Page 96 of Drop Three

I understand what Navy means. It’s the same way I feel about my mother at times. I don’t miss her, but I feel her in every square inch of my life.

There’s an awkward silence that settles over us. The people mingling around us are forgotten. I know Briggs doesn’t know about Navy and me, but it feels uncomfortable anyway.

Thankfully, Poppy seems to know how to break the ice on some awkward silence because she inserts herself into the conversation naturally. “It feels so warm and inviting,” she says.

I should introduce her.

“Shit, sorry. Navy. Briggs. This is Poppy, my date.” I wrap my arm around Poppy’s waist, and it feels wrong.

I don’t miss the moment Navy’s eyes follow the motion.

Is that jealousy I see lining her face?

She has no reason to be jealous.

She’s the one with a date attached to her hip like he’s afraid he’ll get lost without her. Besides, Poppy and I met only two hours ago; Navy’s been out with Briggs already.

“Poppy?” Navy asks solemnly.

“Oh, god. What have you heard? Did Kodi tell you about my pig farm growing up? I swear it’s not as weird as it seems,” Poppy asks Navy, laughing to herself.

Although Poppy isn’t who I would choose to be here with tonight, she’s cool as shit. It’s evident she knows how to go with the flow and seems to be able to chat with anyone. It’s refreshing.

Everyone laughs, except for Navy. Even Briggs is laughing.

“No mention of any pig farm. You’re the interior designer, right?” Navy asks Poppy.

“Yeah, she is. Isn’t she hot as fuck?” Gus announces out of nowhere, loud enough for everyone to hear, and throws his heavy arm around Poppy’s shoulder.

Poppy doesn’t know Gus, but thankfully she laughs off his playfulness.

“Sorry, dude. I’m taken for the night,” Poppy tells him as she lightly nudges my side.

“Perfect. I’ll reserve you for tomorrow then.” Gus sends her a wink.

He’s such an idiot.

I see the moment Navy detaches herself from the conversation.

It’s as if she had an epiphany and needs a second to regain composure. I watch her lean shoulders draw back before she steadily grips tighter onto Briggs’ hand and responds with poise, “You seem lovely, Poppy. And you two look great together.” Navy turns to Briggs. “Come on, let me show you the pool area.”

She leads him away without another word.

She seems lovely?Navy doesn’t use the wordlovely. The Navy I know says “she’s hot as fuck” and makes no apologies for her edge in the matter.

“So, we gettin’ turnt up or what?” Gus asks, causing every head near us to look at him in question.

“Hey, Gus?” I tell him.

“Yeah?”

“Go find Tenley.”

“She’s here?” I nod. “Hell yes. Oh, princess. Come out, come out wherever you are.”

He’s gone, on a mission to find the woman he can never have.

We’ve got that in common tonight.

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