Page 31 of End Game
I listen to her stories, even admire the way she seems to have taken up with my friends, but in reality, I’m tuning her out. Searching for the sound of Branch’s voice is almost impossibleover the roar of white noise through my ears coupled with her rambling.
My hand trembles as it glides down the banister as we descend the staircase.
I haven’t seen him since he pinned me to the refrigerator and fucked me so hard it knocked the little basket off the top my mom keeps receipts in and I’m nervous to see him now with Poppy and Finn around. It reminds me of being a teenager and having a major crush on a boy and having to interact with him in front of your friends. You know one little slip can make you the laughingstock of the school.
As we round the corner and my sight lands on him sitting at the island, his easy smile melts away any apprehension I had.
“I got burgers to go from Crave,” Finn says as the microwave blares behind him. “I had to heat them up.”
“Really? From what I heard, the entire car was pretty hot on the way home,” I say, trying not to smile.
Branch, however, doesn’t bother stifling his as he stops the microwave and takes out a burger. “Poppy, you little rascal.”
“You—” she starts, then realizes her misstep and stops. With a quick glance at me, she starts again. “Youare an asshole.”
Branch hands me a burger, his fingers brushing mine as I accept the sandwich. We sit at the table, on opposite ends, and start to eat before I realize my brother and Poppy aren’t.
“Aren’t you guys eating?” I ask.
“I already ate,” Finn smirks. “No, really, Machlan is having a party at the lake tonight. He invited us to come out.”
Not wanting to be the first to respond, I look at Branch over my burger. He searches my eyes before turning his attention to Finn.
“You two wanting to go?”
“Yes,” Poppy giggles. “Those people are crazy. Seriously, who knew rednecks could be so much fun?”
“I love the Gibson boys,” I say, ignoring a strange look from Branch. “But I don’t really feel like one of their parties tonight. It gets loud and the last time we were there, Peck let out the neighbor’s cows and we spent all night trying to herd them back into the pen without the owner knowing it.”
“I’ll stay with her,” Branch says, his offer sounding amazingly innocent. Still, Finn raises his brow. “My agent sent me some contracts for endorsements that I’ve had for a couple of days. I’m happy to stay and get that shit done.”
“That’s all you’re getting done, right?” Finn asks.
“I don’t know what you’re referring to.” Branch winks, tossing his paper plate in the trash, and carries his burger with him as he disappears out of the kitchen.
Poppy follows him. “I’m going to grab a sweatshirt in case it gets chilly tonight. Be right back.”
I almost feel guilty that Branch wasn’t warned that Poppy’s behind him. She’s not going for a sweatshirt. She’s going up there to interrogate him in a way only she can.
Maybe it’ll be good for him. There’s no doubt no one has ever put him in his place like Poppy Quinn is about to.
I’m chuckling under my breath when I look at Finn. “What?” I ask, taking in his puzzled face.
“Heard from Callum?”
“No. Why? Should I have?”
He shrugs. “Not really. You just seem really chipper this afternoon.”
“Can’t a girl just be happy?”
“Sure. Just wondering why.”
“Because my big brother is such a respectful, loving guy that stays out of my business,” I say, standing up and walking around the island. I kiss him on the cheek. “Now go play with Poppy and be happy yourself.”
He stills, his eyes turning a deep shade of emerald like our father’s. “I’m not kidding, Lay. Don’t fuck with Branch.”
“He’s nice.”
