Page 34 of Broken Trust

“You don’t have to go to the wedding with me. I understand if this is too soon.” Atlas really wanted Kellen to go, but if his mate wasn’t ready for it, he wasn’t going to push him.

Kellen buried his face in Atlas’s neck. “I really don’t deserve you.”

That didn’t tell Atlas if Kellen was going or not, but for now, he let the subject drop. They were there to have a good time, and Atlas really liked Sam and Morgan. If his mate wasn’t ready to face Atlas’s family, especially in such a large gathering as a wedding, then meeting them could wait.

Chapter Ten

Atlas was glad his shift was almost over. They’d stayed late at Morgan and Sam’s, and once they were back at Kellen’s, his mate had been ravenous. They’d had sex three times before Atlas had collapsed into sleep.

Which made Atlas drag ass at work.

Despite the late hour, there were still some customers eating at various tables. Atlas recognized some of them. Deputy Davis and his boyfriend, Zayde, as well as Tillman—the guy who owned the candy store—and his boyfriend, Laith.

“Did you talk to your sister yet?” Mason asked as he joined Atlas behind the counter.

Atlas wasn’t taking a guest if Kellen decided not to go. His mate still hadn’t said anything about it after their talk in Morgan’s living room, and Atlas hadn’t brought it back up.

And honestly, as much as Atlas wanted to flip off anyone who frowned at him bringing a guy as his date, he truly wanted his sister’s day to be perfect.

Which meant not upsetting his mom.

“Not yet.”

“You said your mom doesn’t want you going solo. You have to either talk to your sister or ask a female to go with you.” Mason shrugged. “Unless you’ve come up with another option.”

Atlas respected the fairer sex and could appreciate their beauty, but the thought of having a woman on his arm felt so wrong. The only person he wanted at his side was Kellen.

“I have no idea what to do.” Atlas closed his eyes and rubbed the heels of his hands against his eyelids. Not because he was just frustrated but because he was also trying not to fall asleep at the counter. “I hear what you’re saying, but I just…” He groaned. “I’m getting a headache trying to figure this out.”

Trying to figure out if Kellen was going, if he wanted to bring Kellen, and why he was trying so hard to please his mom when it wasn’t even her wedding.

“Can I help you?” Mason asked.

Atlas thought his boss was talking to him, but when he opened his eyes, he noticed a customer standing in front of the counter. The man had a slender build and blond hair with highlights of pink running through it. He had really pretty blue eyes, too.

The stranger raked his eyes over Mason in a suggestive manner. “I’ll take an iced tea and your phone number. I’m Lowell, by the way.”

Atlas glanced from the stranger to his boss. Mason was a good-looking guy, and he could understand why someone would try to flirt with him.

Mason gave the blond a charming smile. “While I’m flattered, I’m also married.”

Married? Since when? Any time Atlas talked to Elijah, he’d always referred to Mason as his boyfriend. Had they eloped and neglected to tell anyone?

The twink leaned his hands on the counter, his hips rocking from side to side. “Your finger is missing a ring.”

Atlas saw the frustration spark in Mason’s brown eyes. His boss grabbed a cup and a lid, sliding it toward Lowell. “The drink is free, but I’m not.”

This guy was not giving up.

“Your hubby doesn’t have to know.” He traced his bottom lip with his tongue.

“He said no,” Atlas snapped. “Get your drink and bounce.”

Lowell glared at Atlas. “I don’t recall inviting you into this conversation.”

Atlas curled his lip. “You need to accept a rejection and move on.”

Kellen strolled into the restaurant, smiling when his gaze landed on Atlas, and then he frowned. “What’s going on?”

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