All Chapters of My Affair With My Stepbrother : Chapter 41 - Chapter 47

Poppi laid down in her bed. She had slipped into one of Madden’s T-shirts instead of unpacking her pajamas. She had accidentally packed it from the laundry basket, thinking it was her favorite shirt Fred had gotten her. The shirt smelled like him. It made her think of him. Tears started to fill her eyes. Saying goodbye to their secret relationship was harder than she could have imagined. TAP! TAP!She heard light tapping on her window. She didn’t move at first but then she heard it again. She moved slowly towards the window and could see a silhouette of a hooded man. She squinted and as she got closer realized it was Madden. She opened the window and he stepped inside of her room. “I had to see you Poppi,” he said, taking down the hood of his sweatshirt. She just stared at him for a moment and then without thinking she rushed into his arms. He caught her and held her tightly. “I don’t know how to end this. I don’t know how to say goodbye to you,” he said. “Me either,” she said,

The house had never felt so loud.The laughter downstairs drifted through the vents while Poppi sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the pregnancy test she’d tucked inside the back of her nightstand. Hidden beneath old dance recital programs and birthday cards, it still felt like it was glowing.Two pink lines.She’d checked it a dozen times, as though somehow they might disappear if she looked hard enough.They hadn’t.Her hand instinctively drifted to her stomach.Nothing had changed.Everything had changed.A knock sounded softly against her bedroom door.“You awake?” Valyn asked.Poppi swallowed. “Yeah.”The door cracked open just enough for her mom to peek inside.“You okay? You’ve been awfully quiet today.”“I’m just tired.”Valyn studied her for a second, the way mothers always seemed to know when something wasn’t right. But after a moment she smiled gently.“Don’t stay up too late. We leave early to take Madden to the airport.”Airport.The word hit like a punch.Tomorrow.T

Madden and Poppi entered the gated oak tree near the wooden swing and sat. Poppi fidgeted with her hair. Putting it in and out of a ponytail. Madden gave her his undivided attention.“What’s going on?”She took a deep breath.“So I haven’t seen you much for the last month. And I have been kind of going through something on my own,” Poppi stated.Madden reached for her hand but resisted, “I’m sorry you have been dealing with something Poppi. I’ve tried to honor what we said and I stayed away. It is very confusing and heartbreaking for me. Anchor is just easier unfortunately. But we agreed to that, right?” Poppi nodded and looked out towards the barn. “I mean, we ended this Poppi. You wanted this. Me leaving, me with Anchor, this is what you wan—“ he began.“I’m pregnant Madden,” she blurted out. The words felt so heavy coming out. As if she pick them up and hold them in her hands.Madden stopped. He turned towards her with his eyes wide open. “What?” He asked.“I’m pregnant. With

Not because it wasn’t true. Because it was. The phone rang. Madden. Poppi answered. “Hi.” His voice came through the speaker, tired and quiet. “Hey.” For a moment, neither of them said anything. Then Madden asked, “You okay?” Poppi smiled sadly. “No.” He laughed softly. “Me neither.” She curled her legs beneath her. “How far are you?” “Still a long way.” “That’s not an answer.” “I know.” She could hear the road beneath his voice. “You driving?” “Yeah.” “Then don’t talk to me.” “I can talk and drive.” “No, you can’t.” “I’ve missed your bossiness.” Poppi smiled. “I’ve missed you.” Silence. Madden’s breathing changed. “Say that again.” “No.” “Poppi.” She laughed softly. “You heard me.” “I just wanted to hear it twice.” Her smile faded. “Madden…” “Yeah?” “I don’t want us to make this harder than it already is.” “I know.” “I mean it.” “I know.” “But I don’t know how to do this.” His voice softened. “Neither do I.” Poppi stared down at her stom