seriously?” Blake seems confused. Clearly he thought this would be far more difficult.
“Seriously. I’ve got my eye on someone else. I don’t plan on exhausting any more time on Annika.”
If only that were true.
Blake turns, following my line of sight.
“Poppy Harris?” he questions, putting two and two together.
“Poppy Harris,” I confirm.
“Makes sense, I guess.”
My gaze swings back to him. “What does?”
“I mean, you only threatened the entire team within an inch of their lives if anyone messed with her. You’ve cock blocked her entire dating life. You can’t think we all believed there wasn’t a reason. I’m honestly surprised Kyle had the balls to take her to prom last year. Then again, you two have never been friends, so I’m guessing he never got the message.”
“Are you about done?” I clip, growing tired of this conversation.
“Yeah.” He blows out a breath. “I won’t keep you from getting back to it. Just wanted to apologize.”
“Well now that you have, I have more important things to attend to.”
“So we’re good?” he asks.
“We’re good.” I blow out a puff of air.
Yes, I’m still pissed at Blake for making out with my then girlfriend, but I can’t fault the guy. If someone as hot as Annika came onto me, especially when I was drinking, I doubt I’d have the will power to turn her away either. No matter whose girlfriend she was.
“Awesome. So, I’ll see you around?”
“Yep. See you around.” I nod, stepping past him before setting off to my original destination.
When I reach Poppy, I hand her a beer before sliding down into the seat next to her. She slowly lifts the cup to her lips, but her eyes remain trained on me.
“What?” I ask when she continues to look at me.
“What was that all about?” She doesn’t have to elaborate; I know exactly what she’s talking about.
“Blake wanted to apologize for the Annika shit.” I blow out a breath, lifting my own cup to my lips.
“And did you forgive him?”
“I did,” I confirm, resting my beer on my leg as I relax back into the chair.
“I’m not going to lie, when I first saw him approach you, I thought you were going to tear his head off.” She lets out a small giggle.
“I considered it.” I smirk, giving her a sideways glance.
“So everything’s good then?”
“Everything’s good.” I nod, taking another drink of beer.
“Speaking of your ex-girlfriend, I haven’t seen her around.”
“She’s coming in tonight. Had some shit with her parents this weekend.”
“Oh.” Her gaze slides to the fire.
“Oh?”
“Nothing.” Her eyes come back to me. “Just didn’t realize she wasn’t here.”
“If you don’t mind, can we talk about something else?” I ask, reaching my free hand over the arm of the chair before resting it on her forearm. She tenses slightly, but then relaxes within seconds. “You know, if you keep jumping every time I touch you, people aren’t going to buy what we’re trying to sell.”
“Sorry.” She kneads her bottom lip between her teeth. “I guess I’m not used to it.”
“What, someone touching you?”