Evin's Fight (Southern Charmers 3)

My heart breaks for her, and the anger simmers to a boil. Ryanne leaps up and crosses the room, grabbing her phone.

“Maya, they will work this out. You can’t let yourself get upset.”

“This is important to me.”

“Sure, it is, you’ve been looking forward to this trip.”

“It’s not the trip. It’s you.”

“Me?”

“You’re my aunt now, right?” The hesitancy in her tone sets me back in dangerous territory.

I’m an aunt through marriage to her step-mother. To Pierce and the rest of the family, that is still family. Connie disagrees.

I decide to take my chances. “Yes, I’m your aunt.”

“You’re awesome. You’re a professional performer and that couldn’t be cooler. I want to see you so badly. And my mom is ruining it!” We’re back on the verge of tears.

Ryanne flashes her phone to me, and I read over the text thread quickly.

Ryanne—Heads up, Pips has a very upset Maya on the phone. What should we know?

Darby—Pierce is on the warpath and I’m trying to diffuse World War ten at this point. Welcome to life with Connie. Sorry to drag Poppy into this, but Maya idolizes her. We’re working things out. Pierce will make this happen for Maya.

Ryanne—Okay, we’ll try to calm her down and let her know things are going to be okay.

Darby—I appreciate it and will call later. Now I must try to calm my raging bull of a husband, so I’m not stuck with four children visiting the jail every week.

I grin at the last comment and focus back on the hysterical teenage girl. “Maya, I think you’re beautiful and sweet and it hurts to see you this upset. Why don’t we calm down and let the adults handle this? Sometimes, it’s out of our hands.”

She nods, fingering at the necklace I gave her. “You’re right.”

“Think about something else. Fill me in on school.”

“Better yet, tell me about the cute boys.” Ryanne shoves herself back on screen.

The splotches on Maya’s face fill in pink, and she presses her lips together shyly.

“Oh, this looks juicy.”

“Promise not to tell Uncle Evin?” Maya directs the question to me.

I hesitate a bit too long and Ryanne elbows me. “Ummm, I guess?”

“Never mind. I’m telling Darby tonight. She has to help me with Dad.”

“What are you telling her?”

“Chad Mason asked me to come to his football game next week,” she squeals. “He’s in eighth grade and the quarterback, which is beyond cool. He’s the cutest boy in school, and all the girls crush on him. My best friend said he’s asked no one to come see him play. But yesterday, he walked up to me and…”

She rambles, detailing everything about their encounter, and my chest burns for a different reason. Sweet Maya has a serious crush.

After a few minutes, she’s breathless, and her mood has done a complete turnaround. Peirce calls her name in the background. “I better go. Thanks, Poppy, for listening.”

“Any time, see you soon.”

We disconnect, and I fall back on the couch. “That was an emotional rollercoaster.”

“Yes, it was. Hate to do it, Pips, but I have to leave.”

“Let me know when you get to the hotel.”

“I’ll text. And you keep me updated on what’s happening with that situation.”

“Will do.”

She gathers her things and waves goodbye.

My phone beeps with a reminder and I haul myself up, grabbing the folder for my appointment, and head out. The entire way toward the strip, Maya’s call replays in my head. God, I’d love to be there next week to see what happens at that football game.

I turn into the parking lot and shoot off a quick text to Evin.

I Love you.

It’s simple and to the point. He’s busy this week and needs to focus since he’s coming here for ten days starting Friday.

“Here goes nothing.” My hand rubs the stone around my neck for luck.

Elliot is waiting for me in the lobby with a kind smile. “Poppy, you ready to do this?”

“Ready as I’ll ever be.”

“I look forward to meeting Evin.”

“Let’s hope he doesn’t kill me for this. It’s a surprise.”

“The best kind of surprise.”

I follow him to the elevator, hoping he’s right.

Evin’s silence stretches out, and my euphoria of the day dies quickly.

“Say something.” I pick at the ruffle on my pillow.

“Let me get this straight. Ryanne gets on a plane to Seattle, Dante is in Colorado, I’m across the motherfucking country, and you met with a realtor by your goddamned self?” he roars so loud, my eardrum rings.

“Honey, we know him. He’s a friend of Dante’s.”

“I don’t care if he’s in line for sainthood, you never meet with a man in a strange place, especially when I don’t know where the fuck you are.”

“Evin!”

“Warning you, Poppy, it’s been a shit fucking day. Connie's drama is usually hilarious, but today it fucking pissed me off because she stepped onto my turf. Insulting you was a big mistake. Then I find out you already know Connie’s up to her bitch ways. Now it’s three in the fucking morning and you share you met with a man to tour sublets?”