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“You slept with her too?” Jude motioned to Cyrus and let out an angry-sounding laugh. “So, just to be clear, you’ve slept with all of us now, Poppy?”
Sam growled. “Careful.”
I cleared my throat and ran my hands over my hair. “Um. Yes. I did sleep with all three of you. I did that. Yes…”
Cyrus pointed at Sam. “You knew?”
Nodding, Sam shrugged. “I found out last night. Before this.”
“Great. This is great.” Jude rested his hands on his hips and nodded a little too aggressively. “We’re all adults. This is fucking fine.”
Cyrus rubbed his jaw and looked away. “No one owes anyone anything. It’s fine.”
Sam looked over at me and I saw frustration pass over his face too. “Is something else going on here?”
“Nothing’s going on.” Jude bit the words out. “Are we going fishing or not?”
I took that as my cowardly chance to get away. “You guys go fishing! Have fun! I’m just going to go home and um…do the things I need to do.”
“Poppy.” Sam’s voice betrayed that he was officially aggravated too.
I carefully slipped past all three of them, being sure not to touch anyone. I laughed awkwardly and looked around for my discarded clothing. “You know what? I didn’t like those jeans anyway. Bye, guys!”
I’d never left so fast. Bogie had to race to keep from getting left behind. It was like I was going for the Olympic team as I sprinted across Sam’s yard. I barely looked to make sure no cars were coming before rushing across the street and into my own yard.
Bad Mood Banner gaped at me from the sidewalk next to his trash can. “What in the world?”
I didn’t have time for him, but as I got to my porch and tried to open my door, just to find it locked, I screamed and knew he would have more to say. Trying to cut him off, I stepped over the railing and leaned over to open the window into the living room. It didn’t lock and I’d used it more than once to get inside after locking myself out. That was typically with the help of one of the guys, though.
“I can see your bits, girl!”
I glared at him and shifted my leg to hide my bits, as he’d called them. “Stop looking, old man!”
“I always knew there’d come a day when you finally lost it.” Bad Mood Banner whistled. “Your friend got caught out with her pants down, Sam!”
“I’m not in the mood, Banner! I’m seconds away from having my brother pin a murder on you!”
“Poppy, get down before you break your leg.” Cyrus’s voice came from right under me and when I screamed and lost my balance, he caught me and saved me from doing just what he’d warned me about.
I knew that I was bright red and I was so close to melting down in a puddle of humiliation that it wasn’t even funny. I tugged my shirt down and backed away from Cyrus. “Locked out. Just…I’ll figure it out.”
He sighed heavily and reached up, easily opening my window. “Climb up.”
If I’d had my wits about me, I would’ve never done just that. As it was, I was desperate to get away. I put my foot on Cyrus’s thigh the way I’d done a ton of times before and swore when he planted his hand firmly in the middle of my bare ass and all but tossed me through the open window. I landed on my couch inside and screamed into a pillow before going to the door to let Bogie in.
I gave Cyrus a stiff wave and nod. “Thanks!”
Bad Mood Banner was standing in the street with Sam and Jude, watching me make a fool of myself. I shut the door and locked it, considering my options for running away.
“Good job, Poppy. You idiot.” I covered my face with my hands and groaned. “I should just get in my truck and drive. I could start over somewhere else. Teachers are needed everywhere. Not that I’m a good teacher…”
“Might want to close your window, Poppy.” Cyrus’s voice was the icing on the crap cake.
I slammed the window shut and ran to my bedroom. I was never coming out. How the hell was I supposed to face anyone ever again? I couldn’t. I couldn’t even feel superior when arguing with Bad Mood Banner anymore. I was a loser all the way around.
I hid under my own covers and patted the bed to invite Bogie to join me. When he settled next to me I decided that we’d be fine having everything we need delivered for the rest of our lives.
31
