When We Were Wildflowers

Chapter 22 - Fun and Games

Teddy honks the horn outside Poppy's house and she dashes down the front steps through the headlights dressed in flannel pajama pants, a baggy Fleetwood Mac t-shirt, and no makeup, clearly not trying to impress anyone, but she still manages to shine with natural beauty. A tinge of jealousy eats away at me, although I can't really fault her for being gorgeous because she's the least shallow and superficial person I've ever met. When she approaches, I eye Teddy suspiciously from my spot in the front seat of Dad's borrowed Audi sedan.

"I can't believe this is where she lives," he mutters and it's impossible to know if he hates it or loves it.

"It's been in her mom's family for a few generations." While I study the peeling paint on the front steps, Poppy opens the rear passenger door and slides in filling the car with the sweet scent of apple blossoms. I turn to her. "Hey, girl, thanks for coming out on short notice."

"We have to celebrate the new driver. Congrats and happy birthday." Poppy playfully pats Teddy on the shoulder and I flinch when he smiles proudly. "So, where are we headed?"

Teddy talks to Poppy through the reflection in the rear view mirror.. "I don't know. My mom said we could get whatever I wanted for dinner, so maybe we pick up takeout near the mall? I don't really know what to get since we're new here. What are you in the mood for, Poppy?"

"You're buying me dinner?" Poppy laughs that good-natured laugh, but there is a flirtatious edge to it and I bite my tongue to avoid interrupting this annoying little moment she's having with my brother.

"Sure, why not." Teddy turns around and flashes Poppy his impeccable grin, the one that Mom and Dad paid $5,000 for.

She should have seen him with his buck teeth. I roll my eyes. "Let's just head over to the mall and we'll figure something out. It's at least a 15-minute drive on the interstate each way. I can check out our options online."

"Sounds like a plan." Teddy slams the gas and we peel out of Poppy's front yard, making a sharp turn and bumping down the country road like we're in a runaway stage coach, which gets a squeal of surprise from Poppy.

She buckles her seatbelt and giggles. "Whoa, slow down there, cowboy."

Teddy is showing off for her so I give him a sharp poke in the ribs with my elbow from my spot in the passenger seat. "Quit it."

"Don't worry, I'm just messing around." Teddy raises a daring eyebrow at me, but he taps the brake and we slow to an acceptable speed. "Safety first. Especially at night."

When our car comes to a complete stop at the top of her driveway, Teddy puts on his turn signal, waiting until two cars pass and makes a careful left turn onto the two-lane highway. He accelerates and the speedometer climbs to the posted speed and not a mile over. Teddy studies the road and grips the steering wheel with both hands, sitting up rigid and alert like he's not quite sure of himself.

"Are you nervous?" I can't help but tease my brother. "You're sitting at the edge of your seat like Grandma driving her Subaru—and you drive slower than her, too."

This comment gets a chuckle from the back seat and a satisfied grin spreads over my face. Teddy is not as cool as he seems and I want to make sure that Poppy knows it, lest she gets any crazy ideas one day. Which brings me to my next point. "How are things going with Luke? You two were smooching all afternoon."

"Smooching?!" Poppy's embarrassed gasp fills the silence of the car. "Um, we're good."

"Who's Luke?" Teddy takes his eyes off the road momentarily to shoot me a puzzled look and he peeks at Poppy in the rear view mirror.