“Stop overthinking things.”
“I’m not. I’m being logical. I mean, look at us. Neither of us had an idyllic childhood. I don’t think I want kids. If I can get my brother raised happy and healthy, that’s enough for me,” I admit.
Ollie searches my eyes. “And that would be fine. But I love you, Poppy. Both of you.”
“I love you, too,” I say, looking back. “I love you too much to lose you.”
“Then I guess you’ll just have to find me,” he teases, lightening the mood.
Bucky opens the door. “Hey, you gonna eat?”
“Yeah,” Ollie calls back and turns to me, looking hopeful. “You staying?”
I shake my head. “I gotta get back and give Jim a call to tell him yes.”
“Make her a to-go container, please!” Ollie says to Bucky.
“You got it!” Bucky calls.
“You don’t have to feed me,” I say.
Ollie shakes his head. “If I don’t feed you, you won’t eat.”
“Owen’s a little snitch,” I say with a laugh.
“We need you to have energy and be a badass teacher.” He wraps me in a big hug again, and I relax into him, breathing him in.
And how can I argue with that?
"Thank you,” I murmur into his chest.
He squeezes me gently. I don’t give Ollie hugs often. We don’t touch like this in general, but it’s getting harder and harder not touch him.
Because Ollie is the one who will wreck me if I let him.
Chapter 9
Ollie
Oklahoma Smokeshow by Zach Bryan
The door opens before I can knock a second time.I immediately slap a hand over my eyes and turn my head like I’ve walked in on something illegal. “Everybody dressed?”
Owen blinks up at me from the couch, brows pulling together. “Why wouldn’t we be dressed?”
Poppy lets out a sharp, nervous laugh. “Really, Ollie?”
I peek through my fingers just enough to see her standing there in a hoodie and jeans, arms crossed, cheeks pink. Very dressed. Annoyed and cute. Bummer. I preferred the naked version.
I lower my hand slowly. “Okay, cool. Just checking.”
“Checking what?” Owen asks, sounding confused.
Poppy groans. “You’re ridiculous.”
I step inside and close the door behind me,toeing off my boots. “Hey, I knocked. I announced myself. I even covered my eyes. I’m basically a hero.”
“You’re a weirdo,” Owen says.
