I do wonder what they would think of me if they saw the parts that aren’t.

Pushing open the door, I let Poppy out and toss the keys at Oscar who leans against his car that’s parked behind mine.

“You have a bodyguard?” Poppy laughs nervously. “What kind of cop is your dad?”

“Oh, he’s no cop.” Betty chuckles, and I know she won’t say any more than that, but I want to. Poppy shared something with me, so now I want to share something with her.

I take a deep breath. “Papa is the Boss of the Sicilian mafia, Chicago outfit.” I watch for any flinch as her face grows more visible the closer we get to the house.

She blinks slowly. “Okay. I should have guessed that.”

“I don’t know what he saw in Wicked or why he was there though.” I smile at her weakly. “I’m sorry I can’t give you more than that.” And I am, regardless of whether I want to or not.

We pass by people on the patio and I wave and say hello to the ones who greet me. It’s all of them. I make a beeline through the groups of people and pass the lounge where people are making out, mostly half naked or all the way naked with cocaine sprawled out over ass cheeks and someone taking a hit from a bong out of a girl’s vagina. I let out a deep breath as I put space between us all and we finally get outside.

“Holy cow!” Poppy screeches, still looking back at what’s happening in the lounge. “That is what?”

The music changes to Side Kick, the atmosphere instantly less chaotic. Betty bounces her way toward Jason Bear and I take Poppy’s hand in mine as I lead her toward the group of people all seated around a small inbuilt fire pit. It’s not exactly cold, but you give these boys any reason and they’re lighting one.

“Baby giiirrrllll!” Howard hollers out, his arms stretched wide.

He’s the captain of our basketball team and you can tell. His shirt is off and tied around his forehead, and his jean shorts are pulled down slightly to show the top of his boxers.

“I was beginning to think you weren’t coming.” I place Poppy down on a chair before tapping his fist with mine.

“I almost didn’t. This is my friend Poppy.” I gesture with my thumb to where she sits.