Chapter 40

She stumbled towards him and fell into his arms. She didn’t want to give in to these feelings they were having. She wanted to stay strong.

“My mom already knows Madden. We should not even be out here,” she said, feeling like she was losing the battle.

His other hand went to her face and caressed her cheek. He kissed her chin lightly. Just one peck.

Her entire body shuddered. He had undone everything with one simple peck.

“I love you Poppi and if I have to let you go tonight, I don’t want to have to do it right now,” he begged.

Poppi leaned into him. He cupped her face with both hands and kissed her bottom lip sensually. She let out a gasp and kissed him back. As his tongue found its way around hers, she began to undo his tie. They smiled in between kisses. Then suddenly…

“What the fuck is going on here?” Talon yelled.

He ran at the couple and pushed Madden away from Poppi.

“Tally, it’s much more complicated than what this looks like,” Poppi said.

Madden stumbled but recovered from the push. He was in shock that Talon was standing there.

“It looks like two siblings are making out to me. What more could this be?” Talon asked with his hands balled into tight fists.

“Talon, Poppi and I never knew each other. We weren’t raised like brother and sister. I met her a couple of months ago and honestly I tried to resist her, but we keep coming back to this. We aren’t related. We aren’t siblings in any way other than our parents are married. This isn’t weird unless you make it weird. Please don’t be upset with Poppi,” Madden begged.

Talon looked at Madden and back at Poppi who was crying softly into the sleeve of her shawl.

“Fuck you Madden. Let’s go Poppi,” he said, grabbing her wrist and practically dragging her into the main house.

Madden tried to follow, but the look Talon gave him let him know this was not the time.

Inside of the main house, the lights were dim. The sound of the television faintly filled the silent space. Valyn sat curled up on the couch with a mug.

Talon and Poppi startled her at first. “Oh my! You guys must tell me when you enter a room. I almost lost my bourbon!”

“Hey auntie. You are drinking bourbon from a mug?” Talon asked confused. “Anyways, I found Poppi out back in the trail with Madden.

Valyn say up swiftly and set down her bourbon. Her eyes darted to Poppi as if to beg her to not let this be what she thought it was.

Poppi’s eyes were sad and shamed. She turned her head away from her mother.

“Okay Tally, thanks for walking her in. Have a good night sweetie,” Valyn said, rushing him along.

Poppi knew exactly what she was doing.

“But auntie, don’t you even want to know what they were doing?” Talon asked.

Valyn ignored him and started talking to Poppi.

“How did you enjoy your dance with Hohner?” Valyn asked.

“It was fine. We exchanged numbers so we can keep in touch. He is studying pre-med at LSU,” Poppi told her.

Talon stood there looking helpless. He ping ponged between Valyn and Poppi.

“Well that is promising. You need you a good guy like that. Maybe you can transfer to LSU your junior year! That could be fun and you two could maybe date again,” Valyn gushed.

“Poppi and Madden were kissing!” Talon yelled.

Valyn looked at him with a pitiful glance. She was not bothered by this information.

“Oh dear. I’m sorry you had to witness that. Are you okay?” Valyn asked him.

“I’m fine. I just wanted you to know what was going on with your kids,” he said firmly.

“They have gotten rather close. We don’t need to speak about this to anyone else though right my favorite nephew,” Valyn said, cupping his hand in hers.

Talon was so confused and bewildered. Why wasn’t his aunt Val more upset? Did she know this was going on all along?

“I’ll take care of it Tally. Just please keep this between us,” Valyn said as she escorted him outside.

Poppi tried to go off to her room before Valyn came back inside but she caught her on the stairs.

“So you and MJ can’t keep it together for a weekend? You have to go at it in public places?” Valyn asked furiously.

“Mom first off the cottage isn’t public and Madden and I were actually ending things. Though I’m not sure why we were. I want to be with him. As my mother you should want to protect my heart. Help me. Please mom!” Poppi pleaded.

“I can’t support this Pops. When he goes back to Maryland then what? You two will get over this. Just be careful in the meantime. You have five more weeks in the same house. Just try for dad at least,” Valyn said, kissing her cheek and walking down the hall.