Wings Over Poppies (Over #2) (16 page)

He shoves his keys into his pocket and then pushes up on his toes to grab something out of the bed of the truck. That’s when I see it. It was only a moment—a blink at the wrong time, and I would have missed it. He grabs the backpack he was retrieving and throws it over his shoulder, making his way into the clinic.

He keeps walking, as if nothing has changed. Like today isn’t the day I saw the small glint of steel pipe where his left leg used to be.

He continues with his every day life, as all the puzzle pieces fall firmly into place for me.

“
Vindicated
” by Dashboard Confessional

“SO, WHAT’S YOUR sign?” Pink tie guy is giving me his version of fuck me eyes, which looks more like constipation. I’m sure he told me his name when he sat down, but for the life of me, I can’t remember.

“I’m a Leo,” I mumble as a certain wounded soldier overwhelms my every thought.

“I’m a Leo, too. That could be interesting, Alexandra.” He leans in, and I shift away instinctively.

The only reason I’m here tonight is because Celia would kill me if I bailed after making her pay the sign up fee. I called to see if they offered refunds, but no such luck. So what am I doing the night after West flips my world upside down? Fucking. Speed. Dating.

I feel like a piece of jagged lead is sitting heavily in my chest, and my emotions are frantic and suffocating. After all these years of feeling cast aside, is it possible West was hurting just as much as I? It’s as if I’m watching a picture slowly come into focus, but still waiting impatiently for the final product.

What else is he hiding from me? When will I get the whole picture?

The shrill ringing of a bell breaks through my rambling thoughts, and my five minute date stands up, seductively dragging his pencil down my arm as he goes. At least I think seductive is what he’s going for. Poor guy.

Date number ten sits across from me within seconds. Or is it date number eleven? I lost count. If I thought The Keg was a meat market, then this place is a straight up brothel.

“Well, hello beautiful. My night just took a turn for the better,” number ten drawls.

“I’m Alex. It’s nice to meet you.” I’m trying my best to be cordial. There’s no reason to be bitchy, right?

“David Mullen, I’m an investment banker.” He puffs out his chest, looking a bit entitled. It’s obvious he’s waiting for me to swoon. His three-piece suit fits him perfectly, and there’s no denying he is handsome. “This shit is pretty lame, right?”

I immediately relax and laugh. Maybe he’s not so bad after all. “Absolutely. I don’t know what I was thinking signing up for this. This is not something I normally do.”

“That’s what they all say, Alex,” David teases as he kicks me softly under the table. “’I don’t come here often.’ ‘I’m not usually this forward.’”

“I’ve never done this sort of thing before,” I offer as we both laugh in unison.

David leans in and grips my hand tightly. “Look, let’s cut all the bullshit, why don’t we? I think you’re stunning. I’d love for you to come back with me to my condo. I’ve got enough blow for the both of us, and you could ride my cock all night long. How about it, Alex?”

“Ding, ding, ding,” I shriek, my hand hitting the table emphatically.

“What?”

“That’s the bell. Move along, douchebag!” I say, a little louder than intended.

I reign in my temper and inhale deep, even breaths. He tosses the chair angrily at the table and storms away. I’ll never understand how I end up in these situations, but I must have a honing beacon for dating deviants.

I look down at my dress, searching for the answer. I’m wearing a simple, light pink linen shift dress with a white crocheted cardigan and black ballet flats. If anything, my outfit screams purity, not perversion. I must give off a signal that only the perverted can hear, like a dog whistle.

I search the room for Celia, praying she doesn’t kill me for bringing her here. Surprisingly, she’s tucked away in a corner deep in conversation with someone. Could Celia be ending her self-imposed man drought? Now,
that
would make this entire night worth it.

I’m so focused on Celia and her mystery man I fail to notice I have company.

“Well, well, well. Look who we have here.” I look up and see Hank leering at me. “You know, it’s not nice to leave a man with a severe case of blue balls. That’s a serious offense. I wonder what your punishment should be. Alex, right?”

Is this guy serious? He propositions me for a threesome after knowing me for a total of five minutes, and I’m to blame for the state his testicles?

“Yes, my name is Alex, and I have no interest in the color of your balls, Hank, nor do I take any responsibility for their condition. I think it would be best if we skipped this little ‘date,’” I say, using air quotes to make my point. “I’m sure you understand.”

“Come on, Alex, retract the claws. There may be more between us than you think.” He winks as he takes a swig of his beer. There’s no denying he’s a good-looking man, but now I see a greasy quality about him that I initially missed at The Keg.

“The only thing I want between us is space and a lot of it. All you’re interested in is someone to change the color of your balls, and there’s nothing wrong with that. I just happen to know that girl isn’t me.” I narrow my gaze just as the ringing bell fills the room. My lips turn up into a controlled smile. “What a pity. Time is up.”

Hank stands up and says nothing as he hovers. Taking two steps in my direction, he bends down until his lips are even with my ear.

“I think you’re mistaken, Alex. You could become my type of girl with the flip of a switch,” he whispers evenly as he snaps his fingers in my face.

He delivers the words with an eerie calm, and they unnerve me, leaving tight knots coiled in my stomach. He holds my gaze for too long, stands to his full height, and walks away, appearing unaffected. My nerves calm a bit when the moderator of the event distracts me with her high-pitched voice.

“Ladies and gentleman, please fill out your preference forms and bring them to me ASAP.”

I crumple my paper into a tight ball as Celia walks up to my table with her new friend.

“It was so nice to meet you, Jim, and I look forward to seeing you at the clinic,” she gushes as she hugs him.

“I’ll give Caroline a call tomorrow. I look forward to helping out.”

Jim gives me a friendly nod as he walks away. I raise my eyes in question, and Celia claps excitedly.

“You were so right, Alex. This was a wonderful place to make friends. I found two new volunteers for New Horizons. Caroline will be so happy.” Celia is beaming as she leans closer and whispers softly, “I may have even found a new client.”

I chuckle under my breath and shake my head. “Oh, I have no doubt that you found a client, Celia. As a matter of fact, there are a few names I could add to that list.”

Celia purses her lips and squints her eyes at me. “Be serious, Alex.”

I sigh heavily and squeeze Celia’s hand. She takes her job and her clients seriously, just as she should. I would never intentionally belittle her work.

“I’m sorry, girl. I’m just frustrated and ready to get out of here. I didn’t mean to sound rude.”

“I know that. Look, no biggie. Let’s get out of here.” She grabs my hand and we start making our way to the exit.

I stop short, making Celia jerk back since I’m holding her hand. “Um, why is Cain waiting for us outside?”

She throws her hands up in the air, looking exasperated. “Who knows? When I told him where I was going, he tried to talk me out of coming and then insisted on bringing me and picking me up. He acts like he’s my protective older brother sometimes.”

A protective older brother? That sounds all too familiar, but I make the conscious decision to keep my mouth shut. Celia will have to figure this one out on her own, and I smile at the thought. I can’t think of two people who deserve each other more. With Cain’s persistent nature and Celia’s hard head, things could get interesting.

We step out into the muggy Louisiana night and find Cain impatiently pacing the sidewalk. When he sees us approaching, his hands go to his hips, and he releases a heavy breath.

“What the hell took so long? People have been filtering out of the place for the past fifteen minutes. I was about to go in and find you, Celia.” Cain’s tone is harsh and clipped.

“I do
not
need a chaperone, Cain Bennett, so I suggest you cool your damn jets.” Celia stomps her foot and glares at him. One look at Celia makes it clear she doesn’t appreciate his attitude one bit.

Cain deflates instantly and rushes to Celia and grabs her hand. “Damn. Look, I’m sorry. I was just worried, Cece.”

My heart tugs as I watch this gentle giant melt at Celia’s feet. I feel like an intruder, but I can’t look away. It’s beautiful and heartbreaking, and I pray she wakes up before it’s too late.

“I’m a big girl, Cain. There’s nothing to worry about,” she says with a lightness no one else feels. “Will you take me home now?”

“Of course.” He pulls her gently to him and drapes his arm over her shoulders. Celia barely reaches his shoulders, and she snuggles deep into his side, wrapping her arm around his waist.

Cain looks up at me in question. “Can we walk you to your car, Alex? Or how about I take you home, too?”

“Thanks, Cain, but I’m good. I’m actually parked at the gallery. I have some work to do before I go home. It’s only a block away.” I give them a dismissive wave as I turn to leave.

“Oh no you don’t, girl,” Celia shouts as I walk away. “We’ll watch you walk to the gallery. We’re not leaving until you’re locked in.”

“Yes, ma’am.” I laugh as I shake my head. “Ya know, I’m a big girl, too.”

“Cut the shit, girl. You know we just want you safe and sound,” Cain argues with a stern tone.

“I know, I know. And thank you.”

Celia and Cain stand on the corner waiting for me to open the gallery door. When I hear the click of the lock, I wave goodbye to them.

“Thanks, guys. See ya!” I yell loud enough so they can hear me.

I quickly lock the door behind me, turn off the alarm, and begin my search for the files I need. I sift through the papers on my desk with no luck. I look through the workroom, hoping I left them on a counter or table. No luck. I cross my arms in frustration and close my eyes, trying to retrace my steps. That’s when I realize the papers I need are sitting on my bedside table at home.

Damn. How could I forget that?

I laugh to myself and feel grateful I remembered before wasting any more time searching. I quickly gather my things and turn off the lights as I make my way to the door. I reset the alarm and fumble with the keys as I lock up.

“We’ve got to stop meeting like this, Alex. I’m beginning to think it’s not coincidence drawing us together.”

I tense at the sound of calm satisfaction laced in his voice. I slowly turn and slide my keys strategically between my fingers.

“Hank, what a surprise. I was just leaving.” I try to sound relaxed and nonchalant as I shift farther away from him.

“Leaving? But things are about to get interesting.”

“
#1 Crush
” by Garbage