Instead, we ended up chatting about random things for a while, taking the night off from book club, which worked out since Owen started messaging right after.
Owen: How did Monday treat you? And before I forget to say, I’m enjoying our conversations.
Poppy: Thanks. Me too. Today went well. I’m finally catching up at work. How about you?
Owen: Couldn’t be better. So tell me more about your family. The parents who inspired your relationship goals and the brother who scared you away from boys. I take it you’re close. Do you all live in the same city? What do they do?
Poppy: LOL. Well summarized. My parents are here. We have dinner every Sunday. They’re both teachers. My brother, Grayson, has been in the military for twelve years but is finally moving home right before Christmas. I’m excited to have him back. What about yours?
Owen: Sounds like a solid family. Must be where your aspirations came from. I’m an only child. My dad is out of the picture, and my mom lives across the country with her husband. We talk on the phone once a week or so. What I lack in family, I make up for in friends. I’m fortunate in that regard.
Poppy: That’s nice. I’m lacking in the friend department. My best friend moved away, and the guy I had dinner with this weekend is my only other close friend. I’ve lived here my whole life, so I obviously know people but they’re more like acquaintances.
The night goes on, asking questions back and forth. Owen is easy to talk to. He’s sweet, and he’s constantly making me laugh. He’s perfect, yet there’s no way of knowing if we’ll be attracted to each other.
I’ll find out soon enough with only two more conversations before exchanging pictures. If anything, we could always end up as friends, but I’m hoping for more at this point and excited for our next chat on Wednesday.
Braden
I’m at dinner with the guys after work on Tuesday. It feels like it’s been forever since we’ve gone out, but finding a time that works for everyone is difficult. Between work, Eli’s and Sebastian’s newborns, and Jackson’s new marriage, we have a lot of obstacles.
When I made partner, I became busier and slowed down on going out. I didn’t notice how much I’d neglected my friends until we weren’t hanging out at all, and I miss it. However, I’m expecting a shit ton of crap when they hear about my trip this coming Thursday.
I called Jim Marlow first thing yesterday to schedule an in-person deposition. It could easily be done from here with the help of a local source, but hey, I’m a hands-on type of guy—or at least I’m hoping to be—with a certain redhead I’ll be paying a visit to.
Poppy and I enjoyed our lazy Sunday in bed, where the texting was hotter than the book. The next day, when she shut me down formore sexy times, we briefly chatted about mundane things before she convinced me to take the night off from reading.
But I hadn’t had my fill, so Owen got in touch shortly after. Neither of us will be talking to her tonight, since I’ll be out with the guys. I’m still not sure how I’ll dig myself out of this mess, but at this point, I’m enjoying it too much to quit. Conversation number five is when I’ll have to worry. That’s when exchanging photos won’t work without revealing who I am.
What I like about having Owen is learning about each other on a deeper level. I’ve kept mental notes about what I’ve shared to avoid doubling up. The thing is, I’ve revealed more to Poppy than to any other woman since Layla. Except it’s all been through Owen, and she has no idea he’s really me.
Hanging with the guys tonight is the distraction I needed, and an hour into dinner, I’m relaxed for the first time in weeks. As our meals are cleared and we’re three drinks in, distraction is thrown out the window when the shit-talking starts. As I’m the only single one left, they’re enjoying it a bit too much.
“I never thought the day would come when Braden the Butcher was chasing a woman,” Eli jests.
“Not just chasing. He’s traveling thousands of miles for one. She must have a damn fine pussy.” Sebastian never did lose his crassness even after settling down.
“Hey, I’m just glad you’ve finally realized not all women are bitches like Layla. Even if it doesn’t work out, at least you’re moving on.” Jackson and I have the most history, and he saw firsthand the Layla shitstorm.
Eli points his beer in my direction. “Remember, you’re walking the line. If you screw her over, you’ll pay for it. Cici will have your balls. So basically, don’t fuck it up.”
I point mine right back at him. “I guess you’d better wish me luck then. She doesn’t know I’m coming yet, so don’t go home and blab to your wife. Let me have the element of surprise. It’ll end well, I promise.”
“Care to make a wager on that?” Eli raises his brows in question. “From what I’ve heard, she doesn’t have the highest opinion of you.”
“I’d love to. I’ll hit record next time we’re in bed together.”
Their chuckles and whistles of approval accompany glasses being raised in cheers.
Eli, however, is shaking his head, smirking. “Dude. We all know the bedroom isn’t the problem. It’s everything else I’m worried about. Seriously, man, I’m not covering for you if this goes south.”
Jackson intervenes. “Go get your woman. I’ll handle my sister.”
After that, the conversation fortunately moves to less stressful topics. No one knows I’ve been talking to Poppy through the dating app, although if Warren and Eli were to end up in the same room, I might be outed, which is why Warren wasn’t invited tonight.
The last thing I want is a lecture—I’m aware how fucked up it is and don’t need to feel worse than I already do. So why am I continuing the charade and not making Owen go away? Because I’m convinced she wouldn’t be as forthcoming with me as with Owen, so he’s still needed.
Maybe after a few days in Bozeman, I’ll sweep Owen under the rug. If all goes well, she might even make the decision herself and decide I’m the one she wants. The distance may be an issue, but we’ll address that later.
