Wings Over Poppies (Over #2) by J.A. DeRouen Read Free Book Online

explanation about how I’m a sweet girl, but you just don’t see me that way. It was foolish of me to think you ever would.”
    The anger slowly leaves her words, and an undercurrent of hurt takes its place. Her shoulders slump in defeat as she raises her hand again, silently asking for her golf bag.
    “I’ve listened to you, Alex, and now you need to listen to what I have to say. If you want nothing to do with me afterward, well, then I’ll have to accept that. But I deserve for you to hear me out.” I hold my ground and refuse to break eye contact. I’m not giving up easily. I grip her golf bag tightly, like it’s the only lifeline I have left to her. Once I give it back, she has no reason to ever talk to me again. She’ll have to pry this damn bag out of my dying hands.
    Her eyes close slightly, and she crosses her arms over her chest, as if she’s physically holding herself together. She remains silent, either waiting for my explanation or waiting for me to leave her the hell alone. I have a feeling it’s the latter.
    Shit … I’ve been so worried about getting her to talk to me, I never gave any thought to what I’d actually say.
    “Okay, well, this is the thing, Alex … you know you’re my girl, right?” I stutter and stammer as words escape me. I’m such a fucking idiot.
    Alex releases a heavy sigh and reaches out for her golf bag again, which frustrates me beyond reason.
    “No, you don’t get to walk away from me.” I point my finger accusingly. I’m losing her and desperation is creeping in. I’ll do just about anything to get her to stay.
    “You don’t want me to walk away? Then tell me something, West. Tell me something I don’t know.” She sounds as irritated as I feel.
    “You know what, Alex? You and I live very different lives. I don’t have the luxury of just taking everything I want.” I shake my head in defeat and silently beg her to hear the words I’m saying. To feel the words I can’t seem to find. “Just because you’re all I think about—just because I count the days, count the hours until I can be alone with you on Sundays; just because the thought of you shutting me out causes an actual ache in my chest, doesn’t mean I can have you. It doesn’t mean I deserve you.”
    I chance a quick look at her, and I see the tears pooling in her eyes. It takes all my restraint not to go to her.
    I look to the sky for the answers, but as always, I come up empty.
    “My life is such a mess, Alex. I can barely keep my head above water. I’m constantly looking for a way to get in front of all these obstacles in my life, but I always seem to come up short.” I need her to understand where I’m coming from, so I continue. “When you look at me, I want you to see in me what I see in you. I keep trying to find the right path. I’m on my way to becoming who I want to be, who I need to be for us to work. I need you to give me that time.”
    She remains silent, and the air feels crisp and light as the weight of my words finally lifts from my chest. For the first time in months, I can breathe deep. If nothing else, she knows how I feel. What she does with that knowledge is up to her.
    “That’s funny,” she whispers with a sarcastic laugh. “Because you? The guy standing in front of me right now? You’re exactly who I want you to be, West. As is.”
    Her words feel bittersweet, because while they warm my heart, they don’t change the facts. So I ask her the question that will put everything into perspective.
    “Have you heard back from New York?”
    She looks to the trees and bites her lower lip knowingly. She’s fully aware of the point I’m trying to make.
    “Of course you have. Of course they want you. And you’ll go. I need to let you go.” Her expression is wistful, and it serves to assuage my brewing jealousy. New York will get her. New York will take her from me. But it’s the only way. “You are such a bright light, and you are meant for great and wonderful