Thanksgiving weekend is the kickoff to the holiday tour of lights in a historical area of Charleston. This year, a longtime resident of the neighborhood declared mercy on all the men that are forced to walk the streets year after year. He extended an open invitation, welcoming anyone to hang in his yard if they’d like. We were the first here, staking our spot, and set up our fire pit and coolers.
With two pregnant women, a toddler, and Poppy’s injury, Mom decided to drive golf carts.
As always with Mom, nothing is ever simple. She rented a larger cart, had it delivered to her house, and insisted all the men decorate them last night. This is why she’s currently somewhere up the street, blaring Christmas music from a loudspeaker with a six-foot lighted shape resembling a tree on the roof.
I began to bitch until Poppy pulled me aside, kissed me, and left me with whispered promises. Ryanne and her parents were staying with Andrew, leaving the house to ourselves.
My reward was experiencing firsthand the benefits of her hard work with Jesse the last week. I swear to God, when she took over, I thought I’d explode. It was the first time in months she could fully manage the position, and seeing my words on her flesh while she rode me was almost too much.
My cock stirs at the memory and what happened next, my mood shifting. If they want to play this game, I’m in. “Who says she’s not already pregnant?”
Pierce, Miller, Warren, Dozer, Andrew, Austin, and Dad all grin approvingly. Jackson scowls.
“Is that the secret? Knock them up?”
Usually, this would be crass, but with this group—it’s exactly what it means. “Find your own woman and we’ll fill you in.”
“Speaking of that, Andrew, be careful, son. Your mama has grown attached to Ryanne. When her parents left this morning, she exchanged information with Julie. Those two had hearts in their eyes,” Dozer warns while Austin smirks.
“Fine with me,” Andrew replies neutrally, drinking his beer. “She’ll be here by spring.”
“That so?” This is the first I’ve heard of the timeline. It is no question Ryanne will move, but there is a lot to consider.
“That’s my plan.”
Understanding is clear in his response. He wants her here. “What if Poppy goes back to Cirque?”
He eyes me carefully. “We will talk when we get to that point.”
“Holy shit.” Austin side-punches his brother. “You moving her in?”
“We’ll see.”
I smile at his reference to Pierce’s now famous ‘game’.
“Good move,” Miller encourages.
I drink my beer and listen to them, keeping an eye on Poppy inching slowly through the streets. Tonight is more of the kickoff to a holiday tradition, and it’s Poppy’s informal debut as a Graham. Mom has wanted to throw a party since we arrived, but held off at Poppy’s request. Outside of visits to Darby’s bakery and my office, Poppy hasn’t met many people. That’s going to change soon.
She stops, angling out. Even without the Christmas lights, she glows. She wobbles on the curb, and I’m ready to move until Cole steps in, holding her elbow to help her along the cobblestone. Someone stops, taking Poppy’s phone and snapping the picture, then Cole resumes helping her back to the driver’s seat.
Something catches my eye a few houses down. “Shit.” I drop my beer and take off toward them.
“Oh, fuck,” comes from someone, then Pierce and Miller are at my side.
We make it to the golf cart in time to hear Connie’s ear-splitting screech, “Who the hell are you?”
Cole and Maya slink down, but Poppy sits straighter. “Who are you?”
“These are my children, and I’ve never laid eyes on you in my life. Where is Pierce?”
“Right here. Lower your voice.” He comes to a stop.
Her eyes snap to him, brimming with hatred. “Why are my children riding around with two strangers I’ve never met?”
“Connie, stop making a scene.”
Her friend, Blaire, and another unknown woman have the decency to look uncomfortable.
“Connie?” Poppy switches on the saccharine. “We haven’t met. I’m Poppy Graham.”
At the name, Connie jerks. “You’re Evin’s wife? You have purple hair!”
“Mom!” Maya cries in humiliation and Pierce growls.
“Pierce, giving you a warning. I’ve waited a long time for my say to this woman. If she insults my wife again, taking my shot.”
“Stand down, big guy, she’s got this,” Ryanne says low.
“Oh, yeah, Evin Graham? You sit high on your moral throne thinking you’re untouchable? After what you did to Rina, you are ...”
She’s drowned out by Mom’s music as she whips in. Pierce scowls when Darby wobbles from the quick stop. Devin’s so excited he bounces in her arms and lurches upward. A familiar nagging settles in my gut, sensing Darby’s unease about the situation.
“Everything okay, Connie?” Jill speaks up.
“No, my children are flying through the streets with women I don’t know. My lawyer is going to love this.”