Page 1 of Cheeky Trifle
Poppy
“What the hellis he doing here?” I whisper, grabbing my best friend’s hand and squeezing in panic.
Although I lived in California for almost a year when I was a teenager, this is my first time here during Thanksgiving. We used the holidays as an excuse to visit my grandparents in England when we lived here. Max has tried to convince me to come back basically since the moment I left, and while I was desperate to spend time with her face to face once again, I didn’t want to seehim.
“I didn’t know he was going to be here, I swear.” Her words barely register as she swiftly steers me away from her parents’ open-concept living area and into the kitchen. My breathing is erratic and my hands shake. The thought of being in the same room as him has me on the verge of a panic attack. Everything surrounding me blurs in favour of the memories of my time with the boy who stole my innocent teenage heart.
Aaron Townsend.
The captain of the football team and the most popular boy in school. He was the one all the guys wanted to be and the one all the girls wanted to date. Yet, for some reason, he chose me, the awkward British girl who was like a little lost sheep in Redwood High. Four years later, I still have no idea what it was that made him choose me, but as much as I try to put it all to the back of my mind I know it isn’t something I will ever regret. He was the best thing that ever happened to me, and I ruined it. I followed my family back to London.
But seeing him again makes it more obvious than ever that I left my heart here, with him.
“Last I heard he was spending Thanksgiving with his—”
“Don’t,” I snap, cutting off whatever was about to fall from her lips.
The first time I spoke to Max after I left, I made it very clear I didn’t want to know anything about Aaron. I didn’t want to know if he was miserable, if he’d moved on, or what he was doing. I thought not knowing would be the easiest way to restart my life without him.
I was wrong. Not a day has gone by since I walked away from what we had that I haven’t thought about him. I’m not delusional to think the sentiment is going to be mutual though. He must hate me.
“Poppy,” Max’s mum sings as she walks into the room looking like a housewife from one of the old sitcoms we used to watch, with her apron tied around her waist. “It’s so good to see you again.” She wraps me in a hug and it helps ground me a little. “How are your parents?”
I always felt at home here. And although when I first arrived at the age of seventeen, I hated the fact I’d left my life behind for Dad’s work, I was immediately grateful he was friends with Max’s dad. Max and I hit it off instantly and have been best friends ever since, even with the thousands of miles between us.
“They’re good. They send their love.”
“Mom, what’s Aaron doing here?” I don’t miss the fact she whispers his name, I guess hoping it’ll affect me less if it’s said quieter.
She shrugs. “Your brother turned up with him and told me to set out an extra setting.”
“You could have warned—”
“Oh…I…” She glances over at me, sympathy coming off her in waves. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t…it’s been…I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay,” I soothe, because really, it should be fine. We’re all adults now. I’m sure he won’t so much as look in my direction.
We help out with the final dinner preparations, my nerves increasing with every second that passes, knowing I’m going to be face to face with him once again very soon.
“Help me carry this?” Max asks, nodding towards the turkey her mum’s just arranged on a giant board.
“Bloody hell, this weighs a ton.”
“If you’re going to celebrate Thanksgiving, then you’ve got to do it properly,” her mum shouts over her shoulder. “Max, call the guys. We’re almost ready.”
My heart pounds and my hands tremble as I attempt to prepare for what’s about to happen. I’ve no idea what the best outcome would be—him acting like nothing ever happened, like I didn’t rip my own heart out by walking away from him, or if he refuses to acknowledge me. At least if it’s the latter, I’ll know he’s as affected by this as I am.
“Do not drop that,” Max warns. I go to reply but the lump in my throat stops me. “It’ll be fine. You’ll see,” she adds.
I mumble some kind of agreement but I’m anything but optimistic about what the next few hours are going to hold.
It’s only a few seconds after Max calls out that dinner’s ready before the sound of men’s footsteps filter through to us. The warmth of Max’s hand wraps around mine that’s resting on my lap. I appreciate the support but it does little to stop my racing heart and the dread that is sitting heavy in my stomach.
Her dad’s first. His eyes land on the table before exclaiming his delight at the incredible array of food staring back at him. “That’s one fine looking bird you got there, love,” he shouts to his wife. “I do love a juicy breast.”
Max’s brother, Joe, is next, and followed closely by Aaron. Time slows down as my eyes land on him as he walks into the room. My pulse races and my heart aches as I take him in. He was always strong and muscular, but now…whoa, he’s massive. His grey shirt is stretched tightly over his wide shoulders and chest before dropping to a slim waist and thick thighs. Although incredible, his body was never the best part about him. That honour was for his eyes.
I sit stock still, gripping Max’s hand painfully hard as I wait for him to see me, wondering what his reaction is going to be.
Images of our final night together flash in my eyes as if I’m watching a film. Prom night, with him in a black suit and me in a magenta dress. His gentle touch as we danced together knowing that tomorrow everything was going to change. My dad had to go back to London, and Mum and I had no choice but to follow.
Looking back, I know I should have fought to stay. But I was young and it was easier to just do as my parents said, even if it meant breaking my own heart in the process.
After what seems like an eternity, the sound of my name being called breaks through my reminiscing.
“Poppy, you’re looking incredible,” Joe says with a wink, but I don’t look over to him. My focus is locked on Aaron as his head moves and his eyes find mine for the first time.
It feels like someone takes a baseball bat to my chest, and I grip on to the edge of my chair as a mix of emotions barrel into me all at once.
