“No takebacks, babe.” Sammie says as he gets out of the car. He walks around to my side but I’m out before he can open the door. He frowns at me.
“Yeah, he doesn’t like not being able to open doors.” Imogen laughs. “Wait! Are those stables? You have horses, right?”
“Yeah, we do. I can take you to have a look after dinner if you want.”
“Can I ride one?” Imogen is practically jumping in place.
“No,” Sammie says.
“Sure, I have an older guy who’s real gentle,” I tell her.
Sammie glares at me. “We talked about this,” he hisses under his breath.
“We did, but I think she can decide for herself if she wants to ride a horse or not. You know… her body, her choice and all.”
A look crosses Imogen’s face, but it’s gone before Sammie turns to look at her. “I don’t want you on a horse, Imogen.”
“I will call Mom and tell her you’re trying to control me.” His sister pulls her phone out of her purse.
I glance from Imogen to Sammie. “I think maybe being an only child was a blessing after all,” I murmur as the two remain locked in a stare-off.
“What’s it going to be?” Imogen says, waving her phone in the air.
“Fine, you can ride a horse. A really old, slow horse,” Sammie grunts.
“Man, you really are scared of your mama.” I laugh at him.
“She’s awesome,” Imogen tells me, linking her arm through mine as she starts walking towards the house. “She’s going to love you too. Also, this place is amazing. It must be so peaceful out here.”
“It can be,” I tell her.
Sammie trails behind us, looking around everywhere, probably searching for the bogeyman he thinks is going to jump out. There’s something comforting about his awareness and the way he scans for danger, even if I’m not supposed to know he’s doing it. My mom taught me to do the same thing from a young age.
Chapter Seventeen
Ifollow behind my sister and Poppy, and glance around. I’m not sure what the fuck I expect to find out here, but it’s a habit to check for anyone wanting to make a jump on me. I’m even more cautious when my sister is close.
This house is huge. Clearly not a struggling farming family. I’m eager to meet the rest of Poppy’s cousins. Something happened to her, and I want to know what it is. The file mymother collated is mocking me from my safe. I should have just fucking read it. If I had, I wouldn’t be left wondering what the fuck went down. Or why she doesn’t talk about her parents…
I’ve gathered they’re no longer with us. But what happened to them? And why the fuck is she so casual with what she saw back in that kitchen? Most people would be distraught, maybe even sick at the sight. Poppy looked and shrugged it off as if it were an everyday occurrence for her.
“They’ll be out back. Jaggar likes to think he’s a grill master,” Poppy says while guiding us through the house.
“What are your cousins’ names?” Imogen asks.
“Jaxson, he’s the oldest and most grumpy. Then there’s Joel, the typical middle child, and Jaggar is the youngest.”
“Are they hot?” My sister smirks.
“No, they’re gross.” Poppy laughs.
“Imogen!” I call out to my sister, getting her to turn around. I crook a finger and coax her forward.
She lets go of Poppy with an eye roll and walks over to where I stopped. “What?”
“I need you to not fuck with Poppy’s family,” I tell her.
“I have no intention of fucking anyone, Sammie. Don’t worry. I’ll be on my best behavior. I know how much you like her,” Imogen says, loud enough that Poppy hears her.
