Page 18 of Last Boy

For a long time, she doesn’t say anything. And I don’t push it because I don’t want to force anything out of her. Poppy isn’t someone who cries very often. In fact, I think this is the third time I’ve ever seen her cry since we were kids.

Finally, with her voice small, she tells me everything.

“Ron owes the wrong people money.” Her voice breaks. “As payment, he offered…” She cries into her hands. “He offered me.”

My heart breaks while the rest of my body fills with anger.

“My own dad was going to let his suppliers rape his child. Just so that he wouldn’t be hurt.”

I feel like I’m going to puke. “Did…” I can’t even get the words to come out. I don’t know if I want to know the answer.

She shakes her head. “I had a bad feeling about those men, so I cracked my door and listened to the exchange. I escaped through my window and hid out here as that deal was made.” She wipes her sleeve across her face. “They’ll come looking for me. I heard them yelling at Ron once they went into my room and saw I wasn’t there.”

Crying harder, she looks at me. “And even if they leave, he’ll punish me, Walker, because he’ll know that I ran to escape them. Leaving him to be hurt and probably lose his supplier.”

“Fuck him,” I growl. “I’ll kill that motherfucker, Poppy. I will.”

“I want him to die too,” she whispers. “But if you kill him, then the three of us will get put into the system.” She pauses. “I’m not scared for me. I’m scared for Jake. He’s going to be eighteen in a year and a half. And then he can finally live on his own.” She shakes her head. “If he gets taken now, they’ll just stick him in a group home for the rest of his life. I can’t let that happen. I just can’t. He wants so much more than that.” Her voice is barely a squeak. “He deserves so much more than that.”

“So do you,” I say gently. “Poppy, I can’t let your scumbag father hurt you anymore.” I try to keep my voice soft, but it’s hard. “I’m supposed to protect you, and I fail all the fucking time.”

At fifteen years old, I know I can’t give her the protection she needs. I want to rescue her, but my own life is a mess. I love her more than I’ve ever loved anything. And sometimes, I think she feels the same way.

“I just wish we could all run away,” she whispers. “To someplace better than this. Where our parents aren’t high and dads don’t abuse their children. Where we get what we need and don’t have to be scared every day.” Her lip trembles. “I’m so tired, Walker. I’m so tired of this life.”

I pull her against me tighter. “I promise you, Poppy, one day, this street will be our past. Van will be running his own restaurant, just like he’s dreamed of. Jake will have his own place, be on a football team, and maybe even get to meet Tom Brady,” I say in an attempt to lighten things. “You’ll be dancing for a huge dance company, and I’ll be in the NHL, somewhere near where you’re working, I hope.” I kiss the top of her head. “One day, Poppy. One day, it’ll all be okay.”

“I hope you’re right,” her voice squeaks.

“I’ll make sure of it.” I kiss the top of her head, wishing it were her lips, but not wanting to push things while she’s upset. “I’ll always be here.”

I drag my hand over my face. The ache from my skull making it almost impossible to sit up. I haven’t had a dream or a nightmare in years. I don’t dream. Yet, after a ton of liquor and a few encounters with Poppy, here I am.

Sadly, that night wasn’t the worst night of our childhoods. There were many, many times when all I wanted to do was be her hero, and I couldn’t save her from her own father. Just like she suspected, her dad punished her. She came to school the next day with a black eye and a bruised stomach. And when she was questioned, she said that she was in an accident.

The school let it go. They always let it go.

When I saw her, I started toward her house, ready to put that fucker in the grave. But before I could, Poppy got to me. Begging me not to go through with it. She said that it would only make her life worse. In a way, I knew she was wrong. The three of them risking getting separated would have still been safer than the horrors inside that trailer. But because she asked me, I listened.

It fucking killed me. But I listened.

Van had stood up for her, and he had gotten his ass beat too. One thing that worked in Jake’s favor was the day program he was in. Ron was smart enough to know that if he laid his hands on Jake, suspicion would rise if he showed up in places with bruises. That gave Poppy a little peace, knowing he was somewhat protected.

My parents died three days later from drugs that had come from her old man.

If I hadn’t let her stop me, maybe my parents would still be alive. They could’ve seen me go pro one day. Maybe they could have gotten clean and stayed clean. Briar wouldn’t have been brainwashed by our uncle, and all would be good.

But like always, Poppy took her father’s side. Only making everything worse.

6

Poppy

We are days away from the fundraiser, and while I think we’re ready, I’m worried about Cade.

Last night, I borrowed Ryann’s car and drove by Van’s place to check for any signs of life. Because although I’d sent him numerous messages, he hadn’t answered. I know he hates me after the things I said to him when I bailed him out of jail. And if it looked like no one else was there, I would go inside and apologize to him and try to get him some help.

Instead of my brother, I saw Cade’s truck in the driveway. And right away, it all clicked. Cade Huff is an addict. And while I’m pissed at Cade for deciding to go down that road, I’m more pissed at my brother for doing exactly what our father did—getting people hooked on drugs.