Page 133 of Bad for Me

“Hello, Sunshine,” I say, my voice coming out rough, and I worry he might get scared of me like so many others do. Instead of fear, all I see is bright, shining curiosity when he flicks his big eyes up to meet mine.

“Hello,” he says shyly, voice whisper soft, and my cock twitches at the sweet sound.

1

ASHBY

Two years,seven months, sixteen days and twelve hours.

That’s how long it’s been since he left me.

My feral guardian.

My protector.

My forever person.

I rub my chest, the all-too-familiar confusion and sadness flowing through me as I trudge down the street. Staring at my feet, I take each step carefully so I don’t slip on a slick spot of ice. I tug my jacket closer and allow myself a moment to wallow in the pain of abandonment, then slap a pleasant smile on my face. I reach the café, take a second to square my shoulders, and clear my mind before pulling the door open and heading inside.

It’s a small place on Main Street that quickly became my go-to spot when I needed to get out of my condo and feel less alone. It has a warm and inviting atmosphere, and there are often multiple people scattered throughout the tables working on computers or reading books. I settle into my usual booth near the back and set up my laptop. It’s close to the bathroom and in a corner, so no one can sit behind me and see what I’m working on.

In the past year, Vince has started letting me get more and more involved in the family business. I don’t participate in the violent side of his organization, but I have completely taken over his accounting and bookkeeping. I work my magic, using my skill with numbers and near-perfect memory to find ways to funnel his money so that he never gets into trouble with the IRS or the feds. My mom wasn’t pleased when he offered me the position, but I told her it was this, or I’d move across the country and take a job at a corporation that had been trying to hire me for months where I would be making millions. She’d taken the threat seriously, as she should, and now I was making millions while remaining close to home.

I moved out once I started working. Mom tried to fight me on that as well, but I refused to stay in a home that constantly reminded me of the one person I believed would love me forever. I bought a nice condo in what she deemed a safe area in the city just to ease some of her worries. There’s a doorman and 24-hour security. My place is large with an open floor plan. It has three bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms, and a movie theater/game room that would make all my online gamer friends jealous if they ever saw it.

“Hey, Ash,” a familiar voice calls, and I look up with my first genuine smile since I woke up today as Atlas approaches me, my usual order held in his hands.

“Hey, Atlas.” I smile, taking the chocolate-filled scone and iced caramel macchiato from him. “Do you have time to sit and chat for a bit? It doesn’t seem too busy.”

He glances around the shop before nodding and settling into the seat across from me. I turn my laptop screen so he can’t see what I’m doing. I trust Atlas; he has quickly become my closest friend, but I know Vince wouldn’t like me showing outsiders his private information.

“How is work so far today? You opened, right?” He nods, and I notice the dark circles under his eyes, the chipped polish on his nails, the way his uniform is rumpled, and his signature makeup nowhere to be seen.

“Yeah, I did. It’s been easy so far,” he says, his voice naturally soft and quiet. “Most people aren’t willing to go out in the snow yet.”

“Are you okay? You look exhausted.”

“I am. I worked at the restaurant last night, and then my roommates were having a party when I got home, so I didn’t get much sleep before I had to wake up and come in to work here.” A large yawn cuts into his words, and I sigh, feeling helpless. The thought of kidnapping him and forcing him to stay with me, eating and sleeping until he regains his bubbly personality, has crossed my mind on many occasions. But I’ve never been able to follow through on my darker impulses without Storm by my side.

“Please, Atlas. I’ve begged you over and over. Come and live with me. I have too much space, and I get so lonely there by myself,” I plead, reaching out to take his hand in mine. We are similar in height and build, but his hair is chocolate brown, and his eyes are the color of honey. His skin is also a few shades darker than mine, thanks to his Spanish heritage.

“I can barely afford the place I’m at now despite having three roommates and two jobs,” he says, using the same argument as always.

“You don’t need to worry about that. I don't pay rent for my condo.” I leave out the fact that it was paid in full when I bought it, not wanting to rub my money in his face, remembering what it feels like to be so broke and desperate. “You could just help with the utilities or the groceries,” I plead for the hundredth time. I don’t need his money, but I know he would never accept a free ride.

“I’ll think about it,” he responds, but I can hear something change in his voice this time, like he might truly consider my offer. “I’m just so fucking tired. Maybe I could come have a sleepover like you always offer?” He has been over plenty of times. He is one of the few people who has actually spent time in my home besides myself or my parents, but I don't say anything. “I got lucky somehow, and both my schedules lined up, so I don’t have to work either job tomorrow.”

I try not to let my happiness show, but hacking into both places’ computers and tweaking his schedule so he could finally have a day off was so much easier than I expected. They had surprisingly little cyber security or protection. I’d even put in that he was to get a two-dollar raise at the coffee shop. The owner is a wealthy businessman who has the money to spare. His wife wanted something of her own, so he bought her the place, but she quickly grew bored and rarely came to work anymore. Atlas had been doing her job managing the place for over a year for pathetic pay, and I’d had enough. The man never even noticed the change, and I could see how the extra money helped ease some of Atlas’s stress.

“Yeah! That’s a great idea. I have both spare rooms set up and ready. We can play some games and then watch scary movies!”

Atlas sighs, the sound full of so much emotion. “That sounds perfect.”

“Okay. What time are you off? I have a few more things to do for my work today, but I should be done in a few hours,” I say.

“Fuck, I wish I was as smart as you so I could get a genius job and make millions,” he says, slouching in his chair.

“If you could do anything, what would you want to do with your life?” I ask him. His head tilts to the side, his eyes getting a faraway look.

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