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“Bad credit?” Cammie asked. “Been there.”
“Felon,” I said and took a sip of my carbonated water.
Cammie’s mouth dropped open, and she looked around the table.
“You didn’t know?” I asked.
She shook her head.
“Don’t,” Poppy snapped. “You’re a cool chick, and I know you’re like family to Cal, but if you treat Theo any different, I will drag you out this bar by your hair.”
It shouldn’t have been sexy, but I fought the urge to pull her over Aiden and into my arms. Over the years, Cal had gotten into several fights because someone said something to me he didn’t like. It pissed me off every time, but for some reason, watching pint-sized Poppy charge to my defense made me want her even more.
“Geeze, Poppy, take it down,” Cammie said. “My daddy’s serving a life sentence, and I love that man to bits.” She leaned across Lauren’s lap to grab my hand. “I was just shocked I hadn’t heard about it since everyone in this town loves to gossip. I know better than most, the label doesn’t make the man.”
Judging by the surprised looks around the booth, Cammie had kept that little tidbit about her family to herself. She could have said any number of things to settle Poppy’s wrath and end the awkwardness, but she’d shared a hidden piece of her story to put me at ease. I squeezed her hand before I released it, and she leaned back to her seat.
“It’s pretty shocking you hadn’t heard about me,” I said. Not shocking, absurd. Cammie moved to Peace Falls a year and a half ago and had spent countless hours with Cal and Lauren. I couldn’t believe neither of them had mentioned my past. Hell, a few years ago, I couldn’t walk down the sidewalk without hearing people whispering about it.
“Well, now I feel like a bitch,” Poppy said.
“Only if you mean a female guard dog,” Cammie said and blew her a kiss.
Poppy nodded, but she seemed to curl into herself.
“Come on, Hell Cat,” Aiden said nudging her shoulder. “Let’s see if you can still kick my ass at darts when you’re not completely wasted.”
“Oh, this I have to see,” Lauren said. She and Cammie scooted out of the booth as Rowan and Cal stood aside to let Aiden and Poppy out.
“Why didn’t you tell us?” Cal asked, taking the seat Aiden had left beside me with Rowan glued to his side.
“It’s nothing for y’all to worry about. You’re planning a wedding and have your own businesses to run. You don’t need to deal with my shit on top of all that.”
Cal shook his head and gripped his hands together.
“Don’t be pissed. I’ll figure something out.”
“I’m not pissed,” he said. “I’m hurt.”
I glanced at Rowan, expecting her to be as surprised as I was, but she was nodding in agreement. “I’m the one getting evicted. How is that hurting you?”
“Because I’m supposed to be your best friend,” Cal said. “You should have told me.”
“I just found out last night.”
“You had time enough to research the entire Peace Falls rental market, but you couldn’t shoot me a text? I get that what you and Poppy have is special, and I’m glad you at least told her—”
“Don’t,” I said, forcing the word through gritted teeth. “We’re just friends.” Even if it felt like more to me, I’d never cross that line with Poppy. No matter how much I liked her, I had to keep my distance. “Max talked to me right before class last night, and Poppy helped calm me down like Skye does.”
Rowan narrowed her eyes. “How convenient. If you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll go watch my sister, who unlike Skye has opposable thumbs and can play darts.”
My stomach sank as she scooted out of the booth. “That didn’t come out right, did it?”
Cal smirked. “Not the smartest thing you’ve ever said. But you and I both know how much you love my dog. Rowan doesn’t realize that any comparison to Skye should be taken as a compliment. Which by the way, proves my point. Poppy is more than a friend.”
“She can’t be.”
Cal sighed and rubbed his forehead. “You should have told Aiden and me about the eviction. Between the two of us, we’re bound to know someone who can help. Aiden has a realtor on speed dial. Ever think of buying something?”