“Especially now that you’re with Poppy,” he says. “You’re more grounded and more mature ever since you started dating her. Even the way you play is better.”
I run a hand through my hair, grinning like a cheeseball. “She brings out the best in me.”
He pushes off the truck and turns to go back inside, but I stop him.
“Hey, can I ask you something?”
“Yeah, what’s up?”
I work up the nerve to ask my big brother a question I never, ever thought I’d ask him.
“How do you know you’re in love?”
He blinks at me, like he wasn’t expecting that.
“You think you might be in love with Poppy?”
I swallow hard. “Yeah, but how do you know it’s love?”
He’s quiet for a moment and looks off to the side before looking back at me.
“You know it’s love when you’d rather do life on hard mode with them, than have an easy life with anyone else.”
Something clicks in my brain hearing Ryker describe it like that.
“You rather fight with them than make love with anyone else,” he says before cracking a smile. “That’s pretty damn cliche. I think I heard it in a movie once. But it’s true. No one holds a candle to my wife.”
I smile feeling settled and certain in a way I haven’t before. Because now I know what I’m feeling. Now I know what it is. Now I can finally put words to it.
“Thanks, Ryker.”
He walks back inside. I head in after him. I spot Poppy in the kitchen washing her hands at the kitchen sink.
She sees me as she’s drying her hands. She flashes that gorgeous smile. “Hey.”
I walk over to her, grab her by the waist and kiss her. She makes a surprised noise before sinking into the kiss.
My family whistles and hollers at us, but I ignore them.
When we break apart, Poppy looks at me, her eyes big and dazed and bright. I feel like I can’t breathe.
Fuck, I love her. I love her so damn much.
“What was that for?” she says through a laugh.
I can’t tell her. There’s no way she feels the same way, not after three months of fake dating and barely one month of being an actual couple.
She’ll think it’s too soon. I’ll freak her out and lose her.
So I hold it all in, hold her close, and try to keep it together.
“Just felt like kissing you.”
Chapter 50
Poppy
Isit in the stands, mesmerized while watching Nick play.
