“What?” I ask. Why does this guy keep inserting himself where he isn’t wanted?
“What?” Poppy asks with a laugh. “No, but thank you.”
“Jake’s a show off,” Scottie says, but she’s giving a smile that borders on affectionate. “Has to remind people constantly of his four hundred million dollar contract.”
“That’s hurtful. You know it was four fifty,” he says, and Scottie groans. “And hey, don’t forget to post a picture of this to my social media. Got to make sure the sheep see what a good person I am, helping people in need.”
Scottie rolls her eyes for all of us. “No.”
“Hey, you asked me for my help. The rest of your family was too busy with all those important life things you’re not a part of.”
“Then pay off Poppy’s student loans.”
“I don’t need you to pay off my student loans,” Poppy says, leaning forward, like she’s trying to make sure Jake can hear.
He waves a hand. “Like I care about a few dollars.”
“Forty-two thousand,” she says.
“That’s it? Man, they just give those degrees away, don’t they?”
Poppy’s jaw falls open.
“Seriously, let him pay it,” Scottie says, her dark eyes on us. “He lives for this stuff. Makes him feel like a hero.”
“Totally,” Jake agrees. “But Scott, just make sure you post about it. Make up some crap about how I found these two stranded on the side of the road and paid for them to get home for Christmas. And then add the part about paying off their student loans.”
Whatever balloon had inflated inside my chest has crashed and burned against the mountain that is Jake Rodgers’ ego. The heater’s blasting too hot now, making the leather smell stronger, and I crack my window an inch. Cold air rushes in, sharp andsteadying. If the Firebirds send this guy down to the minors, I’ll quit.
“Jake, I played pro ball,” I say. “I’m the youngest manager in the minor leagues. I don’t have student loans, and I don’t need your money.”
Jake chuckles. “That’s cute, bro. Keep that chin up.”
“We can’t drive them to Rochester,” Scottie tells Jake. “We have family pictures tomorrow.” She looks back at us. “But you’d better believe I’ll have Jake pay off the loans.”
“Jake, you don’t need to pay off my student loans,” Poppy insists, her face red.
“Come on, let me do something nice,” Jake pushes, and as irritating as this guy is, something else occurs to me: why not? Wasn’t I telling Poppy last night that she needs to let people take care of her? This is nothing to Jake.
It would be everything to Poppy.
And honestly, I’m mad I didn’t think of it first.
“You should let him,” I say softly, my thumb tracing circles on her calf over the ridges of her corduroy pants. “You know you can say yes, right?”
Poppy’s face snaps to mine. “Wouldyou?”
“No,” I say with a quiet snort. “But that’s exactly why youshould. Don’t be too proud to accept help when it’s offered. Think about it as you doing him a service. If you say yes, it’ll let Jake feel good about himself.”
“Huh,” she says, leaning her head back. Then she says to Scottie. “Okay. If you’re serious, I’ll send you my loan info.”
Scottie nods. “Perfect. I’ll get it done before you guys are back in Rochester.” She pushes her glasses up. “The next available bus doesn’t leave till six p.m., and it’ll have you arriving around midnight. Or you could wait and take the train tomorrow morning.”
I look at Poppy, at her big green eyes with the brown rings that make them look hazel, at her upturned nose and kissable lips. At the way she radiates goodness without even trying. I’ve spent every moment of the last three days with her. It’s not enough. Saying goodbye feels like torture, even if we can see each other over the holidays in Rochester.
“We should take the bus,” Poppy says to me, but her voice lacks conviction, and she’s looking at our hands—hers resting on her lap, mine inches away on her knee
She’s right. And I should want to put the brakes on how I’m feeling. I really should. It’s not like I woke up this morning a different person. I’m still storm clouds on a sunny day. The guy who sees the glass half empty and then dumps the rest out, just to prove his point. No woman I’ve been in a relationship with has been able to tolerate my pessimism for long.
