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Aurora was right. I do have something over Tommy’s head. He can’t take the company from me because it belonged to my biological father.
Anger filters through me. Why hadn’t Uncle James spoken up? Did Tommy have something over his head as well? Did he blackmail him? Every summer I used to spend with him, he never said anything. Maybe this was his way of making up for what happened? My father used to let me go there whenever I wanted. James always felt like more of a father, but I didn’t get to see him until after my mother’s death. The first time was at my mother’s funeral.
I’ve been lied to my entire life, and I’ve never felt so bitter, at my mother, Tommy, and James. He’s not who I thought he was, nor was my mother.
Poppy walks into my office wearing a long dress and a mink coat. Fall has hit this year.
“You ready to go? I want to play some pool tonight,” she asks cheerfully.
I wanted to go to Tommy and confront him about the things he did to my mother, but I know if I ask about everything I’ve just learned, he’ll deny it and gaslight me. He’s a narcissist, after all.
Poppy frowns, looking at the scattered papers on my desk, and she picks up a letter. “What is this?”
I pour another glass of bourbon and down it, ignoring the burn in my throat. “I found out my father is actually my uncle, and my mother was having an affair with Uncle James.”
Shock colors her beautiful face. Poppy crinkles her nose, her mouth hanging open. “I’m sorry. Why would Tommy keep that from you?”
I shrug. “Power. I’m thinking he didn’t want me to know to hurt James and my mother even though she’s dead. He has something over James’s head. My uncle always treated me like I was his child, unlike Tommy, and now it all makes sense.”
I don’t even know what to call Uncle James anymore. Do I refer to him as my dad or do I refer to him as my uncle?
“Pour me a glass of bourbon. I need a drink after hearing this, too.”
I pour her a glass of bourbon and she downs it, coughing. “This is strong,” she notes. “So, what are we going to do now?” she asks.
I grip the back of my neck. “I have no idea. My father can’t take the business from me, but I don’t want to face him with this information. He’s a sick bastard.”
She strokes my hand and intertwines our fingers together. “You’re not alone in this. We’re married, remember?”
I nod. I like that she wants to deal with this problem with me and that I’m not alone.
“Do you want my honest opinion?”
I nod again and I collect her glass.
“Give me something lighter, please,” she asks. I pour her a glass of wine, the one Lake gifted me last year, and slide it to her. “I think you should confront him about it. And ask your grandfather for more information. Maybe he knows something. You shouldn’t sweep it under the rug, you know? It will only eat you up inside. I would be pissed at my mother if she kept a secret like that in my family.” Her straight hair gets in her face, and she pushes it over her shoulders, out of the way. “If you need me to go with you to confront Tommy, I will go with you for support. I’ll pack my Taser in case he tries to harm you.”
I cast her a curious glance. “You will protect me from him?”
“Of course I will. No one hurts my husband and gets away with it.”
I chuckle and nod. Once again, this woman amazes me.
“I’ll think about it,” I say.
“If you want to go home and chill, we can.”
I lean against my desk, inviting her to step between my legs. “No. We can go out and I’ll spank your ass at pool.”
The truth is, I don’t want to go home and be surrounded by my thoughts. I want to go to Tommy and bash his head in. But I know if I do that, I’ll be in jail, and I’m not going to risk my life for him. He’s not worth it. I have a wife that needs me.
“Are you sure? This is a lot to process.”
“It is, but I need to keep my mind occupied. And you’re the perfect distraction.”
She winks at me. “Let’s go, I’m ready to beat your ass.”
Poppy
