Mr. Pruitt ignored her. “I’ve always thought of you as family,” he said to me. “Despite everything. Despite my past with your father. But I should have known. Maxwell put you up to this, didn’t he?”
What did my dad have to do with any of this? “No.”
“Don’t lie to me.”
“I’m not lying to you. My dad has nothing to do with who I do and don’t date.”
Mr. Pruitt glared at me. “He’s been trying to ruin me for decades.” Mr. Pruitt started pacing. “End this, Poppy. Matthew’s just trying to con his way into our family to get inside information. He doesn’t love you. He only loves himself.”
What the actual fuck? “I loved your daughter.”
He stared at me.
“I never see you leaving flowers on her grave,” I said. “Fake crying once doesn’t count. You basically harvested her organs. So don’t you dare stand there and say she meant nothing to me when she meant everything.” I could feel myself cracking. I was saying everything I wasn’t supposed to say.
“Are you finished?” he asked.
God I wanted to punch his smug face. I clenched my hand into a fist and then unclenched it. Over and over. “Yeah, I’m done.”
“So you loved Brooklyn? And you expect me to believe that now you love Poppy? The two of them couldn’t be more different.”
“Opposites attract.”
“I know that. That’s why Brooklyn liked you. She was pure and wonderful and good. And you’re cruel and cold and uncaring.” He turned to Poppy. “Poppy dear, he doesn’t love you. Cut him loose.”
“Are you saying that I’m cruel and cold and uncaring too, Uncle Richard?”
“No, that’s not what I meant. You know I think the world of you.”
“Then why don’t you trust me?” she asked. “It’s like you have no faith in me at all. Uncle Richard, this isn’t some big con. I’m in love with him.”
Love? I tried to smile and nod when all I felt like doing was throwing up. I didn’t want to talk about Brooklyn. I didn’t want to be standing here with her dad and Poppy. I wanted my fresh start.
Mr. Pruitt nodded. “Truly?”
“Truly, madly, desperately in love with him. Why aren’t you happy for me?”
For a second Mr. Pruitt said nothing at all. But then he cleared his throat. “Of course I’m happy for you, darling. And Matthew. You feel the same way about Poppy?”
“Yes.” My voice sounded strange as the lie twisted in my throat.
A smile spread across Mr. Pruitt’s face. “Well, this is wonderful then, yes?”
The fact that he was suddenly so happy was somehow more terrifying than when he was throwing food. I nodded.
Poppy smiled up at me with pretend sweetness. “So wonderful, isn’t it, sugar tits?”
Stop calling me that.
“I have to say, I’m surprised,” Mr. Pruitt said. “But relieved.” He slapped me on the back. “I’ve been worried about you over the years.”
“Right. All your texts. I’m sorry I didn’t respond, but I wasn’t in the right…headspace.” I hate you and I always will, murderer. “You said you wanted to talk to me about something?”
“Not necessary now.” He shook his head. “Not necessary at all.”
What did that mean? Not necessary now that I was…dating Poppy? Happy? What? “The last time we spoke, you mentioned that I was in danger.”
“Ah, yes. A little unrest in the family again. But there’s nothing to worry about now. It’s been taken care of.”
“Tit for tat,” Poppy said. “And I got to find out that car bombs are delightfully fun. Boom.”
My stomach rolled. I honestly had no idea what she was talking about, and I wanted to keep it that way. In less than 48 hours I’d be out. I had to be. I couldn’t be pulled into car bombings and evil plots. I didn’t want any part of that.
“It warms my heart that you’ve found happiness again, Matthew,” Mr. Pruitt said. “Warms my heart indeed. If the two of you love birds will excuse me, I don’t want my absence to be noted.”
He hugged Poppy and then turned to me. “Just so we’re clear. If you hurt her, I’ll kill you. Slowly. Understand?”
I nodded.
“And I’ll have a relationship contract sent over to your residence immediately. Please return the signed copy as soon as possible.”
Just like that I’d been pulled back in. This was worse than just a lie with Poppy if I had to sign a contract. I couldn’t let it get that far.
Mr. Pruitt nodded and then strolled back out of the kitchen.
As soon as he was gone, Poppy elbowed me in my side. “What were you doing, purposely antagonizing him?”
“He…”
“And don’t you ever bring Brooklyn up again in front of my uncle. The last thing we need is for him to think you’re still in love with her.”
“I’ll always love Brooklyn.”
“Keep saying idiotic things like that and I’ll kill you slowly myself.”
“I’m sorry, Poppy.” I didn’t want to end up six feet under when I finally felt like I was living again. “It won’t happen again.” But only because this would be the last time I’d be seeing her before I had a way out of this shit show.
“Good boy.”
How many times was she going to make me throw up in my mouth tonight?
“Shall we get back out there?” she asked.
“Actually…you’re right. I’m completely underdressed. And we already chatted with your uncle. I should probably just head out.”
She assessed my outfit again. “You’re probably right. You’re certainly not making my ex jealous tonight.”
I’d take that as a compliment.
“But let’s go out again tomorrow night. There’s this new restaurant…”
“I have dinner plans tomorrow with a friend.” I wasn’t going to put off this dinner with Penny. I’d been putting off telling her about Brooklyn for years. Enough was enough.
“You can’t keep blowing me off, Matthew.”
“I’m here tonight, aren’t I?”
She sighed. “But you were late. Who are you having dinner with tomorrow?”
“A friend.”
“Be more specific, will you?”
“Penny. Scarlett’s mother.”
“Is there something there I should know about?”
“We’re just friends. And you better add her to the list of people you’re not allowed to hurt. All my friends, actually. And my family.”
“I won’t touch any of them. I promise. I need to get back out there.”
I caught her arm before she could leave. “I want to be very clear here. I don’t just mean touch. I mean harm in any way. Including your newfound love for car bombs.”
She pouted. “You’re no fun.”
“Promise me.”
“I promise.” She pulled her arm away from me. “Make sure to clear your schedule next weekend for only me.”
Nope. I’ll be out of your clutches by then. “Sure thing, sugar tits.”