Page 2 of The Alpha’s Sin (Forbidden Omegaverse #7)
POPPY
I stand on the porch of the neat, Cape Cod style house and try to gather my courage. It’s white with blue trim and there’s a huge maple tree filled with a riot of gold and scarlet leaves in the front yard. A few have fallen, sprinkled on the lawn like oversized confetti.
There’s a big black work truck in the driveway with equipment in the back. I remember that Logan has something to do with construction, though I forget what, exactly. Anyway , it looks like he’s home, so that’s good, at least.
But is it? I can feel the butterflies flapping nervously inside my stomach. I can’t believe I’m standing here about to ask a man I barely know if I can crash on his couch. What is he going to say? Will he turn me down immediately or draw it out before he says no?
I have no idea and I feel like I might be sick again, despite the stale crackers I managed to choke down to settle my stomach.
Parked in the street behind me is my old Cavalier . The gas gauge is nearly on empty so if Logan tells me I can’t stay, I’ll need to find someplace to park for the night that’s not too far away. Hopefully someplace safe.
The car is packed with everything I own—which isn’t much.
The apartment we were living in came pre-furnished and Dirk talked me into moving all my Grandma’s furniture into storage before we moved, so at least I didn’t have to worry about that.
Just a few suitcases filled with clothes and a box of knick-knacks and keepsakes.
Not much to bother with, but it’s all I have in the world.
I shiver and stamp my feet as I try to get up the nerve to ring the front doorbell.
I’m wearing a pair of jeans that already feel too tight in the waist and a dark green T -shirt that says, Go Bulls , and has the USF bull’s head logo on it in gold.
I also have on a light grey cardigan—it’s the thickest piece of clothing I own and it’s not doing a thing to keep me warm.
A cold gust of wind ruffles my hair and makes up my mind for me. My nose and cheeks are already tingling and I’m shivering like crazy. I can’t stand here in the cold all day— I’ll freeze. It’s better to get this over with.
Leaning forward, I press the doorbell and listen to the musical ding-dong. A minute later I hear the sound of heavy footsteps and a deep, gruff voice says,
“Who’s there?”
I almost turn away at this point. I can’t lie— I find Logan intimidating. I’m usually a happy, light-hearted kind of person and he’s the exact opposite—dark and brooding and to be honest, kind of scary. I just don’t know if I can face him right now.
But it’s now or never. Taking a deep breath, I call back, “ It’s me, Poppy .
Your sister-in-law?” I add, my voice taking an up-tilt, making it a question as though I’m not quite sure we’re actually related anymore.
Honestly , I’m not— I mean, Dirk did leave me.
I guess legally we’re still married but for all practical purposes…
My thoughts cut off when the door swings open and I see Logan standing there.
He’s wearing a white t-shirt that’s stretched tight over his broad chest, and black work trousers that lead down to thick-soled work boots.
His sharp, pale grey eyes look me up and down and I immediately feel myself shrinking.
“Poppy?” His eyebrows go up and he looks at me expectantly. “ What are you doing here?”
“I…um…” Shit — I can’t think! He’s so big…so scary. I rehearsed a speech on the way over here but now it’s fallen completely out of my head. My words have all dried up.
“Poppy?” he says again, frowning. “ Are you all right?”
“I…no, I’m not all right,” I say, finding my voice at last.
“You’re not?” His frown deepens. “ What’s wrong?”
“It’s Dirk ,” I blurt out. “ He left me.”
And then, even though I try not to, I burst into tears.