Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 119476 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 597(@200wpm)___ 478(@250wpm)___ 398(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119476 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 597(@200wpm)___ 478(@250wpm)___ 398(@300wpm)
Atlas and I both chuckle under our breath as Scarlet throws her arms out to either side. “First of all, you don’t get to steal my drink and then complain about not liking it. So sorry I don’t drink bitter bean juice like you. I prefer my coffee on the sweet side.”
He spits again and then wipes his mouth with the back of his hand. “This coffee is the only thing sweet about you.”
“Whatever you say, Officer Jackass.” She turns to where Atlas and I are standing. “Hey there, you two. What are we doing first?”
“Hi,” I murmur, turning my gaze toward Atlas. “I-I was thinking donuts and cider, but you already have coffee, so we can totally do—”
Scarlet grins. “A donut sounds perfect. Let’s go.”
“Am I the only one who prefers the funnel cake?” Atlas sputters.
All three of us answer in tandem. “Yes.”
As we walk toward the food area, Scarlet sidles up next to me. “How do you deal with all of this testosterone twenty-four-seven?”
Atlas grunts his displeasure while I merely shrug. “It doesn’t bother me.”
“That’s because you’re a saint, clearly.”
“It’s not like I know any differently.” It pains me to admit that out loud to her, but it’s true. I kind of like being around Atlas and Ellis all the time though. Knowing they’re always near offers me more than a sense of security—which I crave—but their presence also offers me companionship. It means I’m no longer alone.
Scarlet gasps and jerks to a halt directly in front of us. “Oh my God, you don’t, do you!” She claps her hands together in a way that has trepidation slithering through me. “I know just the thing you need.”
“Scarlet, no…” Atlas hedges, his discomfort evident by his now rigid posture.
“Yes!” She nods her head, even as he shakes his.
“I don’t know what’s about to come out of your mouth, but I already know I’m not gonna like it.”
His edginess is causing my unease to coil around my heart, tightening and squeezing to the point where drawing in a full breath is impossible.
“Atlas,” I whisper, desperate to ease the tension settling over our little group.
Up ahead, Ellis finally notices we’re no longer trailing behind him. Turning back, he jogs over to join us. “What are y’all doing? I turned around and poof, y’all were gone.”
“Scarlet here’s about to—”
“I can speak for myself, Atlas Wallace.” She cuts her eyes at him in a frosty glare before turning back to me. “I was about to suggest a girls’ day for Nora and me.”
“No.” Atlas’s growled monosyllabic reply is so cold, I can’t help but shiver.
Atlas notices, too. Of course he does, and he immediately presses his chest to my back and wraps his arms around me, cocooning me in his warmth.
Unfortunately, this isn’t the kind of cold body heat can help.
“Please don’t fight,” I whisper, but none of them seem to hear me.
“It’s not happening, Scarlet.” Atlas’s tone is resolute—as if his say is final.
Usually, I don’t mind him taking charge, but much like at breakfast the other morning, the conversation is merely about me. Then again, it would include me, if I’d just speak up.
“Your girlfriend can speak for herself, too.” Scarlet’s tone matches Atlas’s as she crosses her arms over her chest.
My stomach churns as I try to work up the nerve to intervene. I don’t want them to fight—especially not because of me.
Luckily, Scarlet’s words seem to knock some sense into Atlas.
“Fuck, Pip,” he murmurs, twirling me around to face him. “I’m sorry. Scarlet’s right. You can think and speak for yourself. The idea of you being out somewhere in public without me has me feeling some kind of way. But that’s on me. That’s my shit to own, not yours. So, if you want to go, I’ll support that decision.”
“You mean that?” I blink up at him, wondering how it’s possible for him to be real.
“Yeah, I mean it.” He inhales deeply before adding, “I’ll support you in anything you want to do. But be patient with me, too, Pip. Knowing he’s still out there somewhere makes me want to never let you leave my side.”
The thought of Rand has my spine snapping straight as paranoia and fear go to war inside of me. A small part of me wants to burrow into Atlas’s side and never leave. After all, he is my safe space. But a larger part of me knows that if I ever want to truly be free from him, I have to be strong… brave.
I take a few deep breaths, counting down slowly from five in my head, before forcing my muscles to unclench. “I-I think a girls’ day sounds fun. I… I’ve never really done that before.”
I can tell Scarlet wants to comment on that, but Ellis intervenes before she can.
“Rude.” He looks me up and down. “We’ve had many a girls’ day, Nora.”